Sympathy banked the Quest to the fringes of the Klingon patrol. Wolf looked at the young pilot known more for her association with former Epsilon Force flagship pilot Jarmony Ford than for her efforts here in the King's Fleet. He finally blurted out, "What are you doing?"
"Did you see that?", Sympathy pointed to the blip on the viewer.
"USS Quasar Quest, this is the wej'veQ, why have you deviated from the patrol pattern?", Summer asked from the station.
"One of our young officers has made a mistake.", Commander T'Zohl apolgized.
"No!", Sympathy insubordinately interrupted, "I saw a shuttle."
"Out here?", Wolf scoffed.
"Please return to your patrol pattern.", Summer ordered.
John walked onto the bridge, "What is it?"
"Ford took us of course.", T'Zohl informed the Captain.
John looked at the relief pilot, "And your thoughts, young lady?'
"I believe I saw a shuttle.", Sympathy looked so hopeful. She wanted John to believe her. More than that, she wanted John to believe in her.
"Inform Admiral Viceroy of our intentions to investigate.", John ordered sitting in the Captain's chair.
"Are you sure you want to start something?", T'Zohl looked at John.
"Commander, see if you can find the Jolly Roger?", John ordered.
"Ishka's ship? Why?", the Vulcan grumbled.
"If there is a Klingon shuttle this far out, it is probably up to no good. With Branson shutting off the ice crystals, it is probably Dilithium traders.", John informed the Vulcan at the tactical station.
John turned around, "Russia, see if you can scan the shuttle."
"There is no shuttle, sir. This was a mistake by a human child.", the Andorian snarled.
John looked at Sympathy, "Send the last observed location to Commander Trmel's console."
"Summer, can you confirm these results?", Russia forwarded the scans to the larger terminal on the wej'veQ.
Summer yelled at Tan, "You better come over here, the Quest has found some very interesting cargo on board a private Klingon shuttle."
Tan gasped, "Get Vincent and Tania up here."
Vincent looked at the cargo scans, "Is it real?"
"From the Quest sensors, I would like to say yes.", Summer looked at Admiral Viceroy.
"The operation should be small scale, launch the fighters.", Vincent looked at the image scan. There were two Klingon Operatives, a cargo of Dilithium and a separate box containing one Tellarite female. Had they, no wait, had Sympathy found Sonja Naar'Haaj?
"With all due respect, the fighters will not arrive for several hours. This may be our only chance.", Sympathy looked at John.
"Don't do it, John. President Hatherton and Admiral Montgomery have spoken out against any action against the Klingons. You are putting others at risk and maybe even the future of the colony.", T'Zohl logically announced.
"Commander, take the helm.", John ordered.
"I won't. This is the wrong approach.", T'Zohl looked at John.
"You are absolutely right. From a political standpoint, this is the wrong decision. Entering Klingon space to save a single student is a poor decision. This approach six what ensures the long term viability of the Federation.", John looked at his longtime Vulcan friend.
"The reason I left Starfleet was because of this very thing. The right thing may not get the best thing for the Federation. It may not be the best thing for the Fleet. It might not even be the best thing for your ship,", John paused as thoughts of Trista Coren ramming the USS Princess Diana into a Borg Cube ran though his mind.
"It however is still the right thing. I guess Wolf and Sympathy, the intercept is in your hands.", John looked at the helm.
Wolf took a deep breath, "Captain, I cannot condone this action. I cannot accept an order I see as wrong."
John looked at the young pilot, "I admire your support of CommanderT'Zohl. You too make a fine couple."
Russia interrupted, "I will take the left chair."
John looked at the Andorian, "But this was a mistake by a human."
Russia sat down. She did not even acknowledge the bitter sarcasm from the human Warren.
Russia looked at Sympathy, "We have a shuttle to scoop!"
General Kabarann announced on an open channel, "King's Fleet vessel, you are forbidden to enter Klingon space."
Before John could answer, Commander Trmel tapped the console, "Our apologies, General. Commander T'Zohl is off today and the young human Sympathy Ford got our flight orders messed up. It won't happen again."
Russia looked at Sympathy, "At patrol speed, we get only one chance at this. If we miss, we will just fly right by and will have to leave Klingon space empty handed."
Sympathy tapped the console. John smiled as he watched T'Zohl's body language mimic what moves she thought Sympathy should make. The Vulcan wanted to stay neutral but she could not herself. She was Quest in her very soul.
Russia looked at Sympathy, "You got this."
Russia picked up a phaser rifle and headed for the cargo bay. John stood up, "One chance. Steady."
Wolf pumped his fist when he heard the clunk in the cargo bay. John smiled. The Quest was special place. You just became part of the ship.
Russia showed the same blood that has made her sister Teshra so famous. She drug the two Klingons out of the ship. The Quest security forces subdued the traders.
Russia busted open the cargo bay. Sonja cowered in the corner. She would not come out. She would not move.
John had seen this terror. He looked at Russia, "Close it up."
"Huh?", the Andorian looked shocked.
"She is terrified. At least in there, they can't get her. It has been the only safe place. She needs that safety right now.", John showed the maturity that makes him a special leader.
"If she was Andorian, we would just drag her ass out and order her to fly right!", Russia showed some Andorian blue.
John put his hand on her shoulder, "She is not Andorian."
John walked back onto the bridge, "To the wej'veQ."
T'Zohl tapped the console. John looked at Sympathy as she started off the bridge, "Well done. You may have saved a life today."
Sympathy smiled.
Posted By:
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Voice of the King's Fleet Vessels
Aboard the USS Quasar Quest
King's Fleet
Admiral Vincent Viceroy
Commander in Chief
King's Fleet
Based on Story Idea Started By
Nicole Branson
CEO - Covenant Energy
Orbiting Reykja Penthe
Klingon Sector
