THE TIME TO STRIKE HAS ARRIVED. THE FEDERATION GROWS COMPLACENT WITH THE PRESENT STALEMATE IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE AND WE WILL MAKE THEM PAY FOR THEIR LAZINESS. GO FORTH ACROSS THE TREATY BUFFER INTO FEDERATION TERRITORY AND WREAK HAVOC ON ANY AND ALL VESSELS YOU FIND. YOU WILL FIND HONOR ONLY IN VICTORY OR A WARRIORS DEATH AT THE HANDS OF A WORTHY ADVERSARY. ALL OF QO'NOS WILL GREET YOU WITH A MIGHTY FEAST UPON YOUR RETURN WHEN YOUR BLADE IS PAINTED WITH THE BLOOD OF THE ENEMY.
At 1850 hours, received report that a Federation Ship was located near Ganalda System. Ask Intel for any information on the ship: The ship was the USS Massachusetts and its Captain was “Styker”. This name is known throughout the empire. We engage in battle and the battle was almost lost. Captain Styker was known for his abilities in space combat; however it wasn’t a good day to die. The final score was 5/4, Klingon victory
To: KDF High Command
From: Lt Kejjik, IKS Hegh'eng
Captain's Log:
2034 hours, Stardate 2409.1122. As ordered, we were traversing the Eta Eridani Sector Block; shortly after entering the Archanis Sector, Prago informed me of a sensor contact shadowing us on an intercept course. He tentatively identified it as an advanced Defiant class vessel, registry unknown. It faded from our sensors shortly afterward.
2050 hours. A vessel identifying itself as the Arbiter, her captain identifying himself as Commander Ardell. Predictably, he gave the usual Starfleet lecture and told me to halt. I ordered the fighters and raiders to launch and engage, and gave the gunners the order to open fire.
His crew was valiant, and the commander a worthy foe, but in the end, he could not overcome the fighters and raiders that harassed him as our guns tore at his shields and hull.
In tribute, my crew and I gave forth a great howl to warn Sto'Vo'Kor that a true warrior was on his way.
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((OOC))
Since Mac's ship was much more agile and could cloak, I reasoned he would be better able to control when and where the engagement happened. I allowed him to choose the map, which was the Briar Patch. It was a good fight, overall, and we did have one mutual death during the match; I think it was a torpedo he had fired just before he exploded.
Last edited by VADM pRett on 11/24/10 19:47; edited 4 times in total
As per the High Councils orders my battle group crossed the Federation neutral zone two solar days ago. In order to sew confusion and fear in our enemies, soon after our detection by the Federation sensor nets all ships were ordered to mask their warp signatures and disperse towards their respective targets. As per my personal orders, the Guth'Kast has engaged cloak and is headed at maximum warp to my intended target area. I am told the captain of the Federation ship in charge of the areas defenses, a man by the name of Randle... is a... cunning foe. No matter. We will see how cunning he is when my weapons come to bear.
I swore an oath to obliterate the Federation presence on Donatu prime... and I will do just that.
My communications officer recently informed me that two of our ships have already scored victories against formidable Federation resistance. They bring much honor to themselves and the Empire.
I have just been informed that we are approaching the target system. Come John Randle... I await you!
Toran's weary eyes once again scoured the passive sensor screen for any signs of a target.
"Bah! Enough of this waiting, my lord! No one comes for these p'taks. We should resume our hunt!" barked Sorgek, the DREHONO's surly first officer.
Toran turned and held his blade against Sorgek's throat before the younger warrior even realized what had happened. "We wait.... Federation dogs live to answer distress calls. They will come." he snarled.
"Yes, my lord." Sorgek easily had 50 pounds on Toran, but he was impatient, as many of the younger generation of warriors were. Those born after the height of the Federation/Klingon alliance and the Dominion War. In a way Toran understood. They lusted not necessarily for blood, but simply their chance for glory. This was their war.
Toran looked up at the view screen still trained on the wrecked hulk of the neutral freighter Sh'Mar. They had destroyed her two days ago and waited under cloak for a rescue ship to appear. It wouldn't be long, he assured himself. Escape pods rarely have life support after three days.
I was beginning to lose hope myself when Lakura nearly jumped out of her chair in front of the main sensor console. "Captain! A starfleet vessel!"
Sorgek beat me to console and pushed her our of the way, jamming his face against the shroud surrounding the screen. I pulled him away long enough to get a look at the ship before letting him return. Akira class, heavy escort, a formidable opponent.
"U-S-S- Flo-Rida." Sorgek strained his eyes, "What a silly name."
I returned to my chair and pushed the button for battle alert on the side. "Enough stargazing. Prepare for combat!" The lights dimmed and Lakura brought the Akira on to the main viewer.
"Firing position!" I growled to Dorus, the helm. Sorgek, with all his faults, knew enough to call down my firing optics and I grabbed onto the handles on the side.
"Weapons ready!" I heard Sorgek yell off from the side. The fire control system functioned perfectly as it got easier and easier for me to maintain track with the starfleet vessel, still unaware of our presence.
"Drop cloak and divert all power to weapons at my command," I said. I could feel the bloodlust bubbling up inside of me as Dorus quickly maneuvered us into position directly astern about 4km behind the Akira.
Finally, I took one final glance away from my optics at the main viewer. Only a few more minutes and the Flo-Rida would be to the Sh'Mar and realize the trap. I rested my finger on the trigger of the commanders optics. It was time.
"Drop cloak! Max power to weapons!" The DREHONO was an old ship and hadn't received upgraded EPS conduits yet, so it took about 5 seconds for the power transfer to complete. But it didn't matter. The ship broke to evade just as my finger depressed the trigger.
The first salvo tore through his after shields and presumably disabled his engines because he went limp and began to drift halfway through his turn. By luck he did managed to land a few phaser salvos on my forward shield but it just barely held as I blazed past him and came around for the final pass.
The ship buffeted under me as his cannons began peeling away my port shields.
I squinted as the bright red flash of my photon torpedo salvo rocketed away from the torpedo room directly below the bridge. My heart soared as the red starlike orbs planted directly into the saucer section.
"He's lost his containment field! We need to get clear!" shouted Lakura. I pushed the target optics into the overhead and grabbed both arms of my chair as Dorus quickly shifted power to engines and flew away from the doomed vessel as fast as we could.
Even with the distance between us the core breach explosion threw everyone to the deck and sent my tiny ship flying. When the sparks died down and the lights stabilized I didn't bother looking back for any remains of the Akira.
"Engage cloaking device! Set a course for that asteroid field. We'll make repairs there."
As I walked out the bridge to lay down, Sorgek and the others began to celebrate their victory. I remember being like that when I was a younger. Now after a kill, I'm just tired.
Surely there are more dire threats to the Empire than the Federation....
(( 5-0 Toran. It's worth noting that Odin is still at Commander tier and even though I was flying a CDR ship and gear it was still unbalanced. But I want to commend him for signing up and coming out to fight anyway. Thanks for the match, Odin. GG. Now go get leveled up and lets do it again!))
Incoming Priority Message To: Klingon High Command
From: Klingon Intelligence
Subject: Failure
I am ashamed at the failure, Chancellor. A simple mission ground to dust from incompetence. Jik'Tar, with her d'akturak demeanor, was a perfect choice for this assignment. The spy drone sent to report on her success, instead... it reports back this...
A Raptor has been dispatched to salvage her ship and any surviving crew. This LtCol. Vital and his ship the Cataclysm seem to be a worthy opponent. I will take full action on punishment for this failure. Jik'Tar is ... capable.... for an Orion slave, so I will let her live, so that she may regain her honor while flying in the KDF. Sto'vokor might yet see this young one in its mighty halls someday...
((Round 2 assignments are out via PM. Round 2 is a Klingons only house battle to cull the herd for round 3. Congratulations to all of the victors of round 1!))
Third Officer Teggurn stared intently at his station screen. Although the sensors were set to the highest sensitivity allowed for passive scanning, a great deal of background noise had been generated by the passage of the Class II ion storm, which had forced the Guth’Kast off her intended course toward the primary target of Donatu Prime. Though not as boring as some of the other duties to which he had been assigned, the act of passive scanning annoyed Teggurn greatly. Not only did he see such actions as somewhat cowardly, the computer was constantly prompting him for input on the data obtained. The science officer mused the idea of engaging the active scanning equipment available to him, however, quickly decided better of the idea. To have given away the ship’s position while deep in enemy territory would have been an executable offense, and General Kilgaarn was not known for his leniency in such matters.
Although the officers and crew responsible for the night watch were diligently performing their duties, the bridge of the Guth’Kast was fairly quiet. The only sounds heard were those of the occasional chirp indicating computerized status updates, and the ever present hum of the ships power systems. General Kilgaarn had tried to rest, however the frustration he had felt by having to avoid the ion storm and divert from his intended course had caused an acute case of insomnia. “Of course, there will be plenty of time to sleep in Sto’vo’kor,” Kilgaarn smiled to himself.
Over the past few days the General had rarely left the bridge, and then only to his ready room. The promise of combat thrilled his Klingon heart, and set a fire in his blood. Though he had fought a thousand battles since his age of ascension, the sensations never grew old.
Kilgaarn, peered closely at the inscription carved into the bulkhead just to the left to his desk. He quietly whispered the words to himself, “Know yourself, know your enemy, know your terrain, and the battle is already won.” Almost in unison with his last word, the communications panel began to blink.
“What is it now, more sensor ghosts,” growled Kilgaarn as he tapped the screen in front of him. Immediately staring back at him was the face of Science Officer Teggurn. Although Kilgaarn had never been fond of the Naussican race, this man was an exception. He had proven his worth on more than one occasion.
“Speak,” rumbled the General bluntly. “Sir, there is a Federation cruiser entering sensor range. Readings indicate the warp signature is an exact match of the data provided to us by the Intelligence service for the vessel commanding the Federation forces in this sector. Due to the ionic interference the range at which I could detect vessels was severely hampered. The enemy vessel is quite close.” The fire which had been dimmed by sleeplessness returned to Kilgaarn’s eyes. “Excellent, set battle stations and begin to siphon power to the weapon systems slowly. I do not intend to give away the element of surprise. I will join you on the bridge shortly.” “Yes, my lord,” came Teggurn’s reply.
Almost immediately the klaxon began to sound, and the crew of the Guth’Kast responded with their usual efficiency. The General quietly stood from his desk chair and calmly placed his command sash about his shoulder and straightened a crease in his uniform. Kilgaarn stepped through his ready room doors and onto the bridge, just in time to see his senior officers taking their posts. The lighting was moderate for a Klingon ship, but still, the unmistakable reddish-orange glow dominated.
While moving toward the raised platform in the center of the bridge, Kilgaarn made eye contact with each of his officers. Fierce pride struck the General as he sat in his command chair. Pride in his ship, pride in his officers, and most importantly pride in the Empire.
Kilgaarn could feel the eyes of his crew intent upon him, and after a moment of silence, he began to bark orders. “First Officer, status?”
“My lord, we read just the one vessel, a Federation Heavy Cruiser on course bearing two-eleven mark three, moving under impulse power. Our cloaking device is operating at peak efficiency and it appears they have no idea we are here. Hull markings indicate it is the vessel known as the Hood, most definitely our intended target. An interception course has been plotted, and we will enter weapons range within minutes.”
“Ahhh, Captain Randle. We meet at last,” Kilgaarn declared with a grin. “On screen,” ordered the general. A moment later the view screen was filled with the unmistakable shape of a Federation vessel. The First Officer of the Guth’Kast took his station as the General rose to his feet.
“250,000 kellacams and closing, General,” stated Chief Tactical Officer Talash.
“Helm, increase speed, bring us around behind the enemy. Weapons, be ready to fire on my mark. Tactical plot on viewer,” commanded Kilgaarn. His orders were quickly acknowledged. Replacing the majestic view of the Federation vessel, a three dimensional view of the two ships’ relative positions and a text listing of pertinent information was displayed. Satisfied in the tactical situation, Kilgaarn ordered the viewer back to solely showing his opponent. After a few moments, Talash confirmed that the Guth’Kast had entered optimum firing range. The Federation vessel now dominated the entire viewing surface.
“Acknowledged tactical. Drop cloak and engage attack pattern alpha three on my mark. Steady helm, move us in a bit closer. I want this Federation pa’taq dead before he knows what hit him,” avowed the General.
After a tense few moments Kilgaarn gave the order. “Drop cloak, set emergency power to all weapons systems, and open fire.” The lighting on the bridge dimmed a bit as the cloak was disengaged and all available power was transferred to the vessels numerous cannons.
To their credit the crew of the Federation vessel was quite quick in their response to such a sudden and unexpected attack. It was clear to General Kilgaarn he was dealing with a seasoned enemy, and they would not go down without a fight. “Continue attack pattern, stand ready to vent plasma on my order,” instructed the commander of the Guth’Kast.
The bridge of the IKS vessel shook as the Federation cruiser returned fire. Multiple banks of phasers along with numerous quantum torpedoes raked the prow of the proud Klingon vessel. “Status,” inquired Kilgaarn.
The terse reply came from science officer Teggurn. “Sir, our shields are holding at sixty percent. Transferring power from the deflector grid to compensate.” Within moments the indicator on Teggurn’s computer screen indicating the vessel’s forward shield array blinked orange and then held steady. “Power transfer complete General. However, I am seeing power fluctuations in the enemy vessels shield matrix. I don’t believe they can withstand our cannon fire for much longer.”
The Federation vessel maneuvered wildly to shake their would be destroyers, however, the Guth’Kast’s turn rate was vastly superior and the Klingon vessel stayed within weapons range, pummeling the stricken Cruiser’s shields into submission.
“General,” yelled the exhilarated voice of Talash, “their aft shields are down.” With only a moments hesitation, Kilgaarn gave the order he had been waiting for, “Fire all torpedo tubes.”
Two bright white lights powered their way towards the fleeing Starfleet vessel. The first struck the vessel’s impulse drive section, exploding in a miasma of searing heat and light. However, it was the second torpedo that would prove the ship’s death nail. Following the first explosion in quick succession, a direct hit was registered to the Cruiser amid ship. At first the hit appeared to have been only superficial, however, after a few moments it became apparent that it had been much more.
The Federation cruiser’s forward acceleration stopped suddenly, with only its momentum to carry it forward. The stricken Starfleet vessel then listed to port and began to spin. Multiple hull breaches were clearly marked by escaping gases that froze on contact with the cold of space, and a brilliant green fire churned around both warp nacelles as the warp plasma they contained was vented.
“General, severe damage done to the enemy vessel. I am reading fluctuations in their anti-matter containment. I suggest we move away,” replied Teggurn. With a nod, Kilgaarn agreed and ordered evasive maneuvers at a course perpendicular to the incapacitated cruiser. A moment later the Federation vessel disappeared in an immense firestorm of heat and light as her warp core breached. The subsequent shockwave harmlessly washed over the Guth’Kast as she readjusted her course towards the Federation station orbiting Donatu Prime.
As the cloak was engaged the First Officer of the Guth’Kast stuck into song, followed by the rest of the bridge crew. General Kilgaarn sat in quiet contemplation of the fight to come.
I don't know how long I had been asleep when my com panel buzzed to life. An encrypted message from Lord Duras himself. General Bluddwolf Kosar had gone missing and was presumed lost in action. House Martok was attempting to take command of the fleet. Could I really blame them? The glory they would gain from leading a successful raid into Federation space could restore their house its once former might on the council.
But I can not go against my own house. I mashed the button to call the bridge, even though its was a mere few steps away from my tiny cabin. "Where is the Hegh'Eng?"
Lakura answered as she had the watch, "No confirmed positions in the last 48 hours, but Captain Kilgaarn has issued open challenge to anyone who dares for command of the fleet. The meeting is at Eridan 4, a destroyed planet."
Kilgaarn. He was a clever one. He wouldn't risk coming alone. "Set a course, maximum warp and transmit a message to the Hegh'Eng. Use a House encryption but make sure its an older code. I want Kilgaarn to read it. To Hegh'eng, From Drehono. Enroute to meet challenge at Eridan 4. Estimate we will arrive too late to assist you. Fight well, brothers. End transmission"
"My Lord. Navigator's calculations show we will arrive in plenty of time to assist the Hegh'Eng?" Lakura sounded confused. She was still so fresh from academy. I replied with a time honored B'Rel flyer's axiom.
"Surprise is victory."
========================================
Next Day
Although its impossible to say for sure with cloaked ships, I believe Drehono was the first to arrive at Eridan 4. The planet floated around in huge chunks still held in a mostly spherical shape. A good place to hide normally, but a miserable place for a carrier to try to maneuver.
I took the bridge and began to wait for the fighting to begin. It seemed forever before the mighty carrier Hegh'Eng finally dropped out of warp at the edge of the system.
((Feel free to jump in p'Rett. Otherwise I will finish this later.))
Glancing over his shoulder at the various people coming and going in the Great Hall, Kejjik kept his voice as low as possible, yet loud enough to be heard by Toran.
"I've word that with Kosar missing and presumed dead, Martok forces will be making their move. It looks like it will be you and I that will have to watch out for House Duras' interests. I've no word yet who's most likely to fight for the slinking Martok...but I have my suspicions."
He glanced around with a practiced eye, but failed to noticed the surveillance camera focus in on the two of them.
"It'd be best if you headed to Eridan 4; you've got the best chance of getting there undetected. The Heg'eng will rendezvous with you there in a few days. Qapla'!"
"General, encrypted burst traffic, Duras frequency. Decrypting...on your screen."
Kejjik glanced down at the small display to the left of his command chair, and read the short message it displayed.
"Drehono on station, will monitor, awaiting Hegh'eng arrival. Toran sends."
Kejjik, like all Nausiccans, didn't ever really smile; he simply grimaced in a way that was less frightening. He pondered a moment in silence.
"Based on your decryption from last night, we should arrive to reinforce the Drehono before Kilgaarn and his pup, Augerson, arrive." A more predatory grimace appeared. "Slow down to Warp 8. We'll let those two stew for a bit before we arrive."
No sooner had he spoken than Prago spoke up. "Incoming comm, General...using an older Duras encryption code."
Grunting, Kejjik motioned for his bridge officer to play the message.
"To Hegh'eng, From Drehono. Enroute to meet challenge at Eridan 4. Estimate we will arrive too late to assist you. Fight well, brothers."
Kejjik actually managed a toothy grin at the message, thankful his bridge crew seemed to pick up on the true intent and meaning of the message. Of course, you didn't last long on Kejjik's bridge if you were stupid.
Not long after, the Hegh'eng dropped from Warp speed to impulse power, and began processing the information from its passive sensor sweeps. The remains of the planet remained close to each other, forming a very real navigational hazard for the carrier. He knew the Drehono would have no such difficulty. The bridge lighting, already red, became slightly more crimson as the massive carrier went to Battle Stations.
His beady eyes shining for a moment, Kejjik ordered Luzop to dampen their energy output. While not a true cloak, it would make it more difficult for passive sensor sweeps to detect them. He made sure Dlamki had the majority of the ship's power going into the Auxiliary systems, the better to detect any cloaked hostiles.
He knew Toran would have detected his arrival, so there was no need to break comm silence. The massive ship cruised near the broken planetoid, on the lookout for the Martok Generals and their ships. Tense moments slipped by, the only sounds on the bridge the various computer feedback noises.
"General, sensor contact off our port nacelle...distance 2.74 kellicams!"
"Scramble the To'Duj wing and the raider craft, unleash all batteries and target their shield generators!"
Caught briefly by surprise, the mighty Negh'Var battlecruiser suffered multiple tetryon and phasers blasts to her hull before her shields were raised.
"They're returning fire...and another Negh'Var decloaking on our stern!"
Nodding slightly as he eyed the tactical display on the bridge's main viewscreen, Kejjik called out commands in a calm, determined growl.
"Give me emergency power to shields, discharge the batteries into the auxiliary grid..." He paused for a moment as a grin with no warmth at all appeared on his face. "...and charge the hull feedback grid."
They all watched in fascination as the energy pouring in from both of the batlecruisers, polaron and disruptor alike, was absorbed and magnified, then sent back out to each of the attacking ships. Combined with the volleys from his own turrets, the slashes from his beam arrays, and the Drehono's pulses of heavy cannon fire joining in on the ship to their stern, the battlecruiser hulls began to show tears, gaps and breaches.
"Launch the next To'Duj and raider wings...don't let them breathe! In fact, activate the holo-emitters. I know Kilgaarn too well...no half measures will beat him."
The viewscreen flashed as blast after blast of energy tore into the Guth'kast, along with the blindingly bright crimson pinpoints of the fighters' photon torpedoes. Though the Generals and their crews did not go down without a fight, they eventually succumbed to the overwhelming barrage.
"Secure from battlestations. Hegh'eng to Drehono, I show both vessels as disabled. Feel free to stretch your legs and join me in the mess hall."
It had been a bloody day, and though he lived for battle as much as most Klingons, Kejjik was not happy Martok had forced their hands.
We waste our time and resources fighting each other when there are plenty of Starfleet vessels and crews we need to deal with.
Last edited by VADM pRett on 12/01/10 20:32; edited 3 times in total
It'd been days since Kejjik had faced down Generals Kilgaarn and Aug'erson. The Hegh'eng was repaired and cruising the Eta Eridani sector block. Their show of force was doing well, so far; it was time to make it even better. He was in his command room, reviewing the latest data when the intercom signaled.
He activated the comm panel.
"General, I've got a distress call on an open Federation frequency," announced Cdr Larha.
"Let me hear it."
"This is Starbase 157. We are requesting assistance for an immediate evac. Heavy solar flare activity has threatened the station. We've taken damage in recent raids, and the shield generators are offline for repairs. Any and all Starfleet vessels in the vicinity, please respond."
"Shall I set a course, General?" This was from Cdr Dlamki.
Taking a moment to consider the opportunity, Kejjik grinned. "Make best speed to Starbase 157."
A few hours later, the Hegh'eng dropped out of Warp speed to full impulse near the damaged starbase. There were several civilian freighters close by that had responded to the distress call, but they quickly moved off the moment they detected the massive Vo'Quv on their sensors. Moving ponderously closer to the starbase moment by moment, Kejjik cared less if some pitiful trash-haulers escaped.
"Target any shuttle bays or other docking ports first."
"Aye, Gen- sir, incoming vessel at high Warp!"
"Details?"
"Looks like a Sol class, sir. We make her registry as the Cataclysm. Intel places her under the command of a human named Vital, sir."
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