Among the Naked Stars (Star Trek AU)

[Imperial Overlord]

Dedicated to John M. Ford for all the obvious reasons.


Lancer rocked as lasers tore into her port shields. Squadron Leader Kardon barked an order. "Roll on axis one hundred eighty degrees. Zan Kolenth, give them a taste of the tertiaries. Turn the ship twenty-two mark ten."

"Acting," said Lieutenant Krevon at the helm, turning the ship starboard as he rolled the ship and brought her more heavily shielded side to face the heaviest fire. Zunnati destroyers were swarming around the Klingon vessels, trying to avoid the heaviest firepower of the battlecruisers that had shattered their heavier brethren and bring their weapons to bear on where the Klingon's shields were weakest.

"Acting," said Lieutenant Kolenth. The tertiary disruptor batteries were placed on the battlecruiser's hull to give near total coverage. They lacked the power of the primaries or secondaries, but against Zunnati destroyers they were devastating.

The Zunnati destroyes were crescent shaped, with warp nacelles trailing along the horns of the crescent. The mid section housed laser cannons, which fired beams warp accelerated into the delta frequencies, and the accelerator cannons that launched fusion torpedoes. Against the other inhabitants of their star cluster the Zunnati ships were matchless, the sure striking sword of a star empire. Against Klingon battlecruisers they were meat.

Green fire from two disruptor emitters on Lancer's upper hull struck a destroyer dead center. The beams blew through the destroyer's shields and hull, sending a plume of fire and debris into space from the gaping wound. The wounded ship begun an evasive course that would take it behind the Klingon squadron.

Kardon stabbed images on the repeater screens by his chair. "Aft torpedoes, finish the wounded. Weapons, primaries on that one, torpedoes that one."

"Acting," responded Senior Gunner Kaan. The primaries, the array of disruptors clusters around th wing-edge and warp nacelle area, sent blazing beams into the Zunnati ship. It exploded almost instantly, transformed into a blazing matter/anti-matter reaction. A torpedo launched from both the bow launcher and the the weapon pod mounted on top of the primary hull. Another Zunnati ship was blown apart.

"Enemy ships moving to concentrate on Khaless's Hand," warned Arkehd from his post at the science station. The squadron was deployed in the trailing V formation, with Lancer a the point of the V and trailing her fellow ships by five thousand kilometers.

"Zan Krevon, bring us about two eighty mark zero", ordered Kardon. "Zan Kaan, stand by with all weapons. Zan Krevon, use the tertiaries to keep them off of us. Chief Engineer, more power to the disruptors."

Lancer swung to port, leaving the wreckage in her wake. Her course change brought a Zunnati ship within the firing arc of her rear torpedo tubes. From his station near the back of the bridge, Kolenth fired a spread of torpedoes. Two impacted on the destroyer's port nacelle, blowing apart the entire nacelle/wing array.

"Targets acquired," said Senior Gunner Kaan as Lancer came to face the Zunnati swarming Kahless's Hand.

"Death Dealer is signaling that they are moving to support us," said Azrithel from the communications.

"Zan Kaan. Target secondaries and torpedoes on the Zunnati cruiser. Primaries at your discretion."

"Acting," said Kaan. The delta wing shape of the Zunnati cruiser, one of the only large capital ship to survive the initial klingon torpedo volley and the subsequent closing engagement, was firing on Khaless's Hand from low port. Delta ray lasers and fusion missles raked the battlecruiser's shields. Even the newest and most powerful battlecruiser designs in the Imperial Klingon Navy had their limits and Khaless's Hand was approaching hers.

Lancer's secondaries fired, searing beams shot from the command module and struck the Zunnati cruiser dead one. Torpedo salvos fired from both forward launchers. Four struck the wounded cruiser and it exploded. Khaless's Hand's shields withstood the blast and the cruiser began to rotate on access. Several Zunnati destroyers were not so fortunate, their shields completely overloaded by their proximity to the explosion. They began frantic evasive maneuvers.

A Zunnati destroyer dived at Lancer from above and starboard, its zig-zag course allowing it to evade fire from Lancer's tertiaries. Lasers licked at Lancer's shields and a fusion missile struck home.

"Zan Kolenth, dispose of that one," ordered Captain Kardon. Kaan triggered Lancer's primaries at the wounded destroyers. The portside beams sliced off starboard wing of one of the destroyers and then the port wing as well, leaving the ship to tumble through space. The starboard disruptors sliced through the engineering section of another destroyer and blew it apart.

"Kai the weapons," said Kardon. The diving ship swooped underneath Lancer, firing lasers again and evading Kolenth's return fire. "The klin lives in that one," said Kardon. The ship swung around Lancer's other side. The Zunnati destroyers could move, whatever their other deficiencies.

Unfortunately, its luck ran out. While it had managed to evade Lancer's fire, it ended up within the fire cone of Death Dealer's primaries. The battlecruiser cut the smaller ship to scrap.

"Surviving Zunnati ships are making a break for warp," announced Arkehd.

"Do not pursue," ordered Kardon. One trick the Zunnati were good at was leaving fusion bombs in their wake to discourage pursuit when they went to warp. "Finish off the remaining ships that don't surrender. Zan Kaan, generate a firing solution for long range torpedo bombardment of their orbital defences. Communications, inform their government that their fleet has been defeated and their orbital defences will soon be destroyed. Perhaps they will reconsider surrender now that their homeworld lies defenceless before us."

[Sabastian Tombs]

I like how the story is starting out. You seem to be going in the direction of John Ford's Klingons, which, IMHO, is the best portrayal of that race ever done.

Where exactly does it fall in the original universe's timeline? Zunnanti technology seems to be around the level of Federation technology between The Final Reflection and Kirk's time.

Anyway, I like the story, hope the quality keeps up, and that it's updated frequently.

[Burak Gazan]

Lancer eh?

Wonder where Captain Krenn is these days? Or perhaps it's "Admiral" now

[Imperial Overlord]

Lancer eh?

Wonder where Captain Krenn is these days?

Killing Roms with his Black Ship.

[Imperial Overlord]

The chime to Kardon's door buzzed. "Enter," the captain said into the calm. The captain's ready room on a Klingon vessel was small, but not spartan. Trophies and status symbols were expected and Kardon's room was no exception. Soft, snow white zolast fur lined his chair and his dueling sword hung on the wall next to hull fragments from a Rom warbird and a Fedarazhon destroyer.

Lieutenant Commander Mara vestai-Subor entered. She was a tall for a woman of the Imperial race, barely shorter than her captain. Her dark hair was kept in a braid that fell down her back and her face was narrow almost to the point of gauntness. "Captain, the Zunnati have offered to surrender."

"Already?"

"Yes. Their fleets are wrecked, with the exception of a few hiding in the outer systems. Their home world lies defenceless before us. They are quite agitated about negotiating terms."

"What is Intelligence's opinion?"

"This one doesn't know what you mean. I'm the ship's security officer, not Imperial Intelligence."

"Of course not," said Kardon. The komerax zha, the great game of empire, was always in motion. "You're evaluation of the Zunnati's sudden . . . . docility? As security officer, of course."

"They are kuve. Starships and guns do not change that."

"Thank you. You are dismissed." She saluted, fist to her heart, and exited the room. Kardon watched her go. She was an ambitious member of a fallen family line. A successful cruise, especially one that brought new territories into the empire, would revitalize her line's fortunes. At the same time as security officer it was her job to keep Kardon's ambitions in check, especially as they were at the fringes of the empire. While his glory was her glory as well, that situation changed dramatically if he decided to go renegade.

He had not intention of doing so. Some of the riches of these new worlds would go to his line. The world's were not terribly rich, but twenty-three inhabitable worlds and three new servitor races was an enormous amount of wealth. Of course, the actual conquest fleets with their assault transports and regiments of marines would have to arrive before any of those worlds were actually added to the empire in more than name only. Still, it meant a governorship in his future when he retired from the navy. If he lived that long.

Kardon got up and walked back into the bridge. A few eyes flickered towards him, but quickly returned to their duty stations. Kardon sutai-Rezhad wasn't what one normally imagined when one thought of a captain in the Expeditionary Forces. He was of average height and build for a member of the Imperial race. He was perhaps better looking than most, with a neatly trimmed black beard and hair. He was not the huge, grim icon that endless episodes of Battlecruiser Vengeance had lead people to expect in a captain.

The command chair swivled towards him. "Captain-," began First Officer Arkhed, as he rose in the chair.

"You have the conn. Status on Zunnati?"

"All quiet, except for the comm frequencies. Their government either knows they are beaten or they are laying a very futile trap." The science officer smiled. He was taller and leaner than his captain.

"What are they saying 'Rith?"

"They're asking for favorable terms captain. They want all sorts of guarantees and autonomy grants." The wry expression on Azrithel's face broad casted her opinion of the Zunnati's entreaties. "This one is of the opinion that know that they've lost and now think they can talk their way out of being conquered."

"Sound like Tellarites. Or Orions. Tell them that they need to send a delegate with the authority to sign a binding treaty up here and recall all their military vessels for a formal surrender." Having a Zunnati destroyer swoop out from behind an moon and hit a transport just as it was dropping shields to deploy troops was not something Kardon wanted happening if he could possible avoid it.

"The one hears and obeys," said Azrithel as she turned back to her comm boards. Kardon's gaze lingered. Azrithel was a good companion in a fight and he had to admit her long, dark hair suited her well.

"Going to have your transporteer snag a piece of hull for your wall?" Arkhed asked.

"No," said Kardon. "There is little glory in killing kuve in antique ships."

[FaxModem1]

I like it, wondering if we'll see this world from anyone else's perspective though.

[Ford Prefect]

Klingons have been badly treated in the past, but this is Imperial Overlord. I'm really looking forward to this one.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

Ooh, excellent; a Klingon fanfic! Well done, Imperial Overlord.

I can't wait for the next chapter.

[Imperial Overlord]

Two burly marines, one of the Imperial race and the other a smooth foreheaded Human Fusion, proceeded the Zunnati Niratarch into the confrence room. Trophies of battle hung on racks on the walls, most of them the personnel weapons of Zunnati officers and soldiers. Beneath the ceremonial axes and the slender laser rifles sat Captain Kardon, First Officer Arkehd, and Force Leader Memneth. The marine commander was tall by the standards of the Imperial race and built like a stormwalker. His left cheek bore scars from the impact of a Kinshaya bullet, although the reconstructive surgery afterword had restored his face. Memneth looked exactly the sort of Klingon that featured in Federazhon holos as stupid, brutal thugs. Stupid, brutal thugs did not become Force Leaders in the Imperial Marines.

The Zunnati flinched away from Memneth. Kardon looked over the alien in some distaste. The Zunnati was struggling in the higher standard gravity of a Klingon starship. He was a slim bodied, blue skinned hairless creature. The Zunnati skull was elongated and featured large eyes and well developed olfactory receptors. Certain intricacies of their language were scent based, which had given the universal translator fits. Fortunately, they had developed a standard language for dealing with their client species that had been much easier to translate. The computer at the center of the table served as translator.

"You are empowered to come to terms on behalf of your government?" Kardon barked. The table consol would serve as a universal translator.

The alien pulled itself erect to its full two meter height. It wore elaborate, multilayerd robes of gold and black cloth that were probably much easier to manage in their native world's lower gravity. "I am Niratarch Nuugo Aloxi Coltarel and I speak for the Nine. I am empowered to negotiate the terms for the ending of this world with the appropriate representatives of the Klingon Empire."

"I am Kardon and I command this expedition. In this matter I speak for the Empire. I require with your surrender and assistance in maintaining order and productivity in the interim before the governors arrive."

The Zunnati's nose wiggled. "Are you saying you are going to take our worlds?"

"Your worlds and people will be incorporated into the Komerex Klingon. This will happen. You can only choose how long you will resist us and how many of you we have to kill before capitulating."

"And if we capitulate immediately?"

"Those officials which continue to be useful will be maintained in positions of authority in the Empire. The more effectively your people and society serve the Empire, the less need there will be for harsh measures and drastic restructuring." The fool had half surrendered already. Kuve. Throwing him a bone while showing him the knife would work. It always worked on kuve.

It wasn't all a lie. The Empire cared far more about maintaining order and production quotas than the minutiae of administration. The Zunnati figited. "I will recommend your proposal to the Nine. Until they ratify the surrender, my agreement is nonbinding." Kardon bared his teeth. The Zunnati flinched.

"You have one planetary rotation to surrender," said Kardon. "Failure to do so will result in the destruction of a major city every rotation." His eyes flickered over to the marines. "Take him to the transporter room and return him to his shuttle."

Memneth waited just long enough for the door to close. "They're playing for time. Using lawyer's tricks for Keth's sake. Wreck a continental power grid to remind them who has the high ground."

"Only if I think I'll be gone before I start getting complaints from the Force Leader of an occupation engineering detachment about all the needless work I've created."

Arkehd smiled. "Just have Rith not take his calls. Problem solved." Memneth laughed. An urgent signal from the desk console interrupted them.

"Report," said Kardon crisply.

"We have just detected a powerful signal sent from the planet just moments ago. Captain, they were broadcasting in the clear in the Zunnati's universal language." A language they had to know the Klingons understood.

"Play the transmission."

"Acting." A moment latter the translated signal came through. "We, your faithful Zunnati servants, have been defeated. The realms that you have left in our stewardship have been seized by the Klingon Empire. Unless you act, your empire is lost."

Memneth growled. The niratarch hadn't been forbidden communications equipment, so he could contact his government. This particular error would fall on Kardon's shoulders. "If they wanted to make that broadcast, " the captain said, "they could have done it at any time." That statement was as much for security's benefit as theirs. Security was always watching. "Rith. Have the Zunnati representative beamed back on board. Now. And I need to know where that broadcast was aimed at."

"Already done." The console screen displayed the local star cluster. A pocket of far worlds, marked as quarantined on Zunnati charts, were illuminated.

"Transporter Room two reports the niratarch is on board," Azrithel said.

"Have him taken to Security," said Kardon. "We'll tear the truth about these quarantined worlds out of him if we have to destroy his body with the agonizer booth and his brain with the mind sifter."

[Kartr_Kana]

Its good, dont read many of the ST fics but I like this one, keep writing please.

[Imperial Overlord]

"Please," Niratarch Nuugo Aloxi Coltarel pleaded as two security officers strapped him down in the chair and positioned the contact points of the agonizers along his body.

Security Chief Mara turned to Captain Kardon. "Just another minute and then we can get started. An hour or so in the agonizer booth, low power, and the Zunnati have no resistance to the mind sifter whatsoever." Several Zunnati officers had been captured and interrogated during the early stages of the campaign. "A higher setting and their nervous system fries. You'll have your information captain.

The captain's gaze lingered on the politician. "Please," the Zunnati begged. "There is no need of this. I'll tell you what you want to know."

Kardon gazed at Mara, whose face was serene and opaque. She would take his life and career as a prize if she thought he was unworthy of command. There was no one Security watched as much as the captain. "Speak," Kardon barked. "What was the nature of your transmission to the quarantined worlds?"

"Please lord, you must understand we are merely caretakers."

"Yes yes," said Kardon. He had heard or read dozens of justifications for empire over the years, all made by kuve or humans who had become so cunning by lying incessantly to themselves and each other. Komerex nil khesterex was all the justification that empire required. One conquered or perished.

"A thousand years ago," which translated to about six hundred Klinzhai standard years, "the Chelemen conquered this star cluster. We lived under their rule. And then three hundred years ago they withdrew to their homeworlds. They placed those worlds off limits and left us alone. We regained the stars and took control of the other worlds. We held them, always knowing that the Chelemen had been stronger than we were. Always, we listened. Now, that we are beaten, we discharged our final obligation."

Kardon touched a wall panel. "Captain to the bridge."

"Arkehd here."

"Broadcast to the planet that the following action is punishment for their attempt to endanger citizens of the Klingon Empire with their transmission. Level the closest mid sized city with the main disruptor batteries."

"Acting."

"No!" Coltarel screamed. "You can't."

"I just did," said Kardon. "In the future your people will remember there are consequences to acting against the empire." Kardon walked out of security. Mara trailed after him.

"What do you intend to do captain?"

"I will inform you at the appropriate time. I'll need every scrap of information you can extract about these Chelemen."

"The one wishes to remind the captain that this information may be two hundred years out of date."

"The one has not forgotten. The one has not forgotten the Admiral Kaga-zantai-Sudeptai departed Gnuu Rei with an occupation fleet yesterday, if he left on schedule."

"It would not help one's carrier to have a large and possibly dangerous mystery next to his newly occupied territories. It would certainly mar the honour won by the conquest. Our supply situation would support a continued campaign."

"I am glad security concurs with that assessment of the situation."

"How long until the squadron departs?"

"Barring any other surprises, three days."

---------------------------------------------------------------

Kardon's squadron broke from warp three light minutes from the Chelemen world. "Sensors," Kardon ordered.

"Still no sign of any space ships," Arkehd replied. The rangy Klingon was bent over the scanner display at the sciences station. "Strong energy readings still coming from the planet, which seems to covered by some kind of cloaking shield. More detail still cannot be ascertained."

"Weapons?"

"Reading no weapons or shields, but both could be present beneath the cloaking shield."

"Keep the guns hot and the shields up," Kardon ordered. "'Rith, signal the planet."

"Standard broadcast being sent," Azrithel. She waited. "No response captain."

"Continue on course. Put the planet on the main display." A featureless orb of light blue haze appeared on the screen.

"That's as much as we can determine at this range captain," said Arkehd. "The cloaking shield extends into orbit. They may have orbital weapon platform in addition to ground based weapon emplacements."

"Cloaked ships?" Kardon asked.

"If so they're as sneaky as Roms. No sign captain."

"Captain," said Azrithel. "Transmission from the planet."

"On speakers."

The voice was a firm baritone. "Soldiers of the Klingon Empire depart from these worlds. We have long abandoned the futile endeavour of empire. You do not threaten us and have nothing to offer us. Leave."

"Bravado does not carry the day against the ships of the Imperial Klingon Navy. You world is a stationary target and Klingon weapons officers receive frequent practice."

The Chelemen responded. "It was unlikely that gentle persuasion would work. Leave was not a request. It was an outcome. You will leave."
The bridge lights died and every screen went black.

"Emergency lights!" Kardon howled. Back up lights bathed the bridge in red light. "Damage control!"

"Computer systems crashed and are restarting," Arkehd replied.

"Get me answers!" Kardon shouted. "Coms!"

"No contact from Khaless's Hand or Death Dealer."

"Science station back online," Arkehd interrupted. "Mains are offline. Battery power online. Shields are down. Sensors down."

"Engineering. I need main power back. Now!" Kardon didn't wait for a reply.

"Targetting offline, but the guns are still hot," said Senior Gunner Kaan.

"Helm?" Kardon barked.

"Maneuvering thrusters only. Main impulse drive is not responsive."

"Short ranged sensors restored," said Arkehd. "Detecting a large vessel. Approaching at impulse, range ten thousand. Configuration . . . a Federation battleship!"

[Sidewinder]

Interesting story so far, but I have some questions.

Is "Federazhon" the Federation? If so, you reverted to the canon spelling here:

"Short ranged sensors restored," said Arkehd. "Detecting a large vessel. Approaching at impulse, range ten thousand. Configuration . . . a Federation battleship!"

Who are the Chelemen? The First Federation?

[Imperial Overlord]

Interesting story so far, but I have some questions.

Is "Federazhon" the Federation? If so, you reverted to the canon spelling here:

"Short ranged sensors restored," said Arkehd. "Detecting a large vessel. Approaching at impulse, range ten thousand. Configuration . . . a Federation battleship!"

Who are the Chelemen? The First Federation?

The "Federazhon" is "Federation" in Klingonaase . Properly it is the Komerex Federazhon. Arkehd is just showing off his fluency in English, the common langauge of Federation, which is spoken with some degree of fuency by most Klingon officers.

The Chelemen are just your bog standard Trek uber race, just one encountered by the Klingons instead of the Fed.

[Ford Prefect]

Oh ho ho ho. Kardon just got whacked one right there.

[Imperial Overlord]

"Status of Federation ship?" Kardon shouted.

"Slowing," Arkehd responded studying the sensor readings. On the main viewing screen a vessel that was unmistakably of Federation design appeared. It followed the classic lines of the venerable Constitution class, but much larger and bulkier. The primary hull in particular was disproportionately large, an oval that was wider than it was long.

Arkehd's head whipped around. "Weapons are cold, shields barely above navigational!"

"Helm, bring us about!"

"Acting," said Krevon coolly.

"Weapons, as they come to bear," said Kardon in the clipped version of Klingonaase used in combat situations. "Engineering, shields, and weapons. Action!"

"Hail coming in," said Azrithel.

Thrusters fired, causing Lancer's starboard wing to dip as the ship began to turn to starboard. Two disruptor bolts flashed from the tertiary emitters, striking the secondary hull. Shields collapsed in flares of light.

Then the starboard primaries and secondaries fired. Streams of bolts flashed from Lancer's command pod and wing. The primaries tore through the Federation starship's and ripped a jagged line from the front of the engineering section down to the back. The secondaries traced a line of fire from Lancer's command pod to the navigational deflector disc. Under the hammer of Lancer's disruptors the disc exploded in light and fire. Debris blossomed into space as the secondaries continued to blast through the remains of the navigational deflector and deeper into the secondary hull.

Deprived of main power, Lancer turned sluggishly, but against the ravaged Federation ship it was enough. More tertiaries came to bear and fired, sending bolts into the Federation ship's phaser strips.

"Jam all communications," Kardon ordered. "Weapons, target their weapons and shields with the port batteries." Disruptor bolts slammed into the amidships torpedo launchers and the ring of phaser strips around the bottom of the primary hull. The Federation ship listed drunkenly as the crippled vessel attempted to plot an evasive course.

"Guns are almost cold," said Lieutenant Kaan. "Torpedoes on your command."

"Engineering, status?" said Kardon.

Chief Engineer Zumakka replied, his voice softer and higher than that of an Imperial or Fusion Klingon. "We are in the process restarting the impulse and warp engines. Main power should be restored in several minutes."

"Status of Federation starship?"

"Main power offline," said Arkehd. "Ventral phaser ring destroyed. Torpedo bay heavily damaged. Severe damage to main engineering. Warp drive offline. Navigational deflector destroyed. Four shield generators destroyed. Dorsal phaser ring undamaged. Secondary impulse unit engine on line."

"Their pushing a lot of power into a distress signal," said Azrithel. "They're rotating frequencies."

"Engines, power to coms. Drown them in static. Weapons, put a torpedo through the secondary impulse engine. Nothing more. I want my prize."

"Affirm," said Kaan. "Acting." A torpedo flew from the main hull launcher to impact at the rear of the underside of the saucer section where it connected to the secondary hull. Fire blasted out the dorsal plates as the torpedo blew all the way through. "Secondary impulse unit destroyed," said Kaan with savage satisfaction in his voice."

"Arkehd?" asked Kardon.

"Sensors confirm Federation vessel is helpless."

"Communications?"

"The one regrets to report that is likely that part of the Federation vessel's message will reach Starfleet. Too little power to jam and too much power on their transmission. Their coms officer knew her job."

"Understood." Kardon flicked a switch on his chair. "Force Leader Memneth. Deploy your marines to the troop transporters in full armour. We will take this ship as a prize. I want prisoners for interrogation."

Anticipation was clear in Memneth's voice. "Kai the captain. The one has prepared his entire career to take a major Federazhon warship from Starfleet's Marines. Ready force is already deploying. All others are suiting up. Entire force should be ready by the time power is restored to the transporters."

"Captain, you need to look at this," said Arkehd. Kardon switched off the com and approached the science station. "Power is still low, but long range sensors are online. We've been able to confirm our position."

"That's more than thirty lightyears from our former position."

"Yes. We've been moved out of the star cluster."

"That doesn't explain what a Starfleet battleship is doing this far from Federation territory."

"I can't explain that, but take a look at how her interior space is configured."

"That can't be right. Not even the Federazhon could be that soft."

"The scans are correct. All the space is devoted to living quarters. And all this space is recreational facilities. Lack of redundancy of systems or physical bulkheads. Extensive weapon systems and a what is probably a high powered power plant and high performance warp engines, but an enormous amount of wasted space and resources. How did this thing get passed the design stage?" The member races of the Federation might have been soft by Klingon standards, but no Klingon made captain who didn't respect Starfleet's capabilities.

"The answers are aboard that ship," said Kardon.

"Engineering to bridge. Impulse power restored. Transporters are now online."

Kardon returned to his chair and flicked on the com. "Force Leader. Captives and computer data highest priority. High losses acceptable. Success is essential. Sensor data indicates no sign of Starfleet Marine presence."

"Understood captain. The one may rest assured that the Marines will accomplish their tasks. Kai kassai Klingon!"

[Ford Prefect]

Something strange is going on and i want to know what.

[speaker-to-trolls]

I think I've got a pretty good idea where that ship came from...

[Burak Gazan]

"The scans are correct. All the space is devoted to living quarters. And all this space is recreational facilities. Lack of redundancy of systems or physical bulkheads. Extensive weapon systems and a what is probably a high powered power plant and high performance warp engines, but an enormous amount of wasted space and resources. How did this thing get passed the design stage?" The member races of the Federation might have been soft by Klingon standards, but no Klingon made captain who didn't respect Starfleet's capabilities.

I think I know what class of ship it is, too......

[Edward Yee]

Wonder whose cosmic wires got crossed to stick these Klingons (evidently used to a much different Starfleet) with this Starfleet ship of a different sort? Either way, interesting!

[Sidewinder]

As the Chelemen can apparently open dimensional portals at will, I'm curious as to which ship is "out of place." The USS Enterprise NCC-1701D? The Lancer? Both ships? Either way, Picard-- or whoever's in command aboard what I assume is a Galaxy class vessel-- is in for a lot of pain.

I'd also like translations for some of the Klingon terms. I'm assuming "kuve" means coward. Does "Komerex Federazhon" mean Conquering Federation?

[Burak Gazan]

I don't have the Final Reflection at hand, but I believe "kuve" can be translated as servitor, or servant/slave; Komerex, if I remember correctly, translates as "the structure that grows" thus, Komerex Klingon

[Imperial Overlord]

I don't have the Final Reflection at hand, but I believe "kuve" can be translated as servitor, or servant/slave; Komerex, if I remember correctly, translates as "the structure that grows" thus, Komerex Klingon

Correct. Komerex is generally translated to mean empire, but it means "the structure that grows" as oppossed to khesterex "the structure that dies." For klingons a society either grows and expands or stagnates and dies. Conquest isn't merely about greed and glory, it is about survival. Literally conquer or die. Kuve means servitor, but it doesn't imply dishonor if one is suited to that role and does it well. Straav or slave does not carry any positive connotations, denoting one who is a slave despite not being suited to that role. Tokhe straav, willing slave, is an insult between Klingons that only blood can erase.

[Sabastian Tombs]

So what we have here is FASA's Klingons, expecting to go up against FASA's Starfleet, caught in the world of Braga Trek? This is going to be interesting.

[Imperial Overlord]

So what we have here is FASA's Klingons, expecting to go up against FASA's Starfleet, caught in the world of Braga Trek? This is going to be interesting.

FASA's Klingons were based directly on Ford's work. The head writer for their Klingon supplement actually knew Ford personally. So you're absolutely right.

[LordShaithis]

This is awesome. More please.