Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [73]
She tapped her combadge. “Go ahead.”
“Admiral, this is Ensign Galeckas. Something’s happened to the Inwood.”
Shelby sighed. The Runabout Inwood had just departed with crew replacements for Shelby’s former command, the Trident. “Define ‘something.’”
“Engine trouble, Admiral. Lieutenant Cintron says that they’re experiencing a plasma leak in the nacelles and they need to turn back.”
Shelby ordered, “Alert Captain Mueller that her crew replacements are going to be late.”
“Aye, aye, Admiral.”
Shelby thought about it. “Belay that, Ensign. I’ll contact the captain myself.” Kat Mueller had been Shelby’s first before her promotion, and this would be a perfect excuse to check on her old command.
“Yes, sir,” Galeckas said.
If nothing else, Shelby preferred talking to Mueller than worrying about the Borg.
I. K. S. Gorkon
Klingon Empire
Captain Klag, son of M’Raq prowled the corridors of his ship.
“Bridge to captain.”
It was the voice of the second-shift commander. Klag couldn’t remember her name. “Speak.”
“Sir, we have detected a warp trail that matches that of the Kinshaya ship, and it leads to the Trakliv system. We have changed course to intercept and will arrive in one hour.”
“Good. I will be on the bridge shortly.”
Even as the bridge door rumbled aside letting Klag in, the operations officer reported, “Sir, picking up the Kinshaya ship!”
The words had been directed at the second-shift commander; therefore, the young officer was shocked when Klag asked, “How far is it, Ensign?”
Whirling around, the ensign composed himself. “Sir, they are in orbit of Trakliv VII.”
The pilot said, “Confirmed. We can intercept them in ten minutes.”
“On screen.” Klag walked to the front of the bridge. The forward viewer showed the Kinshaya ship in a polar orbit of the system’s seventh planet. “Pilot, bring us to an intercept course. Gunner, arm all weapons and raise shields.” Klag smiled. “It is a good day to die!”
Imperial Warbird Valdore
Romulan Star Empire
“We have nothing to say to you, traitress,” Subcommander Norvid crowed.
Commander Donatra leaned forward in her chair. “I’m not the traitress, Norvid, Horrhae was for firing on an Imperial warbird. She has paid for that mistake with her life—don’t make the same mistake. Three more Mogai-class vessels will arrive shortly. If you survive the encounter, you will be brought up on charges and executed very publicly.”
“Our orders came from the praetor.” Norvid sounded hesitant.
“Indeed? How do you know this? Did you see the order? Do you truly imagine that any praetor worth her salt would order you to fire on a loyal soldier of the empire?”
“You supported the usurper.”
“So did the praetor. We were all fooled by that Reman trickster, but he has paid. You command this fleet now, Norvid. Will you lead them to victory or disgrace?”
There was a lengthy pause.
Liravek reported, “All three birds-of-prey are standing down weapons, Commander.”
Thank the Elements, Donatra thought, relieved. “You’ve made the right choice, Norvid.”
“I’ve made no choice yet, Commander. You are bound for Artalierh?”
That fact was not well-known but had obviously been transmitted by a spy on Valdore. “That is our destination.”
“Our communications systems are not strong enough for real-time communication with the Two Worlds from here, but Artalierh has communication amplifiers and relays that allow such. We will escort you there and determine the source of the commander’s orders.”
And what happens when the truth of the orders comes out? Donatra wondered. Even if Tal’Aura or one of her lackeys had been responsible, Donatra’s surviving the attack would lead her to deny the orders, especially with the convenient scapegoat of the deceased Commander Horrhae. If she does deny it, I suspect I can then count on Norvid’s support. Donatra smiled. Every little bit helped.
“Agreed, Subcommander. We will proceed as soon as my other vessels arrive.” Donatra made sure to emphasize the possessive pronoun. These were vessels whose commanders had sworn fealty to Donatra. It didn’t