Tales of Starfleet
Angels and Lionesses
Part 11
by Phillip Barlow
(p.barlow@ic.ac.uk)

Angels and Lionesses - Part 11

Claire roamed the decks of the Independence, watching the engineering teams finish off, and musing over how they had gotten into their current situation. It was a chance in a million really - the aft sensors had been damaged in the combat and couldn't detect something as small and fast as a photon torpedo. If Yeoman Shaw and Yeoman Klass had not been making repairs in the aft phaser control room, the ship would certainly have been destroyed. Even then, the phaser shot that Klass had released was a hit and hope deal to try and confuse the torpedo long enough for Shaw to reconfigure one of the consoles so she could activate the warp drive. That the phaser beam hit the torpedo was pure luck. Unfortunately, Shaw had activated the warp drive a microsecond after the shockwave from the torpedo explosion hit. Shaw had broken both shoulders, her left arm in two places, her right arm in three and five ribs, one of which had punctured a lung. Klass had suffered second-degree burns thanks to an exploding console, and had a broken pelvis and two broken legs. Thanks to the damage caused by the shockwave, it had taken two hours to reach them by which time the ship, on impulse only, had reached orbit of Zantor VI.

"How are they?" Claire asked as she came up to Dr Stevens, who was working on Klass with a dermal regenerator.

"I've fused most of the broken bones, and we're just waiting for them to heal over, although Klass here won't have much mobility for a while. I've also sealed Shaw's punctured lung, but I'd be happier if a qualified surgeon could see her." Claire nodded but said nothing. "I've got both of them sedated, and I'd prefer it if they didn't go back to duty yet."

"I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise anything. Don't forget we're operating well below the recommended complement for a ship this size."

"That's what worries me," said Stevens.

* * *

Jean-Luc Picard was not normally a nervous man. However, given the situation he found himself in, no one would begrudge him feeling a little anxious. He was sat at the head of the table in the Enterprise's observation lounge, with General Klach to his right. What was more worrying was the view out of the window. Sat across from the Enterprise were two Vor'cha class attack cruisers and a Voodieh class combat carrier. Flitting through the view were several K't'inga and K'Vort class cruisers, while out of sight sat another Voodieh and, five more Vor'chas and Klach's Negh'Var class flagship. It was fair to say that this was a difficult situation, especially given Klach's current disposition. Picard only knew Klach by reputation, but it was a good one - he was considered one of the Klingon Empire's best and most even-tempered commanders. However, despite the pleasantries, Picard could tell that Klach had something significant on his mind.

"Well General," said Picard, "what can we do for you?"

"I have recently learned something interesting Captain." Picard's expression remained neutral.

"Oh really? May I ask what?"

"It seems that you were at Qualor II not long ago, asking about a pair of starships." If Klach had hoped this would cause a reaction, he was disappointed. "One of these ships was recently involved in the theft of a Klingon vessel."

"Well General, it seems we're chasing the same objective."

"Then you don't deny it?"

"Why should I?" said Picard, a little bemused by the question. "Both of these vessels participated in a raid that resulted in many innocent people being killed and injured, as well as the theft of a significant piece of Federation property."

"But what of the three females?" This question did catch Picard by surprise, although he didn't show it. Evidently Klach had spoken to Omag.

"It's my belief that the females who...dealt with Mr Omag are three Starfleet officers who, acting out of some misguided sense of duty, have taken it upon themselves to try and recover the Orion." Klach sat back in his chair, considering the notion.

"What is Starfleet's position?" he asked.

"Starfleet has made the recovery of the Independence a priority. I do not share that view," replied Picard. He looked at the Klingon intensely. As if in answer to an unspoken question, Klach nodded.

"I have taken too much of your valuable time," said Klach as he rose from the table. "I shall return to my ship now, but I will contact you soon. I hope I can expect the same courtesy?"

"Count on it General," replied Picard, as he also rose. "Qapla'!"

"Qapla' Picard."

* * *

In spite of herself, Clays found that the more Tarin spoke, the more she was drawn to him. She knew she was fully in control of her faculties, and that no one was attempting to exert any kind of telepathic control over her. She knew that she was Captain Laura Clays of the Federation starship Falcon, that she was born in the town of Norwich in Great Britain, that she lived in London and was married to a sports journalist. It was just that, at the moment, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Tarin.

"The AOR Corporation?" said Tarin. "I'm sorry but I've never heard of it. I'm the majority shareholder in the Rock Garden, and all of the others sit n the board. We have no corporate shareholders." There was a few seconds of silence, apparently due to Kendall and Turner waiting for Clays to say something. Eventually, when the silence had stretched on for too long, Kendall spoke.

"What about the information we received telling us that the AOR Corporation purchased two starships, with the invoices being sent here?"

"Again, I can't explain. Perhaps someone has a grudge against me."

"How could anyone have a grudge against you?" said Clays, which caused both Kendall and Turner to look at her. "I mean, can you think of anyone who might have a grudge against you?" she said quickly.

"No," replied Tarin. There was further silence before Clays got to her feet.

"Well, thank you Mr Tarin. We've taken too much of your time already." She extended her hand and shook Tarin's; the tingle she felt was electric.

"A pleasure Captain Clays, gentlemen."

* * *

As soon as they had left the office, Mr Big activated the secret communications console secreted within the desk. This console sent transmissions via an ODN line to a transmitter on the other side of the planet, making it harder to trace the signal.

"Mr Aitch, where are you?"

"Just outside the system. We detected a Federation starship in orbit and thought it wise not to draw attention. What's going on?"

"It seems someone has been spreading around the existence of AOR and their connection to the Rock Garden."

"Do you want me to find out who and deal with it?"

"There's no time. We'll have to move everything forward. What was the status before you left?"

"The trilithium warhead was complete and being fitted to one of the Klingon torpedoes. The dock crews had finished servicing the Bird-of-Prey and the missile."

"What about the missile's navigation system?"

"There was a little trouble getting past the anti-virus software, but that's been overcome and final programming is almost complete."

"Good," said Mr Big. "And what about Dr Moset?"

"He says that he's ready to begin as soon as you return."

"Then once the Federation ship has left, come in and get me. The final operation will commence when we get back to Station One."

* * *

Claire watched the image through the bursts of static on the main viewer. The Falcon had left orbit some time ago, which meant that all of the ships were now returning. That didn't surprise her. What did though was the appearance of an NX class ship. In fact, she was so surprised that she nearly fell out of the chair, she was sat so far forward.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"It looks like it," replied Faye. She increased the magnification, so that the vessel now filled the screen.

"We won't get a better chance. Stand by to take us out of orbit."

"What are we going to do?"

"Follow it."

* * *

Out of the cyclone that formed Zantor VI's upper atmosphere appeared the Independence, almost like a ghost. Fortunately, no one noticed, since training a ship's sensors onto Zantor VI for any length of time had a tendency to dislodge them, such was its violence. The Independence crawled to the edge of the system, waiting for the NX vessel to appear. They didn't have to wait long.

"There she is," said Faye, "just gone to warp."

"Plot a parallel course and match their speed."

"Ready," said Lisa.

"Engage." Lisa activated the warp drive, sending the Independence after the NX vessel. As the ship stabilised, Claire got up and walked to the science station, where Churchill sat. "Mr Churchill, I want you to analyse our course; ascertain if there's anywhere that could stable a pair of ships like that without drawing any attention."

"Aye Captain."

* * *

Picard sat in his ready room, going over the report that Clays had just provided him with. Based on what she had said, including the descriptions her first officer and security chief had made of her behaviour, he was convinced that this Tarin, whoever else he may be, was an empathic metamorph who was going through the Finilis'ral. He knew that male metamorphs were relatively common - there was no reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary. Was there? It was just the fact that two empathic metamorphs were caught up in the same mystery bothered him.

"Computer, library database. Search for biographical data on an individual named Tarin, a citizen of either Krios or Valt Minor." Picard looked at the monitor as it flashed the 'standby' message, showing that it was searching through the Enterprise's vast database. After a short while, the screen stopped flashing and brought up the information Picard had asked for - to a point. Tarin was evidently a common name on both worlds, given the number of different biographies being displayed. "Computer hold," said Picard. The screen stopped. "Cross reference 'Tarin' with AOR Corporation." Again the monitor flashed 'standby'. This time it came up with the legend 'no records found'. "Access Ferengi Commerce Authority companies database and retry." Picard sat back as the computer began again. He knew that the FCA kept complete records of everybody who had ever done business with a Ferengi company or citizen. AOR had done business with Omag, a Ferengi citizen, who would then have to record his transactions with the FCA, or risk being fined, or even losing his business licence. The FCA would then have done checks on everyone connected with AOR - the FCA was as thorough in their own field as the Tal Shiar. Sure enough, there was the entire executive board of AOR, with an individual named Tarin as its Chairman and Chief Executive. But, what was strange was that he seemed to be the only individual on the board; the others were all corporate entities - Cape Holdings, Pax River Corporation, White Sands Receivers, all of which sounded vaguely familiar. He picked up his cup of Earl Grey and sat back in his chair to think. He was about to take a sip when his eyes widened.

"Computer," he said. "Display Starfleet Intelligence files concerning the following: Cape Holdings, Pax River Corporation, White Sands Receivers. Authorisation Picard 4-7 Alpha Tango." The computer, using Picard's authorisation code, delved into the restricted parts of its memory, where Starfleet Intelligence data resided. From there, onto the monitor, came what Picard had asked for. And what he saw didn't look particularly inviting.

"Picard to Commander Riker."

"Yes Captain?"

"Please report to my ready room."

* * *

"Captain," said Churchill. "I've analysed the course we're on. There are no major star systems along it, or at least none with any Class M planets."

"What is on this course?" asked Claire as she came to stand by the science station.

"The Chairmain system, a K3/B6 binary with four planets, all gas giants of one type or another, the Clarke nebula and the Craitol asteroid field." Claire narrowed her eyes. The Craitol asteroid field was just over the border with the Chefrn Empire, a small grouping of planets within sectors 8417 and 8419. Reports had been filtering out that several Chefrn controlled worlds were rebelling against the oppressive rule, and that the Chefrn were having difficulty putting them down. These reports had also suggested that the Chefrn were looking to expand their borders, bringing more worlds into the empire. Claire thought hard; could it possibly be...? But then, if that was the case, why steal an unarmed and half completed Federation starship, a Klingon Bird-of-Prey and a Cardassian self-guided missile? The missile was an almost invulnerable delivery system for a giant warhead. The Bird-of-Prey had operational weapons and a cloaking device. But the Orion - all it had was an operational warp drive. What did it have that could possibly be used as a weapon? 'Itself', she thought. A warp core breach would be destructive certainly, but they already had one of those in the form of the missile. Not only did it have its warhead, but also its own warp core, which would be destroyed as well, causing even more destruction. What else was there? Matter and anti-matter in the core, plus trilithium build up, plus...

"Could that be it?" said Claire.

"Captain?"

"The Cardassian missile - it's supposed to have a warhead of matter and anti-matter, enough to blow a large hole in a planet."

"OK," said Churchill.

"But, the Cardassians never built this unit with a warhead, because it was just a prototype, right?"

"Sure."

"Trilithium resin is toxic to humans, yes?"

"Yes."

"How difficult would it be to build a trilithium torpedo?"

"Not very, providing you have the right equipment. Why?"

"That's what they're doing. They're going to take the matter and anti-matter from the Orion, and drain the trilithium build-up from its engines, and use them on the missile and the Bird-of-Prey." Churchill looked at her dubiously. "It's the only explanation that fits. There's no point taking the missile and the Bird-of-Prey unless you're going to use them. But the Orion has no weapons, so what's the point in taking it unless there's something else about it that is useful. And the only useful thing on it when it was taken were the engines."

"Alright, so what are they going to be used for?" said Faye. Claire had by now attracted the attention of most of the bridge.

"Attack two Federation colonies, one on the Cardassian border, one on the Klingon border, and the Federation will think it's being attacked on two fronts."

"But the Klingons are our allies, and the Cardassians are in no condition to be fighting a war," said Faye.

"Tell that to the hawks in the Federation Council who ordered those three Midway class ships. There's no reason to have them in the fleet unless someone thinks there's going to be a war." Claire sat in the captain's chair. "Someone's playing all of us for their own ends. Maintain course and speed, and take the ship to yellow alert."

* * *

General Klach read the report from Commander Jak'na with interest. Jak'na's ship, the Nektu, had been in orbit of Zantor Prime, under cloak, for four days, and had seen the arrival of the Cardassian Hideki, then the Starfleet Constitution that was attacked and had disappeared, then the other Starfleet vessel. It was at this point that Klach had given Jak'na complete autonomy in deciding what to do; a wise decision it turned out, as he had decided to wait until an NX vessel appeared, which it did. Now, the Nektu was following it and, it turned out, was being followed by the Constitution, with the whole convoy seemingly heading for the Craitol asteroid field, inside the border of the Chefrn Empire.

"D'Gal," said Klach. "Send a signal to the rest of the fleet to return to Oreaf V. then order the Command Squadron to form on the Grel'Chor."

"Yes General," said D'Gal, who turned to the communications officer. Klach then rose from the command chair and strode off the bridge into the adjacent conference room. Around the table sat Colonel D'Kan, General Gortan, the commander of Klach's land forces, Colonel Loka, Klach's Chief of Staff, and Commander Kontel.

"You have all seen the report sent by Commander Jak'na," said Klach as he dunked a goblet into the barrel of bloodwine that sat in the corner. "What do you think?"

"It seems that their destination is the Craitol asteroid field," said D'Kan. "That is within the borders of the Chefrn Empire. We should be careful - the Federation might not look kindly on us entering the territory of a sovereign nation in force."

"What should we fear from the Federation?" said Gortan. "They despise the Chefrn and would see their empire collapse in an instant if they could."

"True, but they despise even more a large power exerting their influence over a small one through military force." D'Kan turned to Klach. "I suggest you talk to Picard. Tell him what we know and see what he thinks. In the meantime, Jak'na is still following the Earth vessel. We can set off at low warp and increase speed if necessary."

"Very well," said Klach. "Kontel, go to the bridge and tell Captain D'Gal to get the squadron under way on course to meet the Nektu, warp 3." Kontel nodded and left the room. "D'Kan, set up a secure comm. line to Picard. I will speak with him in one hour." D'Kan also nodded before setting to his task. Klach looked at Gortan, who was clearly unhappy. "Ah my friend, clearly our exercises have ignited the fire in your blood for battle. Fear not; I think we will get some. Go and prepare your staff. I will come inspect them in two hours."

* * *

The Freedom had reached the edge of the asteroid field and was nosing its way through towards Station One. As the ship emerged, Mr Big noticed that a large number of the drydocks were full. That wasn't what he expected - the Orion was there, as was the missile, the Bird-of-Prey, the Devora and the Santa Maria. But, the Friendship was sharing its berth with another NX class vessel, while two more occupied the Freedom's, and a fourth was in orbit of the large asteroid. All of these were black, with a red stripe down the nacelle - the markings of the Chefrn Imperial Space Fleet. Mr Big knew that the Chefrn were building a number of ships based on the Freedom and Friendship; he just didn't realise they had so many finished.

"We're being hailed," said Mr Aitch.

"On screen." The viewer showed an individual with pale blue skin and red hair, wearing a jet black uniform. "Well, Procurator C'h'e'nta, what a pleasant surprise."

"Do not mock me Tarin," said C'h'e'nta, causing Tarin to wince.

"You know we agreed never to use my name."

"What do I care now?" You still have not begun the operation, meaning that the Federation and the Klingons have more time to find and stop you."

"On the contrary. In fact you have arrived just in time." He turned to face Mr Aitch. "Activate the sequence." Mr Aitch nodded before turning to his console and entering a sequence of numbers. Almost instantly, the moorings holding the Cardassian missile retracted, and its thrusters engaged, allowing it to emerge from its drydock. As this was happening, the moorings holding the Bird-of-Prey also retracted and it too left its berth. "As you can see Procurator," said Tarin, "the operation has begun."