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During the entire voyage, the crew of the Firestorm was bristling with excitement. Rumors were rampant, with speculation of what the future would hold. Koord let them guess. It occupied their minds and kept them alert. It also had the advantage of keeping the crew battle ready, the way they should be! Koord knew that Dar would keep them in line. After all, each one was hand-picked and absolutely loyal!
After leaving his headquarters, the ship made a quick trip to K'rish'tka, the Empire's research and development center. There he took aboard Kef, a young, but very intelligent and promising scientist. Along with Kef, they loaded one of the new 'silent stalkers,' the Empire's latest and most impressive weapons system. Incredibly, it was invented by the young scientist, Kef. For such a 'young pup,' he was truly talented.
From there, they had proceeded straight to Federation space! At that point, the crew really became excited. Perhaps the treaty was no longer in effect. Maybe this ship was on a first strike mission to Starfleet Headquarters itself!
Koord had laughed at all the rumors. He never had to use the cover story that Karn had provided, it wasn't necessary. But he held it in reserve, just in case.
Upon entering Federation space, it was all he could do to contain his crew. Shortly after entering, they received an official welcome by a Federation starship. Koord only had to use the code word, Phoenix, and the Firestorm was allowed to pass without question. The general was impressed, and more importantly, so was the crew. Even Dar had expressed a great amount of respect. The old general seemed to have a never-ending show of talents and surprises.
When the large Klingon cruiser passed the outer markers of the Terran system, they slowed and requested permission and instructions for achieving orbit. Surprisingly, the request was treated as if Klingon warships entered this area routinely. Without delays, security scans or inspections, the Firestorm was given permission for a berth in Starfleet's massive spacedock!
At that point the crew was genuinely impressed. They knew Koord was held in a position of honor in the Federation, but all of this was truly beyond belief. Koord had said nothing and just smiled slightly. He let them be impressed by his importance; it helped to keep them in line.
Now they approached Earth itself. Everyone was awestruck and excited! They found many ships in orbit. Most were familiar: Terran, Vulcan, Andorian, and more, but a few were strange, even to the ship's computers. Their obvious particulars were put into the records, but a detailed scan would have been inappropriate.
As they passed Luna's position, Firestorm received a call from Admiral Kensington, the Chief of Special Operations. Koord knew of this human; he was honorable and, in his own way, important within Starfleet.
The general took the call himself. "Admiral Kensington, you are known within the Empire and your name is spoken with honor. I am here as friend and ally, as we arranged."
"General Koord, I know of your place in Klingon history. It is your presence that honors us. I trust you have received your berthing assignment. Does it meet with your approval?"
'By the Gods! These humans knew how to treat a Klingon well,' he thought. "Most satisfactory, can you have docking instructions relayed to my helmsman?"
"Certainly General and Commander of Front Line Defense Forces of the Klingon Empire, open your navigation channel, please."
The old General nodded his approval of both the suggestion and the use of his proper Klingon title. "As the human said, Dar, open the channel."
Dar said nothing, merely stiffening to attention and nodding in acknowledgement.
Within minutes, the heavy outer doors of the large facility opened to admit its first Klingon man-of-war. Two tractor beams smoothly guided the grey-green ship into a berth next to an equally impressive Federation ship, the newest dreadnought, the U.S.S. Alliance.
The only disappointment Koord felt, was not being able to see the looks on the faces of the spacedock personnel. Now that would have been glorious!
As soon as the Firestorm was secured in its berth, Koord realized that the entire bridge crew had been quiet for at least thirty minutes. Now they all looked at him in total amazement. He returned their stares with a very large, enigmatic smile, giving a proper Klingon salute, which was returned by all present. The bridge was so quiet that only the clicks of the crew's body armor and sashes could be heard. Dar approached the general in awe.
Face to face with his trusted friend, the General spoke in a loud voice. "You see, anything is possible for General Koord."
Dar stood open mouthed and responded only by nodding slowly in the obvious affirmative. Before anyone could speak, the comm board chirped. The noise startled the communications officer but he recovered quickly and looked at Koord with an unspoken question.
Koord acknowledged the young lieutenant, "Yes, Atar, you have something?"
"My Lord, Admiral Karn wishes to see you at your pleasure."
"He does, eh? Have him brought aboard then."
The junior comm officer turned back to his board and relayed the message, then spoke to the old general again. "Sir, he asks you to come to his office at Starfleet. Evidently you are expected at once!"
Protocol would demand that Karn would have to visit the Firestorm first. That way, it would not appear the Koord had been summoned like a junior officer, or worse, a servant. For the first time the bridge crew showed concern and doubt.
Koord demanded with a bellow, "Let me speak!"
The main viewer flickered and visual contact was established. Koord turned towards the image of his old friend and tried hard not to show his anger at the breach of protocol. "Karn, what is so urgent that you cannot share a tankard of blood wine in my cabin?"
"My lord, your presence is needed at Starfleet Headquarters. Many important people wait for your arrival and I have an entire keg of Romulan ale for you!"
The Firestorm's bridge crew broke up laughing at the comment. The laughter was appropriate. It was also a healthy release of the tension that had grown from what appeared as a break with protocol. But Karn had corrected that impression by verbally placing Starfleet at Koord's pleasure. Then there was the Romulan ale. 'Nice touch Karn,' thought Koord. That offer even impressed the general. Romulan ale was illegal within the Federation and, the only way a Klingon would possess it, was if it were taken from a Romulan, a dead Romulan at that.
"Very well, Karn. Since it seems so important to you and Starfleet, I'll let you off the hook. Will you arrange the transport?"
Now the general had put Karn in the service of the Firestorm and, more importantly, Koord himself.
"Yes, General; Starfleet transporters await. They will bring you directly to my office. Stand by!"
Turning back to face Dar, Koord relayed a few orders. "You have command, Colonel. I will make all necessary arrangements with Starfleet and Karn. Then I will contact you, understood?"
"Yes, my lord!" With those words, Dar had not only acknowledged the orders but the general's standing with Starfleet.
The comm board crackled again and Karn's voice was heard over the open channel. "Ready when you are."
Koord's booming voice filled the small bridge easily. "Transport now!"
The general felt the tingle of a human transporter for the third time in his life. Soon he would have the answers to a great number of questions!
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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