Rough Crossings Part I

Posted on Mon Jun 30th, 2025 @ 9:19pm by Captain Robert Burke & Commander Vincent 'Vin' Salvatore & Lieutenant Marques Hunt & Lieutenant Juno Jones & Lieutenant Ryssa Dari & Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca

1,390 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Federation / Klingon Border
Timeline: MD031 1140hrs

::ON::

Pacing the central ring of the Bridge, Burke was stretching his legs. A day out from the Archanis system, the Hecate's communications systems had cleared from the local interference of the system's radiation fields. Routine testing with the Comms department had ensured that a clear line of communication could be had with the Federation's subspace network. The Hecate's last act within Federation space had been to drop the last relay in a long chain stretching back to Earth.

More ping tests had confirmed it worked, and would prove a communications lifeline for the Hecate if things went sideways as they crossed to the far side of Klingon space. Musing on their next step, he hoped that trouble would not be what awaited them. Luxuriating in the quiet competence of his Bridge, he completed his circuit, and took the center chair.

'Incoming transmission - standard Klingon greeting,' the Comms officer said, holding the receiver to her ear, bald Deltan head shining under the bright Bridge lights. 'It warns us not to cross into Klingon space.' She fell silent for a moment, before her intense brown eyes flicked to Burke, 'signal has changed. A specific message for the Hecate. We're to come to all-stop and transmit our clearance code for the convoy before crossing over in to Klingon space.'

At the science station, Ryssa was keeping one eye on the sensors and one on the viewscreen just to see the progress they were making. This was a monumental first step and she wanted to watch it happen.

Vincent stepped onto the bridge in time to hear the Comms Officer announce the incoming transmission. He continued to walk, taking a position by Captain Burke. The next exchange could decide how other Klingon’s in this sectors might interrupt the Hecate’s presence moving forward. One hint of secrecy will put the Klingon’s on alert and the Hecate might be on eggshells every time they are within range of another Klingon ship.

Juno had come up from the engine room, escorting Vincent along the way to the bridge. The lieutenant rested gently along the railing. "Sounds like you have the stage, Captain. I don't know about the rest of you, but I quite enjoy when their disruptors aren't scorching our hull."

'Transmit the code,' Burke said with quiet authority. The Deltan nodded in return, 'code transmitted. Waiting for confirmation.'

Falling silent, the Deltan stared off into the middle distance as she listened to what the Klingon border relay was telling her. Nodding to herself once or twice, she seemed satisfied with that she was hearing. As the silence stretched interminably, she finally broke in to a small smile. 'The Klingons confirm the code is valid. The convoy is cleared to cross and head for the Homeworld.' Chuckling she said, 'they've intimated in their own charming way we're not to deviate from our course, or to suffer the consequences.'
"Cheeky bastards" grumbled Juno with a chuckle. The Chief Engineer shook his head.

Burke smiled, and nodded, 'it seems that their manners are about the same, Accords or no.' Signal the convoy to follow our lead. He turned to face the Main Viewer, 'Helm, all ahead, full impulse - once we cross the border we can head back to warp.'

"Aye sir," Hunt responded as he proceeded to move the Hecate on its course. "You would think they would be a little more humble, considering that were helping them out."

The Chief Engineer scoffed. "This is humble, Lieutenant Hunt. They are being downright pleasant."

As the Hecate powered forward towards the border, Burke ordered the Main Viewer to change the feed, superimposing the agreed border with the Empire, and showing the vessel edging ever closer. Feeling a palpable thrill through the air, Burke leaned forward as the border was finally crossed.

Dari held her breath as the ship crossed into Klingon territory, holding back her own excitement and anticipation.

Gia watched with bated breath as they crossed through, feeling kind of excited to be exploring this new part of space with the crew, albeit being on the bridge wasn't her strong suit.

Hunt looked around the bridge, taking in the reaction of everyone. A few years ago, they were likely to be taking on heavy fire from a sworn enemy. Now things were different. At least for now.

A proximity alert sensor pinged on the Science station, and Burke turned sharply to look at Dari. 'Status update?

"Three Klingon ships are de-cloaking around the Hecate." As soon as she could read the class, she added. "They're all D7s." She had to verify with the computer, but they looked like they were older ships, and they weren't raising shields.

Juno tightened their grip on the railing. "Affirmative. Those are D7s staring us down, older by the looks of it. Dear God. If that's what they look from this far away, I'd hate to their engine rooms." The lieutenant muttered something under their breath.

Hunt's first instinct was evasive maneuvers, just out of habit. But controlled himself from making that decision without the orders of the Captain himself.

Burke ran a finger across his lips, and thought for a moment as the Klingon vessels surrounded the Hecate. 'Steady as she goes, Helmsman,' Burke said, 'we're all just friends here.' He turned to the Tactical. 'Ready Yellow Alert on my command.' He looked to the Counsellor, 'we are after all very new friends,' he quipped.

Looking to Comms, he asked if there were any signs of comm activity and received a negative.

"Sir," Ryssa said, tongue-in-cheek, as she kept an eye on the ships. "I believe this is a good time to fly casually. They may be trying to ruffle our feathers as they know we are here with permission."

'Oh-kay,' Burke replied to his Chief Science Officer. 'Let's fly casual then,' he told the Bridge, 'stay at green alert.' He arched an eyebrow towards Darri, 'we're all friends here.' Settling back in his chair, and steepling his fingers, he called out to Helm. 'Steady as she goes, please, Hunt. When we reach the transit point we can head back to Warp speed.'

A quick check on his chair's monitor showed that the convoy was shadowing the larger Excelsior-class while the Klingon ships kept their distance, though bombarding them with aggressive sensor scans.

"Too bad we can't return the favor," Ryssa commented, knowing it would be seen as a hostile gesture. "Or just paint a giant peace sign on the hull." Then, glancing at the captain, she added, "I know we can't, but thinking about it makes me smile."

'Last time I checked, we were a few lightyears from home,' Burke smiled, 'I think we'd be able to paint a sign on the hull no problem - Command doesn't have to know about it.

Steering the Hecate on the exact path as instructed, he made sure to move the ship in a non offensive of matter. All those years fighting and now just moving around like the last hundred years didn't happen. "Being at the mercy of the Klingons just seems so uneasy," Marques commented. "Do you all think this might be the new normal?"

"I sure do hope so, Lieutenant. I truly hope so" commented Juno Jones taking a deep breath.

'Well,' Burke got to his feet and circled the Bridge, stepping out of the center well to check on a few random consoles as he went by, nodding at each officer as he checked the readings, 'to answer your question, Mister Hunt, I sure hope so. Hopefully this constitutes the baseline for us - at the moment, uneasy peace and cooperation, hopefully blooming into something deeper.'

Looking back at his CO, Hunt gave a more confident look before returning his eyes back on the main viewer.

"Sir, three more Klingon ships are de-cloaking. Scans show they're from one of the minor houses."

[To Be Continued ...]

::OFF::

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

Commander Vincent Salvatore
Executive & Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Marquis Hunt
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Juno Jones
Chief Engineer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Ryssa Dari
Chief Science Officer
USS Hecate

 

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