Finally, the agent spoke. “The interrogation record we intercepted from the Obsidian Order passed every authenticity test we could give it. The Klingon they questioned did serve on the team that developed the biogenic weapon prototype.”
“Could he have been lying?”
Even the poor image quality allowed Ja’rod to see the Romulan’s eyebrow rise in a disturbingly Vulcan-like manner. “I was under the impression that your people preferred not to lie.”
“Is that supposed to be a joke?”
“A small one, admittedly. However, the interrogator in question is known to me, and I truly doubt that he would extract anything but the truth.”A pause. “Still, it does not matter.”
Ja’rod frowned. “Why not?”
“Because my supervisor has already passed on the details of the interrogation to some friends of hers in the military. They are planning an attack on Khitomer in two days.”
Now Ja’rod growled deep in his throat. “You cannot be serious. There is no proof that a biogenic weapon is being developed here.”
“Proof is no longer an issue. The very existence of an outpost on that world is a constant reminder of your people’s alliance with the Federation. That alliance is an affront to us.”
“They are ‘my people’ in name only.” Ja’rod spat with contempt. “Our future lies in an alliance with a strong empire, not with a weak collection of fools.” He bared his teeth. “The Federation alliance is an affront to me as well, and many other Klingons.”
“Just so. Your job is to transmit the access codes to the lead Romulan ship so that they can lower the shields and provide any other means of sabotaging the base.”The Romulan then proceeded to outline the exact time and nature of the attack, which ship would be leading it, and several other details. Ja’rod had no doubt that some facts had been left out—like how the Defense Force vessels assigned to this sector were to be dealt with—but Ja’rod knew what he needed to. “You will die for the greater glory of both our peoples.”
“Yes.” Ja’rod smiled. That, more than anything, was why Klingons and Romulans needed to be allies. Romulans understood what it meant to die for one’s people. The Federation was far too concerned with the pointless extension and preservation of life, which served only to crowd the galaxy with more weaklings. Without a willingness to give one’s life, there was no strength. When the quadrant bowed before the joint Klingon–Romulan Empire, Ja’rod hoped that perhaps all would finally understand that.
He only prayed that his son Duras would live long enough to see that day.
It was with an energized sense of purpose that Mogh entered the outpost control room. Although this room itself was being left mostly untouched, it was from here that most of the upgrades that Mogh was supervising would be implemented. The new shields were already in place, ready to defend the outpost against anything from Romulan disruptors to Cardassian phasers. The new weapons systems would be online within a week, and the old ion cannons were still in place. While ancient, they still had sufficient firepower to disable a ship in orbit.
Today, he was determined to find the Romulan spy. He had already begun a computer search on L’Kor’s activities over the past years, and began some inquiries among the contacts Lorgh had given him regarding the man’s activities. It might have been nothing, but he had to investigate the possibility. The conversation Kaasin overheard meant he could do little else.
And I will not cease keeping an eye on Ja’rod.
“The upgrades go well,” Mogh said to L’Kor.
A big, broad-shouldered man, L’Kor stared at Mogh for several seconds before simply saying, “Yes.”
“I wish to run a simulation on the new shields. I assume we have enough information on Romulan weaponry to do so?”
L’Kor stared at Mogh some more. “Do you think such an attack likely?”
“I think such an attack is possible. After all, one praetor has been overthrown—who is to say another might not be? Politics are unpredictable.”
“That is certainly the case. But I cannot imagine why Romulans would attack this base. There is much about them that is honorable.”
“True.” Mogh pretended to concede the point, though he disagreed fervently. “I have always admired Romulans.” He smiled lasciviously. “And their women.”
Another of the officers assigned to the control room, a woman named Gi’ral, said, “For shame, Captain Mogh. You are a married man.” She smiled. “Though I will admit, I have seen some Romulan men who might be tolerable in bed.”
At that, all three of them laughed. Mogh added, “I merely speak of aesthetics. Believe me, I would not do anything to anger my mate.”
Gravely, L’Kor said, “Then you are a wise man. Kaasin’s mok’baraclass revealed parts of my body I was unaware could ache in such a manner.”
“Kaasin is rather skilled at that. She demonstrated those skills last night very well.”
Now it was L’Kor’s turn to smile lasciviously. “With a child in the house? Impressive that you would be able to bed your mate without interruption.”
“Worf was out hunting with his nurse last night—they returned this morning with an animal that will make a fine feast tonight for the troops. He donated it to the mess hall.” Mogh smiled. “And we never actually madeit to the bed.”
Again, the trio laughed.
A voice came from behind Mogh. “If you are to conduct tests, then do so and have done with it.”
Mogh turned to see Commander Moraq standing in the doorway to his office, which adjoined the control room. The supervisor of this base, the commander had not been pleased at Mogh’s assignment, feeling that he himself was perfectly capable of supervising the upgrades, and that Command did not need to send someone else to do the work of overseeing them. Since his true work on Khitomer could not be revealed to Moraq, Mogh had gone to great lengths to stay out of the man’s way and not interfere with his command of the base. Moraq deserved no less, especially after a check of his service record indicated nothing suspicious—quite the opposite, in fact, as his list of kills included a considerable number of Romulans.
Unfortunately, Moraq’s attitude did not improve with time. He was never insubordinate, but he kept his desire for Mogh to be elsewhere at the forefront.
“Come,” Mogh said, slamming L’Kor on the shoulder, “let us run these simulations, and see what will happen if the Romulans decide to forgo that honor we both admire so.”
L’Kor nodded in response. Moraq simply turned on his heel and went back into his office.
Chapter 32
I.K.S. Sompek
“Sir, we are receiving a distress call.”
At last, a call to battle,Kang thought. For the past week, he had been given the “honor” of conducting several members of the High Council—including Kravokh—on an inspection tour. The Sompekwas one of the new Vakk-class ships that had been constructed as part of Kravokh’s ship construction initiatives, and now the Council, in their infinite bureaucracy, wished to see them in action.
Except, of course, Kang knew that there was no action to be had as long as such important personages were on board. The tour was as much to show the people how much interest Kravokh and the Council took in the defense of the Empire, and so not only did everyone know that they were present, but they had a virtual armada for an escort. All the ships assigned to this sector served as protection, as well as Qo’noS Oneand three of the Council’s own strike ships. This collection of vessels could no doubt conquer several small inter-planetary governments without too much difficulty. No one would be foolish enough to challenge them.