Dynaverse.net
Taldrenites => Starfleet Command Fan Fiction => Topic started by: Commander La'ra on August 21, 2005, 09:46:14 pm
-
I should read old stories about war and ships more often. They tend to inspire...
I have sort of an idea where this one is going, but I haven't got the details worked out yet. Hence, don't think too bad of me if the post rate is slow.
Wait...
...the post rate is always slow.
Well, anyway....
--------------------------
Fragile Ideals
“So the fighting will continue?”
Commander La’ra met the Queen’s eyes.
“Yes.” He replied.
The ruler nodded. They stood on the highest balcony of her palace. There were flashes of light on the horizon, distant cracks of artifical thunder.
“It would be foolish to demand you intervene militarily, wouldn’t it?” asked the Queen.
“I can’t help you the way you want.”
“The overall situation is too sensitive?”
“Yes.” La’ra rumbled. The Klingon Empire and United Federation of Planets were weathering a chill in relations. Starfleet had grown tired of certain Klingon houses raiding across the border and had responded militarily. They’d shown discretion; only the forces of the offending clans had been attacked. Their restraint had prevented war, but nerves on both sides were raw.
“I do wish you’d gotten here first, Commander. Starfleet makes a great noise about non-interference, but the Rebels were beaten before the Constantinople arrived. Interesting coincidence.” She leaned on the balcony rail, her face illuminated by distant guns. “At least your arrival has restrained their efforts. Perhaps we’ll stop the advance.”
“That parts up to you.” He warned. "We've already found other ways to assist you. We can find more."
“How much time would that take? I cannot stall them with negotiation.” She shrugged. Her skin was fine bronze, her frame lean muscle. Her people and Klingons had strong genetic similarities despite the Kelor's smooth skulls. The races were cousins. “The rebels will not accept any settlement short of…short of my abdication and the surrender of our culture. I will not allow my people to be domesticated.”
“It would be unfortunate.” La’ra agreed. The Kelor were fierce warriors. "You take it for granted that your removal would lead to such a castration."
"There is a Starfleet cruiser in orbit." She shrugged lightly. "The Federation controls the Rebels despite their denials. Thus, if Rebel victory seems inevitable, I will give the order.”
He frowned.
“Which order?”
“The order that will direct our entire fusion arsenal to strike our own planet.”
He noted, with the passive understanding one grants a tempermental child, that she seemed entirely serious.
“You’ll want us to evacuate you, then?”
“No, Commander. My people’s fate will be my own.” She turned to him and smiled. “Better than Federation oppression, I think. A good death.”
"I think we can find an alternative." He declared. He could already think of thousands, from using those same missiles on just the Rebels and enduring the literal fallout to letting the insurgents take over and fighting their new society from hills and caves.
He regarded the Queen coldly. She probably wasn’t popular enough for the second option.
“I hope so, Commander.” Another smile. “Escort me to my chamber? I have no doubt things will seem clearer in the morning.”
“Of course.” He said, offering up a grin. It wasn’t genuine.
Monarch and Klingon retreated into the palace.
* * *
"So there's reason to call her Heartreaver?" Ran'jar's voice asked.
"Yes." La'ra responded into the communicator. He was on the balcony again, watching the shelling. "It pains my heart that we're to keep her in power."
There was a rude, amused noise from the speaker. La'ra grinned far more enthusastically than he had for the Queen.
He wasn't being entirely fair. The Queen was quite beautiful. She'd given La'ra deep wide-eyed looks and subtle smiles before she'd retired to her room. He'd felt the tug. Fortunately, his taste in women ran toward honesty.
"Has the irritant done anything new?" He asked.
"No. She's cruising happily. No transporter activity, usual comm traffic."
La'ra nodded. The Constantinople's efforts on the Rebel's behalf hadn't been halted. She was undoubtedly relaying whatever she saw from orbit to the insurgents over tight-beam directional communications. That was all it had taken for the Rebels to turn defeat into a rapid advance toward the capital.
"The Rebel offensive is still stalled. Unless something changes, they won't break through." Ran'jar advised. The Hiv'laposh had matched Starfleet's ante in the favor of the Loyalists. The battle was now in stalemate.
"And neither will the Queen's forces." La'ra agreed. He was never happy with a stalemate.
The first indications of a plan began to bubble in his head. His mouth twitched. It took discipline not to tell Ran'jar immediately. The Federation ship was surely listening in.
"Transport me up." He ordered. "We should probably discuss how to exploit Starfleet's innocence and virtue in private."
-
es un buen comienzo, ¿pero donde está el resto? ;D
-
Nice one, La'ra. :thumbsup:
Am I to believe that famed Starfleet is militarily supporting the Rebels? Or are they just championing their cause to the despotic Queen and this is sufficient to rally their efforts?
And I like the way you tied in my Timeline, as well as giving me a good out for the Klingon Conflict of '72-'75 while avoiding Organian interference. Thanks!
-
Am I to believe that famed Starfleet is militarily supporting the Rebels? Or are they just championing their cause to the despotic Queen and this is sufficient to rally their efforts?
Well, La'ra certainly suspects that their support is more than just moral.:)
And I like the way you tied in my Timeline, as well as giving me a good out for the Klingon Conflict of '72-'75 while avoiding Organian interference. Thanks!
I've been looking for a story to slip that into for awhile, after our conversation on it a while back. You're most welcome.
-
Ooooo!
Kick the Feddies asses!
Bang that queen too, while yer at it.
-
Wow larry 3 storylines. That's ambitious :D
-
The idea is that if I'm working on several stories then I'll be in the mood to work on at least one of them... ;D
-
I should read old stories about war and ships more often. They tend to inspire...
before I wrote Kadh's ISC adventure I was reading a WWII submarine warfare novel. They do inspire don't they?
-
Me not so much, I'm afraid. A good war movie, on the other hand, that does wonders. Only the old ones, though, not the new ones so much. Black Hawk Down does something for me though.
My favorite war-anything is still 'das boot'.
For a minute, as I started reading the above, I thought La'ra was on Goesa'vaina... You had me confused for a minute. Then it all became clear.
BTW Pummel!
-
Interesting start so far, La'ra.
Kieran would have bagged the queen by now, though.
-
La'ra obviously has something that would make him a great Klingon leader one day: tact when necessary.
-
La'ra obviously has something that would make him a great Klingon leader one day: tact when necessary.
Moderation in ALL things, my dear...
Including Moderation...
-
Yes, La'ra is always trying to convince me that his namesake is an 'average' Klingon. No way. He shows far to much restraint... ;-)~
-
Yes, La'ra is always trying to convince me that his namesake is an 'average' Klingon. No way. He shows far to much restraint... ;-)~
Oh no, La'ra is quite above average....but I think he's more represenative of the typical Klingon than the rabid dunces you see in a lot of fan fic. Did any of the TOS Klingons strike you as dumb?
Well, other than Kruge or the bald guy from 'Friday's Child'. They didn't seem that bright.
-
I liked the TOS baddies.
Klingons were imperial, smart, evil and ruthless.
Romulans were smart and ethno-centric (translates as evil if you happen to be human).
By the time TNG rolled around, Klingons were easily manipulated barbarians incapable of organizing well enough to form a soccer team, but who somehow acquired space flight.
The TNG Romulan Empire was Rome in its last decadent throes - with hardly an honorable Romulan to be found, even in the fleet.
-
Very true.
One had to look damn hard to find a really good Klingon in TNG. There was Worf, but he was raised by HUMANS! The best example of a real Klingon in TNG was possibly the Second Officer of the Pagh in 'Matter of Honor', 2nd season. I enjoyed how he was played, and also liked the glimpse of life aboard a Klingon ship. (I'd also like to see a new series set on a Klingon ship, but know I never will...)
The Klingons in TOS, though not greatly fleshed out, were a very good nemisis. I also like the Klingons in ENT save for the dumb-asses who were taking deterium from those miners in the 2nd season. Onewould think even they would have put a parting disruptor blast into the hydrogen wells before leaving orbit. Or maybe beamed out of the poorly thought-out trap which some how caught them...then beamed back in to continue the fight?
Klingons are essentially as good as the writer allows them to be.
-
Very true.
One had to look damn hard to find a really good Klingon in TNG. There was Worf, but he was raised by HUMANS!
Worf would have made a lousy TOS Klingon. Always being manipulated by his shipmates, always having to ask first or wait for permission from Picard to shoot things... made all the worse by being constantly shown up by Tasha Yar in the aggressiveness department.
By the time Worf got done asking Picard if he could open fire, the target was already an expanding cloud of gas, and Yar was over in the corner saying "They looked threatening, so I shot them."
-
I liked the TOS baddies.
Yeah.:) Me too.
I try to capture their flavor in my stories while still keeping elements from TNG. Of course since I'm writing from their perspective, I have to portray the Feddies as 'the bad guys' in many cases.
It's not that hard, though, which is something I didn't expect...
-
This one's coming to me scene by scene and by God that's how I'm going to post it. No real chapters on this one...I suspect it'll be too short for that.
-------------------------------
“Their orders are the same as ours.” La’ra declared.
Ran’jar seemed the concentrate. The pair walked down the Hiv’laposh’s wide central corridor.
“You’re certain?” The swarthy First asked.
“They have to be. Otherwise they’d have taken stronger action by now.” The Commander declared. “The Federation despises the Queen. Their propaganda constantly compares her to Hitler, Amin…that other tyrant of theirs…begins with that odd sound…”
“I am not familiar with Terran dictators.”
“You see the point.”
“Yes.” The First agreed. A pair of lower ratings moved aside for them.
La’ra acknowledged the men with a nod, kept speaking. “If it were Sharp out there he’d certainly have done something more assertive by now.”
“Men of his iron are out of favor.” Ran’jar reminded.
“Perhaps.” La’ra chuckled. “I may be placing too much faith in our adversaries. The situation is still fragile. I think they’ve been told not to provoke us. Not to interfere in Kelorian affairs any more than necessary.”
“So how do we exploit that? Our orders say the same.”
“Our orders say that we’re not to directly provoke Starfleet forces.” La’ra halted before the bridge turbolift, pressed the call button. “To fight them we'd have to force them to provoke us.”
“Oh,” Ran’jar snarled. “but we know that Starfleet only uses force to answer force.”
La’ra grinned widely. “They never interfere in developing cultures either.”
The lift doors opened. The men stepped into the elevator.
“Never. So we get them to fire on us. The Constantinople is a worthy adversary.”
“Yes, she is.” The Commander agreed. She was an older Constitution-class, without the advanced upgrades Starfleet was frantically installing in as many others of her kind as they could. The lift began to hum, a slight twinge of acceleration. “I don’t intend to fight her.”
Ran’jar sighed. “We could defeat her.”
“Yes.” La’ra agreed. “Politics.”
“Politics.”
“Instead we show them what kind of people they’re supporting. The Rebels have committed as many atrocities as Heartreaver.”
“You think they’ll abandon their mission if we can prove that?” Ran’jar sounded incredulous.
“No. But I think broadcasting evidence of Rebel atrocities over half the sector will get the Federation civil authorities attention. Especially when we remind them that there’s a Starfleet cruiser supporting the insurgents.”
“That could be embarrassing.”
“The Federation likes to present a moral face. If they don’t order their ship out, they’ll damage their altruistic reputation. Even if they decide Kelor is more important than their image, the Constaintinople will probably have to back off for some time. Without her support, Heartreaver can defeat the Rebels.”
The elevator door slid open. The two Klingons stepped out. The security station just aft of the bridge doors was manned by a wary Marine. La’ra stood for a moment, allowing the Marine the make his scan, then walked past.
“She is as bad as they say?” Ran’jar asked.
“I believe so.” La’ra sighed
-
What dictator?
I like your idea. However, it would be really cool if the federation just ignored that. And I've got a question for you: How are the fed civil councel gonna verfy the broadcast. I doubt they will believe klingons on their pretty & honest face...
This one's coming to me scene by scene and by God that's how I'm going to post it. No real chapters on this one...I suspect it'll be too short for that.
I don't mind lot's of little updates regularly :D
So gimme more, so I can crit properly
-
What dictator?
I like your idea. However, it would be really cool if the federation just ignored that. And I've got a question for you: How are the fed civil councel gonna verfy the broadcast. I doubt they will believe klingons on their pretty & honest face...
Dunno which dictator, just wanted to show that neither La'ra nor Ran'jar knows everything about the humans. They're pretty familiar with their culture and history...know thy enemy...but I decided to toss a little 'who was that guy again' moment in just cuz it's not their history and it's bound to happen.
I toyed around with the idea of La'ra saying 'The one named for a plant' as a cheap shot at our prez, but I try to keep politics outta this forum, soooo...
And yeah, La'ra's already thought of those problems. I was gonna address his ideas about that as the story goes on.
-
Iosef Visarianovich Stalin, perhaps? The sound at the beginning of "Iosef" would be odd enough to a Klingon ear and hard for a Klingon to say, I think.
-
I like leaving the dictator unnamed. A more recent one might be appropriate anyway. Say Colonel Green or Khan.
-
Another great little piece, I especially like La'ra verbally toying with the Federation's supposed good image just in case they're listening in. :-)
I did play an F-CA against a K-D6K and kicked the crap out of it. I then played the D6K against the CA and captured it. In strictest SFB/C terms, it depends on the skill of the 'pilots', but IR(ST)L, the Hiv would demolish an unrefitted Constitution.
Looking forward to more.
-
I toyed around with the idea of La'ra saying 'The one named for a plant' as a cheap shot at our prez, but I try to keep politics outta this forum, soooo...
Hey imho it's: No Bush please. (And if someone takes affront on this political statement, just think "well he's just making a sexual statement". And you'd be right too ;))
-
I did play an F-CA against a K-D6K and kicked the crap out of it. I then played the D6K against the CA and captured it. In strictest SFB/C terms, it depends on the skill of the 'pilots', but IR(ST)L, the Hiv would demolish an unrefitted Constitution.
It's more likely a CAR or one of the 'pre-TMP' refits. And I'd say it still depended on the skill of the Captains and crews...unless the ships are totally, utterly mismatched, that's usually more important than the technical stuff.
The Prince of Wales for instance, should've walked all over the Bismarck on paper, but....
-
See, Grim, I can sort of update quickly!
-------------------
"Here, here, and here." Lieutenant Leral indicated. Her station's primary display showed a map of the Kelorian front lines. "These two look like mass graves. The third is some kind of prison camp."
"Hmmm." La'ra growled. "They have to keep their prisoners of war somewhere."
"Yes, Commander, but I don't think it's there. There's vehicular activity around the camp, but nothing heads toward the front."
"Oh?"
The sensor chief nodded. She wore her analytical look. "There are what I'd assume to be supply shipments coming in from the Rebel's storehouses, but the patrols that leave the base seem to be searching the surrounding areas, especially the smaller towns."
"Could simply be security patrols." Ran'jar added. He was standing in front of Leral's station, not leaning over the sensor chief as was La'ra's usual habit.
"Or they could be gathering up counterrevolutionaries and shooting them or sending them to their little camp." The Commander growled.
"I can monitor their patrols, Commander." Leral claimed.
"Hmm." La'ra growled. Orbital photography didn't usually produce images with the strength and immediacy he wanted. "Do so. I suspect to get what we need, we'll have to go down there, though."
"The Constantinople is watching." Ran'jar reminded. "She'll know if we activate transporters."
"She won't know where we sent our landing party. Or why." said Leral. "It'd take time to search the entire front line with her cameras."
"It might take us time to get what we need from the Rebels." replied Ran'jar. "Orders or no, if Starfleet suspects we're directly interfering, they may attack."
"With the handy excuse that we provided the provocation." muttered La'ra. He considered the situation for a moment. "Perhaps we should claim our landing team is a rescue party."
"I'm sure Starfleet will eagerly believe that." Ran'jar chuckled.
"If we can get down there, catch one of the Rebel's collection patrols about to line civillians up against the nearest wall and take plenty of pictures, they might not have a choice. The timing would have to be very precise." La'ra scratched his chin.
"It shouldn't be a problem to keep watch on one of the patrols leaving the base." Said Leral. “If they do as we expect…”
“…we can react immediately.” La’ra nodded.
“I’ll have Grimbek prepare a strike team.” Ran’jar declared. “Shall I tell him to try and save the potential victims?”
“Save them yourself.” La’ra grinned slightly. ”You’re leading the assault.”
Ran’jar’s smile was positively villainous.
-
You know La'ra I never doubted you... no really... really really...
the corners of my mouth just kept rising till it grew in to an evil grin when i read this:
Ran’jar’s smile was positively villainous.
gimme more :D
-
A fun little bit, although they are horribly short. Keep writing, Larry!
-
"Hmm." La'ra growled. Orbital photography didn't usually produce images with the strength and immediacy he wanted. "Do so. I suspect to get what we need, we'll have to go down there, though."
Seems La'ra needs to buy some orbital equipment from the US civil authorities... I can watch live images of my house online for about 4 bucks US. And tell who's out on the front porch.
Great add on. Looks like the First gets to do some ass-kickin! Write on!
-
Hell, La'ra cauld even get it from the French. That SPOT satellite of theirs is impressive.
-
Well, it IS just a D6 after all... maybe it just doesn't have the equipment for precision orbital photography. A scout, on the other hand, could probably take pictures of each individual soldier in a Klingon marine company spitting and scratching himself from the edge of the system. ;)
Love the story, by the way, La'ra.
-
The key part of that line is 'strength and immediacy'. He could get plenty of visual evidence from orbit, but he wouldn't get visceral, stomach churning, ground level evidence of atrocities and other such bad things.
He needs more than pictures. He needs...artwork.:)
-
And I need updates. Get cracking ;D
-
^
|
What he said!
Hey La'ra, thanks for the clarification on the orbital imagery. If the Klinks hadn't managed to do in the 23rd century what Google can do now, then your D6 really is just flying around on semi-invisible strings! *grin*
I like Ran'jar. I really do. I know you say he's an Imp, but he'll always be a Fusion to me. He's just so... TOS. Mustache-twirling, oily, conniving TOS Klink. He's great. ;D
And keep up the Feddie nose-tweaking. I like that too!
-
I like Ran'jar. I really do. I know you say he's an Imp, but he'll always be a Fusion to me. He's just so... TOS. Mustache-twirling, oily, conniving TOS Klink. He's great. ;D
And keep up the Feddie nose-tweaking. I like that too!
I am no disease ridden flat-head!
Why do you insult me so?
--thu guv'!
-
That got me to thinking, though, and I do have a drawing of my character if anyone is interested. I'll post it on the Goesa'vaina thread so as not to slow down the loading of La'ra's fine dig here...
--thu guv'!
-
This one was stalled for quite a while.
Now it isn't.:)
-------------------------
Armed Kelor stormed out of hover trucks and armored vehicles. Other Kelor were herded into the street, organized into groups and forced to their knees. Neither group could see the hunting party of Klingon Marines concealed nearby.
“No response from Constantinople.”” Leral reported. The Commander gave her a nod, put his attention back on the viewscreen. Starfleet would stay cool until they found armed Klingons on the planet.
A Rebel officer was selecting prisoners and soldiers were pulling them to their feet. Those chosen were being forced toward the town square. The Klingons slid through backalleys and yards. The Marines would beat the Kelor to the town square. They weren’t burdened by prisoners.
It wouldn’t be long now, La’ra realized.
“Why do they not fight back?” Asked the gunner. There was disbelief in Grimbek’s voice, perhaps a little scorn.
“Heartreaver took her people’s weapons away not long after her ascension.” The helmsman reminded. La’ra could never remember the man’s name.
Grimbek frowned. “I thought the Kelor were warriors?”
“That’s why she took their weapons away.” Argued the helmsman.
“They could still resist.” Grimbek declared.
“Resisting when there are disruptors on your family can be difficult.” La’ra grumbled. “Even for our own people. Mind your stations.”
The younger officers fell silent. On the viewscreen, Ran’jar’s marines were occupying commanding positions about the town square. Oblivious to the danger, the Kelor rebels continued their parade.
“Constantinople has gone active, Commander. She’s doing sweeps of the front lines.” Leral informed.
La’ra growled. It’d been a hoped-for possibility that the Marine’s beam-down would be taken as another meeting between Heartreaver and Klingon personnel. An unlikely possibility and one the Commander had not relied on, but it would’ve been nice.
The Rebels reached the courtyard. As expected, the prisoners were lined up neatly against a convenient wall, a squad of executioners taking position nearby, their weapons held stiffly and with some formality. Other Kelor were also being bullied into the square, held away from the chosen victims. Witnesses to the bloody example, no doubt. The camera zoomed in on the square, showing more detail.
The Marines were still. La’ra hoped Ran’jar wouldn’t wait too much longer to act.
“Constantinople is widening her sweep.” Leral announced. “Still not searching the correct areas.”
Not yet, perhaps, but it was only a matter of time. La’ra forced himself not to stand, or pace.
The Rebel officer seemed to be speaking to the crowd. There was something in his hand. A datapad or other such. He rarely looked at it; the speech was probably well rehearsed. He turned, strutted toward the firing squad. An order was given and weapons were brought to shoulders.
The Klingons struck.
The firing squad crumpled as a barrage of emerald bolts converged from rooftops and alleys. Armored marines charged forward at the same moment, bat’leths and rifle butts taking down the Rebels controlling the crowd. A clear moment of panic seized the prisoners, the witnessing crowd, and people began to flee. Had the fight continued, there’d have been casualties, collateral damage. The fight, if one could call it that, was quite over.
Noises of approval swept the bridge, and La’ra allowed himself a smile.
“She's shifted her scan again, sir.” Reported Leral. “She’s looking in the right place now…not much time till they detect the raiding party.”
“Understood.” Starfleet had detected the weapon discharges. Had disruptors been common on the planet, the weapons fire might not have tipped them off. The Kelor still used projectile weapons, alas.
Grimbek was smiling, the Commander noted. Ran’jar had commanded them, but the Marines were his men. La’ra would congratulate him on training them so well, later.
On the viewer, Marines were gaining control of the crowd, taking weapons and other trophies from fallen foes. Ran’jar men had been shooting to stun to give the Federation one less possible objection, and now unconscious Rebels were being disarmed and restrained.
Two Marines had hold of the Rebel officer, who’d been spared a disruptor bolt. They delivered the man to Ran’jar, who stood in the middle of the square. The Hiv’laposh’s First said something and the Marines released the Rebel and stepped away. Words were exchanged. Even from orbit, La’ra could read his friend’s body language; His shoulders had been relaxed when the Rebel officer began to speak. Now they were tense, and the Rebel officer clearly shouting.
La’ra leaned back in his chair. The officer was waving his arms now, his face flushed.
There was a sudden flash of movement from Ran’jar, and the Rebel officer fell, hands clutching his stomach. Laughter rippled across the bridge. The Commander shook his head and chuckled; he supposed one death among the Rebels could be advantageous. Starfleet’s expectations of Klingon usually involved blood, and an utter lack of it might raise suspicion. The officer’s legs thrashed wildly.
“Her sensors are focused on the area around the town.” Leral warned.
“Good.” Declared La’ra. On screen, Ran’jar was waving his bloody d’ktagh and making some kind of statement to the crowd. The Rebel officer, blood pooling on the square’s cobblestone, was now completely still.
“Open a channel to the Constantinople.” La’ra ordered.
-
I've already told you, I know, but I like it. It's refreshing to see the Feds supporting a side that doesn't exactly have the moral high ground, so to speak - although in this situation, it doesn't look like either side really does. ;)
-
yes! a La'ra update! Gimme more!
-
e...he heh heh heh heh heh!
Ron'jar likes.
-
Brilliant! The Larster Returns. I had to go back and re-read the first parts to refamiliarise myself with the story again, but reading it all in the one go makes it flow all the better.
Good continuation, and I love that final image of Ranjar waving a bloody dagger over a bleeding body, just in time for his snapshot from the Fed ship.
The Fed nose-tweakiing continues:
Starfleet’s expectations of Klingon usually involved blood, and an utter lack of it might raise suspicion.
Great line, and pretty true even in the TNG eps, through possibly for a different reason.
Minor nitpick: Constantinople to me doesn't seem like an impressive- or inspiring-enough name for a Ship of the Line, the flagship class of the Star Fleet. I'd forgotten that she was an unrefitted Constitution, and the image that the name brought to mind was an SFB Texas-class CL. It would also make a good name for an SFB NCA (Chicago, London, etc).
Now, I know you choose ship names with no regard for SFB/SotSF conventions, but you still pick them carefully. Why Constantinople?
-
Several reasons, Andy.
1> A simple read of the city's history should give you some indication of its importance in European/Middle Eastern history. Seemed like a worthy name for a Connie to me for this alone.
2> It's not a Western name. Must all major Starfleet ships be named for a US, Japanese, or British ship from WWII? I know that's an exaggeration, but I'd thought I'd toss in some name variety.
3> The Star Trek stories me and the Guv wrote waaaaay back in high school featured a Constitution with this name in a 'supporting role' and I tossed the name in as a sort of tradition.
4> I liked how it sounded. ;D
-
Heh, you won't get anywhere with La'ra on this one, Andy. He's as stubborn as a certain 'beta reader' I know. ;D
1> I would say it is a very worthy name for a ship, though side with Andy and say it should be a CL or NCA, not a Constitution.
2> I totally agree with La'ra on this, but I've yet to do so in a Fred story. All my previous ones involving the UFP have been ships from my tech manuals (Illustrious, Jugurtha) or online pics (Vindicator).
Side: I just watched 'Kingdom of Heaven' and did supplimentary research on the Muslim general Saladin (Sala-ha-DEEN) and came away mightily impressed. This Kurdish man apparently comes out on top of England's own Richard the Lionheart in terms of chivalry and compassion, including for non-Muslims--and this was during the Crusades!--and he was way ahead of his time for that alone as well as being a brilliant general. The two were even friends! Anyway, it made me wish I'd used the Saladin as my destroyer from 'New Worlds, New Adventures' to give the name some air time--now taken care of by Lt. Q. I think the Saladin will become a guest star in future Andie stories.
3> I fully agree with and support this reason. It's called "internal consistency", and I consider myself a champion of thids cause.
4> See 1> :P
-
IIRC, Kurd is not technically correct, as the people S'allah Ad'din led were the Saracens. Now, it is possible that the Kurds can trace their ancestry back to the Saracens, but that is a piece of history that I don't know about. But you're right about what kind of man he was. He took in a starving Crusader Knight and ended up making the man his personal chronicler. And the Crusaders had orders to kill any armed Arab on sight, but the Saracen leader was operating on the old hospitality laws, laws that predate Islam. Did arabs torture Crusaders? Yes. But they learned how from the Crusaders in the first place.
-
IIRC, Kurd is not technically correct, as the people S'allah Ad'din led were the Saracens.
Most sources I've seen mention that he's of Kurdish ancestry.
As for what 'Saracen' really means, Wikipedia had this to say...
Wikipedia entry for 'Saracen'
The term Saracen comes from Greek sarakenoi, which is itself derived from an Arabic word, شرقيين sharqiyyin ("easterners"). This word was used in the early centuries of the Roman Empire to describe a nomadic Arab tribe from the Sinai Desert.
Later the Greek-speaking subjects of the Empire applied it to all Arabs. After the rise of Islam, and especially at the time of the Crusades, its usage was extended to all Muslims, particularly those in Sicily and southern Italy. In older Western historical literature, the term "Saracen Empire" was often used to refer to the Arab Caliphate under the rule of the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties.
-
Trust me on this one, Josh: Saladin was Kurdish. Your source is wrong.
Like La'ra quotes, Saracen was a catch-all term applied to Muslims/Arabs at the time of the Crusades.
Using the Wiki as La'ra has, I find this on Saladin:
Saladin (1137 or 1138–1193; Kurdish: Selahadînê Eyûbî; Arabic: صلاح الدين يوسف بن ايوب; al-Malik al-Nāṣir Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb; Salah al-Din being an honorific that means The Righteousness of the Faith in Arabic) was a 12th century Kurdish Muslim warrior who founded the Ayyubid dynasty of Egypt and Syria. He was also renowned in both the Christian and Muslim worlds for his leadership and military prowess tempered by his chivalry and merciful nature, during his struggle against the Crusaders.
Saladin was born into a Kurdish family in Tikrit and was sent to Damascus to finish his education. His father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, was governor of Baalbek. For ten years Saladin lived in Damascus, at the court of Nur ad-Din (Nureddin).
Here is the link if you wish to check it out for yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saladin
-
I was on that link a couple days ago looking for suitable names for Saladin's two shuttlecraft. I'm leaning towards Tikrit and Damascus, although those seem to be more appropriate for Chicago Class Cruisers. (But the Chicago Class Cruisers won't be commisioned for another 11 years in the story line so...I could go with it :) )
-
Ok. no problem. I didn't get all the details, I guess. I love learning about this stuff.
-
I think it's safe to say that so do the rest of us. ;D
My brain is occupied mostly by useless trivia.
-
I was on that link a couple days ago looking for suitable names for Saladin's two shuttlecraft. I'm leaning towards Tikrit and Damascus, although those seem to be more appropriate for Chicago Class Cruisers. (But the Chicago Class Cruisers won't be commisioned for another 11 years in the story line so...I could go with it :) )
The TOS Enterprise's shuttles were named Galileo and Columbus (with Copernicus showing up in the Animated Series).
That's two scientists (astronomers) and an explorer.
TNG kept the same theme, using Farouk El-Baz, Marie Curie, Ellison Onizuka, Robert H. Goddard, Richard Feynman, and Stephen Hawking.
Going with the same theme, the names of arabic scientists or explorers would seem to fit.
-
Furthering the naming convention gripage, one need only look at Trek itself to see the whole convention system being raped. The first two Defiant we see are named Defiant and Valiant. The third mentioned by name was...Sao Palo...?! What the hell?
Then the Galaxies. Galaxy, Enterprise, Yamato, Odyssey and Venture were mentioned by name. What the hell kinda convention was that? It's like the guys naming our Seawolves are working for Starfleet.
But I love the resurrection of the old Constantinople. That ship whipped some ass back in the RPG and old story days.
--thu guv!
-
Heh, I agree, Guv. The 'canon' ST naming convention is a load of balls. Mind you, a lot of it was just ships named in dialogue and matched up to ships later on by production staff or fandom, like the Venture. It was the Admiral's ship for a DS9 relief force, and the special effects shot later showed a Galaxy, 2 Excelsiors and 2 Mirandas.
The Sao Palo though... I have no idea what that means. Is it Spanish or Mexican town? Is it the site of a battle? Does it mean something heroic in Spanish? If it's Spanish for Indefatigable or some such, then it's good. ;D
-
It's a city in Brazil. The Wikipedia entry for San Paulo says it has a really high crime and police brutality rate.
;D
-
Heh... then yes the Guv is right and it's a very sucky name for a ship in general. Until they clean it up by the 23rd century, obviously. ;D
As for the naming convention... it shouldn't be named after a city, for sure. Like Jaeih said, Defiant, Valiant, indefatigable, Redoubtable, Resolute, Illustrious (maybe), Courageous (maybe), Tireless, Truculent, (Hmmm... these are all British... we have really cool ship names), L'Inflexible, Gloire, (French now... No good American ones, eh? :P), and other such expressions of hardy human spirit should be used for this class.
City names are for ordinary cruisers like Mirandas and Constellations, or TNG frigates like the New Orleans.
-
Mind you, a lot of it was just ships named in dialogue and matched up to ships later on by production staff or fandom, like the Venture. It was the Admiral's ship for a DS9 relief force, and the special effects shot later showed a Galaxy, 2 Excelsiors and 2 Mirandas.
I'd say it is a safe bet that the Admiral was leading from the bigger ship. Unless he was like Martok, who led from the Rotaran (a Bird of Prey, and by her size, quite clearly a B'rel...Crazy bastard...).
And about the Sao Palo...maybe it was BECAUSE of the high crime rate that they named a Defiant after it...hmmm?
--thu guv!
-
It's coming along slowly, but it is coming...
---------------
“They were quite unhappy.” Ran’jar declared.
“I’d imagine so.” La’ra replied. They stood in the small armory off the main transporter room.
“Their executive officer was expecting battle.” The First continued, removing the power pack from his rifle and stowing it in its assigned locker. “I am not sure who he wished to kill more by the time we departed. Us or his ‘allies’.”
“Either would have done, probably.” Said La’ra.
“In any case, he wished to assure us that his fair captain would take measures to halt any further activities.” Ran’jar unsealed his combat armor, placed it in the appropriate locker. He also grumbled that advising them of the actions of rogue elements of the Rebel military might’ve allowed them to halt the activity without any bloodshed.”
La’ra snorted. Ran’jar pulled on his regular uniform.
“He said what he’d been ordered to say.”
“Yes.” Ran’jar agreed.
“They’re expecting us to attempt a dialogue.” La’ra grumbled. He leaned against a row of lockers. “To negotiate here and now.”
“I’d expect so.” The First agreed.
“And their Captain has not yet deigned to speak with us directly…he’s obstinate…” The Commander considered for a few moments. “He plans on stalling. If we were to speak with him, he would act giving but concede nothing. He would try to maintain the stalemate.”
“You’re considering trying to deal with him?” Ran’jar asked.
“No. Our original plan is better. But if I thought he were a certain kind of man…” The armory door slid open. The grey-haired ship’s surgeon ambled in.
“Doctor.” La’ra greeted.
“I’ve checked the rest of the assault team.” Ker’lan grumbled and looked at Ran’jar. “But not you.”
Ran’jar nodded, turned toward the doctor and stood quite still. Ker’lan scanned him with one of his devices.
“You’re clean.” The surgeon declared. He turned toward the Commander. “I have heard of your plan. I wished to voice a thought, if I may.”
“Of course.” Said La’ra.
“If your goal is to show the Rebels as the more offensive of the contending groups…” The doctor began. His words were stiff, rehearsed. “..perhaps you should try to restrain the side we favor from any more unfortunate actions. The Federation may insist that neutral parties look into the situation, and if so…”
“…it would be better to present them with a prettier picture than the Rebels can.” La’ra finished.
“Yes.” The surgeon confirmed.
“You’re correct.” La’ra nodded. “I will consider your suggestion.”
The Doctor nodded once, stiffly, and left the room.
“The transporter technician completed your medical scan.” La’ra stated.
“Yes.” Ran’jar replied. “Our doctor has his own pet causes, I’d suppose.”
“Naturally.” La’ra rubbed his temple. “But he’s right.”
“Right because it will give us an advantage or right in that we should use to opportunity to restrain Heartreaver from any more atrocities?” Ran’jar had that testing look in his eyes. La’ra smiled.
“Both.”
“I always knew you were softer than you let on.” Ran’jar snorted. There was an odd quality to the noise. A concealed chuckle perhaps.
“You find her actions honorable?” La’ra asked, tone serious.
The First Officer regarded him coldly, and shrugged in a most uncharacteristic fashion.
“No.” He said. “I do not.”
-
La'ra! An update! you can't stop now m8. Gimme more!
-
Ah! The Gods have smiled upon the world today as mana from the heavens rain down amid us!!!
Phoo!!! (SPIT!)
No...wait...that's just bird doo-doo... Anyway, we got an update.
A meager transporter room scene though it was. Perhaps if he weren't Misti-fied so often...
;D
-
A very short update to a story I'm sure people think I've forgotten. No excuse on this one except that, for some reason, it comes to me slower than almost anything else I've attempted to write.
That said, hope you enjoy this (tiny) chapter...
--------------------
“This is Commander La’ra of the Imperial Klingon battlecruiser Hiv’laposh. A matter of grave import has arisen on Kelor Prime.” La’ra began. Around him, the bridge crew sat in silence. “Rebel forces opposing the rule of Queen Naharra the Fourth has recently begun a campaign of genocide in the areas controlled by their forces.”
“On the sixth day of Kromarg, forces under my command prevented the execution of at least a dozen noncombatants who had been accosted by Rebel troopers. Following this action, we obtained clear evidence that Kelorian Rebels are operating a series of death camps in which they deposit Naharran loyalists and any others who oppose their insurrection.”
“Orbital surveys had already provided us with some idea of these so-called freedom fighters campaign of terror, but now our suspicions can be backed up with proof. Attached to this transmission are the data files collected by my ground forces following the raid. These files contain confessions by Rebel officers, eyewitness accounts from Kelor civillians, video and audio records showing the incident that led to Klingon intervention and other data that will show I speak the truth.”
He nodded toward Ran’jar. The First pressed a button, relaying the data.
“Given that this is an matter internal to the Kelor, it may be asked why our government is choosing to make other authorities aware of this situation. It is well known that the Empire supports Queen Naharra and that the Rebels have gained much sympathy within the United Federation of Planets. What is not so well known is that Starfleet has gone to great lengths to support the Rebel forces -- the cruiser Constantinople is in orbit of Kelor Primes as I speak -- regardless of the atrocities they have committed against loyalist civillians.”
“This situation is undesirable to the Klingon Empire, as it perpetuates an unstable situation on a planet we have a clear interest in. A continuation of such pointless violence serves neither side. It is for this reason that we call upon a neutral power…to be approved by both Queen Naharra and the Insurrectionist leaders…to arbitrate the conflict that currently divides the Kelor people.”
La’ra motioned to Ran'jar.
“Transmission completed.” Ran’jar announced.
The Commander let out a sigh. The Constantinople was on the viewscreen. There was, of course, no visible reaction from the Federation cruiser. He wondered if the same was true of her Captain.
“Now we see if this works.” He declared.
-
RBAG could serve as the neutral party!
I wonder who you might be pulling out of the hat for this one, eh La'ra?
I await more of course.
Been doing a great deal of writing myself, the last 2 days. The new idea for story 5 is going along much more smoothly. You'll like the trouble Thomas gets into...
Anyway, give me more!
--thu guv!
-
And lo, the glacier moved...
-------
“Are you insane?!” Heartreaver screamed.
La’ra smiled. He tried for a cold smile. He was not so good at cold; the expression came across as malicious rather than sociopathic.
“Not at all.” He answered.
“I told you…I told you!…I would not negotiate with these people! Now you ask me to limit my own activities because of you decided we must talk!”
The Queen was putting on a show. They were not alone. Several aides and guards were standing about the throne room, looking on in impassive support of their soveriegn. La’ra understood the pattern; only those she was pleased with met her in private.
“I was unaware the Klingon Empire had become so soft!” She continued. “Negotiation! Neutral parties! When did your warriors become Federation puppets?!”
La’ra continued to smile. He said nothing.
“You have nothing to say for yourself? No excuse for this incompetence?” Heartreaver demanded.
“I was waiting for you to finish your tantrum.” The Commander replied.
Heartreaver recoiled. For a glimmer, her armor was gone, her dark eyes wide with anger and mania. She regrouped just as quickly, replacing insanity with haughty obligation.
“You will not speak to me in such a manner.” She said, as evenly as she could manage. Hers was not a cold anger, but fury under tight control could be intimidating, so she made the attempt.
“And you will not dictate the actions of an officer of the Klingon fleet.” La’ra snarled quietly. “Unless you no longer value the Empire’s assistance…?”
The Monarch stared at him, her eyes continuing to boil.
“Assistance…offering parley to rebellious merchants who’ll accept nothing short of my gory death…what assistance is there in that?”
“Had you allowed some explanation before your tirade you would already know.” He retorted. “You claim that prior to the Constantinople’s arrival your troops were all but victorious. We are unable to provide direct support. The best we can help you achieve is a stalemate.”
“A stalemate is better than…”
“…than victory?” La’ra barked. “I doubt that. With both of us in orbit, you can achieve little. With both of us gone, your forces hold the advantage.”
Heartreaver frowned. La’ra continued.
“The Federation will happily support your adversaries if no one hears about it.” He explained. “But now the entire sector has heard about it. There will be an uproar, I assure you.”
“You’re gambling.” She said, realization dawning. “You are gambling that public knowledge of our conflict will force the Federation to recall their ship. And then you will withdraw as a sign of ‘good faith’.”
The Commander did not grin. A good plan it was, but enacting it for Heartreaver’s benefit soured his enjoyment of the scheme.
“You risk my throne on your…analysis of the Federation reaction.”
“Yes.” La’ra agreed. He was fairly assured how the Federation government would react. Even if knowledge of Heartreaver’s tyranny galvanized the Earther’s and their allies, there’d likely be a period of confusion the Queen could exploit. If there wasn’t, he could at least maintain the stalemate. “But the risk is calculated. I’ll contact you with any developments.”
The Commander turned to leave. No one objected.
-
I like that. Your ananysis of Federation politics is spot on, and in line with your opinion of the Feds through TOS, with examples of their "brush war" mentality in 'Friday's Child' and 'A Private Little War'. This does seem to be at the far edge of their morals for the Happy Shiny UFP, especially if there are attrocities being commited with Starfleet's knowledge, if not support, but it is concurrent with the 'brush war' mentality of the 1970s-80s.
The scenes themselves do seem kinda bare-bones though, but I don't know what I would have added to flesh it out. The message comes through loud and clear, but it is kinda stark. Looking forwards to more.
-
I find that I must agree with Andy on the starkness note. Sometimes, though, a bare-bones scene must be written when the mind tells the tale but the mood does not flow into it...
Some detail on surroundings, those individuals in the room. Stuff like that I tend to leave out on first draft when my mood is lacking, then go back and add later on as I re-read my crap. But then, focussing in on just the conversation and the persons speaking has merits too. It consentrates your attention (as the reader) on just what the author is trying to get across.
La'ra hates dealing with this woman, but must. He is ordered to ensure she comes out on top, so he will. He has come out with a plan that is the most likely to succeed. It sweetens the pot, for La'ra, that the Queen won't like the idea. Therefor La'ra, as always, wins. And he gets to be at least a little bit happy about what he did.
My opinion...La'ra should provide the rebels with a nuke to kill the Queen, then install a puppet governor in her place to carry out the interests of the Empire! Glory to the Empire!
--thu Guv!
-
*rolls another barrel down the ramp*
------------------
La’ra paced the length of his quarters.
There’d yet to be any solid reaction from the Constantinople. That wasn’t surprising; less than twelve hours had passed since his broadcast, his meeting with the queen.
Communications activity from the Starfleet ship had increased dramatically. They were discussing the situation with someone. The Federation Civil broadcasts were starting to note the situation. That was good, but he wanted more.
He came close to hitting the intercom switch, asking the bridge watch, once again, if there’d been any change in the Constantinople’s status. He’d done so an hour before. Had there been something, he’d have been notified. He did a few more slow laps around his room before snarling at his own impatience. He headed for his bathtub, undressing as he went.
The big copper basin was perhaps a third full when the intercom buzzed.
“What?” He snapped at the speaker.
“Commander, I think there’s something you need to see.”
The voice was Leral’s and the com indicated she was calling from the command center. La’ra glanced at the clock; her watch had been over some time ago, which probably meant she was trying to analyze some odd blip on the sensors.
“Coming.” He answered. Leral’s odd blips were usually trouble.
He threw a fur-lined robe over himself and stalked off toward the bridge.
* * *
“This could be anything.” He rumbled.
“It could be, sir.” Leral agreed. They were staring at a sensor profile of the Constantinople. All appeared normal, save for one small detail. “But I don’t think so.”
“How long ago did they increase power?” The Commander asked. Hiv’laposh’s sensor crew had been watching the Federation ship for days. They knew her scent well enough to spot anomalies.
“About an hour. I looked back through the logs.” She answered. Around them, the bridge was quiet. The night watch was accustomed to La’ra appearing at odd hours, but the sensor chief’s continued presence, the fact that their Commander was wearing only a robe…those were reasons for eavesdropping and concern.
La’ra nodded. “Did you inform L’dar?”
“Yes.” Leral replied. “He…said it could be anything. Some experiments I’ve run in the lab took more power than this. He said I should tell you.”
La’ra nodded.
“Any change in their orbit?” He snarled. Like his own ship, the Starfleet cruiser was in a geosynchronous pattern, holding above the same spot on the planet. Neither ship had been willing to leave the battle sites unobserved.
Leral pressed a button on her console.
“No…but there will be.”
La’ra frowned. Leral’s eyebrows had raised slightly.
“She’s altered her heading slightly…very slightly.” Leral continued. “Away from the planet.”
La’ra stared at Leral’s data.
“She’s expanding her orbit.”
“Yes, sir, just slightly. Few kilometers per rotation.”
“I see.” He stood, fully, adjusting his robe. The Lieutenant nominally in charge of this watch was standing, assuming La’ra would soon be easing into the command chair.
“Lieutenant…” La’ra began. “Bring us to a precautionary alert. Personnel only. Do not standby the weapons or raise the shields.”
“My Lord.” The younger officer assented. La’ra frowned.
“Address me as sir.” He warned.
“Yes…sir.” The Lieutenant said, conscious of his gaffe.
“A common mistake.” La’ra confided. The Lieutenant began the alert procedure.
“They’re up to something?” Leral asked from her station.
“Not something.” La’ra growled. “They’re going to attack.”
-
hmm...I would think the Feds wouldn't be quite so ready to shoot considering the situation.
Roms, maybe, any little thing panics them...
-
Ok, so where is the rest? :o
-
Soooo... Famed Stator Fleet is going to attack? Not only that, but attack the Bandito? How very unlike them. What possible reason can they have, beyond bruised pride at being politically outwitted by a dumb Klingon brute? ;D
-
Eh, I think that'd be a typical initial Klingon reaction. La'ra isn't your stereotypical Klingon brute, but he is a Klingon warrior. Of course, I'm not saying I'm certain that the Feds won't attack(although I agree with Andy... what reason would they have to do so?), just that I don't think they will start a furball simply because they came out on the wrong end of some backwater planet's political intrigue.
However, I know La'ra, so I'm fully prepared for him to prove me wrong and make me look like a bonehead. ;D
-
I have a sneaking suspiscion that La'ra (the author) is about to show us something that almost never happens in a La'ra (the character) story. La'ra might have just made a ...gasp...mistsake! But only time...much...much time and La'ra's continued....if belated... poting shall show us if any of us are right in our assumptions.
---thu guv!
-
I have a sneaking suspiscion that La'ra (the author) is about to show us something that almost never happens in a La'ra (the character) story.
La'ra makes mistakes all the time, I just don't...emphasize them. He also tends to be lucky, which probably makes them less noticable.
-
Well, I'd have to pick through one of your stories to find one. But no matter. You emulate an odd mix of TMP Klingon (tempered by Worfisms) and heavy TOS elements. Kirk never made a real mistake. So it fits.
I like for the main guys to just f*ck up every once in a while. Keeps 'em honest. This is by no means a degradation of your esteemed body of work, however!
--thu guv!
-
Kirk never made a real mistake.
Oh-ho ho!
Ilia was kidnapped off his bridge in ST:TMP after he disregarded his XO's counsel.
You think forgetting to put up his shields in STII wasn't a real mistake? Many people died from that.
Blindly accepting that 'Starfleet Command' received his hail during a mutiny in STV was pretty dumb.
His prejudice against Klingons almost allowed a war to start in STVI.
And there were plenty of mistakes made in TOS too.
-
Oh, noooo....
Not Kirk. Noooo.... ;D
--thu guv!
-
At long last...she's finished.
Lemme know what ya' think of the finished product as well as these last two parts. Been a long time coming, but I think I can be proud of 'er.
------------------------
The bridge was still in motion, more experienced personnel relieving the younger evening watch.
“Starfleet’s going to attack?” Ran’jar scoffed. He was clad in his uniform pants, the black turtleneck that was usually the first layer of the Klingon uniform.
“She’s slow charging her phaser reserves.” La’ra explained his suspicion. “Building up power quietly. And look at her heading.”
Ran’jar sat at his console, frowning. A button or two was pressed. The First’s frown deepened.
“Do you see it?” La’ra asked.
“She’s up to something…” Ran’jar grumbled.
“If she goes to full impulse…” La’ra grinned. “…she’s turned just enough her course will put us between her and the planet, well inside their optimum range.”
“All stations report alert status, Commander.” Someone announced.
“Good.” La’ra answered, turned back to the comm panel. Ran’jar was shaking his head.
“Uncharacteristic.” He growled.
The Commander nodded and turned toward the viewscreen. The Constantinople was framed there, looking bright and innocent.
“I underestimated him.” La’ra admitted.
“How so?”
“Starfleet talks endlessly about their morals…their laws.” La’ra quietly explained. “Yet here he is, supporting cowards, butchers. We’re doing the same, but our own government makes no pretensions of altruism.”
“You would rather not be supporting the Queen.” Ran’jar reminded.
“Indeed.” La’ra paused a second, continuing to study the Federation cruiser. “But there are advantages to it, if one looks for them. She is an unstable ruler. The Empire will not tolerate her for long, and any change we make will be toward…security. There’s some benefit for the Kelor in this, I think.”
“I was disappointed in our Starfleet friend and failed to realize he’s using similar logic.” La’ra continued. “He probably hates his ‘allies’ as much as I detest Heartreaver, but if he wins, his side gains a measure of control…they can make things here more…palatable.”
The First considered.
“Disappointed?” Ran’jar asked.
“I’ve been spoiled by Sharps, Kirks, and Bates.” Said La’ra. “They have a touch of Klingon in them, to back up their fragile ideals.”
“Those willing to break their own rules, disobey their orders, to find the perfect solution?”
La’ra nodded. “Yes. But here both our orders have…reason, behind them. And this prevents any perfect solution.”
“Like killing the Queen and installing a puppet government?”
“That does sound close to perfect.” La’ra grumbled.
The Klingons were quiet for a moment. Other officers called out the status of various systems. Bridge indicators hummed and whistled.
“If she gets into the position her Captain wants, she’ll have the advantage.” La’ra growled. Klingon ships used speed and turning ability to maximum advantage. Starfleet ships were clumsier, but if the Hiv’laposh were hemmed in by the planet, her edge would be dulled.
“We could shift our own orbit. If he attacks then, the fight will be even.”
“Yes…” La’ra let the word trail off into a hiss. “…and he might use the excuse to attack. Our friend isn’t stupid…he’s either going to arrange provocation or wait for us to provide it. We’ll have to be…friendly about it.”
“We haven’t made a report to Sector Command in over twelve hours. A higher orbit would allow a more secure transmission.” Ran’jar informed.
La’ra grinned. The expression was wide and in total earnest, something he hadn’t managed in days.
“What’s the helmsman’s name?” La’ra whispered.
Ran’jar rolled his eyes.
“Danok.”
La’ra nodded, moved toward the center of the bridge. On the viewscreen, the Constantinople still looked pastoral. He took another second to study it, then strolled toward the helm.
“Ensign Danok.” He said to the lanky Klingon who did the steering. “In just a moment, I’m going to order you to shift orbit. You’re going to do so in a manner that leaves up in an excellent position to break orbit and accelerate to full impulse. But I want you to make it a very…casual manuever. Not sloppy. Do you take my meaning.”
“Like we were heading to dump our garbage, sir?” Danok had a bushy goatee. It bobbled as he spoke.
“Yes.”
“Understood.” The helmsman affirmed. La’ra moved back to the command chair, activated the intercom. L’dar’s rumbling voice answered the summons.
“We may need to accelerate quickly to full impulse and cold start our shields. Be ready in two minutes.” La’ra instructed. He deactivated the link before his brother could protest; now wasn’t the time for argument. He was still grinning. “I think we’d better make our Federation friends aware of our intention. To avoid any possible misunderstanding. First?”
Ran’jar nodded once and pressed a button. There was a crackle from the overhead speakers.
“USS Constantinople.” La’ra began. “We are due to make a report to Sector Command. We are moving to a higher orbit for clearer communication. We will begin our maneuver momentarily.”
“Inform Kelor orbital control.” La’ra added. Ran’jar did so. Best for everyone to know what was going on, of course. The Commander waited a respectable amount of time.
“Now.” He said to Danok.
The old battlecruiser edged forward, pulling away from the planet in a long upward bank. There was no quiver in the deck, no lurch from churning impulse engines. La’ra watched his command indicator anyway, admiring the laziness of the course. Nearby, Leral’s eyes were locked on her console. Any moment she could yell a warning. La’ra would have a second at most to order full impulse, shields. Then the Hiv’laposh would pull into open space and engage her foe. Certain parts of La’ra’s soul wouldn’t mind that a bit.
“No change…” Leral called out. The shift was a third completed.
If the Constantinople was going to act, it’d be in the next few seconds, La’ra decided. His ship was superior to the Starfleet cruiser. The Federation captain had tactical sense. He’d attack now or not at all.
The Hiv’laposh climbed away from Kelor, settling into a high, comfortable orbit.
No attack came.
-
The Queen’s displeasure had grown. Her throne room was packed, now, legions of advisors, guards, courtesans, and hangers-on. Whatever function they normally served, today they were here to remind La’ra just how many people Heartreaver held at her whim.
The Queen was on her throne of course. She was a sight to behold, clad in a little silk and a lot of jewels, sunlight streaming through the chamber’s giant windows to illuminate her as if she were an idol, or perhaps a goddess. Her eyes though, were haughty ice.
“Our planet is blessed.” She began. “No less than six governments have offered to act as mediator, between my regency and the Rebel upstarts.”
La’ra listened, smiling slightly. He’d called on the palace to announce the Hiv’laposh’s impending departure. The Constantinople was already gone. She’d left only hours after the crisis point, or at least, what he considered the crisis point. The tiny power surge that’d aroused his suspicions had disappeared after his battlecruiser had shifted orbit.
He couldn’t truly know what the Starfleet Captain had intended. Seeking battle was not usual for Starfleet. Many things about the Kelor situation were not usual for Starfleet.
Ran’jar was unconvinced of course. He didn’t grant the Federation enough will for such tactics. But there was a tug in La’ra’s stomach that made him believe otherwise, and he hoped the feeling was correct; if it were so, that meant the Constantinople’s captain was of a type too few in the galaxy.
Heartreaver was still talking.
“It’s been suggested among my advisors that, perhaps, we might consider the Betazoid offer.” Heartreaver continued. “Apparently some among my own people have been infected with your weakness."
La’ra raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected another tantrum in front of her assembled court, but it seemed one was coming.
“What right did you have to declare that I was willing to negotiate!” She demanded, standing. “We have allied ourselves to the Empire on the basis of Klingon strength and yet I find myself being urged to talk terms! To parley with those who threaten my rule!”
She stormed down from her raised pedestal. Her voice increased in volume, decreased in control.
“Well know this: My price for our resources, those things your government craves…has changed. Your rank…your ship…your head if I feel the need…those will be provided to me or Kelor will be of no worth to the Klingon Empire or…”
“Silence!” La’ra barked.
Heartreaver, perhaps, wasn’t surprised. Her court was a different story. There were wide eyes, sudden intakes of breath. Guards fingered their weapons, though cautiously.
“You feel…” He asked, quietly. “…that you’ve been treated unfairly?”
“I feel that you’d best mind your tounge in my court, Klingon. Here you have only what I grant…”
“I have my battlecruiser in orbit.” La’ra warned. “Which means I do as I please.”
The Queen did not blink. She was silent. Apparently, her mind was capable of that kind of logic.
“You have an oppurtunity here.” The Commander advised. “You have time until any negotiations can be arranged. Time to batter the Rebels until their bargaining position is quite poor, time perhaps, to defeat them.”
“I told you that I will not compromise.” She was quiet now, her voice low enough that her courtiers could not hear.
“You will if you wish to keep your throne. You speak of your advisor's wishes...your power isn’t quite as centered as you’d like, is it? How much foolishness will you have to display before one of your supporters sticks a knife in your pretty back?” He spoke loudly, boldly. “The Klingon Empire desires stability on this world. If you cannot provide it, we’ll happily deal with your…successor.”
Heartreaver’s eyes narrowed. La’ra grinned.
“Get out.” She spat.
“Gladly, and with more pleasure than you can imagine.”
The Commander turned and strolled out. He didn’t look back.
End
-
A good story. My favourite lines are typical La'ra, the last of which is in this chapter"
“What’s the helmsman’s name?” La’ra whispered.
Ran’jar rolled his eyes.
However, I'm sorry but I still don't quite get Constantinople's motive to attack. I understand that the Federation is hoping to have their side win so that they can send in advisers and kerb the violence, but I don't understand why the Starfleet ship would attack the Klingon ship. Or rather, how doing so would improve Starfleet's (& the Federation's) position. La'ra already sent out the message, it's already in the sector's comm. nets.
I understand that it is technically possible that the Starfleet ship is charging it's weapons and altering course to attack. it is technically and tactically possible.
I just don;t understand why it is being done/considered.
-
I just don't understand why it is being done/considered.
Nor do you know, really, if it was actually being considered. ;D
-
So it is merely La'ra's gut instinct insisting, despite very little evidence to the contrary? Even he doesn;t know they why of it?
-
La'ra doesn't KNOW they were going to attack; that's what his instincts told him, that's what his tactical sense told him, and he was convinced enough that the Federation's usual modus operandi wasn't applying in this case. I thought I made that relatively clear in the last scene. If not, I'll have to revisit it.
In any case, La'ra was convinced...but I'll leave speculation on whether or not he was right to you and others.
I know, of course, but I ain't tellin'. ;D
-
Well, you told ME... But I ain't tellin' either!
I liked the ambiguity you left it in. It was a good pose to have Constantinople just absent in the final scene. The Empire was victorious, just as is right and proper in the galaxy. Ooooo-RAW!
This is indeed among your best. It had illuded me how long it was taking you to write it. As you say, it takes the great Mt. Larry much time to get around to many....MANY things, but the fac that it was on the order of a YEAR floored me. It was well worth the wait, however! I still laugh over the SW references, the one in the throne room surprised me. LOVED it!
I like that you threw in the Ron'jar remained unconvinced. But as always, your faithfull First supported his commander. This is vintage Ron'jar, no matter how mangled his name is in this Alternate Reality.
And I do like tha fact that you diffused the possible combat scene without a shot fired. Not even a stare-down. And you did it in such a manner as it wasn't a joy killer, like all those almost fights in 'Wheel of Time' we spoke about. (and for the fans of this, mind you I have only read about 1/2 of the first novel, and did not find it to my liking) I hate a joy-killer where you wait and wait for an actions scene, the author-director dangles one in front of you...then lets the situation dies...fizzle with no resolution...
This story did not do that, and I am proud you managed to avoid such a feeling. Bravo!
I hope that La'ra, in the coming years, will revisit this world, and show the 'years-After'. I'd be interested to know what fruit bears on that particular tree after it ripens.
My thoughts!
--thu guv!
-
Ok, you know I dislike her, and you know that leaves me a bit biased. Me, I say just kill her. Siad it on the first day I saw her.
Love you
-
I definitely liked this one. 'Theft, Honor, and Family' along with 'Strange Harvest' are my favorites of all your stories, but this one definitely ranks up there with those two. It definitely has that TOS, "Cold War" feel to it, as we see the Klingons and Federation competing against each other by proxy for control over a planet.
The scene at the end with the Federation ship confused me a bit at first, and I'm still not quite sure why the Fed would come in like he was on the attack and then not do anything. Maybe it's simply the fact that we don't even see the Feds themselves at all, so we don't know what's going on on their end, or maybe that we're looking at it through the eyes of a Klingon warrior, who thinks differently than the Fed captains we're used to seeing in stories. Nevertheless, it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the story, so I'm not really complaining.
So, in conclusion, another great story! When's the next one? ;D
-
The scene at the end with the Federation ship confused me a bit at first, and I'm still not quite sure why the Fed would come in like he was on the attack and then not do anything.
Well he wasn't 'coming in'...he was positioning himself so that he could attack and have the advantage at any particular point...or so La'ra believed.
The next one? Sooner than you think, hopefully. It's done already, I just had to transcribe it.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback, btw. I appreciate it.
-
Welcome as always.
--thu guv!