Kr’Antren steps off of the transporter Pad.

Welcome to the Devron Fleet yards Ensign. Home of Task Force 93.

Thank you chief

Heads for the Red shirt off to the side, presuming that he is the deck officer assigned to this transporter room.

Ensign, I’m ensign Kr’ Antren reporting in. (handing his PADD over)

Hmmmmm Ensign Kr’Antren, hmmmm I can’t find you on our incoming replacement list. Oh, ohhhhh. Umm you are to report to Commander Ofransitek in HQ upon your arrival.

Umm well ok, what ship is he in charge of, I’m supposed to be a assigned to star ship.

Well, that’s just it Kr’Antren, he is not a Captain of a ship as far as I know. (Hands Kr’Antrens PADD back to him) I marked the directions to his office on your PADD.

Kr’Antren makes his way out of the transporter room and heading towards the turbo lifts.

Ok what’s up with this? no quarters assignment? Did somebody mess up and send me the wrong orders? Has the ship I was supposed to be assigned to been moved? Destroyed? Reassigned to a different Task Force? 

Muttering to him self as he enters the turbo lift. HQ deck 5 

Stepping off of the turbo lift. What was his name again? Commander (looks at his PADD) oh crap, wrong HQ. (Reenters the turbo lift) Deck 100. What???  Fleet yard HQ, No, No, No… Not shuttles and Maintenance shakedowns again. Come on I was supposed to get assigned to a star ship, any ship, (gulp) even a Raven if that is all they have room on, anything but shuttles and shake down cruises.

Steps of the turbo lift after asking a few passersby’s finally finds the fleet yard HQ. Upon entering he is met with a medium sized atrium that overlooks what looks like the control center for the Fleet yard with panels overlooking the going on in the yard and the ship currently in dock.

Excuse me LT. I was told upon my arrival to see Commander Ofransitek.

Name?

Ensign Kr’Antren

(The lieutenant looks at his PADD) ahhhh yes. I believe we will find the Commander below in the control Center. Follow me.

Follows the LT down several sets of stairs that empty out on the main floor of the Control Center. Excuse me Lt, do you have any Idea on what is going on? I thought I was supposed to be going to a star ship as a helmsman.

The Lt chuckles to himself, well Ensign that’s a yes and a no. At least from what I can see on my PADD. I’ll let the commander explain your orders have been changed. You were supposed to go to that ship right over there. Points at a Reliant class star ship. 

Kr’ Antren’s mane hairs start to stand up. Sir why do I feel a “But” coming up next.

The LT just gives a slight shrug of his shoulders.

Here we are. Commander Ofransitek sir, Ensign Kr’Antren is reporting in (The LT leads Kr’Antren into an office that overlooks both the yard and the 

Comma Ofransitek currently looking out the windows takes a sip from the mug he is holding looks over at a holographic board that denotes the ships in the yard and their current status. hmmm the Rhyndacus. He turns back towards the windows his glance locking onto a Raven Class ship off to the side. Well ok, lets get this on with, things to do and all that. Turning back around placing his mug on the very crowded desk and picking up the PADD. Ahem, lieutenant.

Entering the room, the LT and the Kr’ Antren stop in front of the desk in the open spot between the desk and some chairs

Ensign Kr’Antren ATTENHUUUT!!!!

Kr’Antren snaps too oh crap what did I do now, goes through his mind.

Ensign Kr’ Antren per Star Fleet command and the Bravo Fleet commander you are hereby given command of the USS Rhyndacus. You are further to finish her modifications and then unless otherwise directed you are to proceed to Starbase 47 where you will join Task Force 47 and its ongoing mission.

Ensign, I believe you are in the wrong uniform, CHIEF! (a chief enters the room carrying a folder up red tunic) Well Ensign what are you waiting for?

Kr’ Anttren looks around What?? Is going on this is a joke right, someone is going to pop out and be like got you. come on an Ensign in command of a start ship? As he is changing out of his yellow tunic and putting on the red of command. Ummm thank you chief.

Yes Sir, umm sir are you sure you have the right Ca, the right Ensign.

Yes, yes Ensign Kr’Antren we always double check these orders, they have become a come occurrence over the last couple months though. So, we came up with those little theatrics to get the shock over with as quick as possible. Plus, it doesn’t give you enough time to try and refuse, some have tried.

Now would you like to see you new command, here take a look (points to a Raven siting off to the side) She is relatively new was originally built at Star base Bravo for some scientists wanting to do some mission for Starfleet. Probably, why she has the sensor pod extension on top. She has been sitting here in the fleet yard for a couple years now, we started a crew on her modification to bring her up to star fleet requirements a week ago so they should be almost complete. May want to meet up with Senior Chief Ruzguzee. He is currently in charge of the team doing the modification. He actually might be a good choice for your engineer department head. You have to think on that now, too, amongst other things. Well Ensign let me be the first to congratulate you. Captain she is all yours. Let us know if we can help in any way over the next couple days and let us know when you are ready to depart, If I may if you do not find crew here, I would heavily suggest stopping by Star Base Bravo on your way to Starbase 47. So, you can fill out your crew.

Yes, Sir and thank you sir.

Kr’Antren turns to leave the Commanders office. he momentarily stops to turn and look back out the window at his ship, his command.

(master chief that was standing just at the door way) USS RYHNDACUS ENTERING THE FLEET, FAIR WINDS AND SAFE SEAS.

Kr’ Antren proceeds up the stairs standing a little taller a little more polished than when he entered just a few short minutes ago.

After taking a couple minutes to collect himself and stopping to get a bite to eat Kr’antren makes his way to the USS Rhyndacus, his first command.

I still can’t believe that she is my first Command, not quite what I was hoping for my first one but she will do. Seeing her up close for the first time he but can t help to notice the workerbees robots flying around her, working on bringing her up to star fleet specs. Wonder how much longer it will be before she is ready to depart (he thinks to himself) According to the latest reports everything is ahead of schedule the photon torpedo launcher has been installed as the civilian had originally requested that to be turned into a probe launcher. All computer systems are going through modifications and diagnostic testing and the warp core has been brought up to specs. (Again, talking to himself as he stares out the port window near her docking port) Guess I should make my way onboard and get the introductions out of the way. Plus, I have to meet Senior Chief since the commander personally recommended him for the engineering department head slot, won’t be much of a department on a ship this small though. (Talking to no one in particular as he enters the docking port and steps foot onto the USS Rhyndacus for the first time).

We hear the Boatswains mate whistle alert for the captain entering, echo through the port. 

(chuckles to himself) Guess I’ll have to get used to that.

Tapping the his comm badge. Senior chief Ruzguzee this is the Ensign Kr’Antren can you meet me on the bridge.

On my way sir.

(Kr’antren noticing several engineer work crew as he make his wat to the bridge, politely asks how things are going as he makes his way to the bridge)

Again, we hear the whistle alert and we hear.

Captain on the bridge! (Kr’Antren notice a few engineers pop to attention) 

Carry on (Kr’Antren runs a hand through his hair and smoothing down one of the braids that he does his beard in) Not sure I’ll ever get used to that.

Oh, you will sir, give it some time.

Kr’ Antren takes in the bridge and the layout noticing the door which he assumes leads to his ready room of to his right side. As he walks around taking everything in he goes by and touches the chair, not quite ready or sure if he should sit in it yet.

Well, Rhyndacus I’m ensign Kr’Antren your new commander. I promise to take care of you if you will help me in taking care of the crew. We are all one team one family now.

We hear the bridge door open, and see a tall athletic built if not slightly older Saurian enter the bridge.

She will sir as long as you do your part, she will do hers I can promise you that.

(Kr’Antren turns to look at the person whom just entered, taking an additional second to size him up remembering what he had read in the Dossiers that the commander had given him on the chief)

Ahh Chief Ruzguzee, Ensign Kr’Antren I’ve been assigned to the Ryhndacus as her captain.

(we see Chief Ruzguzee blink his eyes and also taking those extra couple seconds to size up Kr’Antren)

Hmmmm maybe he has heard through the grapevine about him being recommended (Kr’Antren thinks to himself)

Kind of young to be a Captain, but he must have something, that spark, if Starfleet gave him the ship. Being young and new to not only command but seeing as he is an ensign, I would guess he is only a year or two out of the academy he will need experienced guidance in not only commanding the ship but in leading the crew. Hmmmm, I have already thought about his and had made my decision last night, if he offers, I will accept. 

Both the ensign and the chief reach their hands out at almost the same time taking each other’s in a firm hand shake of not only welcome but in some ways in acceptance or approval.

So, what’s the latest status report chief, I read through the morning one on my way down here.

Well sir, (as the two start to walk around the bridge) everything is ahead of schedule luckily for you the scientists never to command of the ship so the modifications weren’t hard to replace. The Warp core and engine diagnostics were finished last night as I’m sure you read in the report. Communications and science were finished a couple days ago. We are running the Tactical and Helms diagnostics as we speak, the final computer upgrade and diagnostics should be started sometime tonight if nothing is flagged with helm and Tactical. With no Issues sir you should be able to depart in 48 hours, 24 – 36 if you do plan on stopping at Star Base Bravo on your way as they could complete anything needed or missed there. 

I was thinking about tit as it would be a good place to pick up any crew I don’t find here.

That’s what I had figured as it would have a good selection of new cadets maybe an experienced crewman or two that is newly arrived and notyet assigned, sir.

(Kr’Antren nods as he stops again beside the Chair)

Ok chief, if I may make a couple request for the bridge that I hope wont set us back to much time wise. One, the chair.

The chair sir?

Yes, the chair I find these typical command chairs are not the most fitting for someone with (flicks his tails across the chiefs’ boots)

Ahh, I got you sir. Didn’t think of that this morning when we heard about, the new captain

(The chief taps on his comm badge) engineer Stevens, lets get one type Charlie Gama Hotel Bravo (looks at the Ensign) seven Command Style, better add 6 more non command to that switch them all out.

Right away chief, should be ready in an hour or two.

Chief, can we get some sort of barrier behind my chair so no one accidently steps on me.

On it, Hear that petty officer.

On it chief, I think one about two feet high about 2 feet back from the chair should do it. Be done before next shift change.

Chief one more thing, I find these view screens a bit small in my experience helming a few of these during maintenance check rides.

(Chief reaches up and thoughtfully rubs his chis with some slight clicking noises coming from his mouth) ahhhh I see what you mean sir it does kind of limit the field of view doesn’t. maybe if we go from just inside the engineering station around to just inside the science station. Yes, that should work quite well. Petty Officer?

On it chief.

(Petty officer taps his comm badge) Team’s seven and nine come to the bridge please.

(Kr’Antren nods his head in approval)                                                          

Soo how about a tour chief? And one last question. I’m sure you have could assume that I will need a Chief Engineer.  So how do you feel about doing some exploring and making sure I keep my promises to this girl? (As he taps the helms man terminal area).

Sir, I will accept that offer

Ok, I’ll file the paperwork as you are giving me a tour of our new command. Oh. I was wondering any ideas on what to load into that pod? I’m open to suggestions. And chief I think 2 crew man for engineering should work out. Preferable ones with additional skills in other areas and preferably some small unit tactics. 

Petty officer you hear that, pack your bags your part of the crew now.            

Yes, chief and yes sir. 

(Kr’Antren nods again and lets out a slight chuckle) Guess you two might have talked about that possibility some.

Maybe a little sir

Chief Ruzguzee gives Kr’Antren a tour of the entire vessel. Making small talk along the way as they learn a bit about each other along with their goals and aspirations. Also stopping at times to show his new Captain some of the modifications that have been made compared to the slightly older versions that he has flown while at star base bravo.

Sir, thinking about the pod since we have it, we might use it. You said we are being assigned to Task Force 47. Well knowing their mission and the area they work in I would suggest a sensor module and a communication receiving module. Something to give us a bit better eyes and ears so to speak.

That along the lines I was thinking chief, just wasn’t sure if something else had already been installed in it. How many more modules can we fit in it after those two?

Maybe two more of the size they take up. 

Hmm ok, lets go with those two for now and leave the other two to be used as different missions come up. 

Sounds good sir.

Chief let’s add some more power supply points in bays 3 and 4 in case we need to use them for anything in particular that may come, rathe be ready and not need them than need them and not have them.

Agreed sir, makes sese.

So, we have 8 Bridge crew quarters and room in the enlisted area for 5 or if they double up 10. Let’s keep one of those quarters open for a VIP room in case we ever have need of it and plan on 4-5 enlisted. Petty officer Stimeck one more for you, I would say 1 science, 1 medical and 1 security. How does that sound for a crew break down? Any suggestions, I’m all ears.

No sir, sounds like you have put some though to it in your short time as the captain. It should be a good break down and I’ll make sure, as the senior enlisted, that we start a good tradition onboard that everyone is cross trained in some emergency medical and security which will help.

Well, I’ll take quarters 1R and you can have your pick of the other seven, better get your self moved in and settled. 

(Comm Badge) beep (Kr’Antren taps) Ensign Kr’Antren you slippery cat, how come you didn’t tell me you got a command.

And how to did you find out; you white haired rat? Ensign Yivliv where are you?

I’m standing outside your docking port. Just came down from the control[s1]  center where I was filing the flight reports from my and happened to notice the big board. 

Kr’Antren looks at Chief Ruzguzee Well, if I had put any though to it yet he would be on my short list for our helmsman.

Well sir, sounds like you have some catching up to do and a decision to make. And I have a ship to finish getting prepped and a room to move into. We will catch up later tonight sir lets say at bravo shift change or later?

Yes, chief that will work for me and your right on both accounts.

Kr’Antren makes his way towards the docking port, a friend to catch up with and a decision to make.

 [s1] 

No, no, no, hmmmmm maybe, definitely not, nope already have my Helmsman (looks through the pile of PADDS sitting on the ready room table, finds the pile marked helm and swipes them all on to the floor, while placing the two maybes into the chair pulled up next to him). 

Picks up the first PADD in his yes Pile in front of him. Hmmmm Dr. K’gok’Muzi, half human half Klingon, graduated in the top 10% of her medical class, specializes in emergency medical and in combat medical. Spent her residency at John Hopkins on earth and served on board a Klingon vessel as part of the star fleet/ Klingon exchange program. (Continues to read through the information on her and hits the accept and publish orders tab on the PADD) Hopefully we don’t need her expertise but it will be nice to have if we do. I’ll amend her orders to have her bring a nurse of her choice with her so I don’t have to try and figure that personnel situation out plus she is the one that will have to work with her on a daily basis.

(Taps on his comm badge) Ensign Yivliv has that Tactical officer that the station said they have made it on board yet.

No Sir, at least not as far as I know. Sir so you are aware we have received clearance to depart for Star Base Bravo when ever we are ready. I’ve laid in the course should be a two-day trip give or take a few hours if you want to push the new girl.

Ensign, please remember she is a star ship not a fighter.

(chuckles) yes sir, as you have been reminding me sir for the past 24 hours that we have been running flight control and mission sims on the holo decks. 

I’ll be ready in a few minutes let me get through the rest of these recommendations so we can pick up the rest of the crew on Bravo. 

Goes back to the “Yes” pile. Ensign Tazzeth, graduated with my brother, has a degree in in Planetology with a minor in systems science. Interesting choices there, wonder what the story behind those choices is. Anyways, hmmmm recommendation letters from both of my parents, well ok, I’d be stupid to pass him over. Taps the accept and publish orders button.

(Comm badge) Sir, this is Chief Stimeck, wanted to let you know that the science, engineering and security crewman have all reported in and are finishing up there in processing duties with chief Ruz and myself. Sir besides the nurse we do have one more empty bed maybe wise to add another security crewman.

I’ll see what we can find at Bravo Chief, with the current Romulan / Star Empire situation I think you maybe right. 

Aye, Aye Sir.

(Incoming message from Star base Bravo) ahhh I see they have assigned my first officer. Interesting Ensign Taibah a security and operations ensign. Hmmm what’s this are mission orders. We are to go check out a system which looks like was under Star Empire control but has recently over thrown the regime, on their planet, during the current situation in the Star empire AOR and wants star fleets help, what’s this possible blockade, great just what we need.

(Exits the ready room, takes a seat in the “chair” for the first time) Devron Fleet this is the Rhyndacus permission to depart, that Chief will have to catch up with us at Bravo.

USS Rhyndacus permission is granted and sir the Chief is right here in the control center, sounds like she just got her orders as she was reporting in for dutyand barely had time to get a bag packed. We are transporting her to you right now.

Someone materializes on the bridge. Sir, I’m sorry sir I only just found out about the orders. (Kr’Antren holds up a finger) “ding”. as a red shirt comes running on the bridge phaser drawn. Hmmm 30 seconds petty officer, that is not going to cut it. She could have materialized killed all of us and beamed back off in that time. You will need to work on that. Hopefully the addition of another security crewman will help alleviate that problem. Oh and meet your new boss (tilts his head towards the chief that just caused the alarm on the bridge.) Chief, you will need to work on that. 

Yes sir.

Take your seat chief, oh if they didn’t inform you or you didn’t get a chance to fully read your orders you are the Tactical and security department head. (Drops her bag by the turbo lift) I’ll get that later.

(Kr’Antren nods towards the red shirt) Petty officer, if you would take the chiefs bag to 4L. We don’t need it laying around the bridge.

Yes sir, 4L (picks up the bag and makes his way back out of the bridge area)

Seeing the chief make her way towards the typical Tactical area on the bridge, chief on the Rhyndacus your spot is beside the helm. I need you two to work as a team.

Yes sir, (she furrows her brow feeling the frustration coming from the captain, probably due to the security response time)

Ensign Yiliv ¼ impulse till we are clear of the fleet yards control zone then let’s head to Star base Bravo so we can pick up the rest of the crew and go over our mission orders.

A few minutes later

Sir we are clear of the Devron Fleet yards and ready to go to warp when you are sir.

Lay in the course Yiv and let’s take her to warp 6.

Sir, course laid in ready when you are.

(Kr’Antren sits back in his chair, runs a hand through his hair) Let’s Roll, ensign.

Star Base Bravo

**Refugee Triage area Alpha**

Dr. K’gok’Muzi is moving from bio bed to bio bed looking over the various refugee’s coming in in constantly changing waves. These poor souls, out here on the outskirts of the Star Empires area being worked to death with not enough food or medical provisions but constantly being threatened with harm if they do not continue to work.

Nurse this one just needs these cuts fixed and some good food in her belly.

Yes, ma’am

(Dr. K’gok runs a medical tricorder over the next person in line) This one needs to get to the main medical ASAP, look like he may loose that arm if we don’t do something quick. Get him on a bed and stabilized till they take him.

Yes ma’am, take him to bed six. (Speaking over her shoulder to one of the many Bravos crewmen that are helping in the triage area)

Yes, nurse Matthews.

Nurse Mattews I’m going to go sit down for a min or two check my mail and have a drink of something hot, these long days and long hours take a toll.

Hmmmm whats this, Orders?? To what, oh damn a Raven really. Hmmm the USS Rhyndacus a newly assigned ship. Who is the captain? Whhhhaaaatttt an ensign? (Shakes her head) all I need some head strong ensign in command. I mean I know I requested an assignment to a star ship but a Raven, really? Well as the old saying goes you’ll get what you wish for and all I asked for was a star ship. Hmmmm nice, the Ensign (sarcastic tone) says I can bring a nurse of my choosing? Oh, Nurse Matthews how do you feel about a Raven?

Well ma’am they are kind of small, cozy would be a better word. Small crew so wouldn’t be a lot to worry about on a daily basis. So, I guess they are ok. Why??

Well Matthews after this shift we need to pack our bags and personal belongings, looks like we have a new home. They should be here in 48 hours or less. 

Great ma’am just great, a 20-hour shift followed by packing and a new ship. Just what doctor ordered.

Well, in truth I just did. (laughing)

Star Base Bravo, Planetology labs

“Ensign Tazzeth report to the lieutenant’s office.”

On my way

Sir, Ensign Tazzeth reporting as ordered.

Relax ensign, I hope you haven’t made yourself to comfortable in your quarters yet. Looks like someone in command figured since you were the newest ensign in the section that you could fill this request for a science officer on board a star hip. So, ensign Tazzeth you are to report to the USS Rhyndacus, a raven class ship, when she arrives in 48 hours give or take a few. Hmmm looks like you will have one science crewman in your department and they are already on board.

Yes sir, 

Go ahead and finish this shift and do a hand over with LTjg Thomas as they will have to pick up your duties till a new ensign is assigned to us.

Yes sir.

Hmmm interesting, you may want to let your new, well umm now old, roommate know that his brother will be here in 48 hours.

And Ensign you’re going to a Raven they have a tendency to be a bit more informal, so you may want to relax a bit more around your fellow officers.

Yes sir, 

Dismissed

USS Rhyndacus

Sir, dropping out of warp we are coming up on the Star base Bravo flight control area.

Roger, I’ll be on the bridge in a minute. 

Kr’antren steps onto the bridge tugging his tunic into place.

Chief Alamea open a comm channel to Bravo please.

Yes, sir. Channel open.

Star Base Bravo this is the USS Rhyndacus request docking instructions and clearance. 

Rhyndacus clearance is granted you will be in port Zulu 114. We will begin loading up your requested materials, food stuffs, medical and engineering equipment upon arrival 

Roger Zulu 114, we will be loading those up in cargo bays 1 and 2, if more room is needed or anything else is added to that list it will go into bay 3.

Noted sir, Welcome to Star Base Bravo. Should have everything loaded within the next 12 hours. 

That will work, request departure in roughly 24 hours. 

Noted sir.

(Pushes the intercom button on his arm rest) All crew, we have arrived at Star base Bravo. Should be docking in the next 30m minutes or so. We will leave for our mission in 24 hours from the time we dock. Petty officer Stimeck and chief Alamea you are in charge of the load up of the materials for the missions. Chief Ruz check in with Star base engineering and make sure we have everything we need for the ship and the mission. If there is anything we need to fix that came up during the trip here get that taken care of ASAP. All hands meeting (looks at the chromo above the bridges view scree) at 0900 tomorrow morning, pass the message to the new crew as they check in.

Ensign Yivliv, you heard them docking port Zulu 114. Which I believe is on the other side of the station from where we are now, if I remember correctly.

Got it, on the way.

The command group enters the bridge of the USS Rhyndacus, S’Atilen stays hidden behind the group as to not draw attention and possibly let the surprise out of the bag.

Ensign Kr’Antren fron and center! All eyes immediately turn to the command group and then looks towards Kr’Antren as Kr’Antren comes to stand before the commander immediately in front of the view screen.

Lieutenant, publish the orders!

ATTENTION TO ORDERS.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS, ACTING UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMANDER OF STAR FLEET AND COMMANDER OF BRAVO FLEET, HAS PLACED SPECIAL TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY, AND ABILITIES OF ENSIGN KR’ANTREN AND IN VIEW OF THESE SPECIAL QUALITIES AND HIS DEMONSTRATED POTENTIAL TO SERVE IN THE HIGHER GRADE, ENSIGN KR’ANTREN IS PROMOTED TO THE PERMANENT GRADE OF LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE IN STAR FLEET, EFFECTIVE 10 JUNE 2400.

Ensign S’Atilen, put those boxes down and would you like to do the honor of pinning your brothers new Pip on his collar.

S’Atilen steps forward with a smirk on his face approaches his brother and adds the pip to Kr’Antrens collar. Congratulations little brother.

The command crew and the Rhyndacus crew file past Kr’Antren to congratulate the newly promoted LTjg.

One last bit Lt. I hear you are in need of a First officer; this is LTjg Talibah. All tall athletically fir human female steps forward. It will be my pleasure to serve with you on the Rhyndacus lieutenant. I approached the commander this morning when I was reporting for my assignment as I did not have a final posting yet. Guess they weren’t sure if they should send me to security due to my back ground or to science due to my education. The lieutenant (nods towards the commander’s aide) reminded the commander that you had a spot open for a first officer and I volunteered. That is if you will have me. (Hands her PADD to Kr’Antren)

Can we have a few minutes and we can talk in my ready room, let me read through your files and recommendations.

That will work Lieutenant, that will work just fine. Can you give me five minutes and meet me in the ready room?

Will do.

S’Atilen please join me in my quarters and bring those two boxes, I believe, I know what one of them is. Hopefully you got he right stuff this time unlike the last bet you had to pay off.
.Kr’antren leads S’Atilen into his quarters.S’Atilen places the boxes on the table in front of the couch and takes a seat. Kr’Antren reads the PADD that LTjg. Talibah had handed him
Yep, Saurian Brandy just as you asked for if you won the bet, the box also includes four glasses that the merchant said are meant to be used when drinking it. The other box was/is a gift from me on the new command and I guess now for you promotion. It is supposed to be from the mountains of Virginia. Tennessee and North Carolina what used to be called the Appalachia area. Its called Corn Liqueur also known in that region as Moonshine. Take it slowly with that stuff it’s strong.

I was just coming down with Ensign Tazzeth as he was my roommate and I wanted to give him a hand with his stuff plus give you that (motions towards the tables) and see you both off. Looks like you have a busy next couple hours so let me get out of your hair, don’t want to delay you from your meeting with the LT. Which I would guess your going to accept her as your First Officer by the way you’re reading and studying that PADD, plus to tell the truth she is not bad on the eye’s either. (Slight chuckle)

Ensign that is Not why I’m going to accept her, she definitely has the education and the experience for such a role. Reading this it looks like we should mesh pretty well and she has some strong points in areas where I know I have weak ones and vice versa. Should be a good command team.

S’Atilen stands up offers his hand to his brother. Yaaa ok, plus she is not bad on the eyes, I saw the look. I’ve seen it before, what was her name Tina at the academy and who was the other one or two from high school. Shakes his brother’s hand and see’s his way out, Kr’Antren follows and makes his way to the ready room and the waiting LT.
Enters the ready room and see;s the LT standing by the small port window looking out over the dock.Kr’Antren looks over his shoulder to see if chief Kaha is at her seat or not. (Under his breath) Have to admit S’Atilen is right she is not bad on the eyes.

Ok LT Talibah, one question. Why us? Why a star ship especially a raven class when it looks like you could have had it made taking a posting with security?

Not going to lie Lt I was just asking myself the same question as you were walking in, I expected it would be one of the first ones you asked. The truth is I’m not sure, it just felt right. My whole career so far has been around police wortk and while yes it would be easy to take a posting there it’s the same thing, I’ve done all my life. I want something more; I want to experience new things. Why else would I have left my life behind in Cairo with my family and friends all there? Why join star fleet, why yes originally it was for a guy but I could have easily puuled my papers and just went home. It’s the sense of duty, helping with those that need help and all that.

Kr’Antren nods his head as she goes on, only half hearing the rest of it as he looks at her PADD and taps on the accept button. Hands the PADD back to the Lt.

LTjg Talibah I hope you’re sure as I have accepted your offer and the paperwork for transfer has been posted. Since we are the command team, we can go around saying LT all the time how should we do this. I’m fine with my name when it is applicable or captain otherwise.

Well captain I’m fine with Number one, as that seems to be the “thing” for first officers or Tali. Same concerns in that regard on their use in the situation.
Right, well look over this info really quick, turns the console towards her it is our first mission orders came through while we were heading here from the Devron Fleet yards. The short notes are that we have a Romulan planet whom over threw the star empire leadership during this whole situation and now they want our help, down side supposedly there is a Romulan Star empire fleet or force blockading the system. We depart as soon as we finish up this meeting with the crew in a few minutes.

Looks at the console on the table, looks like quarters 4R or 1L are still open. I’m in 1R. which one do you want.

Well, Ill take 1L than, doesn’t make sense for both of us to be on the same side of the ship if something were to happen.

That’s what I would have said and chosen for myself if the roles where reversed. To tell the truth. Looks like we are on the same page, so far.

Hits the intercom button on his place at the table. All Hands meeting in the ready room now. Let’s get the day moving.

Watches over the next several minutes as everyone enters the ready room. File on in here folks its going to be cozy but this is probably one of the largest spaces besides the bridge for us all to fit into.
Ok I’m not going to get into the long speech I had prepared. This here sweeps his arm around the crew and room is who we got, this is our crew and, on a ship, this size it’s our family. We need to watch out for everyone. In case you didn’t meet her in my ceremony this here it LTjg Talibah she just accepted the First Officer position nods towards Tali. If it comes from her it comes from me. Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Trust and Family is what this crew will live and work by, simple enough, I think.

Next order of business. Couple changes to how things will work. Chief Kaha I want one security crewman posted on the bridge at all times, especially after your arrival chuckles heard around the room, Also I requested and got assigned an extra security crewman she will be bunking with the nurse. We are going to run two shifts sooo that means that Chief Ruz and Kaha and Ensign Tazzeth you will need to figure out a schedule for your people. The ship does have an emergency command/medical holograph so we need to figure out how to program her, yes, I said her as I see her as being the ship itself, any suggestions, ideas on that please let myself or number one know, as a side note the ECH will have the conn during beta shift.

Computer dim the lights please, ok folks here we go. Here is our first mission. Goes through the entire mission as laid out in the orders while a holo of a distant planet spinning in the middle of the table. Sooo as I see it right off, we have several things to look at 1. Where is the blockade located? And how many ships are in it? 2. How will those ships they handle a federation vessel arriving? 3. How do we get past the blockade? 4. How much help and what type of help are the folks on the planet wanting or needing? We took on full loads in the two lower bays mainly consisting of medical and housing equipment and lots of meds and food. But what else do they need from the federation? 5. How the hell do we get out?
Most of these have smaller areas of consideration with in them but for the most part that kind of sums it all up. Any questions? Looks around the room for some odd reason I doubt that you don’t. I’ve sent the briefs and the mission parameters to all of your PADDS and consoles. Look folks there are less than 20 of us on this ship, most of us are new and not that experienced in the wider scope of things dealing with what is out there the only way we accomplish our goals and missions is if we all work together as one team. The rule is there are no stupid questions or stupid ideas if you have a question or an idea bring it up either to your department head, the FO or myself. Everything will be listened to and considered, if you have more information or can give us the details on your idea/suggestion all the better. I believe for now that is all I have. Number one?
I’m good captain, I think you summed it up pretty well.

Ok folks let get moving. Ensign Yiv request departure as soon as possible and lay in a course at best possible speed for the Alth’ndor System. Let’s not break her getting there butt the sooner the better. Chief Kaha lets make sure the we have everything ready when we get there in case, we get a welcoming party. Ensign Tazzeth, I want long sensor scans as we get closer, I want to know what is out there before we end up in the middle of something we are not ready for.

Dismissed.

Chief Kaha hang back a moment please.

Yes sir. I know what you’re going to ask sir Kr’Antren raises an eyebrow at that the only thing I felt was a lot of anticipation and nervousness from most of the crew. They are just eager to show star fleet and Bravo fleet and you what they can do sir.

Kr’Antren nods his head and looks at Tali, Chief, I’m not going to ask that of you to often but sometimes in situations like this we need to know if there are any major doubts or personnel issues that may arise.

I appreciate that sir, I here to help in any way I can.

Lead the way Chief Kr’antren motions towards the bridge door.

Sir, Departure clearance has been given from Bravo and they wish us good luck and gods speed.

Number one, choose a seat that’s not taken. As you can see its cozy in here.

Chief Ruz is she ready?

Yes sir

Good let’s see what she’s got

Ensign Yiv, I’m going to go with help for now on if its ok with you. Take us out at ¼ impulse. And don’t scratch the paint it’s crowded out there.
Yes sir. 1/4 impulse.
A few minutes of watching the crowded docking areas of star base bravo flow past the view screen.

Sir, we are out of the Bravo control area.

Thank you helm, set a route to the Alth’ndor System best possible speed without crippling us.

Yes sir, setting route now warp 6 looking at 72 hours sir.

Good enough. Helm, Let’s roll.

Kr’Antren sits back in his chair. Well folks we have three days let’s put out thinking caps on if you have something let’s hear it.

Doc K’gok’Muzi and Nurse Matthews make there way back to the med bay after the all hands meeting in the ready room.
So, Nurse Matthews what do you make of our new captain.

We’ll ma’am, he is young to say the least, though I did read up on him before we reported in seems to have a good head on his shoulders, he is Helm qualified on most small and medium star ships and of course his parents being professors at the academy probably helped him growing up with the right influences and morals. Over all I think he will be ok, what do you think?

I would have to agree with you for the most part, knowing his species I know honor and integrity will be a big thing with him which fits in with my Klingon half. My human half is still going boy is he young.

Well, here we are, our new home. Well let’s see what we have to work with. I didn’t get much of a chance to look around it when we came on board last night. Fist off this is not a med bay its more like a sick bay. This is small even for a Klingon vessel Shudders at the memories that surfaced at that thought.

Hmmm so we have 4 bio beds and one surgical bed alcove. So not bad there. Should be ok for just the crew and routine issues. Three medical replicators so that should be good, again, for most routine issues.

Ma’am have you seen your closet; umm I mean your office. Doesn’t leave much room for anything.

Ok nurse Matthews let set ourselves straight if it’s just us in here than I’m doc or Shoji you are Samantha, in front of everyone else its normal rank and names. Sound good to you? The ship and crew are too small to be formal 24/7.

Yes ma’a. I mean Shoji

Well Samantha that closet as you rightly called it is not going to work. Wonder if that chief can do something about that.

Taps her comm badge Chief Ruzguzee when you get a chance can you come by sick bay, we have a few questions we would like to ask you.

Not a problem Doctor K’gok’Muzi pronounced in perfect Klingon I should be able to swing by in an hour or two. We’re running some diagnostics in engineering.

Thank you chief.

Samantha that reminds me I know I for one need to study up on saurian physiology make sure no problems arise. I’m ok with everyone else.

I was reading up on it a after we found out about the assignment and I did a crew check, Shoji.

So, any ideas on the captain’s requests. The only thing I can think of would be to temporarily medically mask who or what species they are. Only problem I see with that is can they speak different languages with out the comm badge translator. You can always tell when you’re using one.

Shoji Walks around each of the beds touching them, stand in between two and moving from bed to bed as if she was checking on two patients at one time. Looks like this should work. Not a lot of extra room but the room we need. Tell you right now I’m not going to allow for this crew to play me or try take up more room than what is needed, we don’t have the room, personnel or equipment for Saq Klingon swear word like that.

Ok Samantha, let’s think on that idea for the captain; discuss it as we power up, run diagnostics and make sure the federation baselines are uploaded in each bio bed. After that we will do the same on for the surgical bed. Close out the day going through the crew medical and psychological files make sure nothing is hiding, we don’t want to have something comes up and surprises us when we don’t need it.

After the all hands meeting Tazzeth was actually able to sit down at his new console for the first time. Tentatively touching and swiping his fingers over the console he brings it life..

Taking a deep breath. Ok well here we go. Let’s start by running diagnostics of the sensors, both long and short range. Tazzeth starts to tentatively and carefully type commands into the console looking at the information that starts to come up over the various screens.

Ensign Tazzeth, believe me you’re not going to break it. it’s your station. If you’re heavy handed on the typing it’s fine, worst case chief will just have to replace it whenever we get orders for new assignments. The first officer states as she walks around taking in the various stations getting a feel for the layouts and the personnel..

Thinking about the request from the captain for ideas on how to approach this mission and the possible blockade at the destination Tazzeth had an idea to start with. Computer, can we pull all data concerning scans both long and short range of the _____ system. Let’s go back to a few days before the star empire’s current issues. Key in on any information pertaining to what may look like something that has a possible schedule. Please send the data to this console.

Affirmative Ensign Tazzeth, would you like it sent as the information is found or as one package at the end.

Send it as it comes in so that we can complile the information. Can we plot the information on a map of the planet showing routes inbound and outbound including launch, destination, times and ship types.

Affirmative.

Nervously starts tapping on the console, not on anything particular, just a blank spot on the console command area. Quickly glancing between the screens watching the information coming, from both the information he asked for and the results from the diagnostics that he started.

Computer when our long range scan start picking up the destination. Compile those results with known tracking results of cloaked Romulan ships. Let’s see if we can find these Romulans and start tracking them before we get there.

Affirmative, would you like that information added to the system history map.

Yes, let’s compile all of it on the one map..

Tazzeth sits forward in his chair glancing quickly between screens tapping on the spot he found on the console that was blank for the moment..

Following the all hands meeting chief Ruz and petty officer stimeck make their way back to the engineering area.

“Stimeck take crewman T’vrek and check the power relays in section 2 bravo. They are showing a 5% lass than optimal operation, with this being the second extended length of time in warp I want to make sure we catch any small  problem areas before they become major problem areas.”

“On our way chief.”

About an hour later, “All done chief.. the last test we ran before buttoning it all up was showing optimal ranges.” Holds up a power relay board, “this was the culprit, looks like we got a faulty board in that last batch from the fleet yards. Told T’vrek to head towards his off time but that I want him to check the boards from that batch, just in case.”

“Sounds good, something to keep her busy during the shift will be good. Though I also want her to work on that study material I sent her, this may be a small ship but there is no reason why she can’t be ready for the bigger ones.”

“Ok, so let us look into the puzzle the captain laid out for us this morning. What suggestions or ideas can engineering come up with?”

Chief Ruz and Stimeck start to brainstorm ideas, randomly throwing out suggestions between the two of them, if it sounds interesting or a possibility the room goes quite for a number of minutes as the both work their consoles running the idea through the computer.

“Well I’ll be damned if those science guys were hiding something. Hey chief, remember when we were inspecting the pod and installing the modification the Captain asked for.”

“Yes”

“And we noticed something was off with the coding, almost like there was something extra in there but we just thought it was part of the communications pod and modifications we added. Did we check to see if anything was different with the arrays that we modified?”

“Hmmmm, not that I remember. I think we just choked it up to the pod build. Why?”

“Look at this Chief, I can’t get into it. Looks like it won’t take my codes, but something is hidden in the programming for that communications array in that pod.” 

“Let me try”

“Computer, chief Engineer Ruzguzee. Open communication program” checks the console “Plain sight, RuzguzeeGammaZulu5789Vulcan2.”

“Command code not recognized for Plain Sight”

“Stimeck, run a diagnostic on that program, let’s see what all is connected to it.” 

“Roger, chief.”

“Computer, what was the original mission of the Rhyndacus when she was commissioned?”

“The Rhyndacus was commissioned thru star fleet by science team Thomas expanse Zulu three, for exploration and planetology studies of the region. The team was disbanded when the idea and mission of task force 47 was being discussed by star fleet and bravo fleet command.”

“Computer, did those studies include the border regions?”

“Affirmative, those were the first areas planned to be explored and charted. 

“Stimeck, I think there might have been more to those scientists than we thought. I have an idea on what that  program may be, but I want to investigate it further first. Though we may have just found a way to get past the blockade if it is what I think it is.”

Chief Ruz taps his comm badge “LT Talibah, chief Ruz here. I would recommend stopping a day out from the destination to discuss possible answers to the puzzle that the captain gave us all in the meeting.”

“Chief Ruz, I was just thinking the same thing. I’ll pass the recommendation to the captain.”

Over the next 24 hours Lt. Dalibah receives several messages from various departments and Personnel with ideas for solving the puzzle that the captain had laid out in front of them. After going through them and looking at her own ideas she starts to compile a possible idea but it may not be one the captain will be comfortable with.

“Captain, the crew has been coming up with some good ideas and a few ideas that may raise your eyebrows. I’ve compiled them into one briefing  though the first part is that we would recommend stopping where we are, if it’s safe. We may need some extra time to set this up.”

Kr’Antren looks over from his seat towards his first officer. “Well, should we adjourn to the ready room?”

Nodding her head. “Yes sir, I think that would work the best for this.”

Kr’Antren pokes a few commands into his arm console. “Ok, let’s call them in. Ensign Yivliv and I have an idea too. So let’s hear them all out and come up with a plan of action that we can all live with and one that gets us through this alive.”

“Helm, find us a nice place to bring her out of warp and set up a race track pattern, let’s make it look like we are waiting for someone to join us. Let’s not do anything to draw too much attention. Then join us in the ready room.”

“Yes sir, I think we are in the clear in this location right over there. I’ll set the course.”

“Computer, activate ECH”

A holographic human male wading the red of command and the rank of an ensign appears in front of the captain. “How may I help you sir?”

“The command staff will be in a meeting in the ready room, continuing to fly on the course that the helm has plotted at ¼ impulse. Run long and short range scans. Make it look like we are looking for or waiting for someone to join us, just in case anybody happens to find us out here. You have the conn.”

Taps his comm badge “Command staff to the ready room.”

Receives several on our ways and affirmatives from the various sections.

After several minutes the command staff make there way to the ready room and take their seat around the table.

“I’ve brought us out of warp and according to our location we are roughly a day travel at warp 6 from entering the ___ system. On the recommendation of the first officer we decided that now would be a good time to bring our heads together and figure out our next steps. First officer Tali has shown me your work and I would like to discuss them in further detail. Number one you have the table.”

“Ok, team. Going through your individual briefs I think it is safe to say that while we don’t have a complete plan that we can act on, what we do have is our various pieces that if done correctly could work together to become one plan that all of us follow. With that being said we will go around the table so each section can brief the captain and the rest of the staff on their idea and give any information that they may have that would help to bring the overall picture together. Medical you’re up first”

Dr. K’gok’Muzi stands and walks around to the screen along one wall. “Sir, as far as medical goes the main idea we have would be changing the appearance of various crew members using temporary genetic manipulation. As we know sir this technique has been used in the past for away team missions and covert operations. Also sir, we can go with doc or Dr. K’gok makes it a bit easier on the tongue.”

First officer Tali turns her chair to face Dr. K’Gok. “ Doc, how long would the modification last? And how quickly can it be readministered if needed.”

Dr. K’Gok brings up file cards on each of the crewmen on the Rhyndacus. “ on average it should last around 12 hours, this of course will depend on who receives it and their genetic makeup. These personnel are the ones I would suggest not using it on.” Red borders form around several of the files. “As you can see this includes the Captain, chief Ruz and chief Kaha. The manipulations to your genetics would take far longer to accomplish and the length would be greatly shortened, also for chief kaha their have been reports of your empathic abilities being affected for a period of time. Sir, you would face several complications that would affect you for a longer period of time afterwards.”

Kr’Antren nods his head at this.

As far as the readministration we can do that right away the problem being the time after that it will take your body to conform to the genetic modifications. As a side note it is a quite painful experience, so some sort of anesthetization is usually used in conjunction which could have short term side effects that should last less than an hour. Any questions.” She looks around the room stooping momentarily on each person as they shake their heads negatively.

First officer Dalibah looks at the captain who she sees shake his head in a slight sign to proceed. “ Next we have ensign Tazzeth and chief kaha.”

“Computer, dim the lights and run the holo map starting two weeks prior to the current star empire issue. Ensign Tazzeth and Chief kaha both stand and take a position on either side of the view screen.

“Sir, this idea started with a thought I had after the previous meeting. How were supplies getting in and out  and what other avenues were there to get us in? I had the computer pull up sensor archives from star fleet showing any activity in the destination area starting prior to the current problem. “ an animation starts to run showing a pattern of arriving ships and how they dispersed after entering the planet’s atmosphere. “Sir, as you can see there seems to be a pattern that starts roughly every fourth day for arriving ships. Mostly contracted ships, probably moving supplies needed on the surface. As you can see they follow a set path as the approach that leads to this area here.” An area highlights green that shows a possible corridor towards the planet. “ This is where things get tricky; it looks like ships form into a convoy at this point and are met by at least two star empire ships.” Chief kaha steps slightly forward. “Sir looking over communication logs and picking up on some signals; it looks like something is transported from the contracted ships to the star empire ships, this is not a two way signal these are always one way.” Ensign Tazzeth steps towards the table to high light and point out what happens next. “after this “transaction” the convoy heads towards the planet, never faster than ½ impulse speed and always following a path that changes each time and each time at least one of the previously mentioned ship escort them to this point” a little blue arrow appears “after this point the star empire ship cloaks and we assume leaves. The convoy splits up and heads to their destination points.”

Kr’Antren sits forward in his chair, looks over at ensign Yiv with a slight crooked smile starting to form on his lips. “Ensign Yiv I think we just got The other part of our idea.”

Ensign Yiv raises an eyebrow “perhaps,sir” “Tazzeth or chief kaha what does the outbound side of this look like.”

“That’s the thing, to borrow a saying from earth, there isn’t a set plan. It looks like the ships all depart roughly 12 hours after they arrive and they just leave.which raises a question, where are the blockade ships”

Kr’Antren raises an eyebrow and a slight chuckle emanates from him. “ I think that raises more than just that one question Tazzeth but that is a good first question.”

Kr’Antren leans towards the map a bit more studying the patterns and the times associated with each section. “Is this info up to date?” “ Yiv where is that asteroid field in correlation to this corridor”

Ensign Yivliv types on his PADD and two circles appear around the planet one vertically and one laterally. “Well sir, I think Tazzeth can confirm the actual layout, make up and speed of the field. But if we assume the corridor that Tazzeth and the chief laid out is at the 12 o’clock position on the lateral ring than the field starts at about the 2 o’clock extends to the 5 o’clock position and on the vertical axis it in the area from about the 1 o’clock and extends out from there forming a tail that extends always out from the planet.”

Kr’Antren looks up at Ensign Tazzeth and the chief. ”Have you taken a look at the field yet? Could this be where the blockade is basing itself out of ?”

“I haven’t yet sir, the one thing that I did notice on the data that we received is that the makeup of that field makes it difficult for sensors to penetrate.” Ensign Tazzeth reaches over to his console on the table standing behind his chair, looks up at the captain. “Sir, it does look like this asteroid here, here and here could be big enough to hold a base of sorts. If something is there it’s going to be mainly underground and not very big, looking at this data they would just be big enough to hold the crews for four to five star empire ships and maybe a small support team. Again that field is throwing off some weird signals making it difficult for the sensors to get a good reading, which if that is the base could be why they chose that area.”

Kr’Antren lets the smile broaden a slight bit more “that’s why I would put one there.” Looks over at his first officer “Any thoughts number one” 

“Well sir if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking it’s all going to depend on that 12 hour window. But it may work.” “Chief Kaha, how long till the next delivery period?”

Chief kaha pulls out her PADD. “Ma’am from now we would have roughly 36 hours till they start to rendezvous at this point.” A yellow dot appears “roughly 3-4 hours before the star empire ships make their appearance from that” a red count down time appears in the upper right corner of the view screen.

Kr’Antren looks up at the ticking down clock, nods his head. “We need more information on this blockade and that possible base, let’s start reaching out to whom we can for any info we can get.” Looks over at Ensign Yivliv “You think you fly this girl through that field. Without scratching the paint too much?”

Ensign Yivliv looks at the map, looks at the captain, Nods his head “ maybe a few small scratches for the chief to buff out sir.” “Let me take this data and load it into the holo suite, get me a better idea of what we are looking at. With your leave sir” Kr’Antren nods, ensign Yivliv picks up has PADD and heads out of the ready room. 

LT. Talibah looks at the captain “sir we do have one more piece and you may want to sit down for this one.” Smile on her face, Chief Kaha picks up a slight feeling of amusement and surprise coming across from the number one looks at Chief Ruz and tilts her head towards their seats. “Chief Ruz, the floor is yours”

The saurian stands blinks his eyes a few times, takes a deep breath.”Sir, Romberg when we discussed the pod when you first came on board and we discussed what modules to add to it.”

“Yes Chief, I remember.”

“And I told you that there we had added a sensor, science and communication module to it.”

Kr’Antren nods ears perking up as this is starting to sound like a peculiar set of questions.

“Well sir, if petty officer Stimeck and I are correct, those may not be the only mods installed. It looks to us like something was left over from the scientist crew that originally commissioned the Rhyndacus might have had added. We didn’t think anything of it during the original diagnostics as it looked like it was a piece to a smaller insignificant communication array so we just left in place and plugged it into the module”

Kr’Antren looks at his first officer and raises an eyebrow, she nods back.

“Sir the weird thing is that it seems to have some embedded code in the computer that we can’t get to open. And furthermore it seems to be attached to a few other systems, nothing serious mind you but nonetheless it’s a bit peculiar.”

Kr’Antrem stands up, “Chief, what did those scientists do to MY ship”

Chief Ruz looks down at his PADD and enters a few commands and a code block shows up on the screen. “Sir, with the systems that this includes I have a feeling that being scientists was only part of it. “

Kr’Antren picks up his PADD notices that everything is written is science blue and quickly types his command code in.

“Command code authorized for program Plain Sight”

Everyone moves to be in front of the view screen, Chief Ruz looks at the Captain blinks once and states” please show any and all systems used by and the data pertaining to this program.”

Affirmative, as the screen splits into two sections of data scrolling up. Kr’Antren laughs “hidden in plain sight, what were these scientists up to. Not very original in their naming rights where they.” 

The first officer looks at the captain and tan at the team “well with this program and the information that was just presented, I think we may have a plan sir”

Kr’Antren nods “yes indeed” looks at the countdown timer. “Ok you have six hours to look this all over and give me a finalized plan. Let’s get moving folks, as you can see we don’t have much time.” 

Kr’Antren enters the ready room with a cup in one hand and his PADD in the other.  “So what do we have folks? Were we able to figure out how this program plain sight works?and how can we use it?. I e looked over the notes that Ruz, Tazzeth and Kaha sent me. So I’ve got the basics.”

First officer Talibah turns and faces the captain as he enters and swivels back towards the table and the rest of the command team.  “ We’ll sir as far as we can make out, that scientist team was up to something what? We may never know, but I believe their program is what we need right now.” She stands up and walks to the view screen. “We have found the identities for at least 4-5 ships in the data. Sir, these are not just a name and an ID; these are fully functional ship identifying files. Meaning these ships actually exist in the star fleet database and from what we can tell in several other databases also. And sir, they are all built either using the Rhyndacus as a template or built around another small craft meeting the Rhyndacus specifications.”

Kr’Antren nods and takes a long sip of the drink in his cup. “Understood number one, how far do these records go?” 

Talibah retakes her seat next to the captain and Chief Kaha takes her place at the view screen. “Sir from what we can see they go all the way back even creating files on when and where the ships were built. Sir, for all intensive purposes the Rhyndacus is those ships.”

Chief Ruzz looks at the captain. “Looking at the programming and the data, running diagnostics on that added module we can assume that all we would have to do is pick one of the ships stored in the memory of the program, turn on that module and we would effectively become that ship. Everything would be updated in the histories showing our crew as the crew and our cargo as the cargo, those scientists had some help from someone because these files and the data they contain are complete.” From what we can see “ motions around the table with an arm to include the complete staff “there are no faults with the data and no way for anyone to question the validity of the information.”

Kr’Antren stands up and walks towards the view screen cup in hand, takes a seat on the edge of the table and using his cup points at the screen. “So we could turn that module on and basically fly into that meeting area and join the convoy being escorted by at least two Romulan war ships and see ourselves through the front door. Interesting but I see a couple issues with the idea. Do we know if there are passwords or codes used to receive clearance and right of way throughout the planet’s area and we still don’t have any idea on those transporter signals and what is going on with that.” 

Talibah stands and joins the captain “Those are the hurdles we have been working on sir, but you have to admit it does make for what could be an easy way in.”

Kr’Antren stands and walks back to his seat and stands behind it “ the problem as I see it is that we don’t know about coding or clearances that are put in place beforehand. However, I think I have another idea” walks back to the view screen “computer bring up the holo map from the last meeting including the asteroid field” the map appears in the center of the table 

“Chief Kaha, how long would it take for that program to initiate” looks at her PADD “ about a minute the computer would just need to sync the manifest up, looks like the crew manifest was synced as we checked in on the ship.” 

Kr’Antren looks at the information on the view screen and at the holo map. “ Helm do you think you can get us through that field without too much damage to the ship?”

Ensign Yivliv looks at the map and then up at the captain. “Yes sir I’ve run the holos at ¼ impulse and ½ impulse without too much damage to the old girl, but I’ll tell you all now better strap in and hold on to something tight as it will be a bumpy ride.”

“Ensign Tazzeth, anything new showing up on the sensor scans around us?”

Tazzeth looks at his PADD scrolls through some different items. “ Not at this time sir”

“Good, here’s the plan.. listen up. Going through the front door has too many unknown variables in it. So, what do we know? Two maybe more ships meet and escort the supply ships at this point” points at the beginning of the corridor “than they escort the supply ships through this path which changes but stay with in this corridor which I would surmise means that they are staying with in scanning and sensor range of at least one or two Romulus warships that are cloaked. We know at some point the Romulus receive or take a part of the cargo for themselves and that the convoy ships have roughly 12 hours to offload their remaining cargo, load up and leave and they are not escorted on the way out.” 

Kr’ Antron Looks over at Lt. Talibah “Number one with your experience what does that tell you or what would you think is going on?”

Lt Dalibah sits back in her chair and steeples her fingers as If remembering and thinking about the information in front of her “ Sir, I would guess that either we are dealing with a very young and inexperienced crew or they are severely short handed. I would have to guess besides the two ships we know about that meet the supply ships that one stays cloaked and follows them in and I’m guessing there is one that stays at the mouth of the corridor to block it from anyone trying to get through during that time. If we are right about the base in one of those asteroids I willing to bet that during those 12 hours they are off loading what they received, dividing it up amongst the various crews, stashing some in the base and I will also add that I bet we would find out out that one of those ships make a run to the higher ups to give them there share. That’s why the supply ships have that 12 hour window. The Romulan ships are too busy going through everything and splitting it up. They would also be a ship short if they send one out to go deliver a share to their higher ups. Sir basically the blockade is a charade, there probably is no continuous coverage, they probably run patrols of one or two ships throughout the day to make sure at least one ship is always out and about. Maybe every so often they raid a nearby traveling ship or something like that to keep everyone on their toes and make it look like there is a legitimate blockade of this planet.”

Kr’Antren puts his cup down on the table and looks at everyone “I would also guess that since the planet over threw them that they don’t have that easy job anymore they don’t have everyone whimpering and cowering at their feet so they came up with this plan to try and still have some sort of control over the planet that they lost control of on the ground, which maybe why they, as number one just stated in her thoughts, are short handed. They lost folks in the uprising and with everything else going on in the area the other commands can’t get them extra personnel but as usual they still expect their cut.” 

Ensign Tazzeth looks around the table and takes a deep breath thru his breathing adapter “Well, since no one else is going to say it then I guess I’ll be the one. Then why the corridor to bring the supply ships in?”

Number one tilts her head and gives a slight chuckle “I was waiting for that question ensign, figured it would come up. It’s to keep up the charade that there is a full blockade up and running and that this is a cleared path through it for this specific reason. I would bet that is the reason why they change the path each time to make it look and seem like they are going around flight paths or stationary orbits of other ships.” 

Ensign Tazzeth shakes his head in response as he starts to realize like everyone else that the blockade is a charade, but that a very real enemy is still out there.

Kr’Antren turns and looks at the view screen and than back to the map in the center of the table as he makes his way to his seat. “Helm, how close can we get to that asteroid field coming out of warp?”

“Sir, on the dangerous side it would be a few kilometers, but that’s putting us pretty close to the safety threshold and I think I know what your next question will be. At full impulse and a steep dive we can close that distance within a minute or so, maybe less.” 

Kr’Antren nods “Ensign Tazzeth I want as much data and information you can pull from the sensors coming in over the next 24hours while we are in warp, also with that asteroid field located near this planet I would think that there would be some sort of navigational buoy out there, see if we can pull data from it.. Anything that would help us with knowing what we are facing especially if it shows a ship leaving with in that 12 hour window, if we can get a direction that would be even better.”

“Unfortunately we can’t reach out to our contact on the ground as I’m sure the Romulan sre listening to everything coming and going from that planet, which means as soon as we enter the atmosphere we need to start broadcasting fast and heavy that we are inbound, Chief Kaha that will be your lane when we get to that point.”

“Yes, sir”

Kr’Antren pulls at his braided mane, sits forward in his chair and puts his clasped hands on the table. “Ok, here is the plan. Helm bring us out of warp as close to that field as possible, we will use the fields properties much like we think the romulans are doing to hide our signature, Tazzeth I want as much power going into the short range sensors as possible as we know that the long range won’t be very useful till we are past that field, if you can find anything and I do mean anything that would hint at a possible base I want to know about it ASAP. As we go into warp we will activate the plan sight program, I have an idea for a story if we get stopped but hopefully we won’t need it. Once we reach the field’s top layer I want to ride it to the edge than dive over the edge and get into that atmosphere as quickly as possible. Chief Kaha as soon as we get into the atmosphere start reaching out, from the info we have we should start getting a signal leading us to meeting point somewhere close to the capital city the briefing stated that when they overthrew the star empire leadership that was in control they installed a council of sorts” looks at his PADD  “councilman N’Tash, councilwoman Sienna, Guardian commander Vexiesh and councilmen Naes are the points of contact. We will need coordinates as soon as we can get them. We will leave the program running as long as we can, Chief Ruz, we will have something broken during that entry that only allows for voice comms.”

“Yes sir, I believe we can handle that”

“Helm, as soon as we touch down I want you working on the quickest way out of there. Number one and chief Kaha will lead the offload and load up anything we can take to help them out. We will need to find out if there is anything else they need that we can provide now or in the future. I’ll meet with the council while the off loads are going on and find out how else  the federation can help. Number one, anything to add?”

“No sir, I think you pretty much covered it all, sounds like a good plan to me. Remember folks this will be quick speed will be the thing once we drop out of warp so be ready for anything and be ready to provide updates as soon as you get them, don’t wait for us to ask just call out that bit of information maybe what makes or breaks the mission.”

Kr’Antren looks around the table making eye contact with each member. “ I know we are new at this and as of yet untried but this is our first mission together and I know you all can do it. Have faith and trust in your training and most importantly have faith and trust in each other. Only way we get through this mission and every mission after this one is by working as a team and trusting each other. Any questions or thoughts”

Looks around the table one final time “No, ok then we all know what we have to do so let’s get to it. Computer activate Plain Sight.”

“Affirmative program plain sight has been enacted, which choice of ship would you like to use?”

Kr’Antren looks at the list on the view screen. “Computer enact the Risian Sapphire program.” Looks at his number one “Seemed like a good choice since it’s another raven class easier for us to remember.”

“Agreed”

“Let’s get to work folks”

Kr’Antren follows the rest of his staff out of the ready room and watches as they take their spots. “Helm, I want this timed to match the convoy timeline preferably when those romulan ships are busy dealing with those supply ships.”

“Course and speed are already laid in sir, ready when you are”

Kr’Antren sits back in the chair “Helm, let’s roll.”

23 hours and 45 mins later

Kr’Antren takes his seat in the chair and goes over the overnight reports while receiving the latest from Rhyn the ECH. 

“ I see everything is showing green as of right now.” Looks at the count down timer on the view screen, “15 minutes folks let’s start getting ourselves ready, Rhynn you are good to go, be ready in case we need you.”

“ Yes captain, and good luck”

“Thanks I think we are going to need it”

Ensign Tazzeth looks up from his screens. “Sir, short range sensors are not showing anything in our path, I did a quick long range sweep and wrote confirmation that the supply ships are forming up and there are two romulan warbirds at the location. Also unjust went through the data pulled from the navigational beacon and our guesses are confirmed one romulan warbird does leave the asteroid field from roughly this point” a version of the holo map appears on the view screen “it departs going towards sector alpha 1005, in this area of the region.” The map shifts slightly to show the departing ship course “ and returns in roughly 24 hours.”

“Anything on comms?”

Chief kaha turns to face the captain “Only thing I’m picking up sir is chatter between the supply ships and I’m also picking up directional beacons on the planet’s surface.”

“Hold on tight folks here we go, coming out from of warp in 3,2,1”

The view screen shows a planet’s horizon and than sharply and quickly veers down and the ship starts to dive towards the approaching asteroid field.

“Remember I said skim the top helm. Increase the power to the forward and side deflectors, chief.”

“Yes sir, giving her what we can spare we don’t want to get by one of them larger rocks.”

“Got it sir” as the view screen takes a very abrupt  slide to a more level flight which we can now see is only a few meters from being in the densest layer of the field. 

Lt Talibah looks over at the captain “ sir if it wasn’t for the inertia dampeners I wonder if this would feel like one of those old earth roller coasters from before the war. As we see the view screen veer to left and than the right and back to the left as suddenly we ship lurches up and everyone can hear a loud screech sound coming from underneath the ship.

“Sorry sir I think that one might have scratched the paint a bit”

“Chief Ruz, check and make sure we didn’t take anything more than a paint scratch on that one. “

“Sending Stimeck to go take a look, ensign if you scratched more than the paint I’ll have you cleaning the jeffries tubes with the smallest brush I can find.”

The bridge crew breaks in a loud roar of laughter “ helm, you heard the man.”

After several minutes of skimming the asteroid field. Ensign Tazzeth looks at his screens “ There, I think we got them sir.” “ LT. Talibah I’m sending you the scans now, it doesn’t look like one base it looks like they maybe using two asteroids to house in.”

Lt. Talibah looks at her screens “ I agree it looks like the base is split amongst two of the larger asteroids that are in a loop with each other.”

Kr’Antren look over at Tazzeth with a smile on his face and than looks over at his number one “Good job Tazzeth, mark the location worse case we at least let bravo command know where the base is.” 

“Already done sir, watching the corridor now, I’m counting the two romulan war birds and 12 -14 supply ships of various makes, most are registered with star fleet and being contractors, a couple are not though.”

“Let’s keep an eye on those couple, shall we”

The view screen takes a quick dive down and we see the planet quickly approaching. “Chief this is helm, give me all you can into them impulse engines and be ready to feed that power into them directional thrusters we will be coming in hot folks.”

“Helm i’ve diverted all the power we can give into the impulse engines, and just say the word on those thrusters”

The view screen suddenly shows several large blasts of light from the upper edge.

Kr’Antren quickly looks at  ensign Tazzeth, “what was that?” “Chief did we lose something.”

“No sir, we are showing everything green on my side”

Ensign Yivliv “now Chief now”as the tops of mountains along a coast quickly comes into view

Ensign Tazzeth looks over at the captain and then at LT. Talibah “Sir, ma,am there gone and I’m reading, oh this can’t be right”

“Who is gone? and what is not right” as LT. Talibah runs over to look over Tazzeths shoulder. “Captain you may want to look at this,” the view screen changes to show 5 Klingon ships blocking the supply ships path while in front of them is the debris of what once must have been the romulan warbirds.

“What the hell is going on? Number one, send this feed to Bravo command asap including all the data we can. Let them know what just happened and that we may have a bigger problem than the star empire crumbling apart. “

“Already sending it.”

“Computer deactivate program plain sight now, Chief Kaha start sending out for those coordinate requests.”

“Number one open a channel on all frequencies I want to know what is going on”

“Doc report to the bridge, we may need your insight on an issue that just made this mission take a turn.”

“On my way”

A few seconds later the bridge doors open. “What’s the problem? Whose hurt?” 

“No one is hurt doc. But that, that is a major problem” Kr’Antren points at the view screen.

Doc K’Gok looks at the screen and slams her hand down on the helm console “wanI’vammo’ ghu’vam.( what have those idiots done), yes Captain this is bad very bad.” Looks down at Chief Kaha “Chief can you zoom in on those ships let’s see if we can tell what is going on or better yet who is behind it.” 

“Sure thing doc” Looks up at the captain and receives a very subtle head nod.

“Sir, I was never really part of the political games that are played in Klingon culture but having spent some time on a Klingon ship as a medical officer I was allowed access to some of the goings on. Always as an outsider, being from star fleet, they grudgingly let me in due to my being half Klingon and my father being a ship captain but they never fully trusted me with all of the information. However, being female and a doctor does have its advantages.” Watches as the view screen zooms in on the Klingon ships.

“Sir, one thing I would say though, if you plan on meeting with the council and delivering these supplies you may want to make it as fast of a meeting as possible, if they did that” nods at the view screen “ to the romulans than there is no telling what they would do when they find us down here, which I would say will probably be sooner than you think.” 

Kr’Antren looks over at his number one “ Any reply from the council yet. Let them know this will have to be quick and we won’t have much time.”

Chief Kaha looks up from her console. “Sir, we are getting updates from all over the sector of the same types of attacks on romulan ships and personnel. Also Bravo command is asking for any information to be immediately sent to them and are instructing all ships in the region to finish anything they have going on at the moment and to pull back. I dont think this needs to be said sir but that are instructing all federation vessels to not engage with the Klingon vessels unless it is in self defense.”

Kr’Antren turns around and makes his way to his chair “I want reports coming in folks what and who are we facing here”

Doc K’Gok turns from the view screen, anger and frustration plainly visible on her face. “Sir, I can tell you part of that answer. That ship belongs to the House of Wov’Sech. Though I have only met the house leader in passing I do not understand why she would condone such actions.” Looks at the view screen again and notices that the other ships are from other Klingon houses. “Sir, this may have gone from bad to worse. That is not just one house being represented but a few houses.” Looks down at Chief Kaha again “Chief is there anything coming through from star fleet from the Klingon high command.”

“No ma’am”

Doc slams her hand down again on the console and death grips the edge “Sir, with your permission, I will send my father (her face turns a dark red, the red of anger) a message.” 

Kr’Antren looks at the screen, looks at the doc, notices the anger flash across her face as she said that “Permission granted, and doc we will need your insight and experience during this so anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated. You can use the ready room if you wish.

Doc quickly turns around and heads towards the ready room pulling out her PADD 

“Yes that will work, you may not want to hear what I’m about to say to my father. Especially if I find out he knew anything about this and said nothing to anyone.”

Lt. Talibah turns and watches the Doc leave “I don’t think I would want to be on the receiving end of that message.”

“Nor do I, number one”

Lt Talibah shakes her head “Ok sir just got a reply from the council members they will be waiting for us at landing area alpha 35 in the capital. I told them we needed to make this quick. They acknowledged the situation and said they will meet with us on the site and will bring as many workers as they can get to help with the off load. Sending the coordinates to the helm now.”

“Got them, should be there in a couple hours. We were going in the opposite direction towards the prime mining area.”

“Number one, Let them know we will be there in a couple hours and to please have everybody standing by.”

“What do you mean you had no idea that they would go this far?  Can the great Klingon Navy not keep their young pups in check? “

“Shoji, it is not as easy as it once was, we have too many young ship captains, captains of your generation. They want their legacy, their battles, their honor. They want to return things to the way they were in the past, they want everyone to fear the Klingon empire.

“Hmpf, is this what the old guard has become? I’m glad mother got me away from… that. And father ( grimace or rage across her face) DO NOT call me by that name, you lost that right years ago.”

“Fine, but remember you are still my daughter and you would be wise to remember that young pup. I see that Klingon blood running through your veins even now. That’s the one thing your mother was never able to understand; battle, rage, honor, (looks into the screen with a scowl starting to come over his face) and obedience to your house are what we are, it is what makes Klingons who we are.”

“Father, that is not the issue here and you know it. Stop trying to bring up our history to cover up the real issue. The real issue is here and now (Dr. Shoji slams her fist onto the ready rooms table) Do not play games with me father. Your pups are killing and attacking Romulans and threatening star fleet ships and personnel. We have reports, which I’m sure you have by now, of these pups attacking Star Empire ships and threatening federation ships throughout the Velorum Sector.”

“What is it you want then, daughter?”

“The truth, ruch ‘e’ ngIl ‘Iv?(what the hell is going on?) and what is great Klingon empire doing to stop it (in a very sarcastic tone)”

“(Sits back in his command chair) if only you would have stayed we would have turned you into a Klingon captain to be proud of.” 

“We’ll mom won on that account, quit stalling. I can tell by the commotion behind you something is going on and you’re trying to hide it and not doing a very good job of it, sir. (again sarcastically)”

The view screen goes mute as she sees her father turn around a say something to the Klingon crewmen to the sides and behind him, she notices one of them, a commander from the rank he is wearing, say something to her father, in a flash he pulls his D’k tahg and stabs it into the commanders chest not once or twice but several times. “Oh crap, this is bad”  she see’s her father make a motion with his other hand and several crew pull their weapons and gun down certain individuals amongst the bridge crew. “This is really bad.” The sound comes back we can here more weapons fire in the background and than silence.

“That, that is what we are doing about it. That fool dared to threaten me, should have just tried to kill me versus doing what he did.” Kicks at the dead body from his chair, “dare to threaten me with the information he had, what he just shared with me. Did he not think I already knew, and as you saw and heard we knew who he was plotting with, a good captain always knows. You would do well to remember that, daughter.”Wipes his blade on his pants leg and sheathes it. “As for what you asked here is what I can and will tell you, the Klingon forces are reinforcing the borders. Im sure you would have guessed that would be our first reaction in case there are any repercussions against the empire. Secondly all known members are being dealt with as you just saw and the rest are being branded as traitors to the empire. Currently I’m taking my ship to the border. The Klingon ambassador should be going to the federation any moment to make it understood the the empire has no part in this nor will we tolerate such acts.” A Klingon wearing the bloody rank of the commander that her father just dealt with approaches her father and hands him a PADD. We see her father face go red, froth and saliva fly from his mouth and the comm channel goes quit as she see her father have what could only be a fit of rage as he stands up and then punches his chair and retakes his seat. He looks at the PADD as the channel’s sound comes back up. 

The comms shows him sitting back in his chair viably still mad but it looked to Shoji as if he had gotten over the initial fit. “I know you did not say where you are at but my communications lieutenant is quite good at his job. I can see here that you are located at Alth’dor IV. Ahhh the dilithium mining planet. Yes I can see why they called the federation for help after overthrowing the star empire dogs.” 

“And the other piece of news that you’re trying to hide from me, the news that sent you into such rage. What are you not telling me, old man?”

Sits back into his chair and starts to laugh a deep guttural laugh. “Just like your mother, could never hide things from her either. The arguments we used to have brought great love to my heart, a Klingon needs battle even in his home, and the making up wasn’t bad either.”

“That is not something I need to know about old man, you’re still diverting the question. Make it easier on us both, I don’t have time for these games and I expect neither do you.”

Her father looks into the screen a look of trepidation coming over his face, he looks down at the PADD again and shakes his head. “Shoji, the Ruby is there.”

Anger starts to boil on Shoji’s face “ how is that? Where is this information coming from? Klollo would not side with dogs such as these. You know this and I know this. Someone is spreading lies.”

Her father looks deeply into the view screen after checking over his shoulder. “Klollo is no longer in command. Avasa is now in charge.”

Anger and fury come over Shoji as she picks up her PADD and launches it into the view screen. “‘ach vay’ ghotpu’vam! (That b____ will pay in blood)”

Dr M’Gok come flying out of the ready room, and goes through one of the security personnel who was coming to check on the sound of something crashing.

“I’ll check on you in a second” as she barely even looks at him. Taps her comm badge “Chief Ruz, I’m afraid my conversation in the ready room did not go the way it should have, you may want to send someone up here. Oh and tell them to bring a new view screen for the ready room.”

Looks at the captain “I’ll take whatever punishments you deem necessary sir once we take care of the infestation of roaches” looks at Captain letting the anger show across her face. “Those do not get to be called Klingons any longer.”

Kr’Antren looks down the doc, she is only an inch or two shorter then him, more of a glance. “I’m gathering the colonel didn’t have the answers to our issues.”

“Oh he did and more.” Gives the captain a quick rundown on what she learned, heard and saw except for the last part, that she is holding in letting it fuel the anger and the want for blood that is coursing through her veins. 

“Damn , that’s. I can’t even  think of the words to describe that. The rest is what I would expect for them to do, now the question is what do we do?” Watching on the view screen as the Rhyndacus lands in the area designated, he can see roughly 40-50 Romulans and Remans gathered around the area with loaders, anti grav skids and whatever else they could get to help speed up the unloading process. “Number one, Chief Kaha, I believe you’re up. Number one, inform the council I will be down to meet them in a few minutes, let them know. We’ll just tell them I’ll be there in a few minutes. While we try to figure out this mess.” 

“Sir, we will have more information in a couple seconds” doc says as she turns to face the view screen. “Computer pull up the image from the attacks on the Star Empire on the view screen”

“Affirmative” as the pictures appear on the screen, dr M’Gok steps forward glancing between. “Computer, can you zoom in on this bird or prey, bottom left second one.” Anger starts to show on the doctor’s face, as the captain steps up beside her and the computer zooms in on the bird or prey that she mentioned as it zooms in Dr M’Goks eyes focus on the name on its side and the symbol under the bridge and lets out a blood curdling scream. 

“Doc, what is it, what is the meaning of that?” As he points to the name and symbol.

“That is my ship or better, was supposed to be my ship in a past life and now that bitch has it and she is a roach.”

Kr’Antren nods “i’m guessing this is what caused that” points over his shoulder in his ready room

Dr. M’Gok nods her head as she is seething with rage and anger. 

“Computer open all comms channels”

“Comms channels are open”

“What’s the ships name doctor”

Dr. M’Gok looks at the captain “IKS Amazonian Ruby” Kr’Antren raises an eyebrow “I’ll explain it all over drinks sometime. It’s a long and rather painful story” Kr’Antren nods 

“IKS Amazonian Ruby, this is LT. Kr’Antren of the federation vessel USS Rhyndacus. We need to speak to your captain.”

“Doc, please take a moment in the ready room, you’ll know when I need you.”

Dr. M’Gok heads towards the ready room “Sir, please do not let her play you, she is good at that with those of your particular sex. She will try but do not let her. I’ll be waiting.”

Kr’Antren nods his head as she exits the bridge. 

“Ahhhh what’s this a federation toy, how nice of them to send us a plaything, This is Cmdr Avasa M’Gok of the IKS Amazonian Ruby.”

“Computer, view screen” Kr’Antren sits in his chair “ I am LTjg Kr’Antren we would like to speak to captain Klollo. We have things to discuss.”

“No, Federation you will talk to me, Captain Klollo is no longer in charge of this ship, I have assumed those duties. Hmmm yes I see a Raven class ship how quant. Helping the Romulan scum, did they run crying to their new masters when they could not take care of themselves. Hold on you were not in the convoy how did you get on the planet’s surface.” Waves a hand and adjusts herself in the command chair showing a bit more leg than she was. “No, matter you you will only leave if we allow it, maybe it’ll be nice to have some federation playthings as we wait for your federation’s ships to come to your rescue.”

Pulls out his PADD “Hold on just have to update the federations notes here.. hmmm I see a lieutenant Avasa assigned to the crew, hmmmm as an operations specialist. Just so I get this right in my report, how did you get promoted from a LT to the captain of the vessel.”

“I did what Klingons have done for eons, federation. I crushed those who stood in my way and those that could not command as a Klingon should.” 

Avasa pulls out her PADD, “hmmm yes, USS Rhyndacus lately from the shipyards of Devron by way of starbase bravo. How come I see no crew notes? I know you are not by yourself?”

“We’ll know how it is captain we get thrown together in when things like a Romulan faction falls apart. Hell captain,  4 days ago I was nothing but a shuttle pilot. Well yes in fact, the crew is unloading the medical supplies, food and other emergency supplies that the federation has been sending to those in need, than once that is complete” shrugs his shoulders “who knows?”

Avasa leans slightly forwards in her chair “maybe I’ll bring you up here to my ship and I’ll let you have the honor of being my special guest as we wait.”

“Thanks for the offer captain, but I think I’ll pass. You are not quite my type. I like my friends to be soft, if you know what I mean.” Raises and eyebrow.

“Oh federation you are funny, though I can be, how do you say “soft” when I need to be, but I am Klingon and as such I must always be looking for battle.”

“Well that brings me to my next question. Why attack the Star empire? They were already falling apart, I’m sure you could have just waited a bit longer and you could have had any planet in this sector without expending energy.”

Avasa angrily stands up and approaches her view screen” Watch how you say your next words captain.. We are Klingon we take what we want and crush those who oppose us. You would not understand this, you sound like the old men on  QO’Nos too old too afraid to do what Klingons must. They would rather sit back and listen to their federation masters. We will no longer be slaves to the federation we will return yo the old ways the ways when all we’re afraid of the Klingon empire.”

Kr’Antren looks down at his PADD as she is saying all this and than looks back up “Are you done with your propaganda speech now, not really interested in all that. Just wanted to hear the simple answer to why. We’ll look at that, how time flies. If you don’t mind, I have a meeting with the council of this planet to discuss how else the federation can help them.”

“You dare leave your betters, federation scum. Do not discuss such things with the Romulan and reman scum who call themselves the ruling council. The Klingon empire will help them not the federation.”

Kr’Antren starts to walk out of the bridge and stops, and turns around “We’ll you see I don’t really think the Klingons will be helping these fine folks, seeing as your not part of the empire, now are you?” Looks at the door leading to the ready room. “ No, from what I heard just a few moments ago I think you have bigger problems. well I do have a meeting to goto but, I’ll let you discuss your options with one of my officers.” Walks over to the ready room door,knocks once turns around and heads out the turbo lift doors.

“Where are you going? We must discuss your surrender into my custody. If you do not come back I will beam down myself and kill the council so you have to deal with me.”

Behind the ready room door, as the captain knocks dr M’Gok stands silently listening to every word through her comments badge. “ USS Rhyndacus. This is Dr. M’Gok. Be advised we may have some unwelcome guests coming. Have weapons set on stun as I really don’t want to have to do more paperwork than necessary.” Several quick chirps come back over her comment badge and obvious answer to her request. Dr. M’Gok takes a deep breath and lets the rage start to boil once more as she enters the bridge.

“Yes, sweet sister please do. It would make things so much easier.”  A very sarcastic tone to her voice.

Avasa turns around immediately upon hearing the voice, a scowl appearing over her face.”You…. Fathers human whores bastard. Father mentioned you had joined the federation after turning him down. You could have had all this and much more. Hahahahahaha, you are nothing to me and I’m disgraced that you are part of this house.” 

“Disgraced, haaaa, who is the one that has brought dishonor to the house? Who is the one that has disgraced father? “

“I have disgraced no one, father should be happy and glad I’m bringing honor to the family after your mother disgraced the house by having you, a half blood.”

“That’s a good one sweet sister, you weren’t even born yet. You have no idea what happened, only told what your mother wanted. Let’s get down to business shall we? What the hell are you doing on my ship? Where is Klollo? And why are you starting a war in which you know damn well it will not end good for you?” The anger starts to boil up again as her Klingon half takes control of her emotions, knowing some of the answers but wanting to hear it from the mouth of the one to commit the acts. 

Avasa sits back in her chair and laughs “You mean this ship” she motions around the bridge and crew “My ship, the one I took command of how a Klingon should. You know where he is sweet Shoji, your once fiancé is floating amongst the debris of my great victory, thrown out with the trash. Ahhhh.  I see by the look on your face you already knew this. Did our father tell you? Did father tell you the honor I have brought back to his house.” A knowing smirk comes over her face.

Dr. M’Gok rolls her hands into fists, knowing where this will go.”Ahhhhhh, the only thing father told me before telling me you were on my ship was the disgrace and dishonor you and your friends have brought to the  houses and the Klingon empire. You do not get to call yourself a Klingon any longer nor a member of house M’Gok, father told me to tell you that. He has disowned you, no longer sister of mine. Even now the Klingon empire is moving forces to the borders to deal with the repercussions of the roaches, because that is what you are,  that will come from this. You and your friends have been branded traitors and criminals to be dealt with as such.” Starts to laugh that deep guttural laugh brought on by anger, pain, hatred.

 “Llliiieeeesss, these are all lies. Coming from the mouth of a whores daughter. Even now they are proclaiming these deeds amongst the empire. Today we have started to become Klingons once more. We have struck the first blows that will return the Klingon empire to prominence amongst the stars. After today all will fear us, all will tremble in fear when they see a Klingon. You know Nothing of what it means to be a Klingon, federation scum.We, the Klingon empire, will no longer bow down to the likes of you.”

Dr. M’Gok starts to show a toothy smile that has a bit of a snarl to it. “Yes, I see the picture now. I see what the roaches problem is. You want a legacy, you want power, you want your father to name you his heir. You want this.” The dr reaches for a heavy braided chain worn around her neck, center is a scaled down version of the emblem that would be on her baldric if she were to wear one. The symbol that deems her as her fathers heir and shows her rank within the house, A house she has never intended to return to. “Only one problem with that dear sister, it is MINE and we know there is only one way for you to claim it, isn’t there. No matter what you think you have done or how much honor you think you have brought to the house, battles won, enemies killed. We both know father could not name you as long as I am alive.” Gives an even broader snarl of a smile “however, you know where I am. You think you deserve it, don’t hide behind me and disgrace yourself even farther than you already have. Face me like a Klingon and try to take it.” Dr. M’Gok immediately kills the transmission 

“USS Rhyndacus crew expect visitors any second, however do not kill them and do not face the captain till I give the signal.”

Several chirps follow 

Dr. M’Hok hurriedly returns to her room and pups a long flat case out from under her bed, she lets out a long breath and a loud sigh. “I never wanted to touch this thing again, I am no longer what it represents. But if I don’t, many others may not make it past today. Today I must remember who I am and what it means to have two bloods running through my veins.”She reaches down and holds her thumb on the pad, opens the case and retrieves her Bat’leth and leaves the room. 

Nearing the ramp to the landing area she hears the sounds of transporter beams ending, the rapid fire of Klingon weapons , federation phaser and Romulan disrupter. She exits the Rhyndacus to see several Klingon crewman on the ground withering pain or gaveling already perished, than her eyes take in several of the colonists in the same condition and one of the crew from the Rhyndacus laying on the ground near the ramp, nurse matthews kneeling over him trying to save his life. Dr M’Gok glances up seeing her sister standing the middle of a cleared area Rhyndacus crew holding colonists back.

“Where is she, where is my precious sister? Come out and federation scum so I can end you like I ended your fiancé Klollo. Face me you pathetic excuse for a Klingon, no not a Klingon a half breed a human federation whores daughter.” 

Dr M’Gok walks over to the downed crewman and the nurse working on him and touches nurse Matthews on the shoulder. Nurse Matthews looks up at her and shakes her head. Dr M’Gok looks at her sister and let’s out a blood curdling howl of rage. 

Noticing the Bat’leth in one hand of her sister and a knife in the other, she makes a quick decision to face towards her sister and takes a running start into a roll. She feels the air move above her knowing that is the knife being thrown, moving so fast she doesn’t really register the sound of the knife hitting flesh or the sound of a body hitting the ground. As she comes out of the roll raising her Bat’leth in a two handed over head strike intended to cut a victim in two she see a blue flash and her sister stiffen and slump to her knees. Holding the strike for just a mere moment in time to savor the blow she notices the captain standing in front of her with what she gathers are the council members behind him. She sees the slight head shake and the words being mouthed “Not who you are.” 

Looking down at her sister she lets out a howl and brings the Bat’Leth down and as sure of herself as if she was in the operating room she brings the blade down, slicing deeply into her sister’s flesh leaving a deep slice of a wound across her sister’s face. “You are no longer of the house M’Gok, you are no longer a Klingon as you are no longer worthy of that. You are a traitor, a murderer, a criminal and most of all you are dead to all.” She looks up at the captain and mouths “Thankyou” she than looks over one of the Rhyndacus remaining security crew “cuff her, shackle her feet, remove all electronics from her  forcefully if you must. And watch over her, do not let her move do not let her speak. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am” looks over at the captain and receives a nod.

“Doc, DOC, DDDDOOOCCC We need you now doc!”

Dr M’Gok hearing this turns around and sees the FO and several other crew members kneeling or standing over Nurse Matthews, a Klingon knife protruding from her chest right above her heart.

“No, No Noooo. Not today, not her.” As she runs over and takes a position over the prone nurse, quickly pulling out and running a tricorder over her nurse. Let’s out a long sigh and a sobbing cry. “Damn it, I did not mean for this to happen Samantha, no no no. This is my fault, my fault.”

Nurse Matthews opens her eyes “No it’s not, I stood when I should have stayed down. It was meant for you.” She closes her eyes and lets out a last final long breath. 

Dr. M’Gok nods her head and closes her eyes for several moments, lets out a long sob and reaches for the knife pulling it from the former nurse’s chest. Dropping it on the ground beside her. She stands and walks over to the prisoner. Reaches down and rips the baldric off of her, “you are dead to the house and to the empire, you do not get to wear this.”

“Haaa l, you have won nothing this day. You are a coward, you are the one who does not deserve to be part of the house. You could not even kill one who was going to kill you.”

“That’s right, I did not kill you though we all know in truth I did. There is nothing you can do to change that. But I am stronger than that, I have sworn oaths to not take the life of another unless in self defense. I am the federation and I am a Klingon of the house M’Gok and you are nothing but a traitor and lower than a worm I would crush under my feet. The death I would have given you was too fast, I promise you what your future holds for you will be far worse than you can imagine and you will call out wishing I would have given you the swift death.”

Kr’Antren and the council members of Alth’Ndor IV  walk up behind the doctor. 

“What should we do with her, doc? Take her with us to our next stop, leave her here, turn her over to who knows who?”

Dr M’Gok looks around at the sky “No sir, I think it will be handled soon enough.” At that time slightly behind the group another group comes into the area as the transporter sounds and energy of a Klingon transporter dissipates To the left of them six Klingons come into focus.The Captain and the council turn around and quickly start to pull weapons and find something to hide behind

“Hold, we do not have any intentions besides picking up my traitoris former daughter. And dealing with the rest of her ilk”

Kr’Antren looks at the Klingon talking then back at Dr M’Gok, she slowly nods her head. “Figured you were lying about your location, father. She is yours do with her as you will.” Dr M’Gok goes over picks up her Bat’Leth turns and renters the ship, she turns looking over her shoulder to those near enough to hear. “Bring the injured and any others that are sick or have medical needs to the medical bay, it may take me longer but I will do what I can for them.”

Kr’Antren looks up at her as she enters the ship, looks down at the prisoner “Well I guess he is here for you.” and walks over to the large formidable looking Klingon that is a few steps away. “ Sir, I am Ltjg Kr’Antren captain of the federation ship USS Rhyndacus.” Offers his hand to the colonel. “Ahhhhh yes, nice to meet you captain. Sorry we were a bit late. Had to deal with them others up there.” Points with his thumb up towards the sky. “Don’t think they were expecting a squadron of Klingon ships to suddenly appear with weapons locked on them. Haaaa gave up as cowards do, did not even try to fight back. Pathetic excuse for Klingons they are. Luckily for the others we were already on their trail when my.” Looks up at the ship and shakes his head with a disgruntled sigh that only a father could give. “daughter contacted me about the situation here.”

Kr’Antren releases the hand shake, looks at the colonel and nods his head. “Is there any way we can help you any further with the current issue here on Alth’Ndor IV? As you can see we were in the middle of off loading supplies for the folks of this planet. Then we will see what else we can do for them before we leave. As you can see we are just a small ship with a small crew but we will do what we can.”

The colonel looks around watching the goings on and taking note of what was being off loaded. “Hmmmm, yes, as is the way with the federation. We did bring along things so we can build friendships with the planets in this region of space.” Looks at Kr’Antren and gives a knowing smile. “The more we can do for these peoples who have overthrown their Romulan scum overloads the more it may lead them to looking our way when decisions are made in the future.” The colonel pulls out his communicator. “qoHvaD jatlhchugh jIH,unpu’, nIHwI’ je Sov (food, medical supplies and mining equipment)” 

Larger cargo style transporter beams start to materialize further down the field and off to one side “Someone has had their eyes looking down here I see. That should be a good spot for consolidation.”

“Father what are you doing, these Romulan and Reman scum deserve to be crushed and shown the might of the Klingon of the empire.” Colonel M’Gok stands over the prisoner and slaps her across the face. “ As you have already been informed, YOU are no longer my daughter nor are you anything but a criminal and a traitor. Speak once more with permission and you will be dealt with.”

“Father can you not see the truth, we have” a hard slap is heard again with a spray of blood from the reopened wound goes spraying across the ground. Colonel M’Gok looks over at his security detail. “ I do not want to hear this traitor’s voice again, gag her and take her to the brig and make sure that max levels are set for all facets.”

“Yes colonel” as we see three of the security detail surrounding her, one each on a side and one from behind, the one from behind pulls from his belt what can only be described as a medieval looking ball gag and quickly starts to put it in place. One then pulls out his communication device and speaks into it.

Kr’Antren looks at Colonel M’Gok “Sir, would you like to meet with the planets council? Or talk to your daughter. You may have the use of my ready room if so. It’s probably the most comfortable place on the Rhyndacus besides the personal quarters.”

“Not today on both discussions, I fear we have some more of these traitors and cowards to find and deal with and I promise you it will not be as nice and easy, as humans say, as this was. As for my daughter” looks up at the ship”,that is another issue that I am not quite ready to face yet. Someday maybe but not today. I’m afraid and problem not for a very long time.” holds up a hand as if saying I know what your next question will be but don’t ask it. “She will have to tell you our history and her story sometime, then you will understand the complex problem between us. Captain, please remember that not only did she lose a fellow officer and I’m guessing by the uniforms I saw and knowing a little about starfleet her nurse today she also lost her fiancé. She has remarkable coping skills, got those from her mother, but she will be hurting for a good amount of time I can assure you of that.” 

Kr’Antren nods and looks from the ship to the landing area and the work going on around them, and notices the group of people collecting the wounded and the dead. “I believe most of these folks would agree with you, it’s been a hard past few weeks for them. As for my crew, I believe the events today may have opened a few young people’s eyes and made them realize just what is at stake.”

“Yes, events like today have a way of doing that same with the first time you are in a battle or a ship encounter. Take it from an old Klingon, watch over your crew, take care of them and your ship young captain and I promise they will do the same with you and most importantly remember that respect goes both ways.” Nods his head and reaches out a hand to Kr’Antren “especially that last bit, that’s the one that can ruin a man, a  demoralize a crew and the end ship the fastest. Qapla’ in you mission Kr’Antren”

“Qapla’ in yours as well, wo’batlhvad Colonel.” As the colonels body starts to energize and fade out.

Kr’Antren turns till he spots the council and makes his way over to them. “Ma’am, sirs I’m so sorry that those events transpired just now. The crew and I will do all we can to help the families of those who fell today. Knowing that the issue of planetary security has been taken care of, I do believe that we will be able to remain for the next 72 to 96 hours to help in any way we can. Also as you can see the Klingon empire has graciously delivered materials and supplies to the people of Alth’Ndor IV. My crew and ship are at your disposal. Please spread the word to bring the wounded and anyone that is sick or in need of medical attention to the Rhyndacus and we will do our very best to help all that we can.”

“Captain, do you know what will become of the other one, we hope she will find justice.”

Kr’Antren runs a hand through his hair and then roughs it up as he brings it forward. “ knowing Klingons and their culture I would I’m sure she will meet justice in a very harsh way.The Klingon empire does not look kindly on traitors and murders.”

“Captain, it is nearing the end of a very long and stressful day, if we may call on you tomorrow morning, we would like to discuss some ideas that have been spoken amongst us and the people as they concern how we see our future as a planet and as a people.”

“I will be more than happy to meet with you in the morning. Remember though even though I am captain of the Rhyndacus in the grand scheme of things I am just a lowly LT. Not sure how much help I can be in deciding the future of you and your people but I will be more than happy to send the information to StarFleet.”

“Captain, do not let your young age cloud your mind, today you showed many here and In your crew. That you have a spark, an aura of budding leadership that will lead to great things. You gained much today even though you may not see it yet. Go take care of your crew, especially that young doctor, she hides it well but she is hurting inside. Grieve for your losses as we shall grieve for ours. Tomorrow is a new day and thanks to your crew and you, it looks much brighter than yesterday.” The council bid Kr’Antren good night and the commander gives him a salute of respect from one leader to another

Kr’Antren walked over to the replicator in his room, still blinking the sleepy just waking haze from his eyes. “Chai tea with cream and medium sweetness, vanilla yogurt with almond honey granola and a banana.” The items materialized on the replicator PADD, he took them and walked over to his small eating table that is set up beside the portal to the outside. Taking a deep breath he began to eat his breakfast and drink his chai.

As he was finishing up eating his door chimed with someone outside. “Enter, ah good morning doctor.” He looked over his Chief medical officer as she entered, noticing Ed that she looked like she had not slept at all last night and he could still see the sorrow and the emotional toll the events from the previous day had taken on her. He started to say something till he saw the look on her face and knew that now was not the time.

“Sir, you do have some medical training correct?”

“Just what we learnt at the academy”

She slumped her shoulders and nodded her head at hearing this. “It will have to do.” She placed a basic field medic kit on the table and opened it up. “ Medical tricorder, hypospray kit and dermal regenerators.” She shows the captain where each is located in the kit. “We have some visitors this morning, guess the word got spread around the immediate area that we can help, most are basic run of the mill minor issues. I have asked a few of the crew that were not busy in other areas to help set up a triage area. The local military garrison is sent over a couple of their doctors and medics to help out. The doctors will be in the med bay with behandeling the most severe cases the medics handled the next tier down. That leaves you and ensign Tazzeth to handle the basic cases and the triaging.”

Kr’Antren knodded his head. “We can do that, but first you have to sit and eat something. You have been going all night and it is taking a toll on you already. Events like what you went through yesterday are not something you can just push aside doctor.” She started to say something, but then closed her mouth and sat down. “ Good I thought I was going to have to make that an order.” He walked back to the replicator, looked over his shoulder to see her sobbing and let out a slight smile. “You know doc, you do not have to bury yourself in work, I would understand if you needed a day or two.” 

“Patients first sir, then I’ll worry about me.”

Laughs “Guess he was right, ok doc but I am not going to let my chief medical officer run herself to death. Got me. “

“Loud and clear”

He looked down at the replicator and tugged on his beard a bit. “Raktajino, large, extra strong, black. One egg, cheese and sausage bagel.” He took the plate and placed it in front of her. “Eat, I’m going to wash up.” 

By the time he came back, she was already gone with the cup of Raktajino. He noticed the crumbs on the plate with a last bite sized piece of the bagel still on the plate. “Well at least she ate.” He picked up the medical kit and made his way outside to help out who he could.

Later that morning

Kr’Antren had just finished a shower when his comm badge went off “Captain, number one here. The Alth’Ndor IV council is here and wanted to speak to you as you had agreed to last night.” 

“Please escort them to the ready room number one and informed our guests I’ll be there in a couple mins.”

“Yes, sir”

Several minutes passed as he entered his ready room. “Good morning councilors. Have they offered you anything to drink or eat? Sorry for the delay I was fleshing up after the work this morning.”

As he filled a large glass of water from the carafe on the table next to  the view screen. 

“Yes captain, your first officer was a very generous host while we waited. We received word that your medical team helped many from the local area.”

“Yes ma’am we did, that’s why I was delayed.”

“Captain, you were helping the medical team this morning?”

Laughs and stretches his back a bit “Yes, we have a small crew onboard the Rhyndacus and many of us are trained in several key areas, field medicine or emergency medicine is one of those areas. Unfortunately we lost our one and only nurse yesterday, she was the one that passed away after the altercation, so some of us had to pitch in to help the doctor. Commander Vexiesh thank you for sending the doctor and the medics, they helped greatly and were much appreciated.”

“Your welcome captain, I will pass that onto their commander.”

Kr’ Antrim nodded in approval.

“So how can we help the people of Alth’Ndor IV today, I remember you mentioned something about some ideas.”

“Yes, we do. But first let us extend our condolences for those that were lost yesterday. We would be honored if you would agree to your crew members being buried here on Alth’Ndor IV, we are planning on building a Remembrance monolith here that will have the names of all those that have been lost since we overthrew the star empire regime on the planet. Those that were lost yesterday will have a place of honor around the monolith. We ask as we thought that their families and loved ones would like to know that they are buried here in a place of honor versus floating in space. We have also decided to rename this landing area as “Remembrance Field”, and this will become our main landing area for interplanetary guests.”

Kr’Antren nodded at this, the crew and hopefully star fleet would see this as an act of kindness and honor and an olive branch being laid out by what he hoped was the new governmental body of Alth’Ndor IV.

“I believe that would be an agreeable item to all involved. What was the other matter you wanted to discuss? As I said last night I am a low man in the order of things but will give my full attention to your ideas and base my recommendations off of that. I can not agree to anything “ splays his hands on the table “ as I’m not part of the diplomatic core, all I can do is pass it up to those that make those types of decisions.”

“That is all we ask, captain.” The meeting went over several ideas that have been brought forwards to the council. These included becoming a federation protectorate, forming their own governmental and planetary body that would run the planet, asking another romulan faction for help or for entrance into that faction. How they could update and modernize the mining systems and logistical problems of operating the minds. Kr’ Antren nodded and asked questions where he thought more clarification was needed and had the computer record the session for star fleet command and took down his own personal notes that he would add to his report when it was sent.

Kr’ Antren looked up and the council went quiet as his comm badge went off “Sir, sorry to interrupt but we are being hailed by a Commander Cemib, he is here to represent the Romulan Empire in talks with the Alth’Ndor IV council. Said he was told to contact us by 4th Fleet and Bravo command. We are getting a request for visual comms sir.”

“Patch him through to the view screen in here Chief.”

He Looked around the table at the council, “well that was fast. I thought it would take another few days before any of the other factions reached out.”

“So did we captain, so did we.”

The view screen comes up with a Romulan commander sitting in what looks to be his ready room onboard a ship. “Commander Nijeer, counselors and Captain. I am here to represent the Romulan Republic and offer a place amongst the Republic for the people of Alth’Ndor IV. I have been granted full diplomatic authority on behalf of the Republic.”

Kr’Antren sat upright in his chair, fixed his uniform tunic making sure it was in place and gave Commander Nijeer a nod. “I am Captain Kr’Antren of the federation vessel Rhyndacus, pleased to meet you sir. The counselors and I were just discussing their ideas on the future. If I may present, Councilmen N’Tash, Councilwoman Sienna, Guardian Commander Vexiesh and Councilmen Naes’ ‘ each nodded as he introduced them. “If I may ask how did you know that a federation vessel was here?”

“Captain Kr’Antren I was given your information as the federation representative as you were on a mission to help the people of Alth’Ndor IV. I’ve sent you the packet from the Fourth Fleet command and Bravo Fleet command, it has my credentials so that you may present them to the councilors. The packet also includes the full offer from the Republic to the people of Alth’Ndor IV and also includes several key assurances on their protection, trade rights, legal rights and governmental representation from both sides. I understand that this is a lot to go through and there will be questions. Please read through the packet and we can begin discussions at any time.”

Kr’Antrem checked his console, after reading something for a few minutes he nodded and passed PADDS to each of the council members. “Everything is as the Commander stated, I’ve checked and verified the credentials are legitimate. As this is a new piece of information, one that is between the Republic and yourselves, I have been instructed to act as a third party as long as you feel I am needed. Commander the table is yours.” The council members turned to face the view screen while holding their PADDS and started to look through aspects of the offer from the Romulan Republic as the Commander read through it item by item. 

After several hours of continued discussions it was decided to call it a day and to start the discussions the next morning. Having escorted  the councilmen off of the Rhyndacus and having eaten, Kr’Antren called a meeting with the command crew to go over the days events and discuss plans for the next day.

“First I would like to say thank you and give you all kudo’s for doing a good job today with the events that happened yesterday. As a crew we have stepped up and not let that stop us from completing our mission and helping the people of Alth’Ndor IV. I just received word that services will be held tomorrow morning to honor those that fell and bury those that will hold places of honor in the Remembrance Monolith,  this will include Nurse Mathew’s and crewmen Jones. The services will be at sunrise, I hoped to see many of you there. Dress uniforms will be worn for the service.

Second, as many of you have heard by now, the people of Alth’Ndor IV have been offered membership into the Romulan Republic. Those negotiations are currently ongoing and are being hosted by Rhyndacus for the time being.

Before we go around the table, I would like volunteers for pallbearers for Nurse Mathew’s and crewman Jones. I will be one for Nurse Mathew’s.”

Lt. Talibah, Ensigns Tazzeth and Yivliv, Chiefs Kaha and Ruz raised their hands. 

“Sir, I had previously talked to petty officer Stimeck; he also would like to volunteer” Chief Ruz added.

“Captain, the other two security crewmen will do the honors of escorting their fallen crewmen, and I will lead their escort as you will lead Nurse Mathew’s.” Added number one.

“Ok, that fills all of those slots. Ceremony is set for sunrise, so we will meet in cargo bay two at 0500 to prepare and be ready when the ceremony starts.”

He looked around the table receiving nodded heads in the affirmative.

“Unless heard otherwise the meeting will reconvene tomorrow morning here in the Ready Room. Number one I wanted you to join us, if you are free. We are just a third party to the talks, this is between the Republic  and the people of Alth’Ndor IV. If we are asked we will give an opinion based on our experience and personal thoughts.”

Number one looked over at Kr’Antren and nodded “ Would be happy to sir. What way do you think the councilmen are leaning?”

“At this point it is hard to say, there is a lot for them to look at, think on and be discussed amongst themselves and the people. I know I would have a hard time making the decision because there are lots of good things the Republic has offered. I’ve sent you all copies of the packet to look over, let me know if anything catches your eye as suspicious or may need to be brought up.”

He looked around and the others nodded in response. He looked down at his console and started to go through the daily reports with the command staff. 

“Having looked at these it looks like we are on schedule if not ahead of schedule. Number one or Ensign Tazzeth what’s  this I see about Dilithium samples?”

“Yes sir,“ Ensign Tazzeth looked at number one and received a nod to continue “The mining facilities designated alpha four and hotel two have done some preliminary core sampling of what they think maybe new Dilithium fields, having scanned the samples myself and having talked to the facility scientists we are drawing the same conclusion that these would be new fields and not branches of the current ones. Since they no longer have the Star Empires facilities to send their samples too for further research and proofing they have asked us to deliver the samples to Star Fleet for further testing and research. Not knowing how long the negotiations will take I believe this would be the best path for them before they make any plans on further developing those possible fields.”

“I think that pretty much summed it up Captain, Ensign Tazzeth has been doing an excellent job in helping the mining research teams and scientist teams. When they overthrew the Star Empire they lost their only connection to the outside. This was one of the areas that was carefully watched and controlled  under the old regime and if they were caught trying to send requests out during the blockade it would often lead to repercussions being dealt by the blockade ships upon the planet.”

Kr’Antren nodded “ok, makes sense. However this brings me to the next bit of news. When we depart Alth’Ndor IV we will be heading to our new home Deep Space 47 and Task Force 47. Ensign Tazzeth, make sure the scientists understand this. We will do everything we can to make sure that the samples reach the right people if DS47 can not handle this type of research at this time. I do not know at this time what our next mission will be or if the crew will be changed out. If anyone has any requests as far as staying with us or possible moves please send them to my PADD and we will meet and discuss, pass this onto your teams also. Questions?”

He looked around the table to see if anyone had any.

“I want to be able to depart within four hours or sooner when notified by the council that they feel they can finish the talks with the Romulan Republic. Start pulling in your teams and finishing up or getting the projects to a point that the Alth’Ndor IV teams feel they can take over and finish on their own. Helm start plotting a course for Deep Space 47, I would like to avoid the Badlands if at all possible. Number one contact DS9, DS47 and Task Force 47 for any information we may need on the current situations and intelligence on the areas we will be passing through, don’t want to run into any surprises if we can help it. Questions? Dr. M’Gok please stay behind. We are in the home stretch, folks. Dismissed.”

As everyone leaves the ready room he sat next to Dr. M’Gok and looks his chief medical officer over, noticing the deep furrows around her eyes and the sunken features. “ Doc, look at me and tell me the truth. How are you doing? That was not an easy thing to go through yesterday. Having looked at you and watched you over the day I can tell you are not doing good.”

Ske looked up at the captain, held her head up and straightened out her neck and back.“ Sir, I’m fine and I’ll be even better if everyone will stop asking. Let me handle this, I’ll work through it by doing my job and saving as many as I can. I have to make her death mean something, no that’s not right. Her death has to mean something it cannot and will not be because she stood up when she should have stayed down. She stood up to watch me, to check on me and that’s what got her killed.I got her killed sir and I have to live with that. I run  it over and over in my head. Thinking of everything I could have done differently and it always comes to the same conclusion.  Damn it sir, why could she not stay down?”  She looks at him with her head slightly tilted to the side.

“Doc, we may never know. But what I can say is that she did what she thought she had to do at the time. It might have been her that stopped you from going through with that killing blow or it might not have been, we will never know. What I do know is that event, the entire event probably saved untold amounts of lives. What do you think would have happened if she had killed you right away, nothing was stopping her from beaming into this ship and doing what she wanted. She saved lives Doc and in some ways I believe in that moment of time she saved yours. If you would have took a second longer to respond  or to have arrived at that place at that moment of time it would have been you. Have you thought of it that way? “

“No sir I hadn’t and I guess deep down I know you are right but it is hard to let it out. It is hard to grieve when you know that in some ways it is your fault.”

“No doc, like I just pointed out it is not your fault and nobody on this crew will ever think that I promise you. Doc we need you to be 100%, understand me. I do not know what tomorrow holds or what it may bring but I feel better if we have to face it as a crew with you being the chief medical officer. What we don’t need is you working yourself to exhaustion and not being at 100% when we need you. So I see this going one of two ways. Option 1, You go to your quarters, eat, shower and get a good night’s sleep. Option 2, I call in a few of the crewmen and we administer a hypo spray to make you go to sleep. So what’s it going to be Doc?”

She hanged her head and took a deep breath and let it out. “Sir, I have to make it mean something. It has to, I have to.”

“I understand that Doc and how you do that is by taking care of yourself and helping as many as you can. It may not be today or tomorrow but it will add up. I promise you and Doc you do mean something to all of us. Now what’s it going to be?”

She stood up, looked at the Captain, looked out the portals and let out another deep sobbing breath.” Sir, I will go to my quarters to eat“ sniffs herself and wrinkles her face “,definitely take a shower and try to go to sleep.”

“Doc, I hoped you would see it that way. One more thing Doc, grieve. We all need to do it in our own way but you need to let it out.”

She nodded as she made her way out of the ready room.

“Captain, number one. We just received a message from the council. They have asked the Romulan commander to attend tomorrow’s meeting in person and have decided to change the venue to the council meeting room in the city hall.”

“Thank you number one, let them know we will be there.”

He looks around the ready room and back out the portal out on the landing area. “We’ll, I guess that’s a good sign.”

Two simple caskets draped in the flag of the federation of planets are laid out on the floor of cargo bay two of the Rhyndacus. Before them in the barely lit landing area, processions are barely noticeable approaching the area marked for the Remembrance Monolith. 

Four individuals in dress uniforms are lined up around each casket, one on each corner. 

“Burial detail, prepare to lift” each person dropped to one knee and took a handle in their inside hand. “Lift” standing as one the lift each casket. “Shoulder, arms” the caskets are lifted to shoulder height.” “Forward March” the two caskets are marched to the remembrance monolith site. The sound of bagpipes played, a version of the ancient earth song “Amazing Grace”, in a low tone emanates from the Rhyndacus. Light of a new day just begins to change the color of the sky low on the horizon. 

“Mark time, March” as the caskets are positioned over their waiting burial areas. “Unshoulder, arms” caskets are lowered to knee level. “Burial detail, prepare to lower. Lower” the casket is placed onto the waiting platform that will lower it into the ground as the detail took a knee in unison. “Burial detail, attention” several seconds passed “Burial detail, corners” each member held a corner of the federation flag and waited. 

As the sun slowly made its way over the horizon a Romulan priest started to chant a song of remembrance as all of the caskets started to lower into the ground in unison. 

“Burial detail,  forward..face” the burial details turned and faced towards the outside of the ring. 

“Forward March”

“Mark time.. March.”

“Burial detail, halt”

“Secure the colors” the two flags are folded and placed into separate wood remembrance boxes that will be delivered to the next of kin.

As the people involved in the burial ceremony started to depart, Kr’Antren noticed a Romulan officer wearing the uniform of a Commander in the Romulan Republic Navy, standing with the council. 

“Hmmmm, that’s interesting.” He nodded towards the Commander and the council, and received nods in return. 

Kr’Antren tapped his com badge. “Command staff, meet me in the ready room, 30 minutes”

He received several beeps and affirmatives in response. 

30 minutes later in the ready room.

“Going to call this a working breakfast folks, please grab yourselves something to eat. I’ve already got carafes of coffee, orange juice, Raktajino and Earl grey on the table.” He sits down with a plate filled what looked like a Denver omelet and fills a cup with some of the Raktajino. 

“Going to go ahead and get this started, not sure if anyone else noticed but the Romulan Republic representative was at the services this morning. So number one change of plans. Going to have you stay here and make final preparations for departure. Have a feeling that we are not going to be needed for the rest of these negotiations.”

“Yes sir. Though I think it would be smart to have someone accompany you this morning. You are the captain after all.” 

Laughs “Are we going to start playing that game number one? “ she looks at him with a glance and than raises an eyebrow. He put down his fork and knife and held his hands up in front of him. “Ok, ok. Mom always said the best advice she could give as a captain was not to argue with your number one when they pull the “your the captain” card. Can you do without Chief Kaha this morning?”

She looked at the Chief and nodded  “Your mom gave you good advice, sir. Yes, Chief would be acceptable. She would probably be the best choice for this particular outing,”

“Chief, meet me in the shuttle bay at 0800. I think just a tricorder and a phaser will be fine, I don’t think we will be there long. Number one I would like to depart in two hours after we get back.”

“Will do”

“Ok, since that is out of the way. Number one anything to report on from DS9 or TF47?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary sir, a couple new reports of possible pirate activity in the badlands. DS9 reports green across the board on their side and around the cardassian border. TF47 asks for increased sensor activity once we enter the badlands and on our way to DS47. TF47 is still trying to get the area around DS47 scanned as much as possible so anything we can add would be much appreciated. They also suggested we watch out for lone cardassian or Tzenkethi ships that want to test the federation being in the area now, and may try to single us out being a smaller ship and all that.”

“Ok, let them know that we will contact them once we depart Alth’Ndor IV. Science, are those samples loaded?”

Ensign Tazzeth looks up from a bowl he was eating out of, not expecting to be called on already. He finishes what he was eating. “Yes captain, the samples have been loaded into cargo bay one, I also talked the mining fields to give us two samples versus the single one they were originally going to send. Figured that having two sets of federation scientists look at them and give reports would be better than just one. Sir, I’ve also been able to compile several years worth of scans conducted by the scientists on the planet, convoy ships and any romulan notes on the asteroid field thought they would be good to have to upload into the Star fleet database and to update the maps of the area.”

“Good idea on the field, I hadn’t thought about that to tell the truth. I’m sure somebody in the fleet would appreciate the updated information.”

“Chief Ruz, anything on your end.”

Puts down a mug “No sir, we didn’t sustain any major damage with helms run in with the asteroid, we conducted scans and microfracture testing of the area. Nothing a couple hours in the dock won’t be able to fix. I would like to ask if we can push the warp speeds up as we travel to DS47, want to run some tests on the system at higher warp speeds, and also wouldn’t mind running some simulated issues at those speeds to see how the ship and the various systems handle them. I would rather know now what she can handle versus finding out when something happens for real.”

“How much time are we looking at Chief?”

Chief Ruz looks at his PADD. “ Can you give me five hours at warp 7 and let’s push warp 8 for at least 2 hours. That should give us enough time to compile the data and test the systems. I don’t want to push her to breaking point sir. Just enough to test the systems and get some baseline data.”

Kr’Antren looked at his PADD and scrolled through a couple pages of reports and notes. “Let’s schedule that for day two number one, while we are at it, schedule some battle station drills, and a few other emergency drills. Dr. M’Gok how about a medical emergency drill also. Nothing too serious. I’ll leave that up to you and number one to plan.”

“Yes captain, that would be a good idea. Oh and captain, thank you.”

He looked over at the CMO and noticed the change in her complexion and in her overall stature. “Glad to see it did some good doc.”

“Anything else?”

Nobody answered as they were all eating and enjoying the breakfast and the company, several side conversations were going on between some of the staff as they made or finalized plans. 

Refills his mag with the Raktajino “Ok then, everyone has their assignments. Chief 0800 in the shuttle bay.”

A couple hours later.

As Kr’Antren brought  the shuttle craft in to land in front of the city hall, they couldn’t help but notice the amount of people mixed in with the work crews that were wearing the Romulan Navy uniform. He looked over at Chief Kaha and raised an eyebrow.

She returns the look, not the raised eyebrow, and takes a breath. “Sir, contentment, some happiness, some sorrow, but mainly contentment. It’s almost as if many are feeling that this is the way it should be, equal’s.”

He nodded and looks out the view screen. Let’s put a small chuckle. “Chief, I don’t think we will be here very long at all. Well let’s go on in and see if we are still needed, shall we?”

Upon entering the city hall, several of the Romulan navy crewmen and officers stop and render salutes to the captain and then return to what they were doing. Upon having reached the council chamber doors and noticing them closed and guarded Kr’Antren knocked and waited.

“Enter”

When the two of them entered it was to a polite round of applause. “Captain, sorry we did not inform you; we all decided on the way back from this mornings services that since we were all already up and together we would start the meetings. May I introduce Commander Nijeer and his senior staff.”

“Captain Kr’Antren nice to finally meet you” the commander offered a hand which Kr’Antren took with his own and gave a hearty handshake, not one to test but one of equality and of two captains meeting for the first time.

“Commander, may I introduce Senior Chief Kaha, she is my Chief of Operations.” 

“Ahhh yes, a captain must always have a plus one shouldn’t we.” 

Kr’Antren chuckled and Chief held back a chuckle of her own. “Sir, the captain was reminded of that very “rule” this morning.”

“Ahhhh, yes.. that one takes sometime to get used to if I say so myself. Captain Kr’Antren let me express on the behalf of the Romulan Republic, my crew and myself our deepest condolences on your losses and a very deep appreciative Thankyou for all you have done in helping the people of Alth’Ndor IV finalize their independence from the Empire. I have sent a report along with letters of commendation for the crew and yourself to my command to be forwarded to your command and star fleet. If you would excuse me I will return to the commander to finish our discussion.”

Commander Nijeer takes a step back and returns to the discussion he was having with commander Vexiesh. Councilwoman Sienna approaches from the side.

“Captain, We the people of Alth’Ndor IV would also like to offer our deepest condolences and appreciation to you and the crew. We have also written letters “ hands several scrolls to the captain “We would also like to add these parchments, these scrolls are for the families of the two crewmen that we honored this morning. Please pass them along to the families. Captain once again we all want to say thankyou for helping us in our time of need. Please be safe in you future travels and missions and remember if you ever need a place to come and seek help or refuge Alth’Ndor IV will always be here to help.”

The councilwoman clasps the captain’s hands with both of hers, bowed  her head for a moment and then does the same with Chief Kaha. Kr’Antren makes his way around the room receiving much the same from each council member and polite nods from each of the commander’s staff. 

After several minutes have gone by Kr’Antren and Chief Kaha make their way back to the shuttle. 

“We’ll Chief that was quicker than I thought it would be.”

“Indeed sir”

“Rhyndacus, prepare for departure. We should be back in a few minutes.”

“Yes sir, all preparations have been made, we are ready to depart when you return.”

Upon their arrival back at the Rhyndacus, Chief Kaha takes her position at her console and Kr’Antren takes the letters and scrolls to the ready room and than takes a seat in the chair.

“Everyone ready,” looks around the bridge receiving nodded heads in the affirmative as everyone prepares for departure. “Number one?” 

“Everything is ready sir, all personnel are accounted for, all cargo is secured and all systems are showing green across the board sir.”

“Very well than, helm set a course for Deep Space 47, take us to warp when we are clear of the planet.”

“Captain, course is laid in and ready sir.”

“Very well, helm, let’s roll”

The USS  Rhyndacus slowly starts to lift off from the landing area now known as Remembrance Field and climbs in altitude as it leaves Alth’Ndor IV.