SIMPLE PLAN 

Lieutenant Kozan has arrived at Starbase 47 to meet with the captain of the USS Adventure. For the past two years, Lt. Kozan had been one of the few Starfleet representatives that the Romulans were willing to communicate with, mostly because he was not human.  It is because of this reason he was chosen by Starfleet to meet with the newly declared provisional Reman leadership to determine what role the Federation can play during this time of change with the Velorum. 

The USS Adventure, being a small unassuming ship would be ideal for getting him to the rendezvous spot without attracting much attention. 

SURPRISE 

A young ensign is on duty at the transporter pad of Starbase 47, when he receives a message to transport one to the station from a nearby transport ship. He runs through the normal routine and checks all the functions. ‘Buffer checks out’. The ensign thought to himself, but something did not look right.  He looked up and watched as the bright glow dissipated as the energy was converted into matter on the pad.  With the transport process completed, what stood before him caused a  shiver to run down his spine. He froze for a moment and then immediately activated the emergency alarm. 

In another part of the starbase, R-Tor and Mark were walking down a hallway to a meeting room. They were in the middle of sharing their insights into  the hair-raising incident that took place just a few weeks ago,  Mark mentioned that most of the crew was healing up. “It could have been much worse.” he added. R-Tor agreed, “You could have remained a cat forever.” He chuckled. 

Mark frowned and rolled his eyes at his captain’s mock humor. 

 “Be that as it may.” Allowing his captain to enjoy the slight jib. “It is a good thing that we have officers that can handle difficult situations.” Mark replied. 

R’Tor cocked his head to the side with a toothy grin, “And that is why, as a first officer, it is important to listen to your team…” before he could finish his sentence alarms started blaring. 

Red flashing lights began to pulsate throughout the corridors an automated announcement sounded. “Red Alert…security to transporter room 4….Red Alert….security to transporter room 4”

When you serve in Starfleet, it is a bit like being a fireman sometimes. One does not run away from danger, but instead runs toward it. When the warning messages and alarms were alerting people to danger and to find safety, many of the Adventure’s crew would go find out what was causing the alert. 

For example, R-Tor and Mark abruptly ended their conversation and ran down the corridor to the nearest turbo lift.  They would have to go up four decks before they arrived at the transporter room. 

Colt, was laying on the floor under helm control when he heard the alert. With a decoupler between his teeth and his arms inside an open panel, the alarms sounded just when he touched an electrified junction. In addition to getting a shock, the alert caused him to jump and he banged his head. Colt spit the decoupler out of his mouth and swore under his breath,  because he cracked one of his teeth. He crawled out from underneath the station and realized that the alarms had nothing to do with his work. Instead the message indicated there was an issue at transporter room #4. He snarled as he grabbed up a bag of tools and set off in that direction, just in case they needed an extra hand.  

Clark and Dr. Valeria were playing a very focused game of Kal-Toh. Her eyes gave nothing away as Clark contemplated his next move. Several others in the lounge watched from a respectable distance so as to not disturb the pair. They had been playing for the last hour and a half. Both competitors were close to winning. Clark’s ability to play the game intrigued the doctor, but then again humans sometimes had a way of surprising her. Clark’s hand was steady as he held the final piece aloft. His experience as a shuttle pilot required focus and concentration, which were essential in Kal-Toh. Of course beating his Vulcan crewmate would be quite the boon.  After choosing the right location, he  stretched out his arm to set the piece. At that same moment, the alarms went off causing him to jump and he dropped the piece into the game. He watched stunned as the pile of game pieces imploded into a jumbled mess. 

Wordless, Dr. Valeria looked like she levitated out of her chair and strode toward the exit. Clark stood up and was hot on her heels, “That’s not my move!” he repeated as he chased after her, but unfortunately his protests went unanswered. 

TRANSPORTER ROOM 

Two security officers were just about to rush into the transporter room when  R-Tor and his bridge team arrived on the scene. “What’s going on?” R-Tor growled. One security officer shook his head while the other shrugged. The large cat gave a motion with his hand letting security know they should enter. 

The doors slid open and everyone started to rush inside, but both security officers stopped dead in their tracks once they entered the room, this caused the others to get jammed in the doorway. 

All eyes turned toward the transporter pad. Each person had a different reaction, but they were all surprised to see the individual on the pad, till R-Tor spoke up, “Koz?”  He was shocked to see his old friend, who also happened to be a Gorn. 

A stocky Gorn wearing a Starfleet uniform turned slightly to reply,  “Lieutenant Kozan reporting as ordered.” The gruff announcement emanated from his specialized translator which was worn like a collar around his neck. 

“Stand down everyone….Lieutenant Kozan is a Starfleet officer” R-Tor ordered. 

A LITTLE WHILE LATER 

After the alarms were shut off, and security was reassured that everything was safe, the group dispersed. R-Tor and Mark escorted Koz to a briefing room. “You sure gave that ensign a fright.” R-Tor grinned. 

“Ya…You think he’d never seen a Gorn before.” Koz remarked. Mark tried to contain his composure but admitted to himself that he felt a bit of in trepidation being in this officer’s presence. 

R-Tor leaned back in a chair, “So what brings you to this part of the galaxy?”  

Koz held a PADD in his claws. “Actually…” he drawled without the help of his translation device. For small words he preferred to use his own voice, but for long sentences he relied upon the translator. “I am here to recruit you for an important mission.” He answered and then continued, “Have ya ever heard of the Velorum System?”  Mark and R-Tor exchanged glances and shook their heads. 

Koz continued, “I am not surprise, because its been in Romulan territory until recently.” With that he slid the PADD across the table. 

R-Tor glance at it, while Koz continued, ”Starfleet Intelligence has confirmed a major political shift in the Romulan Star Empire which resulted in many outlying systems declaring independence. This has, for obvious reasons caused some concern for Starfleet and the Federation Council.” 

He tapped one of his claws upon the table as he considered what he would say next. “As you will see, your official orders are to patrol the edge of Velorum space. Unofficially, you are requested to provide me transportation, to meet with the independent provincial leaders.”  

R-Tor let that sink in and glanced down at the PADD to review the details of the mission. A look of surprise and confusing appeared on his fact before he looked up and then back down again to clarify the text he just read.

 “No wonder, they are sending you.” R-Tor sounded impressed as he handed the PADD to his first officer. Mark glanced over the document and shook his head and looked at his captain and then over to the Gorn attaché in a Starfleet uniform.  “….Reman?”

INTRODUCTION

With the entire crew called together in docking bay two on Starbase 47, Mark Russell the first officer stepped in front of the fifty individuals whose responsibility it was to ensure the ship operated at all levels. He straightened himself and looked over to the bay entrance. The door opened and R’Tor stepped in and made his way toward Mark and was closely followed by another officer whose look caused a slight uproar from the assembled crew,

 “Captain on the deck!” Mark called out, which stifled the chatter of the crew.  Everyone came to attention and Mark sidestepped and took a position behind and to the right of his captain. 

“Thank you all for your patience…at ease,” R-Tor began. The crew went to parade rest, which was more comfortable than being at attention. “You’re here because we are taking on a mission that will require a great deal from us all…” As his deep blue eyes gazed upon his crew,  he only  noticed a few fresh faces. “If you’ve not heard the news, ,,, portions of the Romulan Star Empire have declared independence.” 

Several eyes widened and a few whispers began to rise up, but R’Tor quickly stifled them, “For this reason, we will patrol a sector that has declared independence.” R’Tor continued to explain the mission and its importance, how they will need to provide humanitarian aid if needed. He also warned that there is no telling what reaction the Romulans, or other factions could have in response to this declaration and while the Romulans do not appear to be acting currently, that the situation could change rapidly. He paused to catch his breath for a moment and continued, “What makes this different is that the majority of systems will consist primarily of Reman inhabitants.” 

A stir of concerned voices rose slightly. “For that reason,” R-Tor spoke in a louder and deeper  baritone voice that overwhelmed the whispers. “We are taking on a special operative,” He turned slightly to his left to recognize the officer and turned back to continue his speech,” “Lieutenant Kozan, as many of  you have already noticed is indeed a Gorn….but,” and the captain held up one furry finger to emphasize his point, “He is also a Starfleet Officer and is to be treated with the same curtesy and respect of anyone wearing this uniform….Am I understood?” 

The crew came to attention and responded in unison, “Sir, yes sir.”

Mark stepped forward and ordered them to report to their duty stations and that the ship would be departing the station within the hour.

BRIDGE

An hour later, R’Tor and the other bridge officers were settling in. “Clark take us out and could you set a course for the Quirinus System.” Clark smirked, “Do I have much of a choice?” He asked rhetorically. 

“Not unless you want to be court martialed,” R’Tor responded, understanding his pilots remarks were based in levity.  

“Hummm…Court martial verses stirring up a hornet’s nest of Romulans.” He stated as he waved his hands in front of him as if he was weighting the decision. Then he looked back at his captain with a smile. 

R’Tor crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes with no levity in his stance. 

Clark turned back to his station and ran through the procedures to disengage from the starbase. 

The ship moved away from the station and warped out of the area.  It was about this time when Lt. Koz stepped onto the bridge and reported that he had completed uploading the updated mission parameters and data into the computer system, including the most recent information on the Velorum sector. 

Ready Room which also doubled as R’Tor’s quarters was a tight squeeze for the three officers all sitting around a small round table. “Ok, Koz….out with it, what are we walking into ?” 

Kozan dipped his head as his translator began to warble. “My contact is a Ramen commander who is a major player at Port Umbra.”

Mark and R’Tor were just about to ask what the Port was, when Koz asked the computer to report on it. The computer began in its flat voice: “Port Umbra is a lucrative mining and trading post built within a large asteroid within the Penate Debris Field of the Quirinus System….This 6 – mile long by 4-mile wide post is built within an asteroid that is retrofitted with thrusters and rudimentary stabilizers.” 

Before the computer could continue to rattle on, Koz gave the order to end. 

ACT 2

The USS Adventure is traveling at warp three point five toward the Quirinus System. Kozan turned from the tactical station and his translator warbled as he reported, “We are entering the system sir.” 

R’Tor stood up, his ears perked up and twitched to the side a little. He looked around the bridge and then made his order. “Prepare to Drop to impulse.“ 

KLINGON SHIP QEYLIS

Commander Ustull of the Klingon Bird of Prey named QeylIS (Dark Hunter)  leaned against the captain’s chair. His mood was sour, because he wanted glory for himself and his crew, but instead they were sent to a relatively remote region of space to patrol the edge of Romulan space. He stared out the viewscreen into what he considered the emptiness of space. 

Ustull sneered, because he did not like placed on the outside of a battle. However, his connection to this new Klingon faction was precarious. A shout from his right drew his attention. 

“Commander, we are detecting a ship warping into this sector.”

Ustull threw himself into the command chair and barked orders. 

“Power weapons and prepare for battle.”  He bared his teeth and clenched his fist as his blood began to stir.  

Back on the USS Adventure inertial dampeners kicked in, and except for those beings with extraordinarily sensitivity the transitioned to normal space was barely noticeable. Upon the main view screen, the twin suns blazed. 

“Captains Log, Stardate 74927.6. We departed Starbase 47 two days ago and have entered the Quirinus system, this is a spectacular binary star system in the Velorum sector. While sensors indicate life sustaining planets, we are instead enroute to the asteroid field. We are to deliver Lieutenant Kozan, a special envoy from the Starfleet Diplomatic Corp to meet with a Reman representative. Hopefully, he can forge some form of agreement with this new independent government….On a personal note, I am still wary of what we could encounter.

“Set course for the asteroid field.” The XO ordered, as R’Tor sat back and watched as the crew went through their normal routine. 

The QeylIS melted into the shadows of its cloak as the USS Adventure began to traverse the system. It moved to a position above and behind the ship a predator ready to attack its prey. 

Out of the corner of Clark’s eye caught a small blip on the screen. Before he could react the entire ship rocked as a photon torpedo blasted into the side of ship. Everyone on the ship were thrown about, many were slammed to the floor or into a bulkhead. 

The crew was lucky because the ship’s advanced systems kicked in after the first hit. Red Alert alarms sounded, and red lights flashed, and the ship’s shields went up. When the ship was rocked by the second torpedo much of the energy was dispersed over the shields. 

“Bahhhh!” Commander Ustull howled. He watched in triumphant when the first blast hit and was angered when the second torpedo did not destroy the small ship and were out of firing range as it sped past the little ship. 

 “Bring us around for another pass.” Ustull snapped as he slammed his fist into the arm of the chair. Frustrated by what he considered his crew’s failure. 

“Evasive Maneuvers now!” R’Tor called as he picked himself up off the floor. 

Clark, with blood blurring his vision due to a gash from his head, reached over and tapped a few keys. In response to his commands, the ship swung wide and increased speed. 

By the time the Bird of Prey had maneuvered itself into another attack position, their prey was gone. 

“Where are they!” Hollard Ustull, as he stood up from the command chair and glared at the empty viewscreen. 

A Klingon bridge officer replied, “It’s moving at full impulse on a bearing of 277 mark 30. 

“Set an intercept course.” The Klingon commander demanded. 

“Sir.” the Klingon pilot turned to address his commander, “The ship will enter the asteroid field, before we can reach it.”

Ustull growled in response, “So….follow them.”

The pilot was shaken by this order but chose not to argue the point and turned to enter the commands needed to follow the ship into the dangerous area. 

ASTEROID FIELD 

Most of the Adventure’s crew was busy putting out fires and tending to the wounded, while the bridge crew attempted to determine who attacked them and how to avoid further damage. “Captain, we are losing power in the port nacelle,” reported Clark. 

“Can we make it to one of the planets ?” R’Tor asked. Clark shook his head in response as he struggled to maintain control of the ship, just then his control panel light up . 

“Sir!” Clark yelled., “Ship on an intercept course…I am moving to evade.”

“Do it…” R’Tor replied with full confidence in his pilot. 

Clark shook his head in disgust, as he struggled to maneuver the ship through the field. It is like I am flying an overweight cargo scow. He grumbled under his breath. “Captain, having difficulty maneuvering.” 

As the ship careened passed a medium sized rock, they just barely avoided getting hit by a disrupter blast, instead a portion of the asteroid broke off which caused the Bird of Prey to break off its pursuit. 

“Take us deeper into the asteroid field.” 

Colt contacted the bridge from engineering and informed the captain, “We have several issues here and we will lose power in about ten minutes unless we shut down and have time to do major repairs.”

R’Tor glared at his first officer, “Go see if you can help them out.”With that Mark dashed off the bridge in the direction of engineering. 

The idea that the ship floating dead in an asteroid field with a ship firing upon them caused R’Tor great concern and his tail twitched wildly in frustration.   

Sparks and small fires throughout the Adventure had repair crews scurrying from one location to another. 

“There!” R’Tor pointed on the view screen to a large asteroid. “Full impulse… I have an idea.” 

Sweat begin to bead upon Clark’s brow as he attempted to avoid the rocks that would do more damage to the ship as he tapped in the commands to fire the maneuvering thrusters. 

“What are you thinking sir?” Clark asked as his heart raced. 

R’Tor’s eyes narrowed as he sneered at the screen. “I am thinking of landing to buy us some time.”

R’Tor and Clark went back and forth for a few minutes, but they saw a large crater on the surface.  “Sensors indicate this rock has some magnetic resonance that should mask most  of our energy signals.” Clark informed his captain. 

“Perrrfet.” R’Tor trilled as his ears turned backward and flatted on top of his head.  

As the Klingon vessel attempted to reestablish a course that would allow them to fire on the ship again, but the ship’s pilot was having difficulty avoiding rocks and when one hit, it caused all the systems on the ship to flicker. 

Just a 10,000 kilometers away the USS Adventure cut its engine and power and floated to the surface of a rock where they disappeared inside the shadow of the crater. 

“They will eventually find us, so let’s get to work people,” R’Tor stated in his sternest voice any of his crew had heard him use. They could guess that he was concerned for their safety as well as the ship, but he also had a great weight upon him with the type of mission they were on as well. 

The Klingon Bird of Prey exited the asteroid field for a moment. 

“We will scan every inch of this area until we find them,”  Commander Ustull snarled. 

An officer at one of the displays informed the commander that they found a trail, mostly debris, but also an energy signature matching a Federation ship. 

“Can you follow it?” Ustull bared his teeth in furry, suggesting he did not want a negative answer. 

“Aye, sir.” Came the meek response.

“jaH” The commander ordered. 

USS ADVENTURE MEDICAL BAY

Most of the people in the bay had minor injuries, but a few had some head trauma that Doctor Valeria attending to immediately. Sitting in a chair with his arm in a sling, Lt. Kozan looked none too happy with his situation. 

When R’Tor approached he had one question on his mind. “What hit us?”

R’Tor shoot his head, “We’re not sure, but a review of the sensor records indicate it was an older Klingon Bird of Prey.  Kozan stood up quickly. “Klingons!?” His translator squawked. 

R’Tor held his hands up quickly, “We are not sure, it could just be pirates, but we had to hide inside of a creator to make repairs before we plan our next move.”

“How far are we from Port Umbria?” Kozan quired. 

“Funny you ask, that is what I wanted to ask you.” R’Tor’s right ear twitched suggesting he was hoping for good news. 

Kozan dipped his head for a moment and walked past the captain as he used a word that the device couldn’t or wouldn’t translate. But R’Tor got the idea to follow him. 

R’Tor and Kozan looked over what little sensor data they had and determined that they were on the opposite side of the field from their objective. The report from engineering was not inspiring. “Several EPS relays are complete fused, we have re-routed most of the secondary and primary systems, but propulsion and shields have major damage and would require a stop at a space dock to make the repairs.  only operate at 82%” reported the first officer. 

R’Tor shook his head in disgust because the ship had just spent time at space dock. 

Not long after he had gathered his commanders together to discuss the situation. What they determined is that it would take between five to six hours to make it to the destination, but their would be no telling how long the Reman would respond, especially if they were under attack. 

“It would be illogical for us to wait here, lest we become the preverbal ‘Sitting Duck’.” Stated Dr. Valeria. 

Most everyone agreed to that and reported back to their stations to inform the rest of the crew.  

R’Tor turned to Colt, “Your team has about an hour to button everything up, and then we have to make a run for it.” 

Colt frowned, “And what happens if that ship catches up to us again?” 

R’Tor crossed his arms and sighed before responding, “My people have an old adage ‘One of the most difficult things we must learn is that one must not always fight, but you should adjust if you hope to survive. If you cannot avoid a fight, do so like your life depends upon it.’ 

Colt gave a small laugh as the words were of little comfort, but at least they gave the captain the direction he needed. 

KLINGON SHIP QEYLIS

Ustull stomped into the mess hall and smacked the cup of blood wine out of the nearest officer’s grasp, “What is this!” The commander howled as he looked around seeing people laughing eating and drinking. “No one is going to eat or drink, till we find and destroy that Federation ship, now get back to work.” 

As most of the warriors scrambled from their meal, one of the older ones stepped up to his commander and shook his head. “Commander, your too lenient on your crew…in my day, the commander would have killed the first man who at the table.” 

Late afternoon in the captain’s quarters – USS Adventure

R’Tor curled up in his favorite chair in his quarters and reviewed reports from engineering. The news was not encouraging. The ship had taken significant damage on the first volley. He shook his head in disgust as he looked over the PADD. 

The door chime chirped and R’Tor yawned as he acknowledged the visitor. When the doors slid open, Colt stepped in. “Uhh…captain, I am sorry to disturb you,” he began, but R’Tor was in no mood for beating around the bush. He waved his furry hand and spoke flatly, “Out with it chief.” 

He cleared his throat and let the chips fall, “Sir, work crews are all over the ship cannibalizing secondary systems just to get primary power stabilized.” 

R’Tor’s ears flattened, “Let me guess that is the good news?” 

“Afraid so,” Colt replied. 

R’Tor tilted his head to the side and his ears perked up and twitched a little. “What’s the bad news?” 

“Were pretty sure that Bird of Prey will be able to detect us…and soon.” He grimaced. 

R’Tor couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What systems will we have?” 

Colt dipped his head a bit, “Shields and propulsion, with limited maneuverability.” 

R’Tor felt all the air go out of him…

 The big cat dashed past Colt on his way to the bridge and was halfway down the hall when he turned back and yelled for the chief to follow him. 

Twenty minutes later R’Tor held steady in the command chair as the ship shuttered and console lights flickered when the ship departed from the surface of the asteroid. Clark’s nose wrinkled as he noticed an acrid smell of burning circuitry. 

“Chief?” Clark moaned.  

“I’m on it,” Colt announced as he dashed over to a burning control panel and sprayed it down with a fire extinguisher. 

“I thought I heard the scream of raw metal too.” Clark joked. 

Colt shook his head and returned to monitoring the ship’s systems. 

“Hold together…” R’Tor hissed under his breath. 

Clark’s hands deftly danced over the console. With his right he increased power to the inertial stabilizers and simultaneously tapped a new heading in with his left. Immediately the ship dipped to port and then pitched smoothly back.  He selected a vector that directed the ship to the next large asteroid some 12,000 kilometers away. As he looked over his indicators, he noticed a power source and realized that they were not alone. 

KLINGON BRIDGE 

The pilot turned around in his chair excitedly, “Commander Ustull!” he pointed to his navigation display. “The Federation ship is directly ahead and limping like a wounded Saber bear.” 

The commander’s eyes blazed, as he leaned forward. “khi-GOSH!”

USS ADVENTURE BRIDGE 

“Sir, they are powering weapons.” Announced Clark. 

R’Tor lifted his eyes toward the display screen and smirked. He expected they would be attacked again, but with no normal way to defend themselves, he devised a risky strategy. “Release our package.” He announced. 

The cargo bay doors opened and released three quantum torpedoes that tumbled out into space. 

KLINGON BRIDGE 

The weapon’s officer reported, “Commander all weapons are fully powered.” 

Commander Ustull lips curled into a vicious grin as he gloated his expected kill.  

“Victory is ours.”  Ustull snapped. “Prepare to fire.” 

USS ADVENTURE BRIDGE 

Clark tapped in a few commands which sent the ship to full impulse and simultaneously dodged behind a group of asteroids as the quantum torpedoes detonated.  

Back on the Klingon Bird of Prey, Commander Ustull’s dreams of glory were gone in a flash of brilliant bright light. 

EPILOGUE  – TBC- NEXT POST

EPILOGUE 

Giant rocks tumbled lazy through space as light from the twin suns pierced the dust and haze of the asteroid field. A catlike silhouette stood silent in-front of a large window and watched the rocks and dust drift by. Despite the radiant glow R’Tor felt  fortunate his fur kept him insulated against the cooler temperatures of  the Port Umbria station. 

They do not teach cadets everything at the academy, sometimes you just have to make choices. So, call it tactics or luck, but it worked. As the remnants of the Bird of Prey burned in space the Adventure limped its way to the designated coordinates. After landing a quick assessment determined it was clear that the ship needed a lot of help. None the less the mission of delivering Lieutenant Kozan to this  peace meeting was complete. The rest would be up to Kozan and the leaders of this fledgling independent system. 

R’Tor shook his head, but as he thought about it, but he had no idea why the Klingons would want to poke their nose into an internal Romulan conflict, other than the Klingons and Romulans hated each other for centuries. It was something he would discuss with Starfleet Command, perhaps they would have some insights. 

By the end of the second day, Colt apologized, but explained it would be quite impossible for the Adventure to return to

Starbase 47 under its own power. Four days later when an Odyssey Class starship arrived, R’Tor was walking through the halls when he overheard a few of his officers grumbling about having to be rescued by another ship. But R’Tor understood the Aquarius Class ship was not designed to operate on its own, but respected that his officers held such pride for their little ship. 

He also understood it would be unsafe for the ship and his crew, especially for an unknown number of Klingon ships prowling the area. 

R’Tor stood patiently at the Port Umbria transporter bay. When the Reman delegation arrived with Koz, R’Tor couldn’t help but see the Reman as an ugly shaved version of the Kzinti. He held little regard for those distant cousins, but he would follow Starfleet’s orders. 

“Well?”  R’Tor asked of Koz when the delegation had departed. The translator warbled as he began to speak. 

“We have a beginning.” 

R’Tor’s tale swayed back and forth, and he gave Koz a sideways grin. “Well, that is something.”

In the days that would come there would be many questions asked about the Klingons, many more questions about how the Federation would protect this new independent system. But there was no doubt that Starfleet would protect the system the same way they protected Bajor. 

But when the Federation places a startbase in the area, R’Tor would submit his name for consideration to become the commander of that base. 

These Romulan and Reman, no matter their past, deserve a future with the freedom to chose their own destiny. 

END