The Blademasters (Closed)

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira could feel hatred burning from Kergh. Despite the proposal to preserve his freighters, she could feel hatred toward her like heat from a furnace. She had no doubt he was going to attack her at the first chance she was alone, so she intended to be prepared if he tried it.

Nira nodded in understanding at Commander Kohor, though she hoped the disruptors would be online and available by the time the attack came. So far, all they had were torpedoes, but hopefully they would be enough.

Soon the unknown ships were close enough for identification...those were Cardassian ships all right. And she thought she recognized the classes...Aunty Parisa often told her, in her childhood, her Betazoid mother, in escaping Dominion-occupied Betazed, was chased by a whole squadron of warships, both Jem'Hadar and Rasilaks, the little Cardassian buggers...and a pair of Galors and at least a Legate, a Cardassian battleship rivaled in reputation only by the Jem'Hadar cruisers and battleships. Now that the memory had reemerged, Nira wondered if she definitely was from a Betazoid House, her mother being so important that a whole task force chased her in her escape...or if Aunty Parisa was exaggerating. But all the same, she wondered if that Legate-class was the same one that led the chase. Seeing how slow it was, Nira wondered how that's the only reason her mother managed to get away: the behemoth couldn't keep up.

"We're in range to identify the ships...Confirmed, Commander," said Nira. "Those definitely are Cardassian ships. Two Rasilaks and one Legate. The Rasilaks are moving to flank us. Well, now that we know what we're dealing with...looks like there's an advantage to see: The Rasilaks may be small and outdated, but they are fast and maneuverable. They can easily dodge any of our fire...or worse, they can provide targeting assistance for the Legate; after all, Legates are slow, but they pack a powerful punch. Granted, we could outflank them, but they'll get too fast for us.

"However," she continued, "if we time it correctly, we should be able to take all three by surprise; we have the advantage of the element of surprise if we use it correctly. If we decloak at the right moment and then let torpedoes fly, we might get a strong volley in. We should hit the weapon systems of the Legate first, it's the most dangerous threat there. Of course, I appreciate hearing additional ideas to counter them."

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Kohor gestured for the Bridge officers to share their thoughts. The discussion was swift, and orderly. Even Kergh gave his opinion without stepping over someone else's thoughts. It went as such, with Shas speaking first:

Shas: "Our own weapons are likely too far from the Legate to effectively disable its weapons!"

Thontorf: "Shas is correct. Our sister ship is also ill-equipped to fire at such a distance, even with the element of surprise. The K-32's must be put to use in such a strike."

Kergh: "At least one K-32 should assist us in slaying these Rasilak bIHnuch'a!"

Thiq: "Without both of our K-32's firing on the Legate, we risk the enemy maintaining its Duq'aD DIvI'HuD."

At this, D'Lorra leaned in to clarify for Nira. "Duq'aD DIvI'HuD means a 'longbow on a hill'." she explained. The talk continued, with the Battlemasters finding an uneasy agreement that both K-32's should open fire on the Legate upon dropping out of cloak, and that one should maintain its fire, while the other K-32 should then immediately turn its attention to the two swift Rasilak's in order to protect the freighters from too much focused fire. Captain Kohor gave the commands, and with a short and rousing series of Klingon shouts, the gambit began!

Nira, at her tactical station, was able to see the vessels all de-cloak, surely causing no small amount of trepidation among the normally cool and controlled Cardassians. The K-32's had turned while cloaked, and immediately released a heavy volley of green photon torpedos toward the distant Legate. "The K-32's have fired!" D'Lorra reported.

The torpedoes had a greater distance to travel, and there was yet the Rasilaks to ambush! Simultaneous with the attack of the K-32's, the TajHu and its sister ship, the Mat'Ha decloaked. Kohor, his face characteristically stoic, raised a hand toward Nira and then brought it down into a fist. "Fire!" he commanded!

[Nira Said]

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Kohor gestured for the Bridge officers to share their thoughts. The discussion was swift, and orderly. Even Kergh gave his opinion without stepping over someone else's thoughts. It went as such, with Shas speaking first:

Shas: "Our own weapons are likely too far from the Legate to effectively disable its weapons!"

Thontorf: "Shas is correct. Our sister ship is also ill-equipped to fire at such a distance, even with the element of surprise. The K-32's must be put to use in such a strike."

Kergh: "At least one K-32 should assist us in slaying these Rasilak bIHnuch'a!"

Thiq: "Without both of our K-32's firing on the Legate, we risk the enemy maintaining its Duq'aD DIvI'HuD."

At this, D'Lorra leaned in to clarify for Nira. "Duq'aD DIvI'HuD means a 'longbow on a hill'." she explained. The talk continued, with the Battlemasters finding an uneasy agreement that both K-32's should open fire on the Legate upon dropping out of cloak, and that one should maintain its fire, while the other K-32 should then immediately turn its attention to the two swift Rasilak's in order to protect the freighters from too much focused fire. Captain Kohor gave the commands, and with a short and rousing series of Klingon shouts, the gambit began!

Nira, at her tactical station, was able to see the vessels all de-cloak, surely causing no small amount of trepidation among the normally cool and controlled Cardassians. The K-32's had turned while cloaked, and immediately released a heavy volley of green photon torpedos toward the distant Legate. "The K-32's have fired!" D'Lorra reported.

The torpedoes had a greater distance to travel, and there was yet the Rasilaks to ambush! Simultaneous with the attack of the K-32's, the TajHu and its sister ship, the Mat'Ha decloaked. Kohor, his face characteristically stoic, raised a hand toward Nira and then brought it down into a fist. "Fire!" he commanded!

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded, acknowledging the analogy. It's easy to compare the two Rasilaks as distant longbows: dealing potentially more damage from a distance than up close.

This time, Nira offered no advice and watched the exchange to see what the Battlemasters will do, and they came up with something brilliant: Use the K-32s to bombard the Legate, but have one of them take on the Rasilaks. Brilliant.

Once the two raptors decloaked, Nira was given the order and fired off the torpedoes, given the disruptor cannons were still offline. The torpedoes flew off and struck their targets true.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded, acknowledging the analogy. It's easy to compare the two Rasilaks as distant longbows: dealing potentially more damage from a distance than up close.

This time, Nira offered no advice and watched the exchange to see what the Battlemasters will do, and they came up with something brilliant: Use the K-32s to bombard the Legate, but have one of them take on the Rasilaks. Brilliant.

Once the two raptors decloaked, Nira was given the order and fired off the torpedoes, given the disruptor cannons were still offline. The torpedoes flew off and struck their targets true.

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

The result was immediate... and devastating. "Hah! Fantastic first strike, Princess!" Chigorra cried, exultant in the destruction that the TajHu's display screen showed. The two Rasilaks, separated as they planned their bull's-horns approach on the apparently vulnerable freighters, took the torpedo hits solidly. The screen designated the two swift attack vessels Alpha and Beta, and Alpha seemed to be more badly wounded than Beta. Alpha's shields had been breached by an explosion of the first torpedo in the strike, and the second torpedo had led to severe hull fractures in its belly; the expulsion of atmosphere and a cloud of debris suggested that the crew quarters or a storage compartment, or both, had just been vented into space. Its engines and weapons were still functional, but that hit surely put the ship's interior into disarray. Beta also lost its shields to the unexpected first torpedo explosion, and based on scanning results, the second torpedo had wrecked its communications array and most of its scanning equipment, leaving it blind.

In the distance, the Legate took its own sundering strikes form the torpedoes, the large and ungainly vessel twisting in space as the explosives erupted against its shields and, when they fell, it's hull. It was too far to identify what had been damaged, but clearly it was still capable of causing some harm as D'Lorra reported to the Bridge. "Heavy torpedo, coming in! Targetting... The Ghudj!" she said, indicating one of the K-32's!

The TajHu Communications officer confirmed that the Ghudj knew and was making for an evasive maneuver, but the single torpedo was guided masterfully, and it blasted near the engines of the vessel. Reports came in, indicating severe damaged to the K-32's engines; they were a slow target now, desperately slow, and in danger of remaining a perfect target for the longbow on a hill!

Captain Kohor growled a command in Klingon, and the Bridge's attention was drawn to the two Rasilak's as they opened fire with yellow phasers. "They are already firing!" D'Lorra gasped, marvelling at the Cardassian ability to fight back to swiftly after such a devastating surprise. As the target of the Cardassian phasers became clear, Thiq threw his hands up in an expression of surprise and anger. "They are targetting the freighter!"

It was true, the yellow phasers targetted not the Raptors, or even the wounded K-32, but the freighter! The shots disabled the freighter's shields entirely.

Thus, the first moves of battle were made. Nira now had the position to offer her advice on what the TajHu, and its fellow ships, should do next!

[Nira Said]

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

The result was immediate... and devastating. "Hah! Fantastic first strike, Princess!" Chigorra cried, exultant in the destruction that the TajHu's display screen showed. The two Rasilaks, separated as they planned their bull's-horns approach on the apparently vulnerable freighters, took the torpedo hits solidly. The screen designated the two swift attack vessels Alpha and Beta, and Alpha seemed to be more badly wounded than Beta. Alpha's shields had been breached by an explosion of the first torpedo in the strike, and the second torpedo had led to severe hull fractures in its belly; the expulsion of atmosphere and a cloud of debris suggested that the crew quarters or a storage compartment, or both, had just been vented into space. Its engines and weapons were still functional, but that hit surely put the ship's interior into disarray. Beta also lost its shields to the unexpected first torpedo explosion, and based on scanning results, the second torpedo had wrecked its communications array and most of its scanning equipment, leaving it blind.

In the distance, the Legate took its own sundering strikes form the torpedoes, the large and ungainly vessel twisting in space as the explosives erupted against its shields and, when they fell, it's hull. It was too far to identify what had been damaged, but clearly it was still capable of causing some harm as D'Lorra reported to the Bridge. "Heavy torpedo, coming in! Targetting... The Ghudj!" she said, indicating one of the K-32's!

The TajHu Communications officer confirmed that the Ghudj knew and was making for an evasive maneuver, but the single torpedo was guided masterfully, and it blasted near the engines of the vessel. Reports came in, indicating severe damaged to the K-32's engines; they were a slow target now, desperately slow, and in danger of remaining a perfect target for the longbow on a hill!

Captain Kohor growled a command in Klingon, and the Bridge's attention was drawn to the two Rasilak's as they opened fire with yellow phasers. "They are already firing!" D'Lorra gasped, marvelling at the Cardassian ability to fight back to swiftly after such a devastating surprise. As the target of the Cardassian phasers became clear, Thiq threw his hands up in an expression of surprise and anger. "They are targetting the freighter!"

It was true, the yellow phasers targetted not the Raptors, or even the wounded K-32, but the freighter! The shots disabled the freighter's shields entirely.

Thus, the first moves of battle were made. Nira now had the position to offer her advice on what the TajHu, and its fellow ships, should do next!

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira was amazed by what she saw. She never realized how much she packed a whallop.

But then, what she saw next struck her with horror. The "bows on the hill" had turned to attack the freighter. She was realizing that if they were focused on the freighter, they'll likely be caught off-guard. She had to think fast...

"If they're focused on the freighters," she said, "they're going to be vulnerable. We have to be fast. I advise all ships focus fire on the Rasilaks!"

And she already targeted torpedoes at the Rasilaks, ready to fire.

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira was amazed by what she saw. She never realized how much she packed a whallop.

But then, what she saw next struck her with horror. The "bows on the hill" had turned to attack the freighter. She was realizing that if they were focused on the freighter, they'll likely be caught off-guard. She had to think fast...

"If they're focused on the freighters," she said, "they're going to be vulnerable. We have to be fast. I advise all ships focus fire on the Rasilaks!"

And she already targeted torpedoes at the Rasilaks, ready to fire.

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Captain Kohor rose from his seat, the excitement combat affecting even him. "Do so!" he shouted to the Bridge, and Battlemaster Shas let out a warcry. The thrill of the fight was heady on the Klingon bridge, with each member of the crew seeming to react to each successful strike with the TajHu's disruptors. The Rasilaks were struggling, their damage making it near impossible to bring their agility to bear. Alpha's shields were nearly down, and Kohor sensed the opportunity for a boarding party coming. "Tactical, limit your fire to Alpha to bring their shields down, and no further. Communications, verify that our K-32's are boarding that ship! I want assault teams on their Bridge, and in Engineering."

Battlemaster Thiq came near to Nira and D'Lorra's stations, the younger Klingon girl shifting aside so he could read what was on her display. Thiq spoke out, "I believe the Beta ship will be soon behind, Captain." he said, looking to Nira to confirm his suspicions. He was correct, with only a few shots, Beta's shields would also fail.

Kohor swept his hand across the bridge. "We will board Beta! Once the K-32's have delivered their assault teams, I want them dealing with that artillery ship. Communications, tell them!" To his first officer, he clenched his fist. "You will take command. I will be on that Cardassian pirate's vessel myself!"

Still behind Nira and D'Lorra, Thiq allowed himself a grin. "Let us make our way to the transporters, my comrades. Lieutenant, have you ever been teleported by a Klingon transporter during combat? If not, it will surely be a unique experience for you..."

Within moments, D'Lorra, Nira, Thiq, Kergh and Shas departed the Bridge to attend the Boarding party, with Captain Kohor at their lead. Their destination was one of the several transporter hubs on the TajHu. Klingon warships tended to employ more transporter hubs than a Federation ship so that they could send more boarding warriors at a time. Nira was part of the team she had trained with earlier, with the unwelcome addition of Kergh and Shas. It seemed that Thontorf would remain on the bridge with the Klingon First Officer, so there were still experienced officers remaining on the bridge of the TajHu during combat.

"Our group will be beamed directly to their weapons control station, near to engineering." Kohor was saying. "Strike down anyone you come into contact with, and disable their weapons. We will then move to the bridge, while the other team focuses on disabling their warp capabilities." To Nira, he nodded, and said his next words out of respect for her own morals. "You are not required to kill, if you do not choose to, Lieutenant. As long as the enemy is disabled, I will consider you to be doing your duty and honoring your committment to us."

In moments, Nira would be beaming into battle; how did she prepare? What words did she share with her comrades? And once beamed over, what immediate actions would she plan to take?

[Nira Said]

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Captain Kohor rose from his seat, the excitement combat affecting even him. "Do so!" he shouted to the Bridge, and Battlemaster Shas let out a warcry. The thrill of the fight was heady on the Klingon bridge, with each member of the crew seeming to react to each successful strike with the TajHu's disruptors. The Rasilaks were struggling, their damage making it near impossible to bring their agility to bear. Alpha's shields were nearly down, and Kohor sensed the opportunity for a boarding party coming. "Tactical, limit your fire to Alpha to bring their shields down, and no further. Communications, verify that our K-32's are boarding that ship! I want assault teams on their Bridge, and in Engineering."

Battlemaster Thiq came near to Nira and D'Lorra's stations, the younger Klingon girl shifting aside so he could read what was on her display. Thiq spoke out, "I believe the Beta ship will be soon behind, Captain." he said, looking to Nira to confirm his suspicions. He was correct, with only a few shots, Beta's shields would also fail.

Kohor swept his hand across the bridge. "We will board Beta! Once the K-32's have delivered their assault teams, I want them dealing with that artillery ship. Communications, tell them!" To his first officer, he clenched his fist. "You will take command. I will be on that Cardassian pirate's vessel myself!"

Still behind Nira and D'Lorra, Thiq allowed himself a grin. "Let us make our way to the transporters, my comrades. Lieutenant, have you ever been teleported by a Klingon transporter during combat? If not, it will surely be a unique experience for you..."

Within moments, D'Lorra, Nira, Thiq, Kergh and Shas departed the Bridge to attend the Boarding party, with Captain Kohor at their lead. Their destination was one of the several transporter hubs on the TajHu. Klingon warships tended to employ more transporter hubs than a Federation ship so that they could send more boarding warriors at a time. Nira was part of the team she had trained with earlier, with the unwelcome addition of Kergh and Shas. It seemed that Thontorf would remain on the bridge with the Klingon First Officer, so there were still experienced officers remaining on the bridge of the TajHu during combat.

"Our group will be beamed directly to their weapons control station, near to engineering." Kohor was saying. "Strike down anyone you come into contact with, and disable their weapons. We will then move to the bridge, while the other team focuses on disabling their warp capabilities." To Nira, he nodded, and said his next words out of respect for her own morals. "You are not required to kill, if you do not choose to, Lieutenant. As long as the enemy is disabled, I will consider you to be doing your duty and honoring your committment to us."

In moments, Nira would be beaming into battle; how did she prepare? What words did she share with her comrades? And once beamed over, what immediate actions would she plan to take?

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

"No, sir," said Nira with a rush of excitement. Even if she was a Federation officer, being caught up in the thrill of battle made Nira feel excited to be fighting with the brave warriors. Quite a lot of time spent with Klingons would do that to anybody, particularly in the heat of battle.

In no time at all, she was at the transporter room with three battlemasters, including Kergh and Shas - the former Nira planned to keep an eye on, the latter she had no pity, in that he's bound not to last long - along with D'Lorra and Kohor himself. When Kohor mentioned there was no need for her to kill, Nira nodded in understanding. She had planned to use her jambiyas to disable. And she had her genuine blades ready for enemy action.

"Whatever the outcome," said Nira with encouragement, "we fight with honor."

She looked at Kergh and Shas as she said it, hoping they got the message that they were to fight honorably. She was anticipating Kergh will try to stab her in the back the first chance he gets.

And, naturally, she knew what to do with any Cardassians in her path.

In no time at all, they were all beamed into the weapons station. Naturally, some Cardassians on hand were surprised and were taken down summarily...

Nira instantly felt a Cardassian behind her, a guard, no doubt. She rolled backward, pulling out her jayimbas from the sheaths upside-down on her boots, in the pants legs, and by the time the roll was finished, she was just under the Cardassian guard, right at his feet, and leapt up and disarmed him as quick as a flash, and swept below, slicing his lower tendons, bringing him down. And, so that he doesn't open comms with the rest of the ship, she sliced his hands making them unusable.

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

"No, sir," said Nira with a rush of excitement. Even if she was a Federation officer, being caught up in the thrill of battle made Nira feel excited to be fighting with the brave warriors. Quite a lot of time spent with Klingons would do that to anybody, particularly in the heat of battle.

In no time at all, she was at the transporter room with three battlemasters, including Kergh and Shas - the former Nira planned to keep an eye on, the latter she had no pity, in that he's bound not to last long - along with D'Lorra and Kohor himself. When Kohor mentioned there was no need for her to kill, Nira nodded in understanding. She had planned to use her jambiyas to disable. And she had her genuine blades ready for enemy action.

"Whatever the outcome," said Nira with encouragement, "we fight with honor."

She looked at Kergh and Shas as she said it, hoping they got the message that they were to fight honorably. She was anticipating Kergh will try to stab her in the back the first chance he gets.

And, naturally, she knew what to do with any Cardassians in her path.

In no time at all, they were all beamed into the weapons station. Naturally, some Cardassians on hand were surprised and were taken down summarily...

Nira instantly felt a Cardassian behind her, a guard, no doubt. She rolled backward, pulling out her jayimbas from the sheaths upside-down on her boots, in the pants legs, and by the time the roll was finished, she was just under the Cardassian guard, right at his feet, and leapt up and disarmed him as quick as a flash, and swept below, slicing his lower tendons, bringing him down. And, so that he doesn't open comms with the rest of the ship, she sliced his hands making them unusable.

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak 'Beta' | Edge of the Danjika System]

"We fight with honor!!" repeated the Klingons, shouting the phrase a second and third time as the Klingon transporters disassembled the warriors and cast them across space onto the enemy vessel, the Rasilak-class ship they had called 'Beta'.

Nira's opponent could only shout and groan in shock and pain as her jambiyas did their work. His disruptor rifle fell, and he crumpled with it, his legs and hands wounded to the point of uselessness. Around Nira, the shouts of Klingon combat filled the room as Cardassian engineers and guards battled Klingon warriors. The only Klingon who was free to attempt to disrupt the weapons station was Shas, who had picked up a Cardassian mace, and was looking for a control station to smash. He selected the one on the far right first, not realizing it was merely a fire suppression system. Nira's familiarity with tactical systems meant she identified it immediately, and she could tell which systems were the ones to destroy; she would want to disable a control system in the center which managed disruptor power levels, and a special set of conduits in the wall nearby. The conduits would need to have their cover plate removed, and then an energy weapon or explosive used on it, and there would definitely be a resulting electrical explosion.

It seemed that the other warriors were all engaged in their bloodlust, and only Nira and Shas were present to try to accomplish their immediate task; disabling the Rasilak's weapons!

[Nira Said]

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak 'Beta' | Edge of the Danjika System]

"We fight with honor!!" repeated the Klingons, shouting the phrase a second and third time as the Klingon transporters disassembled the warriors and cast them across space onto the enemy vessel, the Rasilak-class ship they had called 'Beta'.

Nira's opponent could only shout and groan in shock and pain as her jambiyas did their work. His disruptor rifle fell, and he crumpled with it, his legs and hands wounded to the point of uselessness. Around Nira, the shouts of Klingon combat filled the room as Cardassian engineers and guards battled Klingon warriors. The only Klingon who was free to attempt to disrupt the weapons station was Shas, who had picked up a Cardassian mace, and was looking for a control station to smash. He selected the one on the far right first, not realizing it was merely a fire suppression system. Nira's familiarity with tactical systems meant she identified it immediately, and she could tell which systems were the ones to destroy; she would want to disable a control system in the center which managed disruptor power levels, and a special set of conduits in the wall nearby. The conduits would need to have their cover plate removed, and then an energy weapon or explosive used on it, and there would definitely be a resulting electrical explosion.

It seemed that the other warriors were all engaged in their bloodlust, and only Nira and Shas were present to try to accomplish their immediate task; disabling the Rasilak's weapons!

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak 'Beta' | Edge of the Danjika System]

Nira set to work looking for a console with the right means of disabling the weapons systems. Her tactical knowledge gave her a good idea of what to look for on Cardassian systems.

She looked over at Shas as he smashed a console at random with a mace. Whatever it was, it certainly had no effect. Moron, Nira thought to herself as she continued her work.

She could see that what to work on was the control system in the center and a special set of conduits in a nearby wall. To take it down, she'll need to remove the platings over it and then just shoot or detonate something on it. Pure and simple.

Nira proceeded to remove the platings. It was hard, true, given the platings were heavy. A Klingon wouldn't have a hard time with it, but naturally, everybody but Shas was busy fighting Cardassians, and Shas, naturally, was smashing up the wrong systems.

Finished, Nira shot at the conduits with her phasers, the result being a lighshow of sorts, in the form of an electrical explosion. And with that, a disappating hum indicated the disruptors have been taken down.

["Glinn" Jael Sherem | Bridge | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

"Gul Zoram!" shouted Jael. "Our weapons are down!"

Gul Zoram whirled around his chair in fury.

"WHAT?!?" he snapped. "How?"

"We have intruders in the weapons control stations!" Jael called.

The gul looked back out at the Klingon barbarians giving them hell. Jael could tell he was putting two and two together; after all, he wasn't stupid. He didn't get to be in her father's inner circle for nothing. Few Cardassians were idiots. But Gul Zoram was from a noble house on Cardassia, a noble who had his fortunes and assets seized from him when the zealots under the traitors Damar and Garak expelled the Dominion from the Alpha Quadrant.

"Take a tekhasor and get rid of these savages!" snapped Gul Zoram.

"As you wish," said Jael and headed out.

Gathering her tekhasor, Jael reflected that her infiltration mission was taking an interesting turn. She was, in truth, Ensign Jael Sherem. Oh, her father was the head of the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau under Gul Dukat, but she never tried to acknowledge her family ties. Gul Sherem. Of course, her mother, another Gul Sherem, took offense to giving her people to the Dominion, which was why she defected, along with other Guls who disagreed. She was one of the lucky ones. As Jael grew up, she had the intention of joining Starfleet, given the Federation became a better home to the Sherems than Cardassia ever was.

Now here she was, called in by one Admiral Gillespie, to infiltrate a band of pirates raiding Klingon space. What was so significant about the pirates was that they were answering to her father. Gul Sherem, former head of CIB and, for all intents and purposes, Dukat's hatchet man, disappearing since the Dominion's explusion, had finally been found. Jael had to learn as much as she could about their operations. And she learned plenty:

Gul Sherem had been conducting raids from a mobile base, Melek Nor, his old posting before Gul Dukat called him to take charge of CIB. It was mobile because of transwarp technologies recovered from derelict Borg vessels discovered in Cardassian territory, and he certainly worked hard to ensure it was a secret. Dozens and dozens of former Order officers loyal to Dukat, and the Dominion, answered him, and he guided them through nuisance raids of revenge until such time as he can raise sufficient forces to overthrow Cardassia and reassert its dominance in the quadrant. The secret combination referred to as the Final Order. But for now, it was nothing more than an organization that made the Bajoran Resistance look like the Orion Syndicate: Brigands, pirates, terrorists, operating from hidden bases, particularly in former Romulan Star Empire territory. And that was where Melek Nor was hiding.

Of course, sooner or later, as Jael would see, the piracy activities would get Klingon attention. And they came to call indeed.

Jael had arrived to find the security enforcers being repelled by...well, that was definitely a Klingon boarding party and...wait, was that a Starfleet officer with them? What was....? Of course, the Officer Exchange Program...

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak 'Beta' | Edge of the Danjika System]

Nira set to work looking for a console with the right means of disabling the weapons systems. Her tactical knowledge gave her a good idea of what to look for on Cardassian systems.

She looked over at Shas as he smashed a console at random with a mace. Whatever it was, it certainly had no effect. Moron, Nira thought to herself as she continued her work.

She could see that what to work on was the control system in the center and a special set of conduits in a nearby wall. To take it down, she'll need to remove the platings over it and then just shoot or detonate something on it. Pure and simple.

Nira proceeded to remove the platings. It was hard, true, given the platings were heavy. A Klingon wouldn't have a hard time with it, but naturally, everybody but Shas was busy fighting Cardassians, and Shas, naturally, was smashing up the wrong systems.

Finished, Nira shot at the conduits with her phasers, the result being a lighshow of sorts, in the form of an electrical explosion. And with that, a disappating hum indicated the disruptors have been taken down.

["Glinn" Jael Sherem | Bridge | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

"Gul Zoram!" shouted Jael. "Our weapons are down!"

Gul Zoram whirled around his chair in fury.

"WHAT?!?" he snapped. "How?"

"We have intruders in the weapons control stations!" Jael called.

The gul looked back out at the Klingon barbarians giving them hell. Jael could tell he was putting two and two together; after all, he wasn't stupid. He didn't get to be in her father's inner circle for nothing. Few Cardassians were idiots. But Gul Zoram was from a noble house on Cardassia, a noble who had his fortunes and assets seized from him when the zealots under the traitors Damar and Garak expelled the Dominion from the Alpha Quadrant.

"Take a tekhasor and get rid of these savages!" snapped Gul Zoram.

"As you wish," said Jael and headed out.

Gathering her tekhasor, Jael reflected that her infiltration mission was taking an interesting turn. She was, in truth, Ensign Jael Sherem. Oh, her father was the head of the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau under Gul Dukat, but she never tried to acknowledge her family ties. Gul Sherem. Of course, her mother, another Gul Sherem, took offense to giving her people to the Dominion, which was why she defected, along with other Guls who disagreed. She was one of the lucky ones. As Jael grew up, she had the intention of joining Starfleet, given the Federation became a better home to the Sherems than Cardassia ever was.

Now here she was, called in by one Admiral Gillespie, to infiltrate a band of pirates raiding Klingon space. What was so significant about the pirates was that they were answering to her father. Gul Sherem, former head of CIB and, for all intents and purposes, Dukat's hatchet man, disappearing since the Dominion's explusion, had finally been found. Jael had to learn as much as she could about their operations. And she learned plenty:

Gul Sherem had been conducting raids from a mobile base, Melek Nor, his old posting before Gul Dukat called him to take charge of CIB. It was mobile because of transwarp technologies recovered from derelict Borg vessels discovered in Cardassian territory, and he certainly worked hard to ensure it was a secret. Dozens and dozens of former Order officers loyal to Dukat, and the Dominion, answered him, and he guided them through nuisance raids of revenge until such time as he can raise sufficient forces to overthrow Cardassia and reassert its dominance in the quadrant. The secret combination referred to as the Final Order. But for now, it was nothing more than an organization that made the Bajoran Resistance look like the Orion Syndicate: Brigands, pirates, terrorists, operating from hidden bases, particularly in former Romulan Star Empire territory. And that was where Melek Nor was hiding.

Of course, sooner or later, as Jael would see, the piracy activities would get Klingon attention. And they came to call indeed.

Jael had arrived to find the security enforcers being repelled by...well, that was definitely a Klingon boarding party and...wait, was that a Starfleet officer with them? What was....? Of course, the Officer Exchange Program...

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

Captain Kohor's thundering voice rang out as the control system exploded in a flash. "œPush through those Enforcers! To Engineering!"

The orders led to a wild thrust, the Klingons charging directly into the Cardassian soldiers like a wave of muscle and bone. The heavier, slower warriors on either side crashed into each other and began to grunt and shove, locking into each other as disruptor rifles fired harmlessly to the floor and as blades were held harmless above. The mass of the larger Klingons and Cardassians tying each other up meant only the more nimble fighters were free to dash around the open sides"¦

That left Nira and D'Lorra on the Klingon side, and on the Cardassian side, Jael herself, and three of the slighter Cardassian soldiers. D'Lorra rushed to the open left side, immediately entering into a duel with two of the three Cardassian soldiers. Nira then had an opening through which to engage Jael and this other Cardassian, who despite their smaller stature wielded one of the long-handled Cardassian maces.

With only so much horizontal space, the Cardassian came at Nira with a one-handed overhead swing down, hoping to catch some of her body with the heavy metal orb at the end of the weapon!

[Nira Said]

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

Captain Kohor's thundering voice rang out as the control system exploded in a flash. "œPush through those Enforcers! To Engineering!"

The orders led to a wild thrust, the Klingons charging directly into the Cardassian soldiers like a wave of muscle and bone. The heavier, slower warriors on either side crashed into each other and began to grunt and shove, locking into each other as disruptor rifles fired harmlessly to the floor and as blades were held harmless above. The mass of the larger Klingons and Cardassians tying each other up meant only the more nimble fighters were free to dash around the open sides"¦

That left Nira and D'Lorra on the Klingon side, and on the Cardassian side, Jael herself, and three of the slighter Cardassian soldiers. D'Lorra rushed to the open left side, immediately entering into a duel with two of the three Cardassian soldiers. Nira then had an opening through which to engage Jael and this other Cardassian, who despite their smaller stature wielded one of the long-handled Cardassian maces.

With only so much horizontal space, the Cardassian came at Nira with a one-handed overhead swing down, hoping to catch some of her body with the heavy metal orb at the end of the weapon!

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

The extra guards were a surprise, but Nira knew what to do. With the warriors engaging the old backstabbers, Nira was left to fight two, one a woman. Nira flipped backward as the Cardassian swung at her. If she hadn't, she was sure half her ribs would've been crushed in two.

He tried to swing again and this time, she deflected the mace with her blades. Nira grit her teeth...this one was trouble...

Suddenly, the Cardassian stiffened. He slumped, a charred hole in his back. Nira noticed the woman had shot him with a disruptor pistol of typical Cardassian make.

Nira gaped in surprise. What was a glinn doing, shooting a comrade in the back...?

"What's a Starfleet officer doing with...?" She looked around at the other Klingons. But Nira brushed it aside.

"Immaterial, exchange program," said Nira. "And why would you...?"

"I'm not really a Glinn," said Jael.

"Of course you're not," said Nira sarcastically. "You're really Kira Nerys. And I'm really Deanna Troi."

Jael ignored the jibe and continued, "I'm Ensign Jael Sherem, Starfleet science officer. Of course, this means my cover's blown..."

"Oh, sure, you'd talk to save your ass," snapped Nira, knowing any Klingons would be listening in.

"Oh, I can elaborate," Jael replied. "Jael Sherem, Ensign, USS Athena, NCC-31415-A..."

"What?" said Nira, flinching. That was her old ship. Her first ever ship. "The Athena? If you're an officer of the Athena...tell me who the chief sec/tac officer is, what his pet is like, and where he got it from."

Jael thought a moment, recalling, and remembering also what her brother told her.

"Lieutenant Commander 'Stryker' Aune. His pet's a dog, it was a stray he found in a colony that was having agricultural problems."

Nira was hit with a wave of nostalgia. She remembered that colony exactly; it was her first-ever away mission. What was more, she sensed the truth from her.

"Okay, you are who you say you are," she said.

"I know," said Jael. "But this means my cover's blown..."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" asked Nira.

"Starfleet Intelligence sent me," she said.

"Why you specifically? An ensign, even if you are Cardassian?"

"My father is Gul Sherem."

Nira could immediately sense some stillness. She wondered what would give Klingons pause just at the mention of that name.

"The father?" asked Thiq. "The butcher who, with Jem'Hadar at his back, helped to send us packing with our tails behind our legs? I was there in my youth...if you're Starfleet..."

"My mother is the other Gul Sherem who defected," explained Jael.

"Then it seems there's an instance of a little ally among the enemy," said Thiq. "Your aid is welcome."

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

The extra guards were a surprise, but Nira knew what to do. With the warriors engaging the old backstabbers, Nira was left to fight two, one a woman. Nira flipped backward as the Cardassian swung at her. If she hadn't, she was sure half her ribs would've been crushed in two.

He tried to swing again and this time, she deflected the mace with her blades. Nira grit her teeth...this one was trouble...

Suddenly, the Cardassian stiffened. He slumped, a charred hole in his back. Nira noticed the woman had shot him with a disruptor pistol of typical Cardassian make.

Nira gaped in surprise. What was a glinn doing, shooting a comrade in the back...?

"What's a Starfleet officer doing with...?" She looked around at the other Klingons. But Nira brushed it aside.

"Immaterial, exchange program," said Nira. "And why would you...?"

"I'm not really a Glinn," said Jael.

"Of course you're not," said Nira sarcastically. "You're really Kira Nerys. And I'm really Deanna Troi."

Jael ignored the jibe and continued, "I'm Ensign Jael Sherem, Starfleet science officer. Of course, this means my cover's blown..."

"Oh, sure, you'd talk to save your ass," snapped Nira, knowing any Klingons would be listening in.

"Oh, I can elaborate," Jael replied. "Jael Sherem, Ensign, USS Athena, NCC-31415-A..."

"What?" said Nira, flinching. That was her old ship. Her first ever ship. "The Athena? If you're an officer of the Athena...tell me who the chief sec/tac officer is, what his pet is like, and where he got it from."

Jael thought a moment, recalling, and remembering also what her brother told her.

"Lieutenant Commander 'Stryker' Aune. His pet's a dog, it was a stray he found in a colony that was having agricultural problems."

Nira was hit with a wave of nostalgia. She remembered that colony exactly; it was her first-ever away mission. What was more, she sensed the truth from her.

"Okay, you are who you say you are," she said.

"I know," said Jael. "But this means my cover's blown..."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" asked Nira.

"Starfleet Intelligence sent me," she said.

"Why you specifically? An ensign, even if you are Cardassian?"

"My father is Gul Sherem."

Nira could immediately sense some stillness. She wondered what would give Klingons pause just at the mention of that name.

"The father?" asked Thiq. "The butcher who, with Jem'Hadar at his back, helped to send us packing with our tails behind our legs? I was there in my youth...if you're Starfleet..."

"My mother is the other Gul Sherem who defected," explained Jael.

"Then it seems there's an instance of a little ally among the enemy," said Thiq. "Your aid is welcome."

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

The pitched battle worked its way to victory... for the invading Klingons. The Cardassians fought well, but even their stubbornness could only hold on so long. After what felt like ages, the only Cardassian left standing was Jael. Captain Kohor needed only a little convincing from Nira, and the trusted Thiq, before he accepted this Cardassian agent, with the following condition...

"She goes with you, and Battlemaster Thiq!"

"And myself!" Shouted Battlemaster Kergh, pushing forward through the shoulders of two larger Klingon men. He planted a foot on top of a Cardassian body, thought surely not one he slew himself, as he had been fighting on the left side of the cluster. "You trust too quickly, fellow warriors, just because this Cardassian spouted words to the Federation Officer! This newcomer shot her own kind in the back!"

The Klingons nearby grumbled... That hadn't been the most honorable way to declare her allegiance, in their view. Kergh continued.

"Until she proves herself to us, I demand to be wherever she is..."

Captain Kohor grumbled, but politics and the position of Battlemaster meant that Kergh was within his right to demand assignment preference. Kohor would have to have good reason to deny his demand, and he had none. Kergh's words hung in the air, calling the Cardassian's loyalty into question.

[Nira Said]

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

The pitched battle worked its way to victory... for the invading Klingons. The Cardassians fought well, but even their stubbornness could only hold on so long. After what felt like ages, the only Cardassian left standing was Jael. Captain Kohor needed only a little convincing from Nira, and the trusted Thiq, before he accepted this Cardassian agent, with the following condition...

"She goes with you, and Battlemaster Thiq!"

"And myself!" Shouted Battlemaster Kergh, pushing forward through the shoulders of two larger Klingon men. He planted a foot on top of a Cardassian body, thought surely not one he slew himself, as he had been fighting on the left side of the cluster. "You trust too quickly, fellow warriors, just because this Cardassian spouted words to the Federation Officer! This newcomer shot her own kind in the back!"

The Klingons nearby grumbled... That hadn't been the most honorable way to declare her allegiance, in their view. Kergh continued.

"Until she proves herself to us, I demand to be wherever she is..."

Captain Kohor grumbled, but politics and the position of Battlemaster meant that Kergh was within his right to demand assignment preference. Kohor would have to have good reason to deny his demand, and he had none. Kergh's words hung in the air, calling the Cardassian's loyalty into question.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

Nira could see Jael pursing her lips in thought. Despicable as Kergh was, he did have a point. Shooting a man in the back certainly wasn't a good way of declaring allegiance. Odds are, she was bound to shoot one of them in the back the first chance she got.

"Fine by me," Jael said confidently. "Besides, you'll need me; I've got plenty of information about these pirates."

Again, she was expressing truth, Nira could tell for certain. Plus, as Captain Kohor indicated, she was the responsibility of herself and Thiq. And Kergh. Nira was definitely going to watch him while she watched Jael.

She had just turned around when another tekhasor just arrived for the attack. The leader then proceeded to launch against Jael.

"You should be careful, Sherem," he sneered. "Walls have ears. You gave yourself away..."

Jael defended herself and launched against him. She knew plenty enough of hand to hand combat to defend herself in a pinch. The glinn's bodyguard, who seemed particularly big, made for Nira.

This one could be trouble, Nira thought to herself.

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

Nira could see Jael pursing her lips in thought. Despicable as Kergh was, he did have a point. Shooting a man in the back certainly wasn't a good way of declaring allegiance. Odds are, she was bound to shoot one of them in the back the first chance she got.

"Fine by me," Jael said confidently. "Besides, you'll need me; I've got plenty of information about these pirates."

Again, she was expressing truth, Nira could tell for certain. Plus, as Captain Kohor indicated, she was the responsibility of herself and Thiq. And Kergh. Nira was definitely going to watch him while she watched Jael.

She had just turned around when another tekhasor just arrived for the attack. The leader then proceeded to launch against Jael.

"You should be careful, Sherem," he sneered. "Walls have ears. You gave yourself away..."

Jael defended herself and launched against him. She knew plenty enough of hand to hand combat to defend herself in a pinch. The glinn's bodyguard, who seemed particularly big, made for Nira.

This one could be trouble, Nira thought to herself.

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

The bodyguard wielded a Cardassian single-edged blade, rather than one of the long-handled maces. In such close quarters where they were now, he seemed to have adopted the shorter weapon to compensate. He was big, as long-armed as any Cardassian, and as he grinned, the odd patches of beard spread wide on his scaled face.

"Starfleet, traitors, and savages. What a fine alliance..." he growled, as he made for a swift thrust forward, hoping to push Nira back. He'd follow it up with a step with his lead foot, and a second thrust, two stabs in swift succession! With his reach, only his arm would be placed in Nira's own attack range, but he'd attempt to pull his limbs back should she attempt a flank. He had a free hand, and a free strong arm, that he could use to strike her or grab an arm and overpower her, given the opportunity...

[Nira Said]

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

The bodyguard wielded a Cardassian single-edged blade, rather than one of the long-handled maces. In such close quarters where they were now, he seemed to have adopted the shorter weapon to compensate. He was big, as long-armed as any Cardassian, and as he grinned, the odd patches of beard spread wide on his scaled face.

"Starfleet, traitors, and savages. What a fine alliance..." he growled, as he made for a swift thrust forward, hoping to push Nira back. He'd follow it up with a step with his lead foot, and a second thrust, two stabs in swift succession! With his reach, only his arm would be placed in Nira's own attack range, but he'd attempt to pull his limbs back should she attempt a flank. He had a free hand, and a free strong arm, that he could use to strike her or grab an arm and overpower her, given the opportunity...

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

Nira got a good look at him. Unlike the other Cardassians, he was sporting a blade. His height and limbs would mean an advantage. He had a free arm, and he was sure to use it, if she attempted to flank. However, a roll and a sweep would do good, but in such close quarters, it would be limited.

She had no choice but to attempt a flank. And no sooner did she do so than the big Cardassian grabbed her and drew her in close. She couldn't break off; he was damn strong for a Cardassian. And she could see the lust in his eyes; maybe he wanted to capture her, so enamored was she...

Jael took advantage of this by grabbing a mace of her own and smacking it on the leg.

Nira looked over and saw her new friend break bone...like an honorable warrior. She wished D'Lorra was joining them, it would be like in her Angels program in the holodeck...only this would make them Hell's Angels.

[Lagar]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Weapons Control | Cardassian Fleet Rasilak Shelem]

Nira got a good look at him. Unlike the other Cardassians, he was sporting a blade. His height and limbs would mean an advantage. He had a free arm, and he was sure to use it, if she attempted to flank. However, a roll and a sweep would do good, but in such close quarters, it would be limited.

She had no choice but to attempt a flank. And no sooner did she do so than the big Cardassian grabbed her and drew her in close. She couldn't break off; he was damn strong for a Cardassian. And she could see the lust in his eyes; maybe he wanted to capture her, so enamored was she...

Jael took advantage of this by grabbing a mace of her own and smacking it on the leg.

Nira looked over and saw her new friend break bone...like an honorable warrior. She wished D'Lorra was joining them, it would be like in her Angels program in the holodeck...only this would make them Hell's Angels.

[Cardassian Weapons Control Station | Rasilak Shelem | Edge of the Danjika System]

Nira's wish seemed to have reached the ears of whatever deity might command her Hell's Angels, as D'Lorra surged in, leaping to thrust a mek'leth against the forearm of the hulking Cardassian warrior. The damage led to him releasing Nira from his grasp, and a follow-up thunk on the back of his neck from the Klingon warrior's hilt sank the man into unconsciousness. "Hah!" D'Lorra said, breathlessly. "You owe both of us, Princess!" she said, looking at the Cardassian with a grin.

Given the show of faith, Kohor gave his next orders. "If you know this ship, turncoat, guide them to your transporters, and send yourselves to the Bridge. Take it, but leave the Captain or the First Officer alive. Either will be answering to me."

At this, it was up to Jael to lead them to an available set of transporters on the station; Nira, Thiq, and Kergh, a small strike force to rend chaos on the Bridge of the Rasilak vessel. Kohor turned away, getting a communication from the TajHu, and shouting back orders in Klingon. It sounded as though the battle with the Cardassian artillery ship was pitched, and Jael was able to punch up an exterior shot of the space-fight on a tactical viewscreen nearby... One that Shas hadn't yet smashed. On the screen, disaster...

The rear of the two K-32's, shields failed and struck by a torpedo, listing... Art from one of the Star Trek RPG Books.

One of the K-32's had lost its shields due to contentrated disruptor fire from the other Rasilak, and from the Legate, and a follow-up torpedo from that same Legate-class vessel had eradicated a wing from the K-32. It was listing, shipboard lights failing, and there were likely fires on the ship, a deadly combination... Kohor swore in his native tongue, as only a Klingon could. It was up to those vessels out there to turn that tide. The boarding party had its own mission. Kohor's team would take Engineering to halt the ship from fleeing. And as for Nira and Jael...

Take the Bridge!