An Ignoble End? (Genesis Post)

Posted on Mon Mar 22nd, 2021 @ 12:09am by Administrator LordeEmp

Mission: Heroes of the Hov'hurgh
Location: Secret Facility, Eta Eridani Sector
Timeline: Anazi War, 2383

"The results of the tests were quite encouraging," Daj'ral told Hod VaQ'taj while she went over the information on the PaDD device that he had handed her. After a few moments of an almost brooding silence, she nodded and handed the unique piece of equipment back to her science officer.

Just as everything on her ship, the PaDD device was a collaboration between her House and their allies in the Federation. An amazing marriage of the sturdy, rugged Klingon style of engineering and the technological grace of Star Fleet design. She had been the engineer in charge of the design team, and regardless of what others had to say about the opulence of her ship, VaQ’taj was no fool.

Food replicators meant that feeding her people was less of a difficulty. Though she did maintain a cook on board; after all, some of her favorite Klingon foods simply could not be replicated. Industrial replicators made general ship repairs and build times on the fighters much less ponderous. And their mining capabilities ensured their ability to obtain raw materials.

Holodecks had already transformed their training regimen, allowing them to train against multiple types of enemies. Regular training rotations blended with off-duty usage; another advantage as it gave her Warriors a variety of activities to chose from in their precious spare time. Which left far less reason for her brig to be full of bored Marines. Improved productivity didn't always have to come at the end of a whip, after all.

The modular ability of their weapons platforms was unheard of in the Empire and made the Hov’Hurgh a rather versatile warship. While the adjustments took time, they could bring to bear a wide range of different energy weapons, as well as their already formidable cannons, turrets and torpedoes.

In short; it was good to have technologically advanced allies.

"All of the new equipment has been successfully installed," the HoD informed her bridge crew. She was greeted with grunts, smiles and cheers, before she continued, "Bring the Time Dilation Drive online."

She then ordered to the communications officer, "Open a channel to the station."

The communications officer, SoS, tapped the panel in front of her, "Aye, HoD. Channel open."

The familiar face of VaQ'taj's father appeared on the screen in front of her, "The last of the equipment is installed and calibrated,” he stated, glancing up from the data in front of him, “We should still be able to maintain communications, but it might take you some time to re-calibrate once you get to where you are going." An almost worried look moved across the aging Warrior's face.

The Hod of the Hov’Hurgh looked at the man that had taught her just about everything that she knew, "The Time Dilation Drive is online. We are awaiting clearance for launch," she reported to him, flashing a confident, toothy grin, "All will be well, Father. Honor and Glory to the Empire!"

"Honor and Glory to you and your crew, VaQ'taj. Today, you make history," he told her, his voice a mixture of pride and concern. Then the main view screen went back to the view of a small space station, hidden away in the Eta Eridani sector, and the star filled space beyond.

For a few silent moments VaQ'taj considered just what that note in history would be, then turned her attention back to the bridge crew, "We have worked hard for this day and accomplished our goals. Long live the Empire! Long live the Hov’Hurgh!" Raised voices mimicked the call and cheering erupted shortly after.

With a chuckle, VaQ'taj tapped her own comm panel, addressing the rest of the crew, "The Time Dilation Drive is online. Red Alert, all crew to battle stations! We do not know what we are going into," she informed them, then sat back, awaiting word from the station as the red lighting throughout the ship deepened and the alarm klaxons began to sound.

Warriors scrambled all over the Hov’Hurgh while shouting cheers of success, each of them hurrying to be in their proper place. Marines gathered in their staging bays in orderly squads, prepared to either be beamed aboard enemy ships to do face to face combat with their foes, or to various parts of the mighty warship to repel any borders that were foolhardy enough to make the attempt. The pilots and gunners were already being beamed into their small, but deadly fighters, and deck and flight crew made last minute checks; all of them high on the anticipation of their newest adventure.

With a few taps at the console, JoH'qIj silenced the alarms and the bridge crew fell silent, all of them going over the streaming data while awaiting word from the station. VaQ'taj's thoughts moved to each of her crew, the smile sitting on her face one of pride. They had been loyal and dedicated, accomplishing tasks with little problem, working together to further the Glory of the Empire.

"Time Dilation Control to the I.K.S. Hov’Hurgh. You are clear to proceed. Honor and Glory to the Empire!" a voice erupted over the comm.

The red-braided Klingon captain nodded to her science officer as she responded to the station, "Acknowledged! Honor and Glory to the Empire!"

Her eyes moved to the screen, taking another brief look at the lonely station floating in space as Daj'ral gave her a running report and the system boards lit up, "Time Dilation Drive online.. All systems operating within normal parameters..."

"Engage on my mark. Communications, keep a channel to the station open," VaQ'taj said, leaning back in her command chair and pulling her personal console to lock in front of her. Her eyes flickered over a few more data bits as they streamed across her field of view, then nodded, "Engage!" she ordered.

Chief Science Officer Daj'ral grinned and returned his HoD’s nod, "Aye, Captain," even as he obeyed the command.

For a few moments, things looked to be going rather well. However it wasn't long before the giant of a ship shook violently. Sitting forward in her chair, VaQ'taj pored over the incoming information, her eyes widening slightly at the console and then at Daj'ral's voice, "Captain, we have a power surge in the engines..."

"Abort!" the engineer Captain barked loudly, not even allowing the Klingon scientist to finish.

But it was apparently too late. A bright flash of light seemed to fill the surrounding space, causing the crew on the station to look away from the suddenly blinding view-screen. When they looked back, the I.K.S. Hov’Hurgh was gone, leaving only empty space before them.

A voice finally broke the stunned silence, "General, readings showed a severe energy spike similar to a subspace weapon discharge just before the ship disappeared. All communications are offline. We are working to re-establish contact."

"Scan for debris," the General ordered, slumping slightly in his command chair, his aging face graying as the already fevered pace on the station picked up. The crew did as he commanded and scanned for signs of his daughter's ship, while he wondered if she and her crew were on their way to the afterlife.

It didn't take long before he got an answer, "No debris detected, General. Sensors do show that a small rift opened. There is no way to verify that they made it through or if the rift destroyed them, unless we can re-establish communication," his science officer reported, not seeming at all pleased at having to deliver that information to the worried Klingon father.

After some serious thought and another hour of silently staring at the star-field on the view screen, the General turned to the communications officer, "Report to High Command that the I.K.S. Hov’Hurgh is Missing In Action," he ordered in nearly a growl as he rose from his chair.

"Find them! I do not care what you have to do!" he barked angrily at the rest of the crew that consisted of both Klingon and Federation faces, his pain etched on his ridged features. He then turned, stalking to his ready room in a foul mood indeed. And as he went, the grieving father wondered just how many of his children that he would have to outlive.