by Star Trek
come near the Federation for nearly a century, until they decided
to test their newly developed weapons on their former adversaries.
Stormcloud's wife never saw the enemy who had come to destroy
the Outpost. It was the first recorded time that the cloaking
device, 'invisibility screen', and Photon Torpedoes had ever been
tactically used against the Federation. The Outpost was woefully
unprepared for the level of destruction that was wrought upon it.
The Romulan ship mercilessly attacked and annihilated his wife's
base of operations. None survived.
Commodore Stormcloud had died with his wife that day. The
man who now stood on the bridge of the Javelin was a dark and
angry dark and angry reflection of the man he once was. The only
joy he had now was the joy of the enemy's death at hand.
Commodore Nathaniel Stormcloud looked down at the Captain of
PAGE 93
the Space Cruiser. He did not know if anyone on board the ship
would survive the weeks that were in store for them. He almost wished
that he could share with Captain Hamill the secret he kept. He had
grown to respect the man, but he would not allow himself to form a
friendship with him or anyone. He would never again give a hostage
to fortune. Not in this universe. Perhaps in the next.
"Please establish ship to ships communication, Captain
Hamill," Stormcloud requested.
The Captain did not turn from the viewscreen. He pointed his
thumb over his shoulder and the communications officer understood
it as a command. "Channel open, scramble code 3, Sir," the Junior
Officer said.
"This is Stormcloud. Operation Barrier Reef is now under my
command. Our present complement of Starships and Destroyers
deployed here are merely the Vanguard of this defensive strategy.
More are either on the way, or have already taken positions out of
sensor range behind us. We are in the process of recommissioning
and rearming much of the old Fleet, but they will not be
operational for several weeks." Stormcloud paused to clear his
throat.
"Although we expect a full frontal assault, the Federation
President has ordered me to bridle our forces until invasion is
confirmed. Our last intelligence report has Klingon forces
amassing directly ahead of our position. In the event of attack,
there remains the possibility of them employing the explosive that
was used against Outpost DG-13. Lateral warp maneuvers with
angular convergence on the enemy will be our safest recourse
should the weapon be used."
"All communications are to be code-3, scrambled and only
essential messages sent. Further detailed briefing will be held at
01:00 hours, this ship. Any questions will be addressed then.
Stormcloud out."
Stormcloud watched the images of the space fleet on the
forward viewer. He watched and waited for a message that was sure
to come at any moment. The message would be from a Starbase or
spacecraft reporting subspace disturbances caused by an explosion,
on or quite near the planet Organia. He did not doubt that the
message would come, for time had expired on the little planet. The
Enterprise and her crew were a necessary sacrifice for freeing the
Federation from the bondage of this imposed benevolence of the
Organians. He would not allow himself even the barest regret at the
loss of the famous Starship.
The Commodore directed his thoughts backwards to the day that
lord Garth invited him to join the ranks of the elitist group.
Together, with the others who would surely flock to their call,
they would purge the galaxy of its factions of anarchy. They
would bring the universe out of the hands of the legislators of
morality, to the proper rule of lord Garth and the New Masters of
the Galaxy. Garth had shown great strength of will and the
PAGE 94
singleness of purpose which Stormcloud admired deeply. The man's
vision of the future, coupled with the designs and means to achieve
it, had been embraced gladly by the Commodore. Now the fulfillment
of this vision neared glorious realization.
"Captain, I am reading the arrival of a dreadnought at the
Klingon boundary." The Javelin's Science Officer cut into the
Commodore's meditation. He then immediately updated his report. "I
now have seventy-nine targets on the scanner!" he continued. "Three
of them are Romulan ships."
"This is it," spoke Stormcloud, grimly. "Sound general
quarters!"
The alarm was ship-wide, and when detected by the other
Federation vessels, it instantly went fleet-wide. The Fleet
formation was presently defensive, but it was now making
preparation to go on the offensive at the Commodore's command.
"Have any of the detected targets crossed over the Zone
boundary?" Captain Hamill asked the Science Officer.
"No, Sir, they are positioned as we are, still holding."
"Captain," the communications officer cut in, "I am receiving
a message from the Imperial Throneship, the dreadnought, Sir.
They wish to approach us. Alone!"
"Ask them for their terms, Captain." Stormcloud ordered.
"On bridge speakers, Lieutenant," he commanded his Comm
Officer. "This is Captain Hamill, of the Star Cruiser Javelin. Who
are you and what are the terms you request in order to make your
approach?"
"This is Imperious Admiral Sorr of the Klingon Empire and we
request no terms. We will approach, unarmed and by ourselves. We
will make no aggressive moves," the voice responded over the ship's
speakers. "His Imperial Highness, lord Mocdar Jek Tromok, wishes to
speak to your highest in command. Would that be you, Captain
Hamill?"
"That would be Commodore Nathanial Stormcloud, representing
the United Federation of Planets. He is here and can hear you,"
the Captain offered the Commodore his seat. Stormcloud sat his
large frame in the command seat and waited for the 'new' Emperor,
to address him.
"This is Emperor Tromok. Do we have your permission for our
lone ship to approach the mighty Federation fleet?"
"Emperor Tromok, I am Commodore Stormcloud, you have our
permission to temporarily enter Federation Space. You may approach
our fleet," he stated with authority. "Be aware that we will be
intensely scanning your ship as you do so. We will also be watching
your own 'mighty fleet', for any movement or aggressive behavior."
PAGE 95
"Understood. We are coming now," the Emperor announced.
The Thunder broke the Klingonese boundary of the Zone and
slowly increased speed to meet the Federation Fleet. Scans from
all Federation ships penetrated the lone behemoth as it neared
them. No detection of the explosive of Garth's creation, nor any
other weapon in active status, could be found. Nevertheless, this
knowledge offered little comfort on the bridge of the Javelin. The
situation could become explosive at any instant.
"Has your scanning equipment given you acceptable readings?"
t
he Emperor queried. The Thunder, still coming, breached the vast
distance of the Zone.
Stormcloud looked at the science station. The officer there
gave him a nod and said, "I detect no active weapons, Sir. Not even
the 'one in question'."
"They are acceptable," Stormcloud stated, "if not satis-
factory. Let us be honest with one another, Emperor Tromok. You
could be holding an arsenal aboard your ship, but if it is in an
inactive state, it remains undetectable. Therefore I ask you, what
is your purpose here? What is so important that you should leave
your world, to face us alone and on 'our' side of the Zone?"
"Peace, Commodore," the Emperor offered simply. "I am here to
extend the hand of peace to all in the Federation."
The bridge crew of the Javelin, including Captain Hamill,
expressed their astonishment at the announcement. Never before had
the Klingon Empire, of its own free will, extended anything but
the business end of a disruptor to the Federation. Stormcloud
remained unmoved by the declaration.
"You offer what you cannot deliver, Emperor Tromok," the
Commodore stated flatly. "Is there anything else that you would
like to announce before we escort you back to your Empire?"
"Yes, Commodore," Tromok announced grandly, "we wish to
formally petition the United Federation of Planets for the Klingon
Empire's Official entry into the coalition. I request that council
be held between the two governing bodies to establish peaceful
relations to that end. I believe that according to your Federation
regulations, I may not be refused." he said confidently as if
reading the directive directly from the Starfleet Manual.
The Commodore gave indication of his rage before the ship's
crew. He did not want to overplay his role, but if it were not
Garth leading the Empire, he would have more than just 'indicated'
his rage.
"Mr. Land," Captain Hamill addressed his Comm Officer, "break
Subspace silence. Advise Starfleet that we are guaranteeing safe
passage to the Klingon Emperor to UFP headquarters, Earth, on
flight corridor .401 to .402."
PAGE 96
"Belay that order!" Stormcloud interrupted and squared himself
off against the Captain. "We are not letting this Klingon remain in
Federation space for another minute."
"Commodore, we are bound by our most fundamental regulations
to aid all beings who desire admittance to the Federation. I don't
know what the Emperor is up to, but he knows our rules, and we have
no choice but to honor them," Captain Hamill said. He was not
pleased with his duty, at the moment, but he would not let
Stormcloud force him into any corner that would place his 'command'
in jeopardy.
Stormcloud remained silent for a moment, looking angrily at
the unbudging, unflinching Captain. If there was any hesitation
about allowing the Klingons into Federation Territory, Stormcloud
had effectively driven it out of the Captain. All according to
plan.
"Emperor Tromok," the Commodore said, "you appear to be quite
correct in your interpretation of our regulations. We will provide
you with a protected flight corridor and escort to UFP
headquarters, as requested." He shot another angry look at the
Captain. "We request a demonstration of good faith by making some
token gesture, say, having your fleet fall back with all weapons
powered down."
"I will do that and more," the Emperor boasted. "Does your
equipment allow you to distinguish between Klingon and Romulan ship
designs?"
"It does," spoke Stormcloud.
"Then you are able to detect the three Romulan vessels that
are currently flanking my fleet?" he asked.
"We are aware of them."
"Commodore Stormcloud, in a gesture of our promising new
friendship, I would like to announce that the Klingon Empire is
publicly sanctioning the breaking of ties with the Romulan Empire.
We hereby annul all treaties of our former alliance," Tromok
stated.
The Romulan Birds of Prey broke formation upon hearing the
Emperor's proclamation. The ships turned from the fleet and headed
away as evasively as their speed would allow. They were closely
pursued by nine Klingon battle cruisers. The Romulan warships
quickly sent their Empire subspace messages of their betrayal as
they attempted their escape. They powered up their aft weaponry but
upon seeing the mighty ships behind them, they decided stealth was
a better option. However, before the Vulcanoid warships could
cloak themselves from their former allies, they were fired upon.
Massive blasts of photon energy came at them from behind and they
were quickly and mercilessly destroyed.
Stormcloud relished the brief taste of revenge at seeing the
PAGE 97
three ships vaporize before his eyes. It did not satisfy him, but
served well to whet his appetite for more to come. He could
imagine seeing Garth smile with another man's face on the bridge
of the Thunder. The 'way' was being paved without flaw. With the
Romulan Empire insulted and injured by the Klingon Empire, they
would surely be preparing for war. The Federation would see this
as a distinct threat to themselves and help expedite the alliance
with the Klingons.
Soon all would be searching for the one who would be able to
deliver them from war, and lead them to a 'new age' of peace.
Garth was ready to step in and offer the way to all who would hear.
His way, his plan. Any opposition would be crushed, not just by
Garth himself, but by the fearful and ignorant masses. By the ones
who would rather kill than be leaderless, hopeless. The ones who
would rather murder for a vision, any vision, than perish without
one. Fear and ignorance. The greatest weapons in the Galaxy.
Weapons that would, of a surety, be used.
"You have an interesting way of cutting through the 'Red Tape'
of diplomacy, Emperor Tromok. I hope, for your sake, that this
policy does not extend into Federation relations." Stormcloud
warned. "My Fleet will stay here to keep yours company,"
Stormcloud said to the Klingon Ruler. "You will follow this ship
to the planet Earth. I will have myself transferred to the Starship
Republic. Captain Hamill will be your host and your guide."
"We await your ship's lead. Tromok out."
The Javelin turned about and set a direct course for the small
blue planet in the Sol system. It was followed closely, ominously,
by the Klingon juggernaut, Thunder. They were on their way to
Earth. Nothing stood in the way.
PAGE 98
*** FIFTEEN ***
The Enterprise pulled herself higher above the planet that she
orbited. Her shiny hull lifted upwards and away from the strong
gravitational pull of the blue world she very nearly embraced. Up
into the star-spangled sky, where she was placed into a safer,
standard orbit. The damage that she had sustained within her tubular-
shaped propulsion unit was unnoticeable from th
e exterior. She
still looked as if she could fight with the best of them, for, by
most accounts, she was the best of them.
In sickbay, Dr. M'Benga stood over Commander Montgomery
Scott's bed and continued to argue with the Chief Engineer about
not getting out of it. Nurse Chapel had been avoiding the Commander
to delay getting herself involved in the same conversation with
him. His hand looked much better, and the lacerations on his face
were closed and covered with synthetic skin. The missing finger
would be replaced with a micro-bionic prosthetic digit which he
could choose to wear or detach at his leisure. Mr. Scott did not
like the idea of having a finger that could leap tall buildings in
a single bound and determined within himself that he would only wear
it to his sister's wedding, while playing the pipes, and to church.
In his own quarters, Commander Spock was preparing an edited
version of his log concerning the events on the planet Holberg 917g.
Spock had promised his captain that he would be provided with a copy
to compare with his own. Had it not been edited, it would cause Jim
no small amount of confusion. Spock had not considered all the
problems that locking away the Captain's memories would present, not
that it would have prevented him from doing so. He finished with
his work and retrieved the flat memory square from the console.
Rising from his desk, he exited his quarters and headed for the Main
Bridge. Any time now, they were expecting a visitor from the Klingon
Empire. Spock wanted to be present for this interesting event
foretold by Ayelborne.
