Tales of Battle. The Voyages of the I.K.V Kahless Ka.

oldkhemaraa

"HELM, Evasive starboard!" The ships plates groaned deeply as she she turned at the her limits, fighting the effects of the artificial singularity that had been projected ahead of her. The ship had projected it, but the target it had been projected on had ceased to exist just as it formed.. And now the ship was caught in its own weapon effect..

"Coming around..registering 22 degrees of Turn, Engineering! Power to maneuvering!"
Audio cues sounded from the Engineers power distribution console. "Maneuvering has priority, Go!"
The helms man touched lightly several controls. "Ship responding, registering 47 degrees of turn, Bringing up boosters,, firing in 3, 2, 1.."

A building rumble started aft, The ships structure shook like a leaf in the gale as the emergency booster system built thrust. The Captain was pressed deeply into the cushions of her command throne as thrust of the boosters overcame the of the gentling effect of the ship inertial dampeners. After a few moments the acceleration pressure ceased as the rumble abruptly cut off "Damage control teams deploy and report!, Sick bay, prepare to receive injured. Helm, Status?"

The helmsman checked his readout for a moment and turned to the captain. Emergency boosters have ceased firing on a timed burn, Deuterium supply now at 7%. Recommend we schedule a dip into a gas giant at the earliest opportunity Ma'am." He smiled. Nothing quite as off putting a Nausicaan smiling in happiness. He effected what a human would call a southern drawl. We almost out of gas, I guess we better go get our green stamps" The Captain quirked an eye brow at him, and he continued more seriously. " We are outbound from the battle site under impulse at 143% rated velocity. All weapons operational, shield are regenerating and should be back at full capacity in seconds. We can re-engage.....?"

The captain held up a single winger signalling a pause. "Sensors, Contacts?". The sensor offer checked his displays. "One friendly contact, Federation battle cruiser "Resourceful". She is showing herself performing post battle SAR. Won't be long. Heralds apparently do not permit themselves to be captured. No enemy contacts with in sensor range, no subspace echo's, no portals." The officer looked up at the captain" The Battle space is our Ma'am.

The Captian shifted to a more comfortable position in her command throne, tucking her legs up. "Communication, all hands".. the comms officer touched controls. "Live mike Ma'am." All hand, this is the Captain. We have fought this ships first battle against the Iconans. During the course of the battle this ship destroyed 3 Iconian cruisers and one of their dread naughts. Well Done. Stand down from battle stations. Resume normal ship board routine. All division and departments heads will have post battle reports submitted to the first officer with in the hour. Vengence today was well served. Captain out."

She looked about the combat bridge. "Transfer control to the primary bridge, First officer, you have the conn." The ships intercom snapped and crackled for a few moments then cleared. "Sorry about the delay captain.. we did loose a console on the bridge to feed back damage. Primary bridge takes control, I have the Conn. See you when come up here Ma'am. Bridge clear"

She looked about the battle bridge again. "All right you merry bunch of pirates, lets do the post battle now while its still fresh. Thought and observations please. Engineering, your first." The 2 two engineers consulted for a moment. "Ma'am.. nothing to report really. The ships systems showed no deficiencies. Pending a more detailed analysis ships systems and propulsion performed well within the upper limits of possible performance parameters." The captain raised and eye brow at the meter of the reply and turned to look over at the science stations. "Sensors, science and special assemblies?" She smiled slightly as she watched two officer of the section consult for a moment. What she had gone through to find a pair of Nausiacaan science had been.. not fun. It had taken a considerable amount of her families wealth to bribe them away from their previous assignments, and then get them retrained to her exacting standards. She wouldn't tell them right away, but she was very pleased with their performance. The senior looked up " Nothing outstanding to report. All special assemblies performed optimally. We may need to work on respose times in a few area's. I will be addressing that over the next couple days Ma'am." She nodded, visibly pleased. She looked forward to the helm and wepons stations. "gentlemen, helm first?"
The helms man rotated his seat to face her. "I'm not happy with the ships response to the helm ma'am. There was at least a 2 second delay in responding to helm I did not like in a couple instances during the battle. It's going to take me a day just to track down where the problem was. I don't want it becoming a critical issue. " The captain nodded again. "Keep me informed of your findings. Tactical, your turn." The Commander at the tactical station stood and paced for a few moments, gathering his thoughts.

Captain, I have number of observations. I have no issues with weapons handling. Response times were optimal and preliminary numbers show we achieved a 93% hit ratio. Every shot of importance went home. This ship can dish out the damage. What bothers me is how easy it all was." The Captain frowned. "Easy? Explain." The commander stopped his pacing. "We were out gunned, out numbered 7 ships to 2 Ourselves, and the Federation star ship, with a huge advantage to the Heralds in both tonnage and available weapons and systems, and with the Herald ships fielding technology far in advance of our own. We should be dead. Instead we are victorious. It feels like we're fighting a particularly dumb AI. They're utterly predictable. Over all, in spite of the technological gap, not to mention numbers the alliance should not be doing a tenth as well as it is. Given time, and Iconain and Herald arrogance, we could have this war won within months. We simply should not be doing this well. There is a disconnect between the capabilities of the Iconian fleets and the real world performance that I can find no explination for. They fight stupid. They apparently have little imagination, and fight entirely "by the book" with no independence. At least 4 times during the battle one of the herald ships had us dead to rights with a zero deflection shot, against a weakened shield. Had they fired they would have punched right though our shield, and we wouldn't be here talk about it. Eventually the herald ships did fire, but by then, we were able to adjust and shrug off the attack. We took very little hull damage. That single Federation ship out there could be trusted to cause us more damage in a fight then that entire herald task force did. I don't understand why, and it bothers me a great deal. "the commander shrugged. "As I said, they fight stupid."

The captain stood. "I expect full reports on thoughts and observations to be ready by the end of the watch, assuming we don't have more Heralds showing up to play. I expect they've had sufficient play time with we primitive children today though." She flicked a smile to the officers present. "Your all new to my crew. Specifically manning the battle bridge with Nausicaan officers is an experiment on my part. I am pleased with the results. All of you apparently are able to read and anticipate not only each other, but the enemy too. Nausicaan bridge crew, commanded by an Orion woman on board one of the Empire latest and most technologically advanced ships. Such a strange universe we live in these days! Well done everyone. Dismissed. One by one the officer beamed off the sealed battle bridge until only the captain was left.

Kui settled back in her chair revelling in the quiet, and the privacy for a few moments. "Captain, we've received several priority communications from Alliance joint command, two flagged expidite reply. I think we need you up here now Ma'am"
Kui pressed a control on her throne. 'Understood, I'll be up momentarily, forward the communications to my day room."

She stood, activated the ships point to point transporter, and beamed directly to her ready room. In the now empty and quiet battle bridge the ships computer powered down the bridges consoles and systems to low power standby, and killed the lights.

oldkhemaraa

Dame Kui strode onto the bridge. "Status?". The 1st officer turned to answer. "On course, all systems battle ready, no out standing issues. 8 tics out Captain. Shall I bring the ship to battle stations?". The Captain nodded. "No sound action stations, I take the con.". the 1st officer turned. "action stations, Kahless ka! the Captain has the bridge."

Kui waved him over. "How is the crew number one?" He replied quietly "Morale is good Captain, but the question of Herald combat skill has some of the crew worried, including myself. How can they perform so poorly in combat with the technologies they field?" Kui nodded sharply. "Make sure they know I also am concerned with this matter. I suspect a trap of some sort, but the sense of it eludes me. Those ships we destroyed were a useless sacrifice if so. We should be dead. Not that I mind being still alive. I will die in battle someday. But I am somewhat surprised. I think we may need to capture a Herald ship intact to gain insight on this. It's going to cost us warriors that we no longer have to spare."

The exec nodded in reply. "Your reply does not surprise me Captain." He gave a slight smile. She turned her head and smiled up at him. "You have served as my first officer now for 14 years, and 9 commands. You could at any time during the last 8 years taken a command of your own. Its seems a day of questions. Why haven't you?" He gave a low chuckle. "You are my captain, from a line of captains. Orion, yes, but in 200 years of service your clan has battled, and died for the empire, and won victories in its name. In all that time, they have asked nothing but what they have earned, and of course had the good sense to follow the right factions within the empire. I have learned from you, and continue to learn. And as I have my ambitions have changed. When it is time for me to command, I will be told to take a ship command in no uncertain terms. Until then, I serve my Ship, and my Captain.." he paused for a moment. "... but I stand, for the crew. It is an honorable and worthy duty for any warrior. Under a worthy captain. I am in no hurry for it to change."

Kui smiled and flashed him a beguiling look "You mean to tell me you don't work for Imperial Intelligence tasked with gaining my trust, there to bring me down at the point of my inevitable but expected treason against the empire?" A couple of snorts sounded around the bridge. "Well, Captain. If I were I squared, I couldn't very well tell you. But if I were, I would be very surprised should I ever have to full fill such a duty. 1 tic out Ma'am, battle stations now?" She nodded, "Yes, call battle stations, exit warp 200,000 kalikams from nav target. Full sensor scan max resolution on normal space, 10 second window, then cloak, and evasive. I'll want a micro warp under cloak to the inner gas giant. We can do a quick dip into the atmosphere, and scoop some deuterium while we analyze our sensor picture. We'll see what what next after our dip. Everyone bring beach wear!" Laughs barked about the bridge as the crew bent to their tasks. The bridge lighting shifted, red lighting marking edges, and white lamp indirect lighting glowed to life over pathways.
The bridge took an intense focus.

"Helm dropping sublight in 5" a quick litany of reports and ready checks sound about the bridge. The captain and 1st officer remained quiet while the bridge crew went about their jobs each commanding results from their sections and stations about the ship. seconds ticked off as the bridge team executed a high resolution passive scan of the system.

"Helm, Now under cloak, evasive pattern beta 5 to one seven four. point six, delta minus 38. Micro warp now." The helmsman manipulated his controls. The view on the forward screen shifted from normal space to superluminal flight, and back within moments. The ship shifted and shuddered with a slight groan. "Helm, compensating. We're in atmosphere. Holding at 157, 000 kilicams over crush. Helm steady, ready to scoop Captain." Kui waved casually. "Execute Deuterium refueling as ordered." a slight rumble came from the ships frame. The 1st officer reported. "Scoops are drawing Captain. Rate looks good. call it 20 tics to minimal load, around 80 ticks more or less to full." the captain looked to her repeater screens. "Well executed helm. Sensors, preliminary report?" " we got in, took our picture and evaded clean Captain. No sign of scan or even a sensor look. I'm showing 19 possible contact, make that 17 contacts in system. Refining our data picture now. " Kui stood. "Were going to be here a bit unless something extra ordinary shows up in the scan data. I'll be in my day room, I want to see those refinements and any recommendations and observations. The usual people. First officer, you have the con." She turned and strode to her day room "First officer takes the con." He continued to stand in his normal position beside the Captains command throne. He would sit in a few moments as was his right and duty. "helm, continue as ordered. All stations proceed as ordered. Lets get filled up."

The helmsman turned his head. "Captains taking no chances she doesn't absolutely need to as usual. This is not a complaint mind you." the 1st officer looked over. "Mind your helm, cross sheer showing ahead, go below it." The helmsman tuned and applied himself to his controls for a moment. The first officer spoke to his back. "She rarely does, and she has served the empire as a warrior now for over 40 years.. standard years, not Klingon. Still,.. * he grinned* She nearly stopped my liver to look at her the day I first reported to her command. and was 10 Klingon years ago.
Your still new to this crew. For all her formidable physical beauty stay aware that there is a first grade brain behind the Captain is not only good lloking, but a deadly fighter. And be aware she claimed her first battle kill long before she ever joined the fleet. She reported to the KDF with that eye patch and scar. Perhaps someday the Captain may tell you the tale of it."

The helms man looked back over his shoulder. "The captain is.. is a looker... if you like older women.. though in her case, its real difficult to tell. As for my assignment, I know strings got pulled to get me assigned to her command. Favors got called between houses. If there was displeasure at my assignment, I will show myself worthy."
The first officer sat at last in the Captains chair and leaned his chin on a fist. "You would not be here had I not also approved you. I am not thrilled with having a 3rd son of one of the 9 great houses serving on the same ship as myself.
But your previous commanders have spoken well of you. So far, you are adequate to your duties, but you had best be prepared to learn from the ships senior, and Nausicaan helmsman if you ever want to have the hot seat in battle. And the Captains pilot is very very very good indeed. Now mind your helm.". "Sir" the helmsman responded and turned back to his board.

oldkhemaraa

The rumbling from the ships frame eased off. "Bridge, we are secured from scoops. Durierium tanks are full Captain" she touched a control on her desk "Ease out of of the gas giants atmosphere quietly, and, and clock the ships. Main Bridge is your, Transfer command to the Battle Bridge at my command." a curt "yes Captain, at Your command" came back in reply. Kui quickly donned her battle armor. Grabbing her side arm she activated a point to point transport to the ships sealed battle bridge. SHe quickly took her command throne. She looked about with a grin "A light frey we will have this day my merry bunch of pirates.." as a chuckle made its way around the bridge she touched a control. "transfer primary control to the Battle bridge, The Captain has the Con." she watched has displays flashed from standby to active across the bridge, and in approval as her bridge crew quickly ran diagnostics at their stations. As each completed checks a status lamp flicked to ready blue on her secondary display. "Tactical, report." All stations report ready." "Engineering and system?" "Blue light captain, all stations ready, Damage control holograms on standby with live teams, all space tight doors sealed for action." "Sensors?" "clear to tagged sensor contacts near the the Gia type world in the second orbit. No other contacts or anomalies detected." "Helm?" "Helm stand ready to move ship at your command Captain." She busied herself for a moment at some of her own displays and controls, and then marked a course for the helm on the repeater forwarding to the helm. "course laid in and on the board captain."

She leaned back in her command throne for a moment, arranging her self comfortably. Something she always did before battle. She touched a contol on the left armrest. "Crew of the Khalass Ka. In the next 10 tec we will be in battle against a superior force. Our mission is to distract them so that a infiltration force can drop in. If the infiltration mission is detected before insertion and forced to abort, that mission falls to this ships crew. We much control the pace of the battle.. cripple, not kill, Plan your action accordingly until ordered otherwise." * she couldn't help but snap a grin.. "Buckle up, its going to be a bumpy ride! Acting." she flicked the all ship off. "Helm, full impulse, stand by batteries, and and be ready to transfer emergency power to weapon. We will come in under cloak against target marked AA1 which appears to be one of the large battleships. Manuver to bring forward weapons to bear, I want us in her aft arc before decloaking and firing. Engauge!

Only a unnatural twinkle in occluded stars marked the passage of the of the ship.. a whisper of threat and doom as she gathered speed, once again off to battle.

oldkhemaraa

Khaless Ka left the shatted, burning, and most importantly immoble hull of the Herald Battleships sputtering her her wake as she clawed into an evasive turn. Weapons fire slammed into her hull from the large ships escorts as they sought revenge for there crippled kin. In the battle bridge a plasma fire burned behind a shattered console. Kui slammed the control, "Main bridge, Status!" From the speaker the sounds of close range weapons fire, and the clank of swords echoed onto the battle bridge. The sound of her first officer sounded briefly.."Battle bridge has full ships control, I'm going to evec the primary bridge and open her to space.. only way, bridge clear."

The sound cut off with a snap. She looked about the sealed bridge.."Keep fighting the ship.. the crew will either beat off the heralds or we'll all be dead in a few minutes.. and I'm changing my mind, hold nothing back now.. if we do not kill these ships we will not be able to survive this. Fare at will. and pull power from where ever you can!" She felt the ships velocity drop, and the pilot configured the ship for low speed high maneuver combat. "Shield are depleted Captain.".. she turned her throne and snarled. "We need space to breath here! Hold fire, release the decoy, emergency power to the emitter system." She quickly reconfigured a panel. "Activating Photonic fleet program now. Communications any response to our scream for help?"

The photonic ships shimmered into existence just as a Neg Var flashed out of warp weapons firing on the forward display. "Never mind that, I see them. Damage control report!" On her screen she saw a tight grouping of three destroyer sized herald ships shing into the aft arc of the Neg Var. Over a dozen herald ships now showed on her display along with an additional contact ship that could only be yet another Dreadnaught off her aft quarter. "Emergency Power to Auxiliary systems. Science, Tychon rift on those three aft our friend, Helm, reverse our course now, we need to take that Dreadnaught out of the equation. Tactical Overload forward banks and fire as you bear, and put a spread of torpedo's into her and her consorts for good measure. I want batteries to Auxilliary at the turn, and a singularity projected off her nose as fast as you can do it, EXECUTE!"

The forward deflector array shimmered with energy.. a projection of force appeared spearing out toward the three ships about to ambush the Neg var. A rift opened in space in the middle of the three ships which slid to a halt for the moment dead in space, with no power. The Klingon destroyer executed a a fast turn. It forward weapon banks flashed to life with an intense burst of sustained energy shattering the forward shield of the herald dreadnaught. Quantum torpedo after torpedo slammed out of the ships tubes as the ships deflector glowed to life yet again. Space distorted wildly off the bow of the Herald ship a the singularity formed pulling at the Dreadnaught. . The herald ship visibly shuddered and moved toward the anomaly. Bits and pieces of the ships hull shattering and whirling to destruction. The Destroyer continued to pour fire into the Dreadnaught until its power core breached shattering what remained of the ship. just as the very last of the photonic decoys faded out of existance.

"Captain, the remaining herald ships are opening portals and fleeing!" Kui thudded back into her chair in relief. "Find my First officer. Lets make sure we still hold the ship. While that being done how badly have we been hurt? Just the basics." The Nausicaan at Op's checked his panel. "engineering and special assemblies are locked down and secure, as is life support and the central computer core." His head snapped around.. "SIR! The First officer reports we have prisoners.. two of them. He's taking them to the brig now, one is injured, status unknown." Kui shot to her feet in surprise. "Conform that!" A tertiary monitor flicked to life "Captain, I'm in the brig, Prisoners are secured. Ones not going to make it, The EMH is with it..but I don;t think there's anything he can do. Boarders have been repelled. I'll have Damage Control air up the main bridge in a moment. And Captain, were not going to fix this damage out of on board stores, we are going to have to put in...Any word from the strike team?" Kui rolled her eyes at the overhead "The strike team. I'd forgotten about them!" She turned, "Comms, see if you can raise them and find out their status. Helm, start moving us toward the planet in case we need to make an extraction. Number one, effect what repairs you can. Keep me apprised up here." The exec nodded and the monitor snapped off.

The Comms tech signaled "I have them on comms sir, they have completed the mission and are now E&E. They should be coming up off the planet any moment now." Kui nodded toward the sensor officer "On screen" The primary screen flashed a live image. Centered in the screen was a Du'huj class warp capable shuttle in a fast climb to space. The ship intercooler arrays glowed strongly for a moment, and then the tiny ship flashed to warp. "They're away and home free captain. They send their thanks for a job well done." Kui grinned. "Send back..You owe us blood wine.. see you On Qo'nos." * the comm tech giggled for a moment. "They have replied Captain. All you drink, it will be waiting."

Kui sat down in her command chair. "signal the Neg Var a thanks for the help, set course to Qo'nos, best safe speed. We've taken a hammering. Lets not take any foolish chances. Engauge!"

The Klingon destroyer gentled into a turn easing past some of the still glowing burning wreckage of the Iconan ships, gathered itself for just a moment, and flashed silently to warp.

~FINI~




(This ends the first battle Story Of the IKV Khaless Ka, a Fleet Duvqu' Class Destroyer. There will be more battles. I may write of them again some time. I hope you enjoyed my little tale in 4 parts as much as I enjoyed writing it. Kui can usually be found taking a break on Risa, or at DS-9... feel free to say hello.)