Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [31]
“Its definitely a ship, Captain, Reed said. “Im reading hull metal.
“Visual? Archer asked.
“Coming up now, Captain, Reed said.
Archer faced the forward viewer, upon which a long, slender shape was already beginning to resolve itself, obviously with the help of a good deal of low-illumination image enhancement. Whatever this vessel customarily used for running lights had been either disabled through mishap or deliberately turned off.
Archers frown deepened. “Its a ship, all right. Shes either rigged for silent running, or else shes a derelict. I dont think Ive ever seen that exact configuration before, though. He turned back toward the tactical station. “Malcolm?
Reed was already studying something on his console that only he could see. “Already on it, sir.
The aft starboard turbolift doors hissed open and TPol stepped purposefully onto the bridge, a look of concern overlaid upon her otherwise stoic Vulcan features. Archer nodded to her in greeting, and she returned the gesture before becoming completely absorbed in the image that had just formed on the forward viewer.
“The ship configuration databanks recognize the design, Reed said, his eyes abruptly widening.
“And? Archer said sharply, struggling with only partial success to subdue an intense surge of impatience.
“Its Klingon, Captain, TPol said calmly, beating the saucer-eyed tactical officer to the punch as she moved gingerly to one of the aft science consoles.
“Tactical alert, Archer said, and the bridge lighting dimmed automatically in response.
“For a Klingon ship, it doesnt look all that dangerous, Reed said, sounding surprised.
“Guess they cant all be battle cruisers, Travis said. “Even the Klingons must have freighters and tugs and garbage scows.
Archer nodded in agreement as he studied the image on the screen. Like the few Klingon battle cruisers he had encountered over the past few years, this vessel possessed a long, narrow midsection, which terminated on its forward end at a small oblong command-and-control structure that abutted a much wider aft section, to which a pair of engine nacelles were attached. Unlike those other vessels, however, this crafts hull seemed to display the wear of long, hard toil rather than the scars of combat, and was conspicuously bereft of overt weaponry.
“The vessel conforms to the general configuration of a Hasparath -class military cargo vessel, TPol said. “Two hundred thirty-seven meters in length, one hundred eleven meters at the beam. Mass of approximately two hundred thousand metric tons.
Archer nodded appreciatively. The other ship was nearly fifty meters longer than Enterprise, and considerably more massive. Hell of a thing to just leave lying around, he thought.
Speaking in clinical tones, TPol continued her report. “The vessel appears to have been modified to carry neutronic fuel and other volatile chemical compounds, judging from both the visible deviations from design norms and the vessels sensor signature.
“Is she a derelict? Archer asked. “Or is anyone alive aboard that ship?
“Scanning, the Vulcan woman said. After a brief pause she said, “Im picking up nearly four hundred strong lifesigns. She paused again as she raised an eyebrow and fixed her dark gaze upon Archer. “Predominantly human .
Archers jaw fell open involuntarily. “Humans. Operating a Klingon cargo ship. In Coalition space.
“And without a functioning navigation beam, Reed grumbled.
Anger drew Archers mouth closed again, hardening his jaw like quick-drying thermoconcrete as he turned to stare at the enigmatic image on the viewer. “Hail that ship, Hoshi. TPol, assemble a boarding team. Travis, I want you to warm up Shuttlepod One.
He turned again, facing TPol while Hoshi busied herself signaling the other ship. “That ships captain has got one hell of a lot of explaining to do, he said.
“Capture, Mayweather said, allowing himself to feel no small amount of relief as he heard the repressurization valve on Shuttlepod Ones portside hatchway give a reassuring