"Klingon raptor inbound," the sensor officer reported. "Displaying High Council identification... it seems to be a fast courier ship, lightly armed. The identification matches Councillor Sarv, and there is a sub-channel transponder which corresponds to -"
"Thrang's man on the High Council," Jhey'quar interrupted. "Well. We will hear him, and we will deal with him. Are the main preparations well in hand?"
A hush fell across the bridge. "We cannot rely on Thrang," said Jhey'quar. "We must act on our own behalf. We begin here. What is our status?"
In a small voice, an aide said, "Six shuttles fully loaded. Eighteen more being prepared. We are at the limits of our replication capacity -"
"How much in each shuttle?"
"Twenty tons of the alpha-furanizol compound. With the dispersers, enough to fill sixteen cubic kilometres with a lethal dose. There will be inefficiencies, local variations in density -"
"No doubt. But it is sufficient." Jhey'quar's gaze swept the bridge. "This is why we are here. Why we have taken up the banner, why we are no longer restricted by the homeworld's government. We do not wait patiently for other species's leavings. From now on, we take. Is that clearly understood?"
There was a muted chorus of assent. Jhey'quar nodded, apparently satisfied. He turned to the communications officer. "Hail that raptor."
It took only a few moments before Sarv's face appeared on the screen. "I need Thrang," he said. "I need to speak to Thrang, now. Things have - not gone according to plan." The Klingon's face was sweaty and desperate, Jhey'quar noticed.
"Thrang is not here," he said. "But I know where he is - beam aboard, and we will discuss what help I can give you."
"It is urgent. There are hostile forces in pursuit of me, now. I have a fast ship, but I cannot guarantee they will not find me here -"
"Send your ship away. Lay a false trail. You will be safe from your pursuers aboard the Ostigon."
Sarv gulped. "It is - a sound idea. Very well. I will go now to the transporter room." The screen went blank.
"As will I," said Jhey'quar, as if to himself. He gestured to two of the bridge security guards. "You two. With me."
---
In the transporter room, a column of light glowed and sparkled and resolved itself into Sarv. The Klingon stepped off the pad. "Very good," he said. "Now. We must go directly to Thrang, and discuss - his remaining options. His current plan has failed. We must...." His voice trailed off. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Take him." Jhey'quar gestured to the guards, who rushed forward and seized Sarv by both arms. Astonished, the former High Councillor made no effort to defend himself. "What - what is this?" he asked.
"Thrang's plan has failed. More exactly, it has failed us. He has abused our newborns, and he has not made good on his promises. Do you know what he promised us, Sarv?"
"He -" Sarv shook his head. "A foothold. A Kobali colony in the Beta Quadrant - bodies, to serve your needs -"
"More than a foothold, Sarv." Jhey'quar advanced with a heavy, measured tread. A hypospray was in his right hand. "He promised us a resurgence of the Kobali. A thousand offspring, Sarv, for each one of us. That is what he promised, and what we will have." He raised the hypospray. "Starting here."
"No!" Sarv shrieked. He struggled, uselessly, against the iron grip of the guards.
Jhey'quar pressed the hypospray against the screaming Klingon's neck. "Sleep now," he said. "You will awaken as one of us. It will be better." His voice hardened as he spoke to the guards. "Take him to medbay. Administer the virus. Then, prepare. There will be battle."
---
The Grand Admiral, Johan ter Horst, awoke to the screaming of alarm klaxons. He slapped at the intercom panel, shouted "Report!" even as he struggled into his uniform tunic.
"The alien ship has left the orbit of the sixth planet," a voice told him. "It is approaching the Imperial perimeter defences. Our sensor platforms tell us its shields are raised and its weapons hot."
Ter Horst swore. "Rally the fleet! And inform the Emperor! If this is part of his plan -" He left the thought, and the sentence, unfinished as he raced out of his quarters and headed for the bridge.
The bridge was already at alert status, the tac display showing the Imperial forces - and the alien ship. Ter Horst eyed its icon narrowly. The ship played some part in the new Emperor's schemes - he did not know what - but he had assessed it as best he was able. It was large, long, possibly slower and more unwieldy than Thrang's destroyer... but heavily armoured and armed, he was sure of that.
"If it is hostile," he muttered, "this will be a challenge."
"All battle squadrons are at readiness. We have reports on ground defences from... seventy sectors," his exec reported.
Fourteen holes left in the planet's anti-spacecraft defences.... Ter Horst shook his head sadly. "We will have to stop it in space," he said. "Fortunately, it is only a single target.... Strategy Zulu One. Engage, englobe, destroy with continual harassing fire. Assuming it is confirmed hostile. Where is my link to the Emperor?"
"Trying to reach him, sir." The comms officer started. "One moment. General hail from the alien."
Ter Horst nodded. "On screen."
The grey mottled face that appeared on the screen... did nothing to calm the Grand Admiral's nerves. "Attention. This is General Jhey'quar aboard the Kobali cruiser Ostigon. Your world is now forfeit. You are advised, most strongly, to offer no resistance. You will lay down your arms, and prepare to... embrace your new destiny."
No comments:
Post a Comment