Hacker Chronicles 2/HACKER2.BIN/549.CHAP#14.TXT

Text File | 1993-03-01 | 18KB | 392 lines

                              ***    FOURTEEN   ***



            The Starship Javelin slowed as it neared the Neutral Zone,
       where it took its place ahead of the other cruisers.  The
       Federation Fleet had arrived at the border of the Zone mere hours
       earlier.  Large and small craft alike faced the invisible boundary
       that had been established as a buffer to prevent war.  Small
       armored fighter craft swarmed and darted about the perimeter of the
       fleet in battle formation, ready to engage the enemy at a moment's
       notice. Six Constitution-Class Starships were there with twenty-
       two destroyers in protective formation around them.  The cruiser
       Javelin readied its weapons and with the rest of the Fleet, it
       waited.

            On the bridge of the Javelin, Commodore Stormcloud stood
       behind the captain's chair, rehearsing in his mind the plans of
       Garth's war.  He knew his part well.  He would play himself,
       'Stormcloud the Klingon hater'.  The idea was his to send the
       android to destroy Organia, one he was singularly proud of.  Garth
       had said that it was unnecessary. 'Perhaps', thought the Commodore,
       'but it would be a shame to have the new empire of the elite
       delayed or halted by underestimating their place in the equation'.

            Stormcloud had not always been a man bent on the destruction
       of the 'Romulan' and 'Klingon' Empires. Once he would have even
       been pleased to have participated in friendly relations with both
       empires. That was before the Romulans invaded Federation space
       three years ago and murdered his wife. Andrea Stormcloud was
       stationed on Outpost 4 bordering the Romulan Neutral Zone.  This
       particular Zone was established eight decades ago at the end of
       the 'Hundred Years War', the war between the Romulans and
       Interplanetary Coalition now known as the UFP.

            The Outposts there were older battle stations, the forerunners
       of the ones now guarding the Klingon Zone.  They were buried deep
       within asteroids, moons and planets along the perimeter of
       Federation space. The Romulans had been silent and had not even
       come near the Federation for nearly a century, until they decided
       to test their newly developed weapons on their former adversaries.

            Stormcloud's wife never saw the enemy who had come to destroy
       the Outpost. It was the first recorded time that the cloaking
       device, 'invisibility screen', and Photon Torpedoes had ever been
       tactically used against the Federation. The Outpost was woefully
       unprepared for the level of destruction that was wrought upon it.
       The Romulan ship mercilessly attacked and annihilated his wife's
       base of operations. None survived.

            Commodore Stormcloud had died with his wife that day.  The
       man who now stood on the bridge of the Javelin was a dark and
       angry dark and angry reflection of the man he once was. The only
       joy he had now was the joy of the enemy's death at hand.

            Commodore Nathaniel Stormcloud looked down at the Captain of

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       the Space Cruiser. He did not know if anyone on board the ship
       would survive the weeks that were in store for them. He almost wished
       that he could share with Captain Hamill the secret he kept.  He had
       grown to respect the man, but he would not allow himself to form a
       friendship with him or anyone. He would never again give a hostage
       to fortune.  Not in this universe. Perhaps in the next.

            "Please establish ship to ships communication, Captain
       Hamill," Stormcloud requested.

            The Captain did not turn from the viewscreen.  He pointed his
       thumb over his shoulder and the communications officer understood
       it as a command. "Channel open, scramble code 3, Sir," the Junior
       Officer said.

            "This is Stormcloud. Operation Barrier Reef is now under my
       command.  Our present complement of Starships and Destroyers
       deployed here are merely the Vanguard of this defensive strategy.
       More are either on the way, or have already taken positions out of
       sensor range behind us.  We are in the process of recommissioning
       and rearming much of the old Fleet, but they will not be
       operational for several weeks."  Stormcloud paused to clear his
       throat.

            "Although we expect a full frontal assault, the Federation
       President has ordered me to bridle our forces until invasion is
       confirmed.  Our last intelligence report has Klingon forces
       amassing directly ahead of our position.  In the event of attack,
       there remains the possibility of them employing the explosive that
       was used against Outpost DG-13.  Lateral warp maneuvers with
       angular convergence on the enemy will be our safest recourse
       should the weapon be used."

            "All communications are to be code-3, scrambled and only
       essential messages sent. Further  detailed briefing will be held at
       01:00 hours, this ship.  Any questions will be addressed then.
       Stormcloud out."

            Stormcloud watched the images of the space fleet on the
       forward viewer.  He watched and waited for a message that was sure
       to come at any moment.  The message would be from a Starbase or
       spacecraft reporting subspace disturbances caused by an explosion,
       on or quite near the planet Organia.  He did not doubt that the
       message would come, for time had expired on the little planet.  The
       Enterprise and her crew were a necessary sacrifice for freeing the
       Federation from the bondage of this imposed benevolence of the
       Organians. He would not allow himself even the barest regret at the
       loss of the famous Starship.

            The Commodore directed his thoughts backwards to the day that
       lord Garth invited him to join the ranks of the elitist group.
       Together, with the others who would surely flock to their call,
       they would purge the galaxy of its factions of anarchy.  They
       would bring the universe out of the hands of the legislators of
       morality, to the proper rule of lord Garth and the New Masters of
       the Galaxy. Garth had shown great strength of will and the

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       singleness of purpose which Stormcloud admired deeply. The man's
       vision of the future, coupled with the designs and means to achieve
       it, had been embraced gladly by the Commodore. Now the fulfillment
       of this vision neared glorious realization.

            "Captain, I am reading the arrival of a dreadnought at the
       Klingon boundary."   The Javelin's Science Officer cut into the
       Commodore's meditation.  He then immediately updated his report.  "I
       now have seventy-nine targets on the scanner!" he continued. "Three
       of them are Romulan ships."

            "This is it," spoke Stormcloud, grimly. "Sound general
       quarters!"

            The alarm was ship-wide, and when detected by the other
       Federation vessels, it instantly went fleet-wide.  The Fleet
       formation was presently defensive, but it was now making
       preparation to go on the offensive at the Commodore's command.

            "Have any of the detected targets crossed over the Zone
       boundary?" Captain Hamill asked the Science Officer.

            "No, Sir, they are positioned as we are, still holding."

            "Captain," the communications officer cut in, "I am receiving
       a message from the Imperial Throneship, the dreadnought, Sir.
       They wish to approach us. Alone!"

            "Ask them for their terms, Captain." Stormcloud ordered.

            "On bridge speakers, Lieutenant," he commanded his Comm
       Officer. "This is Captain Hamill, of the Star Cruiser Javelin. Who
       are you and what are the terms you request in order to make your
       approach?"

            "This is Imperious Admiral Sorr of the Klingon Empire and we
       request no terms.  We will approach, unarmed and by ourselves.  We
       will make no aggressive moves," the voice responded over the ship's
       speakers. "His Imperial Highness, lord Mocdar Jek Tromok, wishes to
       speak to your highest in command. Would that be you, Captain
       Hamill?"

            "That would be Commodore Nathanial Stormcloud, representing
       the United Federation of Planets.  He is here and can hear you,"
       the Captain offered the Commodore his seat. Stormcloud sat his
       large frame in the command seat and waited for the 'new' Emperor,
       to address him.

            "This is Emperor Tromok.  Do we have your permission for our
       lone ship to approach the mighty Federation fleet?"

            "Emperor Tromok, I am Commodore Stormcloud, you have our
       permission to temporarily enter Federation Space. You may approach
       our fleet," he stated with authority. "Be aware that we will be
       intensely scanning your ship as you do so. We will also be watching
       your own 'mighty fleet', for any movement or aggressive behavior."

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            "Understood. We are coming now," the Emperor announced.

            The Thunder broke the Klingonese boundary of the Zone and
       slowly increased speed to meet the Federation Fleet.  Scans from
       all Federation ships penetrated the lone behemoth as it neared
       them. No detection of the explosive of Garth's creation, nor any
       other weapon in active status, could be found. Nevertheless, this
       knowledge offered little comfort on the bridge of the Javelin. The
       situation could become explosive at any instant.

            "Has your scanning equipment given you acceptable readings?"
       the Emperor queried. The Thunder, still coming, breached the vast
       distance of the Zone.

            Stormcloud looked at the science station. The officer there
       gave him a nod and said, "I detect no active weapons, Sir. Not even
       the 'one in question'."

            "They are acceptable," Stormcloud stated, "if not satis-
       factory.  Let us be honest with one another, Emperor Tromok.  You
       could be holding an arsenal aboard your ship, but if it is in an
       inactive state, it remains undetectable. Therefore I ask you, what
       is your purpose here?  What is so important that you should leave
       your world, to face us alone and on 'our' side of the Zone?"

            "Peace, Commodore," the Emperor offered simply. "I am here to
       extend the hand of peace to all in the Federation."

            The bridge crew of the Javelin, including Captain Hamill,
       expressed their astonishment at the announcement.  Never before had
       the Klingon Empire, of its own free will, extended anything but
       the business end of a disruptor to the Federation.  Stormcloud
       remained unmoved by the declaration.

            "You offer what you cannot deliver, Emperor Tromok," the
       Commodore stated flatly. "Is there anything else that you would
       like to announce before we escort you back to your Empire?"

            "Yes, Commodore," Tromok announced grandly, "we wish to
       formally petition the United Federation of Planets for the Klingon
       Empire's Official entry into the coalition.  I request that council
       be held between the two governing bodies to establish peaceful
       relations to that end.  I believe that according to your Federation
       regulations, I may not be refused." he said confidently as if
       reading the directive directly from the Starfleet Manual.

            The Commodore gave indication of his rage before the ship's
       crew. He did not want to overplay his role, but if it were not
       Garth leading the Empire, he would have more than just 'indicated'
       his rage.

            "Mr. Land," Captain Hamill addressed his Comm Officer, "break
       Subspace silence.  Advise Starfleet that we are guaranteeing safe
       passage to the Klingon Emperor to UFP headquarters, Earth, on
       flight corridor .401 to .402."


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            "Belay that order!" Stormcloud interrupted and squared himself
       off against the Captain. "We are not letting this Klingon remain in
       Federation space for another minute."

            "Commodore, we are bound by our most fundamental regulations
       to aid all beings who desire admittance to the Federation. I don't
       know what the Emperor is up to, but he knows our rules, and we have
       no choice but to honor them," Captain Hamill said.  He was not
       pleased with his duty, at the moment, but he would not let
       Stormcloud force him into any corner that would place his 'command'
       in jeopardy.

            Stormcloud remained silent for a moment, looking angrily at
       the unbudging, unflinching Captain. If there was any hesitation
       about allowing the Klingons into Federation Territory, Stormcloud
       had effectively driven it out of the Captain.  All according to
       plan.

            "Emperor Tromok," the Commodore said, "you appear to be quite
       correct in your interpretation of our regulations.  We will provide
       you with a protected flight corridor and escort to UFP
       headquarters, as requested." He shot another angry look at the
       Captain. "We request a demonstration of good faith by making some
       token gesture, say, having your fleet fall back with all weapons
       powered down."

            "I will do that and more," the Emperor boasted. "Does your
       equipment allow you to distinguish between Klingon and Romulan ship
       designs?"

            "It does," spoke Stormcloud.

            "Then you are able to detect the three Romulan vessels that
       are currently flanking my fleet?" he asked.

            "We are aware of them."

            "Commodore Stormcloud, in a gesture of our promising new
       friendship, I would like to announce that the Klingon Empire is
       publicly sanctioning the breaking of ties with the Romulan Empire.
       We hereby annul all treaties of our former alliance," Tromok
       stated.

            The Romulan Birds of Prey broke formation upon hearing the
       Emperor's proclamation. The ships turned from the fleet and headed
       away as evasively as their speed would allow. They were closely
       pursued by nine Klingon battle cruisers. The Romulan warships
       quickly sent their Empire subspace messages of their betrayal as
       they attempted their escape. They powered up their aft weaponry but
       upon seeing the mighty ships behind them, they decided stealth was
       a better option.  However, before the Vulcanoid warships could
       cloak themselves from their former allies, they were fired upon.
       Massive blasts of photon energy came at them from behind and they
       were quickly and mercilessly destroyed.

            Stormcloud relished the brief taste of revenge at seeing the

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       three ships vaporize before his eyes. It did not satisfy him, but
       served well to whet his appetite for more to come.  He could
       imagine seeing Garth smile with another man's face on the bridge
       of the Thunder.  The 'way' was being paved without flaw. With the
       Romulan Empire insulted and injured by the Klingon Empire, they
       would surely be preparing for war.  The Federation would see this
       as a distinct threat to themselves and help expedite the alliance
       with the Klingons.

            Soon all would be searching for the one who would be able to
       deliver them from war, and lead them to a 'new age' of peace.
       Garth was ready to step in and offer the way to all who would hear.
       His way, his plan. Any opposition would be crushed, not just by
       Garth himself, but by the fearful and ignorant masses.  By the ones
       who would rather kill than be leaderless, hopeless.  The ones who
       would rather murder for a vision, any vision, than perish without
       one.  Fear and ignorance.  The greatest weapons in the Galaxy.
       Weapons that would, of a surety, be used.

            "You have an interesting way of cutting through the 'Red Tape'
       of diplomacy, Emperor Tromok. I hope, for your sake, that this
       policy does not extend into Federation relations." Stormcloud
       warned. "My Fleet will stay here to keep yours company,"
       Stormcloud said to the Klingon Ruler.  "You will follow this ship
       to the planet Earth. I will have myself transferred to the Starship
       Republic.  Captain Hamill will be your host and your guide."

            "We await your ship's lead. Tromok out."

            The Javelin turned about and set a direct course for the small
       blue planet in the Sol system.  It was followed closely, ominously,
       by the Klingon juggernaut, Thunder.  They were on their way to
       Earth.  Nothing stood in the way.
























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