Almost immediately, his eyes rolled up to the back of his head, and he began to tremble violently.
"Step back." Mirana snapped, reaching for a tricorder and hypospray. Obediently, Mark and Colin waited silently while Mirana worked frantically to stabilize his vital signs and stop the seizure. For one tense moment, it seemed the Klingon might not survive, but now he breathed easily under heavy sedation.
"Is there anything else you would like me to do?" Mirana asked stonily. *Because you're doing a pretty good job of killing him.* she added privately.
Before Colin could answer, sickbay was rocked by a violent impact, almost knocking Mirana to the ground.
< Captain to the bridge! >
Alarmed, Colin almost ran out of Sickbay, dismissing the disgruntled Doctor, and raced into a turbolift, Mark at his heels. As the doors closed behind him, the ship shuddered again, throwing him against the wall. Had Vartok grown tired of waiting? It would leave Colin no choice but to fight back and die knowing he had been in the first battle of the next Federation-Klingon war. This was NOT how he had planned on going down in history. There had to be some way to stop this madness....
After an eternity, the turbolift deposited him on the bridge where, it seemed, confusion reigned. Naeve was picking herself off the floor, swiping ineffectively at a small gash on her forehead, as she shouted orders at Turek. She noted Colin's arrival, gratefully surrendering his seat to him, and passed several smoking consoles on her way to Ops.
Colin glanced at the viewscreen briefly to assess the situation. A third ship had appeared on Prometheus' starboard bow.
"Report!"
"The Starfleet vessel decloaked and began firing at us, sir!" Naeve shouted from across the room. "It would not respond to hails."
"It is powering up weapons again." Turek announced from his station at tactical.
"Evasive manuevers, Mr. Kovos. Mr. Turek, fire phasers."
As Prometheus banked sharply to her left, several streams of purple fire barely missed her. The ship was rocked again, as the rogue vessel let loose a second volley of weapon fire. A console next to Mark exploded dangerously close to his face as he was thrown out of his chair.
"Thier shields are still holding, Captain. Ours, however, are down to 10%. "Turek informed him, his voice remarkably calm.
"What are they hitting us with? That weaponry is not Starfleet issue."
"Plasma cannons. Our scans show they have two mounted on each side of thier ship. Their shields have been fortified as well." Turek replied.
As Prometheus returned fire with a photon torpedo spread, Colin watched the Klingon cruiser. What was the wily old Klingon going to do? Thus far, he seemed content to stay out of the fight, and watch. Suddenly, the attacking vessel pulled back sharply and seemed to be attempting to flee. The Klingon cruiser opened fire, lashing the other ship with lances of deadly golden light.
"Now that's better, Vartok. Turek, continous photon barrage." Colin remained focused intently at the screen.
"The ship's shields are dropping 50.%......30%..."Turek called from his monitors.
Once again, the vessel attempted to disengage thier fire, accelerating sharply to the right. It seemed to wink out of existence, vanishing under power of it's cloaking mechanism.
"Damn."Colin said grimly. "Damage report." he glanced questioningly at Turek.
"Sickbay is reporting minor injuries and the hull has been damaged but not breached on decks 5 and 6. Main engineering reports damage as well but impulse and warp power is online."
Colin nodded and reverted his attention to the Klingon cruiser onscreen. If Vartok chose to attack now, they wouldn't be much of a challenge.
"We're being hailed."
That was a good sign. Vartok tended to fire first and ask questions later.
"Onscreen."
"Captain Becker."Vartok said with some amusement. "I should not have been surprised when I came to investigate this situation and found you. Trouble always seems to follow when you are involved. I had almost forgotten that."
"Vartok, I don't know what that ship was but I assure you I will find out." Even to him, the statement sounded inane.
"Bah."Vartok snorted. "It is of no consequence. I have already sent word to the Klingon fleet. They will find the Metternich--most likely heading for the Romulan border."
"Romulans? On a Starfleet vessel?"
"No, it's captain was human but I recognized the Ferengi p''tach at his side. He's in the Tal Shiar's pay, I assure you." Vartok leaned forward and bared his teeth. "Now are you going to invite me aboard or not? I thought we could discuss the situation over a flask of bloodwine."
***********
IV
Mark made one final notation in his report before signing off on it. What had started out as an investigation for information had evolved into an event of galactic proportions. The Romulans had apparently grown tired of the Federation Klingon alliance and had deployed a ruse to force hostilities. They had stolen a Federation vessel, added technology, lured the Klingons into Federation space and attacked them, hoping they would hold Starfleet responsible. When Vartok and Colin didn't kill each other quickly enough, the Romulans became impatient. The ship showed itself, planning to destroy them both. The two empires would revert to war, giving the Romulans an opportunity to consolidate more power.
Of course, Romulus denied these allegations. After all, the Federation and Klingons had only the word of a Ferengi--a Ferengi who happened to be the only prisoner captured from a vessel quite close to Romulan space....The rest of the 'pirate' crew had conveniently died. For the moment, Starfleet's hands were tied. Without proof, the peace treaty with the Star Empire would stand. For now.
Mark pressed the door chime and waited, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"Come."
He stepped into the captain's ready room, noting Colin standing by his window, his back to Mark.
"I have completed my report, sir."
Colin did not turn around. He continued to stare out the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "You can leave it on the desk."
After a long moment, Mark complied, and waited. Colin turned his head, making eye contact.
"Was there something else, Commander?" he asked quietly.
"Permission to speak freely." he requested stiffly.
"Permission granted." Colin sighed, reluctant to leave his contemplations by the window, and crossed the floor to his desk.
"Sir, I am trying to serve this ship and you to the best of my ability. I felt you put us all in unnecessary danger today when you lowered the shields for Captain Vartok." Mark said flatly.
"I can understand that you might feel that way. But I've known and worked with Vartok for a long time. I know how he thinks. It was a calculated risk. And, Commander, we're all still here in one piece." he pointed out.
"I'm not arguing with the outcome of your actions, Captain. I was just hoping you would have discussed your plans with me first." Mark said tersely.
Colin's face tightened at this last statement. "There was no time for discussion. I value your opinion but I'm the Captain of this ship and we needed to take immediate action. I went by instict and experience. When I want to confer with you before I make a decision, I will. THis was not one of those time. When you command your own ship, you can run it any way you wish. On my ship, I don't expect my orders to be questioned in front of the bridge crew."
"Yes, sir." Mark's eyes darkened angrily but he said nothing.
"We need to find a comfort level with each other. I understand that. And you may speak freely with me any time you wish, in private. But i will not be undermined in front of the crew again. Is that clear?" Colin continued.
"Crystal." was the frosty reply.
"Good. Will there be anything else?"
"I don't think so." The unreadablely calm expression had returned to Mark's face. Colin admired the way the other man was able to hide his inner thoughts. As he turned to go, Colin put a hand on his shoulder.
"You did a good job today, despite your opposition to my actions. It will be noted in my log."
"Thank you, Captain." Mark said, surprised.
He left the ready room after exchanging good evenings, and waited for the turbolift, thoughtfully replaying his conversation with Colin in his head. The doors slid open, and he stepped in, nodding to Turek, it's other occupant. He smirked.
"Hello, Turek. I just gave the Captain my report on today's events."
"Commander." Turek replied, not bothering to turn his head in Mark's direction, he kept his eyes straight ahead.
As the turbolift began its ascent, he continued casually, "Romulans. That was a surprise, wasn't it?"
"Quite." the Vulcan agreed.
"I guess I was right after all." he couldn't resist adding.
"Indeed?" Turek commmented, raising one eyebrow.
The turbolift doors slid open.
"Sometimes, you just know things in your gut." he grinned. "This appears to be my stop. Have a good night."
Turek watched the doors close behind the other man and the turbolift resumed it's course to his cabin.
Humans.
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