Summon the Thunder

“Even with its effects on our sensors, the Tholians should not have been able to detect us,” Ineti said. “Drawing power directly from the warp engines is the most likely cause, and perhaps is a design flaw. We should alert Fleet Command of the unexpected discrepancy as soon as possible.” With another knowing smile, he added, “Whenever that might be.”

Allowing the cool, slightly vibrating surface of the bulkhead to act as therapy against the headache she could feel descending upon her, Sarith finally opened her eyes and glanced at the chronometer displayed on her desktop computer terminal. She quickly calculated the interval of time remaining until her next pla

Finally, something new to report.

The journey to this region of space, far beyond Romulan boundaries, had taken months, thanks in no small part to the circuitous route that had been required in order to skirt Federation and Klingon territory, not to mention their paying particular attention to avoid the network of observation outposts the Federation had deployed along their border with Romulan space. To the best of Sarith’s knowledge, it was the first time any military vessel had left the confines of the Romulan Star Empire since shortly after the war against Earth.

All so that we might spy on our former enemies.

“I know that expression,” Ineti said after a moment. “Once again, you wonder if this assignment is worthy of an officer of your stature.”

Sarith smiled. As always, she failed utterly at concealing her thoughts and feelings from her oldest friend. “I do not question the Praetor’s orders, or the directives of Fleet Command,” she said, the words sounding rehearsed even as she said them. “I would simply have appreciated more information. It is preferable to know for what exactly we are undertaking such risk, would you not agree?”

“Of course,” Ineti replied, “just as I’ve agreed with you on each of the seventeen occasions since our departure when you have raised this same question.”

Sighing, Sarith shook her head. The old man certainly could be exasperating at times. “I have to wonder what interest the Praetor might have in happenings taking place so far from home,” she said. Her vessel had traveled almost the length and breadth of explored space, and for what reason? To gather information on the recent upswing of Federation, Klingon, and even Tholian activity in this heretofore isolated region of space, to relay that information back to her superiors, and to do so without alerting anyone to her ship’s presence. It was of paramount importance to the Praetor that no one know of the Romulans’ first slow steps toward emerging from an isolation that had lasted more than a century, and that their interests were piqued by whatever might be unfolding here.

“Just because we do not see the threat,” Ineti said after a moment, “does not mean it does not exist. Such prudence has guided us for countless generations, my friend. Do not forget that.”

“Some would call that philosophy nothing more than simple paranoia,” Sarith countered. In fact, judging from the scant intelligence data received from undercover operatives positioned within the ranks of the Federation Starfleet, the Earth-centric political body seemed almost obsessed with expanding their influence into this region of space, which apparently had provoked the Klingon Empire into dispatching their own vessels. The activities of both entities appeared to have angered the Tholians, and by all accounts, war in this region seemed inevitable.

Among the many things missing from the intelligence reports was what had set these events in motion.

What had brought the Federation here, possessing it to venture into territory flanked by two rival powers who both considered the humans and their allies to be a threat? Had the Klingons learned of some potential military advantage the area offered, and were they now determined to seize it before the Federation staked their claim? How did the Tholians factor into the equation, apart from simple xenophobia and a desire to be left well enough alone?

Sarith’s mission was simple: Find answers to those questions.

3

“Go away.”

The words were spikes piercing Cervantes Qui

Please, just let me die in peace.

“Qui

“Huh?” Qui

Pe

Watching as the six dancing Pe

“Right,” he said finally, nodding in acknowledgment to Pe

Vanguard’s quartermaster division had already taken pity upon him by offering him a contract to transport supplies and other requested items from the station to the various colonies that were springing up throughout the Taurus Reach. So far the work had been marginally profitable, if not exciting, at least enough to keep him fed and his ship, the Rocinante,in working order. It also provided him with at least some funds that he could put toward his outstanding debts, the number and amount of which escaped him at the moment.

I wonder if I’ve got enough to buy a new skull,he thought as another stab of pain wormed its way behind his eyeballs.

Regarding him skeptically, Pe

“Possibly,” Qui