Agents of Influence by Dayton Ward

Author:Dayton Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2020-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-one

Despite the research outpost’s remote location in one of the Ivratis asteroid field’s densest areas, Le’tal insisted that all reasonable precautions be taken to avoid announcing its presence. This included masking its power output and restricting outbound communications. Even inbound transmissions were received or even acknowledged only if they conformed to the tightly controlled schedule. The outpost’s garrison commander, Karamaq, also ensured the patrols he sent into the field at irregular intervals came and went using randomly selected circuitous routes designed to reveal whether the ships were being followed. As for other vessels that might call on them, such occurrences were only supposed to happen as a result of specific circumstances falling under the category of “emergency.” All of these protocols and so many others were designed to protect not only the outpost and its occupants but also the secret and important nature of the work taking place here.

It was therefore to Le’tal’s great surprise that she received notice of an inbound communication, from a vessel making an unannounced visit.

“Perhaps someone might explain this rather glaring irregularity,” she said as she walked into the outpost’s control center.

Turning from where he stood next to a Klingon soldier sitting at the center’s communications station, No’Khal offered a disapproving grunt. “A Klingon ship is on an approach course. Outer boundary sensors detected it and we have been tracking its progress as it makes its way deeper into the asteroid field. This is not a random occurrence, my friend. This ship knows we are here, and they are hailing us. We have not yet responded.”

Le’tal frowned, considering this revelation. Looking around the control center, she noted that even with the unusual situation now developing, the outpost’s command hub continued to operate as though it were any other evening. Located at the facility’s top level, the compartment was hexagonal in shape and capped with a high, domed roof. Five of the room’s six walls hosted their own set of four oversized display screens, with the exit set into the wall behind her. Beneath each set of screens were rows of controls and indicators arrayed in a variety of colors and configurations. Most of the stations were devoted to the outpost and its internal systems, while two at the room’s far end were detailed to overseeing the numerous tests conducted by the experimental disruption-field equipment. Additional workstations were positioned in three pairs at the room’s center, though at this time of night only those devoted to sensors and communications were staffed with watch personnel. In accordance with Karamaq’s wishes, these posts were always monitored by members of his security force, the only soldiers working in an environment otherwise dominated by civilian scientists and engineers.

And just where is Karamaq?

The thought taunted Le’tal as she considered possibilities. Was he still caught in the cocoon of drink-induced slumber? It would not be an unusual occurrence, she reminded herself.

To the soldier sitting at the communications console, she asked, “Where is your commander?”

A large, muscled specimen with long dark hair flowing over the shoulders of his uniform tunic, the Klingon shifted in his seat.

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