Imperial Honor

 Episode Name:  Imperial Honor

   Written By:  Fortunae

         Cast:  Cerene, Churas, Cristobal, Fortunae, Gomk'Qa, Londas, Nog'val, 

                Sta'TORuk Warrior and Sulkat.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Fortunae

     Aired On:  Sat Apr 19 03:47:22 2003

     Stardate:  53152.7

Time: Fri Apr 18 14:43:54 2003

Stardate: 53151.4

This episode picks up directly where "To the Manner Born" ended --

As he runs, Cristobal taps his combadge and says, "Cristobal to Al-Wazif. Engage autopilot. Launch immediately, and land one hundred meters to the north of my present location," that being the direction they happen to be running. "Best possible speed," he adds unnecessarily.

Moments later the executive shuttle Al-Wazif comes screaming over the rooftops making tiles flip off and shutters tear to flinders in it's passing...it sweeps over the heads of the sprinting mission team heading towards it directed landing spot...
... And then explodes in a huge ball of fire and rush of heat.Boiling chunks of what was once the Federation Shuttle tumble across the roofs of the buildings beyond their sprint, fires begin to spread in a flash of a winking eye... and above them the B'rel that killed the Al-Wazif screams by overhead the pull of it's wake almost tossing them from their feet.

And that is when the realization that they are stuck on Balduk sinks in.

Oh...rats. That's decidedly not good. Cristobal glances over at Churas, hoping she has an idea..

Churas never was slow on the reaction time. When the shuttle explodes above them, the massive female's arms shoot out and snag the Betazoid, curling her much bigger form around the Legate as she drops to the ground. It takes a few seconds of shielding the smaller woman before she gets back to her feet, setting Cerene upright with a nod. "Out of sight, now," she growls, and gestures toward the shadows and alleyways. "Look for entrances in the street. To the sewers." She says this like she says the word 'cheese.'

"Yaaaah!" As Churas pulls her down to the ground, Cerene shrieks in surprise. "Fates, was that really necessary?" she mumbles as the Klingon woman helps her back to her feet.

Sulkat is busy struggling back to his feet, having ducked down (fallen more than anything) at the explosion, using his good arm as leverage and 'walking' up to a standing position. He looks severly unimpressed with the situation as he brushes his front down a little, to say the least.

Gorgha seems momentarily unsure of this suggestion to take to the sewers like a scuttling rat, but the young Klingon seems so sure he relents and with a look toward Sulkats arm, looks about a for a sewer access.

The roar of the pursuing Klingon draws closer and more calls from the Nausicaan Devil Dogs can be heard amongst them...

. o O Sulkat thinks "Did I refill... hyrdoponic system?"

Right. Sewers. Cristobal arches a brow, not really knowing what Klingon sewer access points would look like. Flat circular pieces of metal would be too easy. Nonetheless, he looks around.

. o O Sulkat feels is in pain. And more than a little anxious, but that anxiety is largely pushed down, muted, controlled.

"No, I was just wasting a little time while we have Nausicaan hounds and an army of enraged Warriors on our tails. Of course I thought it was necessary. Now help us look for a sewer entrance. Not only will they not think to look for us down there, but I can explain your presences at least somewhat if we are found." Churas gestures toward the non-Klingons even as she searches the streets, continually moving away from the approaching warriors as she does so.

<CONTEST> Cerene contests her Planetside Survival (Urban) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Planetside Survival (Urban) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Cerene quickly glances around the area, her eyes flickering over the layout. "There." She points, a few blocks down, to a descending staircase. "See that sign?"

Cerene says in Klingon, "klingon"

Cerene says in Klingon, "Authorized Access Only."

Cerene says, "I bet that's one right there."

Sulkat frowns as he follows Churas. "I'm not certain it's a good idea to head down there. Considering they'd detect us down there as easily as up here, if they set their scanners to work on looking for two Human and one Betazoid life-signs. Unless the sewers here are lined with sensor-resistant material?"

Cristobal points at a drain, "Hey, there's a..." Oh, Cerene has found an actual door. Well, no sense in trying to squeeze down a drain. "If that's the case," he says to Sulkat, "then we're already lost. No point in assuming that."

The sounds are much closer now... sounds of warriors scaling the walls, sounds of warriors heading for the gates, sounds of the hunting beasts... and the roaring of the B'rel's engines as he sails across the city coming about in a long arc that will bring it by for another pass soon...

"No. They will attempt to hunt us with Hounds long before they will use scanners. This is a sporting chase for them first. They think we cannot escape." Churas, apparently not a big fan of letting a second go to waste, has grunted what passes for thanks to Cerene as she breaks into a run toward the stairwell.

Gorgha gives Sulkat an abrupt assurance that he will administer a pain treatment once they are someplace less tactically unsound, then he strides with long steps towards the entrance that the Betazoid has spotted.

Cerene takes off at a run too, mumbling softly to herself as she goes. "I don't suppose that if I told them I was a pacifist, they'd stop trying to kill us..."

A lone figure's head appears from the stairwell. The large Klingon looks towards Churas as she nears his position. With a snort, the stranger says in a far too familiar tone of voice, "So, daughter of Gr'laH, I assume you did not find Kurn'val's private stock to your liking?" Londas waits at the stairs with a smirk on his face which promptly fades. "Hurry up. With any luck the stench will mask your scent."

"Not likely, Legate." Cerene is given a moment's pause by Londas's emergence from the sewers -- did you see her step falter, just there? -- before she continues on toward the stairwell. "Of course not," she growls low in her throat in response to Londas. "My thoughts exactly." And thus, down the stairs she proceeds, letting the rest of the group follow after.

Cristobal replies to Cerene's murmur, "No. They would consider killing you an act of mercy. Pacifists have so few chances to enter Sto-Vo-Kor." When Cristobal sees the Son of Vlarok again, his eyes flash. He does not trust himself to speak. He simply follows.

"Not likely, Legate." Churas is given a moment's pause by Londas's emergence from the sewers -- did you see her step falter, just there? -- before she continues on toward the stairwell. "Of course not," she growls low in her throat in response to Londas. "My thoughts exactly." And thus, down the stairs she proceeds, letting the rest of the group follow after.

. o O Cristobal thinks "Not now Nathan...get to safety, /then/ kill your rescuer..."

Cerene glances over at Cristobal with a frown. "I'm well aware of Klingon custom, Lieutenant. That was a rhetorical question, thank you."

Sulkat informs Gorgha (equally abruptly), between breaths, "No, painkillers - decrease - performance," as he moves as fast as he can after Churas towards the stairwell. He nearly halts at the appearance of the head, though, slowing down and reaching for his hip, and the phaser that rests in its holster there. That motion is killed, however, when Churas doesn't appeared fussed by the Klingon's appearance. Down the stairs he goes after her.

. o O Churas thinks "Wonderful. This is just. Wonderful. Could Vor'mak perhaps pop out of the woodwork now? I think that would make all of this utterly complete."

Londas leads the party through the stone tunnels of the sewers. The ceiling holds soft lights that barely provide enough illumination to avoid colliding in to a wall. Everyone's feet splash throughout the winding paths as Londas turns left and then right. Occasionally he stops as if pondering precisely which way to go next. At the very least, he seems to have some idea of where he is going. The stench is overpowering to say the least. The sewage system of a culture that is filled with primarily carnivores? Not pleasant. Add that faint overtone of musk and you have an environment that could mask sarin nerve gas.

. o O Londas thinks "Left...then right. Should be under moH'craq street here..."

Well there's one bright spot. The smell gives Cristobal something to attempt to avoid focusing on other than jealousy or the fact that they are stranded. He continues along, the sewers providing little opportunity for him to attempt to interpose himself between Churas and Londas.

Churas rubs at her nose. If she had tear ducts, her eyes would likely tear up from the smell. As it is, she just starts to breathe through her mouth and coughs roughly once or twice as she follows after Londas, one hand on her dk'tagh. Just in case.

Cerene scrunches up her nose, and does her best to exhale through her nose and inhale using her mouth. Not that she's ableto avoid the smell that well with it, but she's certainly doing her best.

Sulkat breathed deeply the moment they entered the infernal smelling place, and thus, is slowly becoming inured to the smell. As much as that applies, at any rate. His eyes do run, though, quite freely, and /that/ is an irritation; his hands aren't clean enough to wipe them, so he can only blink frequently. And grunt quietly here and there, with ever-growing irritation.

Echoing down the sewer length the sounds of the hunt above ground carries -- not indicative of pursuit on their tails, but of the streets being swept by a ferocious mob of bloodlust filled Klingons.

Londas stops his running and holds up a hand behind him. "We should be far enough away now," he says, his own nose wrinkled in distaste. "Now would you mind telling me just how you have managed to anger half the houses I could spit at or should I beat the answers out of all of you?" He folds his arms and gives a wry snort.

. o O Cristobal thinks "I'll...no...that's not the right response..."

. o O Cristobal feels annoyance

Gorgha frowns at the young warrior's impudence and appears to be actually considering the second choice as he tests the heft of his weapon.

"You are welcome to try," comes Churas's instant response, before she makes a dismissive gesture with her hand. Obligatory 'whatever, I could so beat you down' gestures made as required by Klingon culture, she continues warily, "You know of my father, Gr'laH, son of Go'laH." The female holds up a hand to the rest of her own party, as if to indicate 'let me handle this.'

Cristobal arches an eyebrow at Londas. Having learned the correct response from Churas, he snorts derisively at him, looking almost amused, rather than responding angrily.

Cerene raises an eyebrow at Londas' threat, but simply crosses her arms over her chest and hrmphs softly. And draws her petite form up to puff herself up as much as she can. Which isn't much, since there's so little to work with, but still. And she lets Churas handle it.

Londas shrugs lightly and says, "Or I could simply let you find your own way out. Without attracting attention." He chuckles and flex his forearms while cracking his knuckles. "I don't think even B'val would have made such a rash decision."

Sulkat, for his part, rolls his eyes slightly at the threat, but remains silent as requested. At least for now.

Something small dog sized, bristly and feral looking splashes into an intersection about eight meters from the held up group, it makes an disapproving sound then splashes on it's way.

Churas's mouth flattens into an unimpressed line. "If you are going to request information, Londas, you could at least pretend to be paying attention when I begin to give it to you. However, if you know of B'val, you already /know/ why we are here, and you know that time is short." One of her hands remains on the hilt of her dk'tagh, though this seems more a reflexive resting gesture than anything else. Her eyes track to the creature and then back to Londas, as if to say 'see?'

Londas looses a guffaw of approval at Churas's brazen approach. "Indeed, I do! But I can only guess at why you are fleeing like hunted targs. If I am going to help you escape, I would like to know why I am doing so."

Cristobal finds himself unable to disagree with the creature's assessment. He reaches over his shoulder and places one hand on the hilt of the sword that rests there. He does not draw, he merely holds the hilt, his eyes focused on Londas's.

<CONTEST> Cerene contests her History (Klingon) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

. o O Cristobal thinks, "You have no idea I know how to use this, do you?" referring to both Londas and Churas.

"Lead on toward the starport, Londas, and I will tell you as we go. There is not enough time to stand here and waste it in talking without moving as well." Churas gestures down the direction Londas was heading with an absent hand. "You have my word that none of the non-Klingons will attack you from behind." It seems to go without saying that she won't do so, and she repeats, "You know of my father," as if this ought to mean something to Londas, who recognized Gr'laH's name before.

As long as she leaves him the option of attacking from the front, Cristobal does not complain.

Londas raises a hand to interrupt and states, "You can't possibly be thinking of escaping through the Starport, are you? What would you block of first if a bunch of outworlders were fleeing from you on YOUR home planet?"

Churas sighs expansively, and /immediately/ regrets it, as this requires her to draw in a large breath to replace the oxygen she let out. "You have a better idea, then." It's a question, phrased in her usual gruff manner as a statement.

"Several," he says with an amused snort. "You can hide here in the sewers. There are plenty of sewer moQ to feed on. If," he states with obvious sarcasm, "you do not find this to be a hospitable place I may be able to conceal you topside. My house has enough resources to do so and would be interested in learning what you have found out. But, should you wish to leave now, there is a third option. There is a lightly guarded IKDF repair hanger north of town. The last I heard they had an armored troop carrier in there...and maybe an old model B'rel." He rubs his chin in musing.

Churas snorts to the first -- again, she regrets that shortly thereafter, as the reflexive action is to breathe back in through her nose -- and, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, notes, "We /need/ to leave now. It is not a question of wish." She tilts her chin up in a questioning sort of gesture. "The third is the necessary option."

. o O Cristobal thinks "If that B'rel is spaceworthy, and has a functioning cloak, it would be just what we need..."

Londas nods once without any smirk, grin, of sign of amusement in place. "Very well. I will lead you there. In turn, you will explain your situation along the way." With that said, he pauses a moment to reorient himself and proceeds down one of the tunnels.

Cristobal nods at Churas, continuing to hold his tongue.

Churas has pretty much been the de facto lead up until this point, and Cerene is perfectly willing to let her stay in that position for now. She lets the other woman explain, herself remaining quiet, focusing on blocking out the smell.

Cristobal grits his teeth as they go. Even her talking to Londas is a process he finds nearly as displeasing as the sewer's stench. He holds his tongue (and his nose) as they move along.

"After the assassination of B'val in Federation space, this group was assigned by our respective governments to investigate it. We have followed the trail here, from an assassin who had his face surgically altered through several more steps to the knowledge that someone from your house was covering that assassin's trail. A Warrior of Starfleet sacrificed herself for us on H'atoria, one Dana Rivers." Churas hikes along behind Londas, the tone of her words indicating very clearly that she knows the kind of gravity these things carry. Cosmetic surgery and covert killings: not exactly honorable, and she's just flatly implicated Londas's house. "We continued to follow this trail to Balduk and the manor house; we witnessed a meeting wherein plans to repeat the assassination upon Martok were hailed as valiant." She pauses for a moment, slogging through a particularly difficult section of the sewer, and then goes on. Her words are carefully chosen, but there is no hesitance in them. Churas is sure of what she says. "I can find no Honor in these deeds, indeed, there is none. Further, I am sworn to the end of this task, to bring what I find back to the Supreme Chancellor."

While the one hand is visibly on the hilt of his sword, the other is underneath the heavy robe he wears over his clothing, holding his phaser. Cristobal prepares to draw either should Londas choose to side with his House against the Chancellor.

Londas is silent during her explanation though he lets one snort slip through. "I am not a Sta'TORuk, daughter of Gr'laH. I simply accept their company out of duty. Regardless of all this, however, those are serious charges. I assume you have some measure of proof that these dogs are ready to betray Martok?"

Cristobal releases both weapons, pulling out his tricorder instead. He downloads the file from Sulkat's tricorder and plays the recording:

"Friends! Brothers! KLINGONS!" Kahlanan son of Knalak begins. "Our plan progresses! The days of the false Chancellor are numbered and soon we will restore the Klingon Empire to it's RIGHTFUL place! Soon we will no longer suck at the teat of the Federation! Soon we shall follow the Destiny Kahless gave us in the age of legends! The Stars Belong to the KLINGONS!" At each rhetoric punched line, the Klingons roar and bang their hands on the tables making them shake and spilling some tankards of bloodwine.

"We have shown the weakness of Martok's false claim upon the hilt of the Bat'leth that is the empire! We have fooled the Kangs into squandering their fleets against the pathetic Nausicaans! We have tied the Romulans up in the Othan sector! We have brought to light Martok's plans to replace the House Fleets with his IKDF QI'yaH's."

"Even now the pretender Martok is preparing to attend the "summit" with the mewling Federation that betrayed Gowron and their Romulan dog allies -- and I say to you all -- HE WILL NEVER ARRIVE!" There is more roaring and cheering.

"I understand, and apologize if I have caused offense by my assumption," Churas replies, seeming rather serious about that, and relieved as well. "Indeed. One of the team's members bears a complete recording of the speech... " and then she stops as the recording plays. "There is holovideo to accompany that. The faces of all those who sat at that table and toasted that announcement, cheered that speech."

Londas grunts after hearing the clip and the following statement from Churas. "So it is true then. Very well. We will be certain that the message reaches the Chancellor. Those wretched p'taq'ja!" His face curls in to a grimace. "By their mothers' smooth foreheads and pointy ears we will see them pay for this treachery!"

Some time later...
There is little apparent activity inside the IKDF repair hanger, not even guards patrolling outside it. The voluminous duracrete facility is quiescient as the group slinks inside -- the doors bypassed curiously by Churas who entered a code without explaining how she knew it or where she got it. Seventy meters from the duracrete floor a light shines from a small office, likely whomever is on duty at the facility. Within the confines of the mammoth structure are the darkened forms of two vessels. One a long and blockily menacing craft designed for atmospheric penetration and deployment of warriors to a battle -- a Troop Transport assault vessel. The other further off... it seems to be the nose of a B'rel with the rest of the ship blocked by the transport.

Londas eyes the compound and nods once. "This is it," he states simply, as if it was necessary.

Cristobal murmurs softly to Churas, "If that thing's spaceworthy, and has a functional cloak," he indicates the B'rel, "it'd be perfect. Small enough to operate without an actual crew, and well-armed enough to shoot back if we need to."

Londas chuckles and states, "I don't suppose one of you is a half-decent astrogater?"

Churas murmurs aside to Cristobal, "You are probably right. Scan them both, however." She tilts her head toward the tricorder he was carrying on their way there. "If nothing else, I want to make certain we are not walking into anything we are not prepared for."

The Klingon shakes her head slightly at Londas. "Not I."

Cristobal nods, performing the scan. To Londas, he replies, "Sorry, Starfleet only sends phaser-wielders and diplomats into the Empire," with about the first bit of good humor directed towards the man. He catches himself, though, and resumes scowling.

Londas eyes the collected group and smiles. "Then you will need me again, naturally!" He beats his fist against his chest and leers at Churas, stating, "Astrogation is one of my very many skills. Perhaps after this mission I will show you my others." Wink wink.

. o O Churas thinks "Kill him /later,/ Nathan."

GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Material Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Cristobal mutters something semi-coherent about a plank before saying, "Both ships' hulls are intact. Seems we have our pick."

Churas snorts and shakes her head slightly at Londas. "We welcome your assistance ...with astrogation." Her shoulders roll a little bit, and she narrows her eyes slightly, idly and crankily straightening her armor. "I agree with Nathan's assessment. We will be able to pilot the B'rel with a much smaller crew. If the cloak is operational, it should serve us well."

Sulkat has remained quiet along the journey, his face slightly ashen - presumably with pain. His injured arm hangs limply at his side, and whenever he moves, he does so carefully, clearly intent on /not/ moving the arm as much as possible. But now he utters quietly, "I can pilot a little bit, but I've only experience with shuttlecraft."

Gorgha announces his choice by moving toward the B'rel with deliberate steps.

Londas sees the elder Klingon make his decision and follows after, his hand on the disruptor pistol at his hip.

Since consensus seems to have been reached, Cristobal puts his tricorder away and walks towards the B'rel. He keeps his hand on his phaser, as it seems unlikely to him that it will be /that/ easy to steal a ship. He also doesn't trust Londas.

Given that the B'rel was her vote anyway, Churas takes a few long strides to catch up with Gorgha, her hand resting on her dk'tagh again, eyes scanning the hangar frequently. And now is the time when we board the ship. Hopefully.

Sulkat follows the rest, turning his back partly on them, and taking the rear. He lays a relaxed finger against his phaser in an easy-to-draw position, the rest of his fingers tucked up and cocked.

Moving around the troop carrier, the group sees the full bredth of the B'rel, labeled the IKS Van'a in Klingon script along it's green hull. The cargo ramp at the aft of the vessel is down, likely to facilitate the boarding and debarking of technicians during the day time while they service the vessel.

As the last of them rounds the carrier the sound of the door into the hanger can be heard opening, voices in Klingon carry translated by the combadges of those who do not speak Klingon.

"This is a fool's errand Nog'val -- they will head for the Starport, they would not even know of this structure."

"Shut up, do not underestimate the wily nature of Starfleet. They likely broke into the planetary data network -- only a fool underestimates the Federation soft or not. They are weak, not stupid."

Londas raises a brow and slowly unholsters his disruptor pistol.

Cristobal raises a finger to his lips. He removes his own phaser and motions for Churas and Cerene to get out of sight. Not to say the Klingon can't defend herself, but unless she can hurl a bat'leth at the speed of light, the energy weapons will be more useful in this situation.

Still translated by combadge, "Wait -- wait -- do you hear that? It's -- Federation Standard. Combadge translation.. fan out you fools they /are/ here!"

The sounds of metal clearing scabbards carries with an echoing sound through the cavernous hanger.

Churas, having no ranged weapon, slides her bat'leth out of the sling on her back, even as she moves to protect the avowed pacifist Legate. The Federation tends to get annoyed if you break their diplomatic staff, or let them get broken.

Cristobal eyes Churas with a sardonic look and a shrug. 'Never mind' is the thought that particular gesture conveys.

Gorgha makes another decision. He points at the two women and then at the ramp, hefting his own blade he hurries his pace and starts up the metal-gridded gangway into the bowels of the Van'a -- perhaps deciding to the younger warriors handle the chase party while he tries to get the ship prepped for departure.

"Follow him," Churas growls in Klingon to Cerene. Yeah. That's a better idea. Get into the ship, why doncha?

Londas makes sure his disruptor is set to a suitable kill setting and moves to cover Gorgha and whomever follows after him.

GAME: Sulkat spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Sulkat (claiming advantage) contests his Planetary Tactics (Small Unit) skill vs Nog'val's Planetary Tactics (Small Unit) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sulkat (claiming advantage) contests his Command (Combat Leadership) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<PROVE> Sulkat has the flaw of Hides Emotions at -2.

Sulkat slips his phaser out, but then eyes his injured arm somewhat dubiously. Nevertheless, he hunkers down... and waits. He looks vaguely pleased about something, or, at least, the corners of his lips are turned upwards in a slight smile.

Sulkat wields his Type II Phaser.

Cristobal moves behind the "wing" of the B'rel, placing himself in a covered position with good visibility. He checks his phaser, sets it to heavy stun, and waits.

Churas slides into a battle stance; her feet shoulder-width apart, the female Warrior holds her bat'leth with its four points facing outward (naturally) at just above waist-height. Fingers slowly adjust their grip on the leather-wrapped handles as she finds herself a position behind the corner of a troop carrier where she'll not be easily backed into a corner, and waits. She, after all, has no ranged weapon. Best to just wait out the firefight until someone gets in close enough for her to face them down.

Londas dashes up the ramp to the ship and kneels down with his disruptor pistol readied, claiming the high ground. "Come and meet your deaths, HaDIbaH!"

Cerene glances rather dubiously at huras as she makes the order to board the ship. Not the most polite way of making the request, but then, it's not exactly the time to quibble over manners, either. She heads into the ship as well.

They come quick and confident, some use of cover of course as they are warriors not idiots. Three from each side of the troop transport -- some crouching and firing disrupters, some walking and firing as they come, some charging with battle cries and blades uplifted to smite. There are sounds of clammering on the upper portion of the transport suggesting more may be moving to get the height advantage. These details though are swept in the blink of an eye as the long moment of battle commencing settles upon the sensibilities of all...

GAME: Churas spends a courage point.

Back to work. Cristobal waits patiently, noting the clammering but putting it in the back of his mind. He notes that the Klingons seem just a little disorganized, and having a portion of your side using bladed weapons while the others use disruptors is Friendly Fire just waiting to happen. A red disruptor beam lances overhead. Picking out the source of the shot, he extends his arm and fires.

Sulkat picks the Klingon most easily attainable within his current firing arc and fires from the hip, his smile fading to a blank, pinched expression as his thumb squeezes the contact on the phaser...

Churas waits behind the troop transport for the first Klingon to either drop off of the top or come around the corner. When they show themselves, she snarls and turns her face to them before swinging her bat'leth in a viscious arc.

Londas bares his teeth in a feral grin as his fires of a round at the first target that comes in to view.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Dramatically Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sulkat contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

...the Klingon that Cristobal fires at swerves his head with ferocious swiftness and the return bolt of heavy stun goes wise, even as Churas' bat'leth catches her foe under the chin -- the blade driving up through the soft flesh and into the brain of the warrior who topples backward lifeless before he even hits the floor.

Sulkat's beam to the contrary neatly clips another Klingon who spins off balance and crashes to the duracrete floor in a tulmutous clatter.

Londas's disrupter beam strikes with impressive puissance -- drilling his target directly in the forehead before the incadescent red glow of a high disrupter setting destablizes the molocules of his body leaving fine ash to snow toward the floor.

None of this deters the attacking Sta'TORuk warriors though who retaliate in kind...

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Sulkat's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Londas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sulkat contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Londas (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Sulkat predictably (considering his utter lack of cover) gets hit in the torso with a bolt from one of the Klingon's disruptors... he lets out a growling, throaty moan as he hits the deck, writhing in agony.

Cristobal swings his head to the side, behind the ship. He does not evince any emotion at having missed his first shot. No time for that, right now. He fires another shot off at the Klingon sniper.

Churas takes a disruptor bolt to the midsection shortly after she pulls the point out of her first kill's chin, sending purple blood slithering down the corpse's chin as it drops to the floor. She is unflagged, and, point of fact, the shot seems to only encourage her; the female Warrior /howls/ her rage and spins on the next incoming Warrior, bat'leth already moving to strike.

Londas snarls in pain (and perhaps pleasure) as the disruptor bolt lances in to his shoulder. Grinning with approval at the ash that was his target, he turns his aim towards the Klingon that shot him. Revenge may be best served cold, but he will have to settle for revenge heated via disruptor pistol.

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

...hot on the heels of his comrade, another Sta'TORuk warrior becomes intimate with the wicked curving blade of Churas daughtr of Gr'lah. His armor splits under the pressure of her blade's edge and the skin beneath follows suit -- spilling his entrails out in an almost explosive release of pressure. His warrior howl dies strangled in his throat as his knees buckle and he falls on his own momentum to them before the the young warrior.

Cristobal's return fire meets with satisfaction, the Klingon who downed Sulkat finds himself a healthy feast of phased energy and topples backward spent courtesy of fine aim and Federation technology.

Meanwhile, Londas' revenge is delayed as the target of his yearning for a burning side steps the incoming introduction to death displaying a savage expression. He of course returns fire....

One charging Klingon flicks his knife from his belt and whips it underhanded towards Cristobal's chest...

The onrush of warriors toward Churas has suspended momentarily -- but beams of red pain rain down at her from the dorsal aspect of the Troop Carrier...

Following on the heels of the Knife wielder, a young female warrior screams a blood curdling battle cry as she races with her blade upraised to bury her honor into Sulkat and ending his tour of duty....

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Londas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Dramatically Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Primitive Weapon (D'k Tagh) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Primitive Weapon (Bat'leth) skill vs Sulkat's Unarmed Combat (Aikido) skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Londas (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Sulkat is fortunatley on his way back to his feet... but, unfortunatley, still twitching. But the whole screaming-female-Klingon-with-a-knife supercedes pain, in this case. Priorities, priorities. Groaning with effort, Sulkat brings up his good arm to block the blow, barely fending the arm to one side .

Cristobal drops to his knees. The knife-blade whizzes past his ear, bouncing off the B'rel's wing with a metallic thud. He fires at the knife-flinging Klingon, a look of utter calm on his face.

Londas howls in agony as his disruptor pistol drops from his hand and clatters off the ramp he stands on. The Klingon draws his dk'tagh and leaps off the ramp to engage his enemy in melee combat.

<CONTEST> Churas contests her Athletics skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Beams of red pain rain down at the daughter of Gr'laH from the top of the Troop Carrier, but she moves out of their way, her indomitable nature giving her the edge in facing down this certainly deadly situation. Churas backs up a step so as to be able to affect the proper imperious chin-tilt and howls up at those firing down on her, "I AM CHURAS, DAUGHTER OF GR'LAH. COME AND FACE ME LIKE WARRIORS, YOU COWARDLY P'TAQ! HOW BRAVE, TO FIRE DOWN ON ONE ARMED ONLY WITH A BLADE!"

Of course, the flying disruptor of Londas makes a liar out of her only a second later, as its trajectory brings it close enough to her that her arm can shoot out and snag it out of the air. Her face takes on an 'or, then again, maybe I /am/ armed for this, now,' sort of expression as she drops one side of her bat'leth and tucks the disruptor under her arm, readying it to fire.

GAME: Cerene spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

. o O Cristobal thinks "I suppose I'm going to have to reacquaint myself with Klingon food aboard the B'rel. Knife...fire...I should have brought more combat rations."

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

...the Klingon who has scored twice on Londas levels his blaster for another shot even as Churas catches Londas's blaster and squeezes a shot off at the female standing over Sulkat.

Cristobal smoothly shifts his fire and drops the warrior who tossed a knife at him dropping yet another warrior in full charge mode. His deadly aim draws the attention of the shooters on the roof of the Troop vessel and they fire bolts of disrupter fire at his covered position...

Meanwhile, Cerene reaches out with her telepathic powers -- locating the mind of one of the Klingons with her psionic powers and levels the tip of the blaster around the doorway attempting to bring the Klingon down without exposing herself to return fire but the blast goes wide and strikes the hull of the transport...

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Londas's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Sulkat's Unarmed Combat (Aikido) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs Sulkat's Fitness (Vitality) skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

. o O Cristobal thinks "Ow"

. o O Churas thinks "GRRAAAAAAAA"

The young female Klingon backswings her Bat'leth, taking advantage of Sulkat's nerves ripped by disrupter pain slowness, and splits his abdomen across the waist just below the sternum. The black uniform is suddenly crimonsed and he topples back to the floor on his shoulders and bellows in pain. His twitching arms involuntarily pull down to his gullet to keep his organs from spilling out in a wet rush and the Female brings her blade through the follow through that is graceful and fluid... when next her arm comes down it is clear to note she will be attempting to decapitate him...

Cristobal grunts as the disruptor bolt slams into him. Shrugging it off, he ignores the Klingons on top of the transport firing at him for the moment, instead attempt to shoot the woman who is trying to kill Sulkat. Lucky thing that all that time he spent with Churas has beaten the chivalry right out of him.

Churas howls again as the disruptor slams into her shoulder, a defiant sound ripping its way out of her throat. She turns her disruptor -- well, Londas's, same thing -- and fires up to the top of the troop transport, trying to pick off those on the raised firing position.

Londas, dk'tagh in hand, dashes towards the offending Klingon with the disruptor and lunges to place his blade in the enemy's chest. "For the Empire," he bellows as he prepares to bathe his hands in blood.

Cerene may not have the most telepathically advanced senses, but she definitely feels some of the result of that slice across Sulkat's abdomen. She points her disruptor around the side of the door once more, reaches out with her telepathic senses, and fires at the Klingon woman.

<CONTEST> Churas contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

Unfortunately, the pain from Sulkat's wound keeps her largely-untrained mental abilities from being able to focus on the woman. So Cerene is forced to slide out into the line of fire, if only for a second, to take a shot.

GAME: Cerene spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

...as if the shielded by lady fortune herself, the Klingon warrior over Sulkat remains impervious to the attempts to forstall her action by the Federation members of the task group. She finishes her graceful spin and arc and the blade flashes downward...

At that same instant, Londas's opponant shifts with a twist of the shoulder that whirls him -- hair flashing outward -- just out of reach of the taste of the dk'tagh and so he siezes his opportunity to lash out with his heavy metal tipped boot toward the knee of his persistant opponant...

Churas' fire toward the group on the high ground inspires them to split thier fire between Cristobal, Cerene and herself... the Betazoid and unexpected bonus target too savory to pass up on...

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill vs Londas's Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cerene's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Cristobal's Unarmed Combat skill and Dramatically Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Sulkat's Unarmed Combat skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs Sulkat's Fitness (Vitality) skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

Despite the nerve savaging pain of the disrupter effect, and the agony of his disembowelment Sulkat struggles to maintain his hold on life by attempting to somehow escape the inevitable conclusion of his life. As the blade intersects with his throat and the female screams with bloodlust driven victory his life of service comes to end.

The Female doesn't hesitate, but rather shifts her grip on her Bat'leth and charges toward Cristobal eager for more human blood...

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Intellect (Logic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Not again. Another officer dies in front of him because he was too slow. Cristobal's eyes go cold. He fingers a button on his phaser before taking aim. No thought. Just action. With the phaser set to kill, he fires.

At the same time, seeing the other female Warrior's trajectory, Churas, her nerves worked, beyond the ability to conceal her attachment to the Starfleet Officer, screams, "NATHAN!" and drops her disruptor. Howling wordlessly, she charges at the female Sta'TORuk as Cristobal fires, raising her bat'leth to attempt the same feat he tries, just by a different method.

Londas raises his leg to intercept his target's attempt at physical injury. With an angry snarl, he lashes out once again with his dk'tagh in an attempt to take his opponent to the halls of Sto'vo'kor with his blade aimed at the Klingon's throat.

Cerene cries out in agony as the mental shock of Sulkat's death runs through her mind. She does her best to fight it down, to get another clear shot at the woman responsible.

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Again, her lack of training becomes painfully evident, and the Betazoid woman steps into the line of fire once more to fire.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Primitive Weaponry (Bat'leth) skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Fails!

GAME: Londas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Londas (claiming advantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Sta'TORuk Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cerene contests her Energy Weapon (Disruptor) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

...the young females mask of aggression and success strengthens as she whips her Bat'leth out to deflect Churas's attack -- the blades clanging with a bell like ringing effect and sparks winking to life in a sliver of time... Cerene's hurried shot goes between the two females faces, mirrored expressions of fury and rage...but then the Sta'TORuk's expression shifts -- just for a flutter of an eyelash -- to one of confusion and self-realization of dread. This is caused by the ever-expanding hole in her chest caused by Cristobal's vengence driven phaser operation -- the females head begins to tilt back as she tries to scream but even the scream dies in her throat as the lungs that would have driven it disappear -- Churas's Bat'leth, suddenly finding no resistance causes the Sta'TORuk's blade bathed in Sulkat's blood to flip end over end and cacophonously impact against the troop transport...

...Londas ends his own duel of sorts in the very efficient Klingon fashion, driving his blade so hard into the throat of his attacker that effort to extract it twists the Klingon's head with a distinct snapping sound... the Klingons on the roof of the Transport rain more fire down at the task force even as the B'rel's engines suddenly spring to life under Gorgha's ministrations...

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Londas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cerene's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

"Churas! Londas!" Cristobal calls, seeing that both are fighting with blades and not energy weapons, "Aboard the Van'a! Legate, cover us!" Meaning, he knows she probably won't hit anything, just fire enough that they'll wait until she's done. He presses another couple of buttons on his phaser and it begins to emit a high-pitched whine. He flings the phaser up onto the top of the transport, and takes off for the ramp of the B'rel at a sprint.

"Oh, great. Lovely. *I* get to cover them. Have they not been watching a single--" Cerene spins off the wall into the doorway and begins firing shot after shot, laying down a steady stream of cover fire. She may not have great aim, but she's played in enough holovids to know how to make it look good.

<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Londas withdraws and makes a dash towards the ramp. Vengeance can wait, the Empire must come first. Keeping his head down, the Klingon bellows towards Cerene, "Close the ramp!"

"LONDAS!" Churas flings her bat'leth in a lazy arc toward the other Warrior. "Carry that! I will get the body of the Officer!" She offers a brief roll of her shoulders to the other Klingon as she hurries over to gather up Sulkat's body. Of course, it starts to fall apart as she lifts it. One hand stuffs the phaser into her armor, she slings the body over her shoulder. The fabric begins to rip, forcing her to steady the body itself with one hand as she grabs his head by its hair with the other. It's not delicate, but at least she's bringing back the body for his friends to mourn. Weird Federation Customs.

. o O Churas thinks "They had best damn appreciate this after all the complaining they did about Rivers's body."

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Churas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Londas's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cerene's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Sta'TORuk Warrior contests his Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs Cristobal's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming disadvantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Disrupter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

The Klingons and Aliana Cerene exchange massive amounts of fire, the cavernous hanger is filled with echoes of these shots and those previous launched -- through this hail of fire Londas and Churas move to the ramp and upon it, past Critobal who moves the other direction /into/ the fire. His phaser arcs up...up...up and then lands with a satisfying bounce atop the troop transport.

Perhaps a few of the Klingons realize their calamity but this avails them naught -- Nathan is back up the ramp and slamming the sealing button, Cerene pulling back around the corner just in time for the hatch to catch one lost shot aimed at her.

Just before it closes -- there is a statisfying explosion.

Minutes later...
...the IKS Van'a breaks from the nightside atmosphere of Balduk, as yet ignoring the calls from Balduk Space Authority regarding their lack of clearance for depature. The nimble vessel weaves through the veritable flotilla of Klingon vessels from House fleets of the guests of the Sta'TORuks. Arcing around a K'vort cruiser the Van'a banks and heads on an outsystem bound course through near space.

Gorgha, upon being informed that Londas is a skilled navigator and helmsman, turns over control for the immediate time being to Lieutenant Cristobal so he may tend to the corpse of Lieutenant Sulkat. Perhaps it is the discovery of trechery that haunts his expression, or perhaps the weight of his choice to prepare the ship for departure and leaving the battle to the much younger companions with him -- he doesn't say.

The Van'a is operating well within standard parameters -- but the first dianostic indicated one particularly glaring area of concern -- the ship's replicator systems are offline and there is no fresh stock aboard meaning someone will eventually have to finish the repairs on the replicator.

The other being the cloaking system is missing -- apprently being repaired.

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Space Sciences (Stellar Cartography) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

GAME: Londas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Londas (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Cerene has found a place to sit, alone, and think about things. About the betrayal, about the escape, about how essentially useless she was during it all. She's certainly not in the best of moods right now.

Londas sits at the helm and runs his fingers over the controls, looking for something in particular. "Blasted machine just tell me what I want to know!"

Churas gestures toward the tactical station, idly wiping Sulkat's blood off of her armor with her other hand. "That is my specialty." Pause. "Lieutenant." She waits for Cristobal's word before taking the seat, mind, but is already walking in that direction.

Cristobal arches an eyebrow at Londas saying, "Set a course for Station Four One Nine Upsilon." He glances at Churas and nods, saying, "Raise shields."

"Lieutenant, while I think that is probably the best course to set, I must also advise attempting to contact Supreme Chancellor Martok. At the very least, he will need to be aware of the plot on his life, at the best, he might send us reinforcements in order to make sure that we and our information outnumber the resistance we will no doubt eventually face." Churas notes all of this as she settles into the Tactical station and begins tapping at her console as ordered.

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Space Sciences (Stellar Cartography) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Londas says, "Alrighty then!"

"I already ordered..." Cristobal begins, when he realizes it was /Sulkat/ that he ordered. He nods and says, "I'll leave it to your discretion, but you might choose to contact Ambassador Worf instead, assuming the Ambassador is on Qo'nos. It might prove easier as well as more discreet. The Legate should be able to provide you with the proper diplomatic channel."

Churas raises shields, then, and turns her attention to Cerene, as if to say: Well?

Londas grunts as he punches in the coordinates and looks back to Cristobal. "Course set. Ready to leave Qo'noS space on your mark."

. o O Churas thinks "Now is when you earn your keep, pacifist."

Cristobal nods, "Engage. Keep alert. I can't believe /someone/ isn't aware of our escape."

Londas adds, "This will, however, take time. We need to move at impulse to avoid gravity wells and other hazards in the immediate area. I /might/ be able to plot a direct course but that could take some time as well."

Cristobal shakes his head in negation, "We can't sit around waiting on a mere possibility. Let's get moving immediately. At least give anyone waiting to shoot us a moving target."

Londas snarls as he makes a few calculations at his terminal. "Bah! That will take too long. We won't make it out of the system before we're overtaken!" Looking back to Cristobal, he barks, "I'm routing flight control to your console while I try and plot a warp course through the system. You and Churas will have to fend off any purusers."

Aliana announces that the ships comms are fine... but she is getting no feedback from a subspace relay beacon... it's like the subspace relay system is down. Meaning any message she sends can't reach Qo'nos... can't reach S419... might be able to reach Starbase 123 or... perhaps the Scimiter.

Churas observes from her console, "We should perhaps try to get a message out to anyone we can reach. If we cannot do it immediately, however, waiting... is preferable. We have bigger targs to slay than that, and hopefully it will keep that long."

GAME: Churas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

"Try to get a hold of one of them," Cristobal scowls, "If you do, get the Commander on the comm. This is a Priority One transmission." He takes a quick look at the controls, attempting to memorize them in the, oh, five seconds he has to do so. Maybe six.

Churas's hands move over her console, tapping at the console. "Attempting to locate pursuers on lateral sensors, Lieutenant, as well as the USS Scimiter on long-range sensors. One moment."

Londas shakes his head and says to Cristobal, "Pick a system. Starbase 123 is within range of S419, but just barely. The signal will be weak. The Romulan world of Dewa is as well, if you want to risk Romulan p'taq. Harumph! Klach D'kel Brackt is another option. A Klingon world, so either it will be filled with close friends or dangerous enemies. Or we can try to run straight to S419. Pick one."

<CONTEST> Londas contests his Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Londas shakes his head and says to Cristobal, "Pick a system. Starbase 123 would be safe, but out of comm range most likely unless the Romulans let them use one of their subspace relays. The Romulan world of Dewa is in range if you want to risk Romulan p'taq. Harumph! Klach D'kel Brackt is another option. A Klingon world, so either it will be filled with close friends or dangerous enemies. It is also in just within comm range. Or we can try to run straight to S419 and hopefully get in range within a sector or two. Pick one."

"Lieutenant, we have no one in pursuit so far, however, the B'rels we passed on our way in, in the shuttle, they are banking; I believe they are beginning to set an intercept course. Whatever we are doing, we must do it without delay. The long-range sensor results will take longer," Churas replies gruffly, massive hands moving with more delicacy than might be expected over the console. 'Course, it was built for Klingons, so it's configured for sentients her size.

Cristobal says, "Klack D'kel Brackt is out of the question. There's no way of knowing whether the conspiracy has penetrated that system or not. And if I don't want to let them know, I'm sure you can imagine what I think of running this via Romulan channels. Set a course for S419, Maximum Warp."

Cerene brushes an errant lock of hair from her face and asks, "Should I wait until we get free of the system before trying to contact the Scimiter? If we use a Federation communications protocol then we may tip our hand... I'll do whatever you want."

GAME: Londas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Londas (claiming advantage) contests his Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

"Tip our hand to who?" Cristobal asks, "The conspirators already know what we're doing, they know what we can report. If we can't get out of this alive, /someone/ has to get this back to Starfleet."

Londas furiously punches at his console then barks a short laugh. "Hah! Course plotted around the wells. Warp seven is the highest managable speed."

"Possibly to the flotilla of warships just behind us. I find myself in agreement with the First Legate. We must get out of the system, /then/ attempt to contact Starfleet and the Supreme Chancellor, Lieutenant. I must heavily advise following her suggestion," Churas notes.

Cristobal nods, his eyes focused on the viewscreen, "Make it so."

The IKS Van'a abruptly adjusts it's course and then seems to stretch out of proportion for a moment before ripping away at Warp 7. In less then a two minutes it is free of the Balduk starsystem, the B'rels attempting an intercept caught flat footed by the risky escape manuever and forced to reorientate and give pursuit -- a difficult proposition as they are matched in speed being of the same class and soon enough they abandon the chase even as vessels from the Flotilla break from orbit and likewise seek the rogue Van'a.

As soon as the Van'a cleared the system though, a priority one message was sent out to LCDR Martin Rush -- commander of the U.S.S. Scimiter. Rush's response was clear -- continue on towards S419 and they would come about and catch up at best possible speed.

Two tense days later, the maximum speed deutronium tanks more than spent, the Van'a is being hailed by the IKS Dol'Qoch which has gradually but surely intercepted them from a heading between them and S419...

Londas sits at the helm looking more than a little sleep deprived (not that he would admit it). His lip curls slightly as he glances about the bridge.

Cristobal says, "Data on the Dol'Qoch. Londas, find out who it belongs to, and if it's a House ship, check with Legate Cerene to see if their House was represented. Churas, give me a tactical report on the Dol'Qoch."

Churas, at 'her' station, the beloved Tactical console, glances across at Cristobal and blinks. Twice. It's another one of her famous, 'Well?' expressions. She, too, looks more than slightly sleep-deprived, and more than just a little bit tense generally. Once orders are given, she sets to following them.

Cristobal adds to Cerene, "By represented, I mean at the meeting." It may be obvious, it may not be. He's as tired as the rest.

<CONTEST> Londas contests his History (Klingon) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cerene contests her Culture (Klingon) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Churas contests her History (Klingon) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Gorgha, who is manning the "science" station of the Van'a growls, "It is a K'tinga class as I suspected before. It has been uprated for the war against the Dominion, hard hitting but not as spry as the Van'a perhaps."

Londas spins about in his chair and states, "I know her. The Dol'Qoch is a minor house ship that was attached to fighting under the Kang house fleet in the IKDF during the war. Captain Gomk'Qa, son of Romak't, got back with her into Klingon space two months ago."

As Cristobal makes the request, Cerene closes her eyes for an instant, then reopens them, a certainty flashing in her dark orbs. "Yes, the House of Romak't. They're a minor Klingon house, so they weren't actually at the conference themselves, but houses they're aligned with *were* there. One of those houses is the House of Bord'LK. The Houses of Bord'LK and, consequently, their allies in the House of Romak't have a strong rivalry with the Kangs; the Romak't weren't thrilled about being forced to fight *with* the Kangs during the Dominion War, but the IKDF made that decision and they dealt with it."

"It appears we have found our eventual intercept," Churas growls from her position at tactical, slouching back a little and glancing across at Cristobal before shifting her gaze to each of the others on the bridge.

Cristobal's expression perks up as he hears the name "Kang", then it gets decidedly less so when Cerene's elaboration occurs. "How long until we're in that K'tinga's weapons range, and how long until we can contact the station?"

Londas spins back around and looks to his console before replying, "We may be able to outmanuever them but avoiding both their fore and aft weapons will be difficult. We may be able to...flee at warp and try to reach another subspace relay." He doesn't sound pleased with that option.

"We are already within their weapons range. If they were intent on firing, Lieutenant, I believe they would have done so by now," Churas notes, her mouth set into a thin line.

Cristobal says, "And the other half of my question?"

Cerene glances over her console and frowns. Not good. "Damn. Grid's still down. We're still way too far out from 419 *or* Qo'nos to say anything."

Cristobal steeples his fingers, "How convenient. Londas, I hope piloting is one of your skills. Churas, you might start thinking about what a B'rel can do to outfight a K'tinga. Open a frequency, Legate Cerene." He stands, facing the viewscreen.

Cerene taps a few buttons. "Done."

Churas waits, her eyes on the viewscreen now, her hands resting on the edge of her console.

Cristobal clasps his hands behind his back and waits patiently. They hailed him, after all.

On the View Screen the image of a seasoned Klingon Captain appears. "Von'a, I am Captain Gomk'Qa. I speak to the Klingons aboard not the Federation toDSaH among you. You have shown your courage and I have no desire to kill you. You are clinging to loyalty to the Federation Puppet Martok -- and loyalty is good -- but now it is time to be loyal to the Klingon way. Martok has illegally be proclaimed Chancellor outside the ways of our people -- this was tolerated during time of War but now that war is over. Surely you agree that it is time for the Klingons to be strong -- to follow our ways and not be lead around by the Federation's whims! I give you this chance now -- lower your shields and we will transport you over now. We will take your Federation companions as our guests and transport them back to the Federation after the matter with Martok is concluded. Do not throw your lives away, be loyal to the Klingons, not the false Chancellor. Speak your decision -- Now!"

Cerene narrows her eyes and frowns at the insult. Yeah, she knows what it means.

Cristobal glances at the others, Gorgha, Churas, and Londas, to see if any have any interest in accepting Gomk'Qa's offer. It is, as the Captain says, their decision.

Londas snorts in amusement and brashly declares, "I am Londas, son of Vlarok, and if you honorless k'pekt think that we will follow a few houses filled with old men and young cowards who skulk in the shadows like Romulans, you are gravely mistaken. Leave us now and we may very well let you live to see another day. Delay our mission any further and I promise you, you will be destroyed!" Brave words for someone at the helm of an old scout ship.

Gorgha utters an invective in Klingon that Cristobal's combadge roughly translates as a very impolite conjecture regarding Gomk'Qa's mother and questionable habits involving Romulan raised Targ beasts.

"And assassins who hide their faces /are/ our ways? Captain, while I -- Churas, daughter of Gr'laH -- appreciate your principles, you have been deceived by your leaders, by Klingons who would send a convict wearing a Warrior's face to kill an Ambassador, who would violate our most dearly held truths in the name of protecting those same ideals?" Churas answers in smooth Klingon, speaking from her tactical station. "If it is time for us to be strong, then it is time for us not to be divided by those who would hide their faces; Martok is not one of them. I /am/ loyal to the Klingons, and to our beliefs, and to the one who upholds them, not the ones who have deceived you with their false rallying cries, stirring though they surely are."

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Persuasion (Oratory) skill vs Gomk'Qa's Presence (Willpower) skill and Fails!

Gomk'Qa seems to be considering the young Klingon's words... but his consideration only lasts a moment. He opens his mouth to speak...

Cerene stands slowly and takes a few steps towards the viewscreen. She says in Klingon, "Captain. I am Aliana Cerene. I have spent over a year with Ambassador Jeral on Qo'noS, learning the ways of your people. I have a deep respect for the honor and glory of the Klingon Empire. But this... this is not the honor I saw. This is not the glory that I admired so greatly. What I see now is exactly happened no more than a decade ago, when fools and thieves used echoes and shadows of those ideals to make a false claim to the Chancellorship. I see the same treachery I saw then, deceit and lies used to make honorable Klingons fight a dishonorable war." She puts her arms behind her back and narrows her eyes. She says in Klingon, "Do not be fooled, Captain. The motives in this conflict are far from pure. This war is a war of jealousy, and as glorious as it is to die in battle, it means nothing if it is for an empty cause. Save your weapons for a day when it will mean something, Captain. When your cause is right."

. o O Churas thinks "Impressive. I am glad we kept her. ... I hope that worked. We stand little chance of outgunning /or/ outrunning them."

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Persuasion (Oratory) skill vs Gomk'Qa's Presence (Willpower) skill and Succeeds!

Gomk'Qa looks angry at first when the "human" begins to speek...but as she continues, her points combined with those made by Churas just before soften his expression and he looks... torn. Clearly an internal debate is being waged within the Klingon before their very eyes...

. o O Churas thinks "Now, impress upon him the glory of rooting out traitors to our ways. And we have /proof/ of their treachery. Yes. Earn your keep, diplomat, very good, very good."

Cristobal recognizes that diplomacy seems to be achieving something here, so he stands there saying nothing, apparently aware that he is quite capable of being diplomatic so long as his mouth is closed.

Cerene pauses for just a moment, letting the Klingon HoD mull over that for a moment. Then she continues. She says in Klingon, "There is a cause worth fighting for right now, Captain. Traitors who would foster dissension in the Empire for the sake of their own gain. Klingons that bastardize the virtues of honor and justice that they claim to fulfill. There is proof of their deception and their lies, Captain. We need the aid of a strong warrior in this battle against these treasonous dogs. We would be honored if that warrior would be you."

Churas watches the Captain carefully, shifting her attention between Cerene and the viewscreen. Is that... respect... of a sort growing on her face as she listens to the Betazoid speak? Perhaps so. Maybe she's just reaaaaally tired.

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Charm (Persuasion) skill vs Gomk'Qa's Presence (Willpower) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Cerene (claiming advantage) contests her Persuasion (Influence) skill vs Gomk'Qa's Presence (Willpower) skill and Succeeds!

Gomk'Qa grows very still... and there is a moment where perhaps it seems he is going to toss this all aside and attack anyway.. but then... he nods once solemnly.

"You shame me but offer redemption with the same hand. Very well, I will guard your passage back to the Federation. The Sta'TORuk have shut down the subspace relays along this route to the task group commanded by HoD Krotar of House Kang preparing for the battle with the Rynkans and thier Ferengi allies. Lay in your course and we will fly on your wing. Gomk'Qa out."

The viewscreen reverts to an image of the new ally's vessel and the stars and black beyond it.

Cerene blinks. And waits. And then exhales. Sharply.

Cristobal shoots Churas a quick 'See? That's why we bring them along' look, before saying, "You heard the Captain, Londas. Resume course." He sits back down heavily in the command chair and shakes his head in disbelief. At some point, it will occur to him that he probably should have asked to beam over someone to fix their replicators.

"Lieutenant, the Scimitar is coming up on us very quickly, they are within hailing range; we should likely contact them to let them know not to attack our recently gained ally and apprise them of our situation, including the broken replicators." Churas is a big girl. Big girls need food. Klingon Warrior need food badly. Klingon Warrior is about to die. Well. No. But still. She flashes a 'I know, shut up about it already' look back at Cristobal.

Cerene takes one more deep breath, before turning and heading back to her position at comms. Ahem. She seats herself and goes right back to work at her console.

"I'll take care of hailing them," Cerene says lightly.

Londas harumphs and re-engages the warp engines while muttering, "We could have beaten them."

Cristobal sighs heavily, as the full weight of his fatigue settles in on him. "Legate, you have my personal gratitude for that. I'm certain when we return, Station Command, and possibly Starfleet Command, will wish to extend similar sentiments." He stands and walks over to the console where Londas sits, clapping him on the shoulder in a friendly sort of manner. "Good flying, Son of Vlarok," he says, smiling, "and if you make another pass at the Daughter of Gr'laH again, I'll cut out your liver, roast it, and feed it to her with a nice bloodwine marinade." He nods at Gorgha with a quick "Good work, Doctor," and then says to Churas, "I told you so," a roguish grin on his drawn, unshaven face.

Londas blinks at Cristobal, looks at Churas, looks at Cristobal again, then nearly falls out of his seat as he bursts out laughing. "Y...You?! Pahaha!" Holding his sides, the Klingon manages to stand up from his seat and shakes his head. "Surely you aren't serious, little man. Churas, tell him his infatuations, while amusing, are not worthy of a Klingon warrior!"

"Perhaps so, but now we have them at our side, Londas," Churas replies, checking over the systems on her console and settling back to relax once the ship is in warp again. Perhaps she'll fall asleep at her post -- it /is/ a long way home, still -- perhaps not. Her thoughts begin to drift, over thieves and cutthroats, pirates and traitors, hidden faces and hidden motives. She returns to the truths she howled out during her Rite of Ascension: The Empire is greater than any one house, greater than any one ambition, greater than any one Klingon. She returns to the Lieutenant for whom she had no chance to howl, but whose body she brings, and her discomfort at observing their ritae without honoring him as she would have done. And as she drifts off into her own world, Cristobal's words snap her back into some semblance of alertness. A little gruff noise in the back of her throat appends itself to Cristobal's assertion to Londas, and she flattens her mouth into a brief line before glancing over at him when she's addressed. The female cannot help a weary sort of smile back at him, admitting, "You did." A glance between Londas and Cristobal, then, and she says rather drily, "The son of Eduardo is stronger than he looks, son of Vlarok. Find out for yourself, if you do not believe me."

Cerene allows herself a soft laugh as Cristobal, Londas, and Churas go at it, her hands flying over the console. She glances over her shoulder and smirks at Cristobal. "No need to thank me, Lieutenant, just doing my job. It's about time I had a chance to do it, too. Fates know I sure as hell shouldn't be the one laying down cover fire for your asses," she chuckles.

Cristobal inclines his head to the sword that lies off in a corner of the Bridge, "I don't wear that for style points, Londas." He glances over at Cerene and shrugs, "You were the only one other than myself who had a phaser, and mine was needed elsewhere."

Londas's laughing quiets as he shakes his head in amusement. "I confess, between the two of you it was your blood I was planning to shed with my prowess as a Blade Master daughter of Gr'laH. Your choice in mates is...curious. Still, I can understand why you might want to wield a small qut'luch knife in place of a mighty bat'leth. Afraid you could not handle a larger sword, hmm?" He leers at the other Klingon and chuckles to himself.

Cristobal arches an eyebrow at Londas and turns to Churas, "I know you said that due to politics, these would be yours, but it really seems like something I should handle." He walks over to the sword, and picks it up by the scabbard, before walking back to the center of the Bridge.

Revealing rather sharp teeth, Churas smiles her best, most charming -- and thus most feral -- Klingon-style smile back at Londas. "He says, after he has seen me wield a bat'leth. Tch. Jealousy is does not suit one who professes to be master of his bat'leth. It might make one think I already /have/ chosen the bat'leth, and set aside the qut'luch knife." Cristobal's ovations of immediate challenge are met with a warning glance and an equally pitched, "/Nathan./"

"Oh no, daughter of Gr'laH." Londas chuckles and folds his arms. "Take up your knife if you so desire. Though unless I am mistaken, does it seem that the little knife thinks to cross blades with me?" He chuckles and states to Cristobal, "She obviously enjoys your passive nature, human. Do not tempt your woman's wrath by trying to be a man."

"You know, Londas, son of Vlarok, if I didn't know any better, I'd guess you were *jealous* of him. You're not jealous of a *Terran*, are you? Surely you don't need to keep baiting him to make yourself feel better?" she chuckles. "Can we please, at least, save the pissing contests for a while? At least until we're back into comm range again? We're not out of the woods yet."

Cristobal arches a brow and says, "If your blade is as dull as his wit, I don't think I would be at much risk." A shrug, and he looks to Churas "It wouldn't be fair. He would be wielding two blunt objects." He sits down in the center chair, setting his sword down beside him, tossing a look at Londas.

Cristobal arches a brow and says, "If your blade is as dull as your wit, I don't think I would be at much risk." A shrug, and he looks to Churas "It wouldn't be fair. He would be wielding two blunt objects." He sits down in the center chair, setting his sword down beside him, tossing a look at Londas.

Soon...
...The LCDR Martin Rush confers with the crew of the Van'a and is updated as to their new relationship with Gomk'Qa. After speaking with Gomk'Qa, Rush works out an exchange of crew from the Dol'Qoch and transfers the survivors of the Joint Task force to his vessel allowing them return to thier previous quarters and avail themselves of the Scimiter's sickbay -- and perhaps more importantly - her replicators while Lieutenant Sulkat's remains are put into stasis. Over the next two days they must travel to reach subspace trasmission range the Commander invites them to regale him with their encounters in great detail...but this period of respite meets an end soon enough when they detect a screening formation arraigning itself before their mutual courses -- an entire half a light year before they will make their targetted distance.

Plans are soon made between the two senior officers -- Rush and Gomk'Qa -- and these plans put the Task force back aboard the Van'a with repaired replicators and a mixed crew of Klingons and Starfleet crewman to round out the necessary crew to twelve. Cristobal's orders were quite simple, the Van'a will avoid all combat and continue to race for the border while the Scimiter would broadcast the recording from Balduk toward the Kang lead fleet -- the Fleet lead by Captain Krotar who was lured into disaster in Nausicaan space by the chain of events set in motion when the Sta'TORuk feigned a Nausicaan raid on thier dilithium mining operations two months past -- surely he would let them pass through to the bordering knowing this rather then backing the play of the Sta'TORuk.

On April 14th 2376 the Three vessels were met by three times their number...

The Dol'Qoch wasted no time - it decloaked and immediately begun to fire it's disrupters into the vessels sweeping to meet it in a death strangle - Commander Rush tried first to hail them, as is Starfleet Regulation, but when the first torpedo struck his shields he stopped trying to negotiate with words and started making his point clear with phasers and quantum torpedoes. Two very different vessels, two very different tactical styles but one common dedication to the truth getting out.

The Scimitar befits it's namesake and weaves and rolls, hard turns and barrel rolls like a pinflower of death as it moves within the Klingon formation delivering pinpoint accuracy with it's Phaser X emitters and will-o-wisp torpedo spreads. The Dol'Qoch enters like a prize fighter punching and punching and punching until through and then punching more from it's rear weapons until forced to bank long and slow to come around for another pass. In the first minutes of the battle, while the Van'a faithfully execute its orders and moves at best possible space around the engagement and towards the still distant Federation border - and in those first minutes the virulent and skillful assault by the Dominion War veterans takes an immediate toll as two of the six B'rels in the formation blossom in fire and are swept from the notice of the living like sand from a picnic table. The Vor'cha flagship concentrates it's fire at the lithe Saber class starship but is vexed as the escort sized cruiser weaves between it's blasts and uses an impossibly steep roll over and dive around an escorting K'vort to draw the Vor'cha's torpedoes into its own companion vessel after peppering it with fire to remove the shields on that aspect of the ship. The K'vort explodes into large fragments and the Scimitar emerges from beneath the carnage to strafe along the bottom of the Vor'cha to little effect.

The Dol'Qoch in the meanwhile, now bleeding plasma and burning at several points along it's hull pounds another of the B'rel's from existence as it dives into the formation again. This time, it does not maneuver… except to speed up. Realizing the vessel has little hope of surviving another pass into the fur-ball Captain Gomk'Qa broadcasts a final transmission toward the Van'a. "Remember me in with song and drink! Remind them I was not a traitor should they say so when I am gone. I go to Sto'Vo'Kor, may our reunion be long in coming! Q'pla!"
Then the Dol'Qoch rammed the Vor'cha and both vessels die together in another fiery explosion.

Damaged by the huge explosion, one of the two B'rel's left follows suit as it's buckled shields cannot protect it from the maelstrom of destruction. The Scimitar is literally tumbled in it's heading by the explosive wake but it rights itself soon enough and sweeps in to block pursuit of the Van'a by the remaining B'rel and K'vort class vessels. The sensors of the Van'a record every maneuver, every shot fired, every clever new tactic or execution of established doctrine as the three vessels square off in a three-dimensional dance of position and firing precision. The B'rel is the first to fall under the weight of the Saber's torpedoes that follow micro-fissure punctures of their shields but before it goes it strips the entire starboard shield section from the Federation craft. The Captain of the K'vort seeks to capitalize on this weakness forcing the Scimitar to maintain a ragged loop of to keep it's port shields affacing it's attackers. It becomes clear that this will only avail them a brief amount of time and LCDR Martin West then sends his last transmission…

"IKS Van'a - Please extend the salutations of myself and my crew to Chancellor Martok, my love to my wife and daughters, and my apologies to the President for not bringing the ship he lent me back from the joyride."

On the viewscreen the Scimitar launches a full spread of torpedoes -- strangely away from them in an conelike effect… but a moment later it ejects something else aft into the flight path of the K'vort that is pumping disrupter fire into it and shredding it's dorsal surface in the process.
That something is it's breeching Warpcore.

The explosion that follows destroys all traces but those in memory of the USS Scimitar and blows the forward shields off the Klingon vessel which is rocked but quite intact after the explosive wake washes over it.

Intact that is until the torpedo cone falls back in on it's dispersing course and come together in almost perfect timing into the bridge of the K'vort setting off a serious of secondary explosions that finally end in a grand fire ball leaving nothing but death in the wake of the Van'a and clear space to the border.

Days later the Van'a is flown into Federation space by an escort of Klingon vessels required to ensure the safe passage. Unable to stop the Van'a the agents of the Sta'TORuk still managed to jam their communications and those of the IKDF taskgroup, forcing Captain Krotar to finally dispatch part of his fleet to seek and engage them.

It is some hours later that Martok's message reaches them...
... Their timely warning reached him just before an ambush was sprung on the Negh'Var and it's escort group. The cowards were destroyed to a one, their victory snatched from their underserving hands. For their courage, for their sacrifice the Empire and the Alliance will be preserved...and for the Sta'TORuk?

The Hells Await.