State of the Galaxy: Schemes

Posted on Mon Mar 22nd, 2021 @ 12:42am by Administrator LordeEmp

Mission: Heroes of the Hov'hurgh
Location: Various, I.K.S. Hov'HurgH
Timeline: Stardate 901432.7

Taking in a deep breath, VaQ’taj growled through clenched teeth, “I require options. It will not be long before we are tracked to this system. Perhaps another thirty five hours, if we are lucky, before that wounded Miranda class gives us away. The Feds did not seem overly trusting of our intentions, and will be less likely to trust if a Klingon battle group shows up on top of us. If we continue trying to drag the Keller through space, that nacelle is going to collapse and likely cause a catastrophic cascade through engineering...”

Perhaps Mack was right. It seemed to be a running theme with her life. If anything could go awry, it usually did and while most of those catastrophes had ended up working out for the better, there was always the chance that she would misplay her hand.

“Why don’t you report back?” Tenas flashed a clever smile. “You can bet the research from your experiment was poured over in the decades since. You’re not giving away new technology. Why not let the empire repair and refit your ship and then steal her back? In the meantime you get the lay of the land, make new connections and renew old ones. I’m sure your father would like to know you’re alive.”

It was a crazy idea. One for the record books if Colonel VaQ’taj were to be honest with herself. That wicked, almost twisted smile that sat on Tenas’ face reminded her of the first time that she had laid eyes on him. His ability and wit during combat were the source of many good memories, even if they did tend to be gory.

“It is insane, you know that, right?” She asked him, though she already knew the answer. It was not as though the battle matron was known to be particularly stable within the Empire. She admitted to an intense curiosity as to the state of her beloved homeworld, and at the mention of her father, the words stuck in her throat.

What had he been through since they left? A quarter of a century had passed for he and her mother, while it had been but a day for her. Had they grieved for her? ‘Lost in an equipment malfunction’ was not exactly the most honorable of deaths.

Had that stained her House’s honor?

She looked at Tenas mutely for a moment while the rage and grief swirled in her chest, mouthing silent words that she dare not release to the universe, “He lives then?” she whispered hoarsely, “And mother?”

“I smuggle supplies back and forth,” Tenas’ voice softened with tender understanding. “Your parents live. House Lon’Hoch’tul lost much wealth and standing in refusing to support J’mpok’s war but it stands proudly at the side of Lady Sirella and the House of Martok.”

Reaching out, VaQ’taj grasped Tenas by the shoulders and gave him a good shake. She nodded her head and a hint of her normal geniality returned, “That is good to know! Perhaps a trip home is required...”

It wasn’t long before that smile faltered as they continued their long tour of the Hov’HurgH, making way for crewmen rushing about seeing to their duties as the repairs continued. Here and there, old Federation style jumpsuits, though colored in black and gold, worked alongside those dressed in the customized black and gold uniforms of the Klingon crew, “I cannot take these people back to the Empire. I do not even want to consider what J’mpok would do to them. Perhaps the commander of the vessel that is coming to get the others will be willing to take them as well?”

It was obvious that the fate of those Federation crew members burdened her mind and warrior’s heart. They had been as much family to the small, strange Klingon woman as any of the other crew, even though they did not always see eye to eye with her. They were brave, they were efficient and many of them truly knew how to enjoy life while they had time.

“I’m sure they’ll want to see their families but they’ll likely be reassigned to the war effort.” Tenas shook his head sadly. “On a good note they’ll receive reorientation training to catch up with advances in technology since they left.”

Externally, VaQ’taj was cool as ice. Internally, the fires of rage and pain continued to burn, “Reorientation training. How long does that typically take?” She asked curiously, her voice not betraying her mixed emotions. It was not really a question that she needed an answer to, but it was something that she could store away for later use if necessary.

“I do not want to find myself facing these people in combat, Brother,” she looked to the younger man, her face a mask of neutrality that was completely abnormal for her, “Nor do I wish to see them face my people across a field of hatred. Everything that we have all toiled so hard for, in harmony, dashed by a madman bent on galactic domination. And my world produced him.”

“No, wait,” Tenas took a few steps to consider. He looked back. “I forgot how touchy the Federation is about time travel. They would do everything in their power to send you back. They wouldn’t want your crew leaving the ship. Once they know the circumstances it’s very likely they would quarantine your crew until they could be returned. This works to your advantage. Your people would be safe and ready to return at a moment’s notice. More, they can work on their end to help get back home.”

Shaking her braided head, VaQ’taj answered, “What if that does more damage to the timeline than us simply staying put? What if going back will only serve to extend the Anazi wars? I have much to think about and very little time to do it. I will speak with the Alliance crew but I cannot see having them stay on board when it would only lead to them being used as pawns, or simply being put to death as enemies of the Empire.”

Her voice choked a bit with that, the reddening anger beginning to burn at her cheeks, “Do you know of a place that we could transfer them to that is out of the reach of either entity?” It was faint, but if Tenas didn’t know any better, he could almost hear a desperate quality to the query, “I have the feeling that I will have a few of them that will refuse to leave with their Federation compatriots.”

Tenas cleared his throat awkwardly. “There is always Nimbus III. I have a little place planetside. It ain’t much but it’s the best I can do until I work my connections.”

Giving her friend a bright bark of laughter, VaQ’taj clapped him on the back, “You have grown into a proper little pirate! I knew you had it in you!” said the commander of the Hov’HurgH. It was a knowing laugh and something sparked in her intense brown gaze. Her wheels were already turning, planning, scheming. And she could think of no better partner than her sneaky green brother to have in such a venture, “You are planning on sticking around for a while, Brat? Will you require quarters?”

“I dare you to kick me off,” He laughed. “It’s good to have you back, sister.”

“Not even on board for a good hour and you are already making challenges,” VaQ’taj said with a toothy, impish grin as she pushed the Kolari playfully towards the lift to the bridge, “It is good to be back, brother. Even if it did seem like a short trip...”