Here We Stand
Posted on Tue Mar 18th, 2025 @ 6:17pm by Captain Michael Murphy & Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan & Lieutenant Aubrie Fox & Lieutenant Kestra Ral & Lieutenant Stuart Mann
1,149 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Maintaining the Status Quo
Location: Orbit around Janus VI
ON:
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USS Montana Bridge
Captain Murphy entered the Bridge and found it eerily quiet. The viewscreen showed a Klingon bird of prey facing the Montana.
He broke the silence, "Report."
Lieutenant Mitchell quickly stood up. "Captain. The Klingons have just been sitting there. I'm don't know exactly what they're doing. We did pick up an outgoing transmission, but no engine or weapons activities."
Murphy could see that Mitchell's hands were trembling. "Lieutenant, why don't you get back down to Engineering and make sure we're ready for warp just in case. I can take over up here."
"Thank you, sir," Mitchell said, sounding genuine. Mitchell was in the turbolift before Murphy could say another word.
"What are your thoughts, Lieutenant Mann?" Murphy asked.
Mann chuckled, "I'm thinking we might be in for some excitement. It seems that it's never a dull moment when the Klingons are involved. That said sir, I recommend we go to yellow alert."
"You might be right, mister," Murphy replied. In truth, Murphy didn't like the idea of a fight with a Klingon bird of prey, and he had little hope of a fight with whatever reinforcements it might be calling for.
A quick scan and hypospray was all her body needed. She was told to go rest in her quarters but that would have to wait. Walking onto the bridge Kestra bit her lip at the tension. Taking a seat at her station Kestra sent a passive scan at the Klingon ship
“They might be fighting over who is in command. The command staff might have been who was beamed to the mines. Or the person who gave the order to come here might be dealing with the repercussions of that decision. Klingon crews have been known to rip command apart at a defeat or sign of weakness. After all it is the only way of advancement in position or rank.”
After accompanying Kestra to sickbay, Steve made his way back to the bridge where he was most needed.
“Could buy us some time for…something” he commented on the science officer’s words.
“Our options are not infinite. We can run, we can fight, we can solve this diplomatically” he said aloud all the options he thought of.
Turning in her seat to look back at the Captain Kestra said, “what if we just told them a part of the truth? They was an structural accident. All of the miners are dead and their people were in the middle of that. Until new miners are sent the mines are closed?”
"That's a fine suggestion, Lieutenant," Murphy said. "I imagine they'll demand to leave with what they came for. If the mines will be shut down for an undetermined period of time, the pergium is even more valuable to the Federation than it was before. It would be simple to let them leave with it, but we need to try to keep it from them."
A console signaled a transport from the planet's surface to the Klingon ship. A second alert indicated an incoming hail from the Klingon ship.
"Sir, I guess our hiatus came to an end" Steve signaled the commanding officer. "Klingon vessel is hailing us, and seems like someone ...or something... from the planet made it onboard the Klingon ship" he concluded his report awaiting for the CO's authorization before putting onscreen the incoming transmission from the alien vessel.
"Any last suggestions before we hear what they have to say?" Murphy asked.
"Captain, I suggest we try to initiate a tactical scan to assess our surroundings for safety?" Aubrie inquired, her voice steady and professional. She glanced at the captain, noting his thoughtful expression as he considered the potential threats they might face. "If you have another priority in mind, just let me know, and I’ll adjust the scanners accordingly."
"Sir, I have to agree" replied Mann.
"If we actively scan then, won't we pis them?" almost rhetorically asked the XO.
Aubrie Fox leaned back slightly in her seat, considering the XO's words. "It's a valid concern, but we need to weigh the risks. If we don't actively scan, we might miss critical intel that could keep us safe. We can adjust our scan parameters to minimize detection while still gathering the information we need. It’s a delicate balance, but we can manage it." She glanced at the tactical display, a glint of determination in her eyes. “We have to be one step ahead.”
After the Khitomer accords, Murphy thought these stand off situations would be at an end, but here they were. "If they've scanned us, actively scan back. If they haven't...then let's hold off. Let's put them onscreen now, that way if you do the scan they may be distracted talking to us."
The XO acknowledged and tunneled the communication to the main screen of the Montana.
A Klingon sat in the Captain's chair, flanked by two other Klingons. He was silent. Murphy took that as a sign to speak first. "This is Captain Murphy of the USS Montana. I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding here. The mines are shut down temporarily, so there's really nothing of value here for now."
"Your words are a waste of our time," barked the center Klingon. "We have what we came for. We'll be back when we want more. Don't forget the name Krenn. You'll be hearing it again."
The transmission cut out. The viewscreen now showed the ship beginning to move off and engaging it's cloak.
"Talkative guy" commented Steve "as most of the Klingons" he added.
"They got what they came for" he repeated "any idea of what he was referring to?" Asked to the officers on the bridge.
Kestra cursed “Pergium. Probably everything the miner’s had stored from these reading.” There was a frown on her face. “I am thinking the Klingons might just try and take the whole mine.” Slave labor was cheap oh right prisoners is what they called them now.
"I agree," Murphy said. "We should send a message to Starfleet Command and let them know what's happened here. Maybe they can figure something out diplomatically, but either way they need to know that the pergium won't be coming anytime soon." He wondered if they should stay put to keep the Klingons away, or if they should go and leave the ruined mines to the Klingons for now.
"Will prepare a dispatch for Command" concurred the XO.
"We'll stay here and warn off other ships," Murphy decided. "But let's prepare and launch a warning buoy in case we're called away. It will be awhile before we hear back from Starfleet Command."
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Captain Michael Murphy
Commanding Officer, USS Montana
Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan
XO, USS Montana
Lieutenant Kestra Ral
Chief Science Officer, USS Montana
Lieutenant Aubrie Fox
Chief Security Officer, USS Montana
Lieutenant Stuart Mann
Navigation Officer, USS Montana
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