Star Trek Prometheus: The Root of All Rage by Christian Humberg & Bernd Perplies

Author:Christian Humberg & Bernd Perplies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan Books

16

NOVEMBER 22, 2385

I.K.S. Bortas

This was to be Kromm’s moment of triumph. Nothing would spoil it, he was going to make certain of that.

The captain stood in the center of the bridge, staring at the main screen. Minutes ago, he had been content. His crew executed his orders efficiently, and the Bortas was ready to fulfill its duty and serve as the Klingon Empire’s weapon to be wielded against its enemies.

Now, though, something stood between him and his glorious task: the Prometheus. On the bridge’s main screen, he saw Captain Adams’s ship hovering in space like a silent promise, bristling with weapons. He couldn’t help but think about the Mark-XII phaser arrays, the quantum torpedo launchers, the ablative plating, and the ship’s multi-vector assault mode.

“A confrontation with Adams would be suicide,” Commander L’emka whispered into his ear. The first officer stood by Kromm’s side, her face expressing unconcealed criticism, if not contempt. “The Prometheus is far superior to us. A true captain would know that … sir.”

“And a true first officer would know how to create the deciding tactical advantage, instead of whining like a coward,” he said. “And I will not retreat from Adams, Commander! Never again! Our orders are clear!”

“That’s madness, Captain,” L’emka said. “The Prometheus stands between us and Xhehenem. We wouldn’t be able to get past her, even if our attack on a world full of farmers was an appropriate reaction to Korinar!”

Kromm whirled around to face her. He had been tolerating L’emka’s behavior for far too long, and that was going to change once he led the Bortas to new heights. “If Prometheus stands between us, then we will go around it.”

“You really believe that Adams will let us pass?”

“Which choice does he have?”

The first officer jutted her chin forward. “Sir, that ship can split into three segments. Even if we managed to evade one of their sections, there would still remain two to open fire on us. Where should we escape to?”

He snorted. “And I thought you were a Klingon warrior. We have no need to ‘escape.’ Are you afraid of the phaser arrays of a Starfleet ship?”

“The only thing I fear, Captain, is the dangerous foolishness of my commanding officer!”

That was the final straw. Kromm’s eyes widened incredulously and he clenched his fists. “How dare you! Commander, I have tolerated your misconduct as my right hand in the past, but rest assured that I will not repeat that mistake. If you stand in my way I will sweep you aside.”

“You are welcome to try, sir,” she said defiantly, her hand moving to her d’k tahg, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. “It wouldn’t be the last mistake you’d want to commit today. But at least it would only cost your own life, and not that of the entire crew. I’m ready to let you make that mistake. Are you?”

That was it. The challenge.

Tense silence ensued on the bridge, the only sounds coming from the automated functions of the consoles. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the result of this confrontation between captain and first officer.

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