The Claw is Forced

[Cptn Corizon 0]

Lt. General Ei-Kii’h`n laid a data device onto the great desk of Commandant-General N’Karittt with force. “It is as I told you,” he said sneering through rapidly working mandibles. “The Alpha Quadrant scum should have been irradiated before they had a chance to fester our plans!”

 

“You forget your place Ei-Kii’h`n,” the great Andrcot general replied, drawing his stinger into position. It was more of a show of authority than an actual threat, but it certainly served its purpose.

 

“Forgive my…rashness,” Ei-Kii’h`n said backing down. “It is just I am frustrated by our lack of action…”

 

Lowering his caudal from its strike position, N’Karittt took the data device into his hand like aperture for examination. “Explain this…”

 

“The Dominion have captured two of our systems that were being held by the Al-Ucard and Eritan…”

 

“And how is this related…”

 

“They were only able to capture the systems after the Federation and their allies launched the attacks.”

 

“I see…”

 

“Sir,” Ei-Kii’h`n said firmly, yet respectfully. “We must act on this or they will only grow bolder in their attacks.”

 

N’Karittt made a sound of displeasure. He had hoped to avoid a conflict with the Alpha Quadrant powers for as long as possible. With their situation what it was, he could nigh risk losing the ships that protected the wormhole, and the Al-Ucard and Eritan had their hands full with the Dominion as it was; openly using his own vessels had been a matter of last resort, but he knew what Ei-Kii’h`n spoke was true.

 

“You do see that we must act?” Ei-Kii’h`n prodded.

 

“Yes,” N’Karittt finally said. “This violation of our sovereignty can not be tolerated.”

 

“Then we will rid the quadrant of this infestation?”

 

“We can not yet do that…”

 

“But…”

 

“They are heavily fortified at their base...and it is not with our claws reach. No…we can not risk our fleet being detected before an attack.”

 

“Then what will you have us do?”