No faults to report & weapons check out. The doors open to the bridge and Security officer Kaj enters. He looks over at Krantz for a moment and heads to meet with Khaval. They confer in low tones for a moment.

Khaval looks over to Krantz "Status", he says to the weapons officer.

 When the turbo lift doors opened, Krantz looked up from his consul, and saw the  Security officer. they locked eyes briefly,and the weapon officer frowned,then returned to his screen. When Captain asked for a status report,Krantz answered at once. " All weapon systems within normal operational parameters,Captain."

Khaval nodded.

"Krantz and Kaj with me to the Captain's room...Kital, send word to Khant & Korg to meet us in the captain's room within 5 minutes Kagan, you have the bridge."

Kital, the female communications officer and Kagan the navigational officer said, "Acting" in unison and turned back to their respective console.

When all were gathered, Khaval began to speak.

"Our current position is approximately one and a half parsec IN the Triangle...I don't know where our former captain was taking us but I'm guessing it was some Khesting IKS base or stronghold."

"Its more than a guess", Kaj said "Searching his body I have discovered a data chip with his plans -  he indeed was taking this ship to a forward base they have in this sector...The battle with the Roms gave him the opening to act with his conspirators."

"Captain, I advise that we return to the nearest base and report what went on here.It is not without reason, that one or more IKV warships where coming to rendezvous with the traitors."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

"The engine room is almost repaired but I'm running a skeleton crew", Khant said.

"The same with half the ship", Khaval said. "We make course back to Ganarra III - we are in no condition to take on an IKS base in our condition. We repair and report...All of you back to your duties."

 Suddenly, Krantz had a Disruptor pistol in his hand,and it was aimed right at Kaj's chest. " Why did you not detect this treason when so many of this ship's compliment where involved? It is your function to detect such things,it is your duty to to stop a conspiracy before it blooms into treason. Now explain to the Captain, your failure as a Security officer."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Kaj remained calm in light of a disruptor pointed at him and looked over to Khaval.

"He was hand picked by the former captain to be executive officer and I had not surmised the extent of his treachery. Also, I knew not who to trust as one of my OWN security officers came to Kill Khaval but luckily I intervened and took a D'tagh to my stomach for my efforts."

He looked back to Krantz. "I took a great risk coming to Khaval and you with my suspicions...Khaval may be a human fusion but his loyalty is unquestioned - despite his association with one such as you."

"Put away the weapon, Krantz - now is not the time for us to turn on each other", Khaval said.

"I shall obey you, my Captain." The disruptor was returned to its holster, but his glare to Kaj became more glacial." But I shall be watching this pitak, very very closely.”

"As will I", Kaj said plainly.

They all left the Captain's room to their stations or duties.

Ripper left the Triangle and after a few days arrived at Ganarra III.

Khaval Reported in to Imperial Command about what had transpired on Ripper as she sat docked under repair and requests sent for crew.

(Please continue any responses back to the Gararra III thread - this thread will be locked ~Almighty GM)

They were now 1 day out from the triangle and after that, another day and a half to the traitor's outpost.

Krantz and Khaval were in the Commisary once more, the Klin-zha board in front of them. This was their third game and Krantz had so far won the last two - this was not typical of their games, Krantz knew as Khaval was a better player.

Watching close by was Korg and their new helmsman, Khadaan - a human fusion similar to Khaval.

Krantz usually enjoyed sitting across the game board with Khaval. His captain was by far the superior player, but it was an honor to play someone of his ability. So it was with some concern, when Krantz won two games in a row. He made a study of Khaval, attempting to determine what might be amiss.

Krantz observed Khaval and their game. Within 10 moves, Krantz had taken Khaval's goal.

Korg's mouth opened slightly at seeing Khaval lose 3 times in a row while Khadaan merely stared, not being witness to the captain and the weapon's officer's games in the past.

"Your game has improved, Krantz", was all Khaval said with a small grin.

"Well played", Khadaan said.

Korg remained silent, still trying to digest what he saw.

 "The one honors me,Captain. But perhaps it is the fact your thoughts are not totally upon the board and pieces." Said Krantz, in concern for his friend,and not a barb.

"Playing scenarios in my head - figuring on how defenses are at the traitor's base as well as if they have any ships in the area...The IKS has a rag-tag navy but no less formidable", Khaval said. "We might encounter small opposition like gunboats or a capital ship or two."

 Krantz sat back , in his chair,and reached for his fruit juice. He used the act of taking a drink, to allow him to form a response in his mind. " Perhaps a way might be found to conduct a reconnaissance of the area of operation,before our force arrives, Captain. I have heard, it might be possible to attune a ship's warp probe to emit a signature that would be taken for a comet,if not inspected to closely. If we could make these modifications to the probe, it might give you the information of enemy naval forces and dispositions, by passive sensor gathering” Said Krantz.

 Krantz  regarded his glass of fruit juice a moment, to allow his proposal to sink in with his Captain.

Khadaan raised an eyebrow at the weapons officer's idea. Korg looked over to Khaval at the suggestion.

Khaval put a hand to his chin, mulling the idea over and then grinned.

"If more ideas came like this from you, I would allow you to win every game of Klin-Zha", he said. "I will have to clear this with Capt. Khlim but I have no doubt that any advantage he will take against the traitors.."

Khaval and Krantz found themselves on the bridge a short while later. Hailing Onslaught, Khaval spoke to Khlim about using the probe to gain intel on the enemy base.

"Ingenius - who came up with that idea, captain?"

"My chief engineer", Khaval lied. "He was only a crewman when we dealt with the traitors mutiny on board our ship, but he has a keen mind."

"You have my permission to enact this plan - alert me the moment when you have the probe operational and ready for launch...Onslaught out."

The screen went back to its view of the ship in warp.

Khaval hit a button on his console. "Khant, pull and prepare a probe for a special modification and await instructions - Krantz, come to my office please."

Khaval led the way out of the bridge and both entered the Captain's office. Once the doors closed, Khaval spoke.

"Before you say anything, you understand this one's reasons why I said it was Khant's idea and not yours?"

Krantz followed his captain into his sanctum sanctorum on the ship. When Khaval put the question, of why he had given Khant credit for the probe idea, Krantz slowly shook his head no." I assumed you have your reasons, Captain. But whatever the reason, you moved a piece upon the board against Khlim's position. Such is this ones view of the matter."

 Krantz was not vexed over the credit going elsewhere. He assumed Khaval had a good reason for doing what he did.  He was loyal to Khaval, and owed him a great debt. But Krantz was Klingon, and no matter his Captains reason, the scales of debt between the two lessened a little, in Krantz's favor, this day.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Wed 07 Dec 2016.

"More of a feint, actually...By Making Khant the source of the idea, I enforce his idea of an Imperial being superior in Khlim's mind. I also elevate Khant - unknowingly, of course - and give him status as a capable engineer...Remember, he was only a crewman before the mutiny but he is a capable engineer and has a good punching arm."

Khaval says that last line as he strokes his jaw and grins in amusement.

"You are marked by IS so I could not say the plan was from you - lest Khlim would not even consider the plan - and it is a good plan."

Khaval then went silent, letting his words sink into his fellow officer and friend.

  A slight frown came to the features of Krantz. But he still slowly nodded, when Khaval stated his reasons. “So our new commander is one of those that cannot look beyond the opinion of Imperial Security, and accept or reject an officer on his or her merits. That is a good piece of information for me, my Captain.” Said Krantz in a neutral tone of voice, so that Khaval would not know his anger at hearing this.

“I cannot but note that our former Captain and the other traitors did not attempt to recruit me to their conspiracy. One might think, someone so mark by IS and treated accordingly, would be a natural recruit for the IKS. Perhaps they thought I was too good to be true. The irony is not lost on this one.” Krantz then smiled.

"I thought on that as well. Perhaps since your father is a well known raking officer and House patriarch prior to the security notation, it was too convenient for them...Also, I was associated with you and I was known to be loyal to Kobos before we lost him in the Rom destroyer attack that allowed the traitors to move on us."

Khaval came up to him and put a hand on Krantz shoulder.

"The game continues on - a feint to keep Khlim at bay, an elevation for Khant since he is a valuable piece in my ambitions and an omission of your intellect to keep you in the game as well", Khaval said.

" You have honored me, by making me your Executive officer, and this would be enough for me, under normal conditions. But I must point out, things are not normal upon this ship, Sir. Head of Security and Marines are of the same house, and potential rivals. I submit the following, if I was elevated in rank to Lieutenant Commander that would make me a more valuable piece on your game board, my Captain.”

 Said Krantz in a most sober tone and expression to Khaval. it was offered as advice to help his Captain's position as well as his own.

"Imperial Command would never put it through - I was fortunate to get you the position you hold now, due to loss of crewmen during the mutiny", Khaval said.

"Patience, my friend - the Komerex Zha is an everlasting game...Opportunities will present themselves for both of us."

 Krantz‘s features slowly assumed a mask of neutrality, in response to his Captain’s words. The Imperial Klingon adjusted his uniform, and then spoke.

“This one understands, and accepts the situation. I shall have to strive that much harder, to bring you and myself Glory, in the service of the Empire.”

 The Weapons Officer had assumed his “game face” that revealed nothing of what he was thinking, the same for his voice. But on the inside, Kratnz was seething.

Krantz explained the modifications to Khant who went to work on the probe. Once completed it was launched and once it got within sensor proximity of the enemy base, they began receiving telemetry.

The base itself was not of Klingon design, although modified with disruptor emplacements and a shield generator. Small gunboat sized craft were detected about the base but no capital ships.

"Perhaps they modified an old mining platform...The small planetoid it orbits might have been the source of the ore", Khaval said, thinking out loud.

 Krantz studied the telemetry from the probe, and scratched his ridges, in thought. The Weapons Officer considered the situation, for a time, then offered a course of action, for his Captain's consideration.

" Perhaps, just perhaps, we might be able to modify two or three probes to imitate the electronic signature of a squadron, not long, but perhaps long enough to draw off the gunboat's to allow a shuttle, one of ours, to slip past an onto the  base. Their sensors have to be older versions, and  a modern shuttle might just be able to jam theirs long enough, for a landing. If we can get out Marines on that base, the element of surprise, and the superior fire power of the latest weapons systems, might just carry the day. If we can seize their command and control and, or the power plant, and shut down the shields, our ships would have the base at its mercy.”

 The plan was with great risk, and bold to say the least. But if it worked, the glory earned would be worthy of the High Command's attention.