Enter the Ice Man

[Savros 0]

** On the bridge of the K't'inga Class Battle Cruiser, IKS D'akturak <Ice Man>

Captain Koloth sat at the command chair and looked at the report from the engineer manning the sensors. The Federation starship was headed to the Vodrey Nebula. He smiled broadly. Normally it would not amuse him to have a Federation ship travel through Klingon space so brashly at high warp, but this Columbia was moving into a trap, and he knew how to use this to his advantage.

For years, Koloth had advocated Vodrey as a staging area for war with the Federation. Located near Maranga IV, an outpost of strategic importance, it would be – would have been the site of great victories against the Federation. Afterall, he had suggested the placement of a series of navigational buoys that only responded when hailed under specific frequencies. Vodey's cloud was big enough to hide an armada.

"Maintain the cloak," he ordered, "and follow that Federation ship. He knows something. I am sure of it."

 

"Qapla'," responded the helmsman and tactical officers. Outside, the ship faded into the starry background, then the stars blurred as the ship entered warp.

 

Shortly after the ship was brought up to speed, "Dor-sho-gha! <cursing>" stated the chief engineer directly to the helmsman. "Why have you exceeded the capacity of the engines and not informed me?"

 

The helmsman looked uncertainly at her Captain and pressed the communication button. "Perhaps you should take your complaint to the Captain. We have been ordered to pursue a Federation vessel. It is their speed we match."

 

Koloth ignored the complaint. The crew knew better than to challenge him openly and he seemed to recall some recent information about this ship. He swiveled in his chair to face the tactical officer, "Was there a report concerning the Columbia and the K'Shil?"

 

The tactical officer turned to look Koloth in the eyes, "the K'Shil?" He paused, tapping his console to pull up the reports. "Yes, HoD. Here it is." He pressed a button to bring it up. "Captain Stovas was ordered to shadow the Columbia while she searched for the missing Federation ships. Somehow, Columbia was able to penetrate through the cloak and fired a warning shot. According to intelligence, the K'Shil was likely boarded by the rebel commander Rok'Tun, who used a torpedo to confuse Columbia's sensors and make his escape."

 

"Yes, I remember now. All ships were warned of the possibility that this Captain Saylek was able to penetrate the cloak." Koloth considered the possibilities. If he informed the Federation Captain of his presence, would he be willing to head into the trap so openly? Not likely. But if the Columbia could penetrate the cloak, they might assume that he was part of the trap and open fire. It could cause confusion that might cost the battle. As much as he loathed the Federation, he had to concede to his better judgment.

 

"Open a channel to the Columbia narrow beam. Do not let our communication stray from target," he instructed the communications officer.