New Exploration Operations

"The Klingons are a little pissed at me, to be honest," Kieran replied. "I had found something they lost years ago: an old battlecruiser drifting in space. One crew left over, a few left stranded on a planet influencing a pre-warp society almost to the point of genocide on our side of the border." He shook his head. "But this type of attack is unlike Klingons I know. This attack had no honor. This wasn't meeting your foe on a plain of battle, this was a deliberate suicide bombing."

He stood and paced the room for a moment, and then was about to open his mouth but then a voice cut in. "Communications to Admiral Fuchida, there's an incoming transmission you'd probably like to see."

A monitor on the side wall blanked, then came up with a logo of Starfleet, flipped upside down and smeared in what looked like blood. A menacing voice sounded from the communication: "This is a message for the Federation in or around Starbase 102, and for all the puppets of the Federation. For too long, we have watched as you have spread all over the region, and seen your way of life come and destroy ours. Since our way of life is able to be sacrificed in the name of yours, your people are now to be sacrificed to preserve our way of life. We are The Gathering, and we shall drive you from our lands in the only language you respond to.

"For each new ship that enters our region of space, we will respond in violence and retribution against a target of our choosing. We will not stop until the Federation withdraws from the Triangle, and finding us and stopping us will be impossible. Tell those people that lost loved ones they were victims of their own arrogance, and tell yourselves that you are next."

The transmission blinked out, leaving a darkened screen. The air in between Mormar and Fuchida was silent for a few moments as the wight of the words sunk in, until Kieran finally started with, "Well, at least that question was answered."

<TAG>

Starbase 102
Conference Room
Current Time

The room became brighter as the playback ended. The gentle rustling of folios and odd half-choked whizze of throat clearing that always accompanied these briefings could be heard. No matter how many times Fuchida saw the message he could not shake it from his thoughts. Maybe that was the idea. Turning slowly away from the screen, he swiveled his chair to face the others at the large table. A brain-trust of officers from 102, the USS Phobos, and some of the more important alien representatives sat around him. A wave of his large hand signaled that now was the time for comment or opinion.

"Most disturbing," Representative Marrus of the Romulan Empire was the first to speak up. Despite his youthful appearance, the diplomat's vocal tone re-enforced the gravity of the situation and his Vulcanoid facial expression suggested that he had something profound to added. "However, it seems that this unfortunate development is entirely a Federation issue; I see no reason for my government to become involved."

Profound? No. Entirely unexpected? No

Tag

"Well then, I can't wait until this Gathering group sees you as invaders of their realm as well," Kieran replied. "Romulan involvement in the Triangle hasn't exactly been stellar over the last few years, and we've barely seen any of your empire's ships patrolling the border, even." His facial expression expressed anger and frustration at the situation, but he turned to Hammer. "How bad is the damage, Lieutenant?"

"The nacelle has to be reattached at dock; I'm just thankful we were at a dock," Hammer said quickly.

"And how long until we get a new nacelle?" Kieran asked, in which Hammer just shrugged. He turned to the Admiral. "Well, looks like you'll be having some guests for the next few weeks as the Phobos is in no condition to move, much less carry on its mission." He pondered for a moment about their situation. "What do we know about the source of the transmission?"

"It was bounced off of several different subspace amplifier networks: Federation, Klingon, and Romulan systems, all at once."

"Local terrorist cell, possibly on this station?" Kieran speculated.

"How do you know?" Admiral Fuchida asked.

"It's what I would do," Kieran replied. "I suggest sweeping the station for any source of the explosives used to destroy the civilian ship. There were traces of high-yield tetracyclide plasma in the wreckage, which is pretty unique for an explosive device and should have left a signature that can be picked up by tricorders. I suggest sweeping the base for any and all traces of it, and anyone exposed to its residue."

TAG

Starbase 102
Conference Room
Current Time

Alecia was still a bit messed up, but she was going to be alright. She didn't remember much from her trip to sickbay, but she just had a mild concusion, and it had the looks of it that they weren't going anywhere soon. She probably didn't have to be here, but she was still an important factor to the Phobos crew as counsellor, and she knew that the coming days were going to be tough for her.

In sickbay she heard that ensign Parby was deadly wounded, and that they weren't sure if he was going to make it. That wasn't all together reassuring for her.

She rubbed her back as it was pretty soar from the collision against the wall from her office. The doctor said that the pain would go away. She straightened it a little as the screen came down to show a message. She found the blood quite sickening. Those people were mad, displaying off the blood to show they wanted to see blood. The message wasn't the only thing that was dark. The messenger sounded quite dark and psychotic himself, but still she could sense from his words, that he knew exactly what he wanted, and that was even more scarier.

TAG

"Agreed. Before we move on, I'd like the opinion of the Klingon Empire. Colonel?"

Colonel Kro'tec of the Klingon Defense Force was a officer turned diplomat who had increased in size as quickly as he had rank.

"My government must agree with the Romulan Empire," he began

There's a first.

"The Gathering said they were upset by Federation expansion. The Klingon empire is constrained by treaty-"

Fuchida held up his hand to halt the speech. He had heard enough. "I understand. We're done here. Thank you, gentlemen."

The room rose and people made their way to the exits.

"It's a shame you surrendered so quickly, Colonel" Fuchida toned loudly to the departing Klingon. Shuffling the folios, his dark eyes never looking up.

"Surrender?!" The Colonel practically choked on the word.

"That's right."

The Klingon bodyguards took a step closer, fingertips dangerously close to the hilts of their knifes. Fuchida stood up calmly.

"I've killed higher ranking officers than you, Admiral"

Starfleet security stepped forward, hands just as close to their phasers.

"You've got an enemy on your boarders and yet you run away. Where's that famous Klingon honor?"

"We are not cowards!"

"Prove it."

A snarl broke through the yellowing jagged canines. Was that a smile? The fantasy of personally starting a war. The newest hero? Whatever it was, it faded and Kro'tec turned and stomped out. Fuchida watched the Klingon go but then his eyes fell on Marrus' upturned lip. The Romulan had stayed to watch the blood sports.

"A shrewd tactic, Admiral. You have some Romulan blood in you-"

"I hope not." Fuchida shot back. He was tired of the diplomatic posturing and political swordsmanship.

"I'll put you on the next shuttle-"

"Not necessary, Admiral. The Klingons should fight. If they do, I can convince my government to provide more protection to this sector."

A simple nod was all that was needed and the Romulan made the most grateful exit so far.

"Now where were we, Commander? The scan. I think it's a good place to start, but I want you to go a bar."

"A bar?" Kieran repeated, confusion at the thought splashing clearly on his face and in his eyes. He thought for a moment. "Why do you want me to go for a drin- ohhhhhh..." Realization set in for what the Admiral was saying: a bar at this time would be full of civilians; who would be celebrating the death and destruction would probably lead them further. "I'll be right on it."

And without a further word, he left.

(OFF: Sorry, it's not much... but I am having trouble writing the next part. Give me a few and I'll come up with something.)

Alecia was just sitting and looking around. She assumed the meeting was over. She didn't really know what her orders would be, but she would go back to her work if she felt better. She was still a bit dizzy. So maybe she could get some rest first, before she would get back to work.

She got up. "Commander, if you have nothing else, sir, I would like to retreat to my quarters. I would like to have some rest."

[Trying to get back in. How am I doing?]