Kyhid Zohl: | The SANEK Array dominates the viewscreens, its immense form suspended in the darkness here at the very edge of Klingon territory. Great solar collection arms stretch outward from its central +
Kyhid Zohl: | … structure, while vast transceiver assemblies and amplification masts are surrounded by a constant swarm of worker bees, shuttles and construction craft. Beyond the Array, the stars thin +
Kyhid Zohl: | into largely unexplored space. Little is known of what lies beyond this part of the Empire’s frontier, and the Array is intended to become both a communications hub and +
Kyhid Zohl: | …. a deliberate marker of the Alliance’s intent to look and see what new life and strange new worlds are out there. Around it, there is a flurry of activity, joined by new ships arriving. +
Kyhid Zohl: | Most of the vessels arriving bear the transponders of Alliance members, but one stands apart. A Breen vessel enters local space and holds position awy from the traffic. +
Kyhid Zohl: | Its presence is conspicuous. A good thing then, that Alliance captains had been briefed in advance. The Breen Confederacy had been invited to play a small part in the Array’s commissioning +
Kyhid Zohl: | … the result of an outreach effort by some diplomat at Alliance level. Their precise contribution has been kept under wraps… but things were about to become clearer. (done)
Thorgar: <C-Kl’vok> Thorgar walks around the bridge of the ship he owns, but necessarily captains. Lady Lekara fulfilled her end of the bargain to equip the ship up to KDF standards.
Thorgar: <C-Kl’vok> Much of officers are of House Krotak, but most of scientifically minded ones are of Thorgar’s own house - or what was left of it after the recent Klingon Shattering.
Kyhid Zohl: Onboard the USS Tykera, Captain Zohl studies the incoming traffic. The Kl’Vok’s advanced configuration catches his eye, but he is then alerted by his crew to the arrival of the Breen.
Thorgar: <C-Kl’vok> Thorgars opens the channel. “Kl’vok to Tykera. My science division has linked up with SANEK Array. How are things on your end and that of our visitors?”
Pren: The Breen vessel was a large one, their shields were up, though their weapons were decidedly powered down. Getting a proper scan on the vessel would be difficult, and there is no telling if it <c>
Pren: …Were a warp shadow or not. She’s not cloaked, and she’s not moving, at least.
Kyhid Zohl: allows himself a brief glance towards the tactical display, noting the Breen vessel’s raised shields despite its weapons remaining powered down. He knew the Confederacy had agreed +
Kyhid Zohl: that ‘little’ stipulation in their terms of participation here… but he was still unsure why they were here at all He returns his attention to the Klingons.
Kyhid Zohl: <C> Tykera to Kl’vok. All quiet on our end. Traffic is busy, but orderly. Our Breen ‘guests’ are holding position for now… I imagine we’ll have plenty to discuss once everyone is settled.
Kyhid Zohl: | Across the comms, the Array’s own operations teams issue instructions to various ships. Some will have recieved clarity on how best to approach etc.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “I feel some frustration in Your voice, Captain, and share it. Let’s hope it is just in the interest of science.”
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl gives a quiet, almost dismissive grunt over the com and one oh his antennae twitches with some mild irritation. <C> Bah! In the interest of some diplomats a few sectors away, perhaps!
Kyhid Zohl: <C> Still… it is curious that they’re here at all. The Confederacy isn’t exactly known for turning up at Alliance construction projects out of goodwill.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “They are like Ferengi, aren’t they?”
Pren: The breen vessel remainss silent, rather too silent, what precisely are they waiting for?
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl laughs, a genuine chuckle escaping him. Some on the bridge turn in surprise. Thorgar had quickly learned how to get a laugh from the Andorian, whether he always meant to or not. +
Kyhid Zohl: <C> Perhaps! Though I suspect the Ferengi would be rather offended by the comparison. They have been… strangely helpful in finding the last few non-replicatable parts for the Array
Pren: Occasionally signals bounce from the Breen vessel to the array and other two ships. The weapons remain unpowered.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “Perhaps my comparison was not entirely adequate. They are like silent Ferengi. Or Ferengi with a big smile and sharp knife, as one of their Rules of Acquisition go.”
Thorgar: <FX> One of House Krotak tactica officers had been monitoring the Breen vessel when he reports: “Thorgar, I am detecting unusual emissions in the Breen’s comm band. I am forwarding it to Tykera.”
Pren: The breen have been intercepting the communications between the two vessels, for how long is unknown. The attempts to hide this fact are so half hearted it begs the question if they actually <c>
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl’s antennae twitch again with amusement and he is about to respond, but stops short as he notices Thorgar’s attention is taken by someone on the Klingon’s bridge. He can’t hear the words.
Pren: ..Attempted to hide it at all.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> "Captain Zohl, the Tactical has spotted some… unusual eavesdropping from our Ferengized Breen, but… it seems to self-evident to be true. We are sending you the data and recalibration++
Thorgar: ++suggestions. Helm, turn our ship around, forward against the Breen visitor and hail them."
Thorgar: <FX> Kl’vok slowly turns around with their thrusters at full, aligning its forward sensor arrays to Breen ship position.
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl nods as the data comes through from the Kl’Vok, his own expression sharpening. He gestures towards the helm of the Tykera to follow suit, but also +
Kyhid Zohl: | .. issues a command to a nearby ensign manning the Tykera’s science station. A moment later, the ship’s deflector emits a brief pulse outwards +
Kyhid Zohl: | .. sending a surge of harmless energy across the local subspace field. Any systems that were ‘listening in’ so to speak, would certainly know they had been noticed.
Pren: The comms crackle a few times before clearing up. “::We have been silent this entire time while you speak on an unsecured channel. What did you think we were doing?::”
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “Breen vessel, had we wanted something hidden, we would have done so. There so no need for Tholian temper, it doesn’t… suit you.”
Pren: <C> “::Truthfully we thought you knew the moment we started listening. We did not feel a need or desire to interrupt.::”
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl concurs over the open channel. <C> "Quite so. Though we thought to at least give you the opportunity to refrain from your… impolite proclivities. +
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl continues… “A typical courtesy in the galactic community not to eavesdrop. You seem somewhat rusty on observing that, Uthoth Pren I assume?”
Pren: <C> "::Meaningless to you I imagine, Captain works fine though either will get the point across. As for politeless, ‘talking’ is not something we are known for. We are already breaking convention
Pren: …By being here at all.::"
Kyhid Zohl: <C> "Then perhaps we should consider your presence here an unusual but beneficial thing, Pren. If this is already a breach of convention, I am curious what compelled the Confederacy to make it.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> grumbles across the comms. “We are all curious to that question.”
Tohi: Beep boop. Warp signature… And seconds after the signal, a bird of prey suddenly appear.
Pren: <C> “::A combination of factors. Factions within the Confederacy along with various galactic circumstances that are mutually harmful. We can speak more later.::”
Kyhid Zohl: | A Klingon Bird-of-Prey drops from warp and joins the growing bustle around the Array. The vessel is familiar to local operations, having made several patrol runs in and out, all day.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar-> “I will take that as ‘Chimerans are harrasing us as well’ state of matters within Confederacy. Well… some use of those monstrosities.”
Kyhid Zohl: | The Array may be an Alliance project, but this was still Klingon territory, and the Kos’Bovt’s presence was a useful reminder of that to everyone.
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl’s expression hardens slightly at Thorgar’s remark. The Chimeran crisis was no distant concern. The events at the MIDAS Array, a quadrant away, had demonstrated just how quickly +
Kyhid Zohl: | …..such a threat could turn a communications installation into something far more dangerous.
Thorgar: <FX-Kl’vok> briefly signals Kos’Bovt’s a greeting, providing them with an update on SANEK comissioning and activation and recent communication with the Breen."
Tohi: From the view screens of the present ships, a notification of Tohi presence can be seen, the captain silently getting the updates of the situation, and greeting a bit more cheerily Thorgar.
Pren: <C> “:😮ne of. Correct.::”
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “Tactical, what is the status on SANEK Array activation?”
Kyhid Zohl: | <C> "Well, we will not obstruct your role here, “Captain”, but neither will we be taken off guard. You will follow the established protocols agreed upon by all our governments, as we will."
Pren: <C> “::As will you.::”
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl’s word were aimed at the Breen, but he wasn’t naive to think they might not also need to apply to the Klingons too. He hoped all would focus on their common goal here.
Tohi: “Captain Zohl. It’s been some time since the last time. Good to see you alive.” Tohi barked once more, but there’s were a hint of camaraderie, albeit with the clearer Klingon territory bravado.
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl took the opportunity to acknowledge and greet the fierce Commander of the Bird of Prey he knew as Tohi. “Likewise. I do try to stay that way” His antennae moved and it would be clear to Tohi
Kyhid Zohl: | … that Zohl was being funny, or trying to be.
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl listens as Thorgar’s tactical officer speaks over the shared channel as they check and relay the latest status. +
Kyhid Zohl: | The officer relays that the Array itself is effectively complete. There’s but one major task remaining before it can be brought fully online. It will require coordination and +
Tohi: “A wise decision. Especially considering our current situation.” she smiled, a grin full of teeths…. “Thorgar, your abilities are appreciated. Consider my aid one of tactics.”
Kyhid Zohl: | … some final setup aboard all participating vessels in fact. ((I’ll clarify further, but feel free to proceed))
Kyhid Zohl: Why they long nacelles?
Kyhid Zohl: mt!
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> “As is your unconventional cheerfulness, Captain Tohi.”, he offers a counter-laugh over the screen. “My Tactical officer informs me that SANEK is almost ready to be initiated.”
Kyhid Zohl: | The SANEK operations team advises all participating vessels that the final commissioning stage is ready to begin. Before activation, the Array must undergo a full baryon sanitisation sweep..+
Kyhid Zohl: | Array personnel have withdrawn into fully shielded sections. Participating ships must now establish their assigned positions around the structure and sync their systems. +
Kyhid Zohl: | Each contributing to the sweep as the field passes across the Array. The operation needs to be carefully timed. Once the sweep begins, all vessels must maintain their positions +
Kyhid Zohl: | … and monitor their assigned systems until SANEK Ops confirms the Array has been fully sanitised. (done)
Pren: Those paying attention to the Breen vessel may notice the shields dropping for a moment, then going right back up.
Thorgar: <FX> Kl’vok begins to move to its assigned position relative to the array - the lower main solar network. The vessel itself links with the sensor and computer system of SANEK, monitoring its internal+
Thorgar: +systems as the baryon sweep will begin.
Tohi: Tohi being quite a talented klingon, she remarked the shield dropping.. and while the others ships debut their tasts of linking and sweeping, she command her crew to start a security perimeter -
Kyhid Zohl: The Tykera begins to assume it’s preset position as directed. Zohl had run the crew through the process in drills a few times now since their arrival at the Array. Practice meant perfect… right?
Tohi: -around the array, monitoring the space. This, her bird-of-prey could easily do, having way more tactical consoles than science operations. “I will ensure your security during the operation.”
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> "Operations, prepare a full internal scan while Tactical focuses on baryon sweep. Keep track of Breen tech also. I want to know if their contributions work… beyond the provided++
Thorgar: ++specifications." (I will now roll for internal checkup)
Pren: The Breen vessel begins scanning, what for is hard to really determine beyond that they are scanning.
Kyhid Zohl: | Tohi’s sensors pick up a civilian vessel arriving late and entering local space. The ship roars forward and will breach the exclusion zone soon. Its crew either has not received the +
Kyhid Zohl: | … warnings or has failed to understand them. At its current heading, the vessel will enter the baryon sweep zone within a minute.Tohi must act in some way as everyone else would be too late
Tohi: Tohi act quickly, helped by the manoeuverability of her ship. One quick warning that doesn’t wait as her bird of prey enable a tractor beam on the civilian ship. Firmly, Tohi reprimand them for the-
Tohi: -foolishness of their own operation during such a critical time… but no mistake: it is an act of mercy, as often with her. The interception was in a good distance before the sweeping zone.
Kyhid Zohl: | Alarms sounds on the Tykera’s bridge as the civilian vessel appears on the tactical display, rapidly approaching the sweep zone. The Kos’Bovt is within range, and Zohl hoped her Commander would +
Kyhid Zohl: | … make the right choice.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> curses in the open channel. “By the Kahless’ underware, get those fools out of exclusion zone!!!”
Kyhid Zohl: | Zohl exhales slowly, only now realising he had been holding his breath. He relaxes. <C> “That was close. Well done, Kos’Bovt. Continue holding them clear until the sweep is complete.”
Pren: <C> “::It seems odd that the warning bouys were ignored.::”
Tohi: “Thorgar!” respond Tohi. “His name is not in vain. But fools they are, indeed!” As she hold the tractor beam, in a quite nod to the Federation captain attention.
Tohi: “Perhaps sabotage of communications.”
Kyhid Zohl: | The Kl’Vok’s contribution to the sweep performs well, but its internal scans of certain other ships’ activities prove inconclusive amid the interference in effect. +
Kyhid Zohl: | Thorgar’s science team does however identify several promising readings in the Array’s systems, warranting closer analysis as the sweep continues. Nothing to worry about, at least not yet.. +
Kyhid Zohl: | … you see, some high energy particles had collected on the tips of each solar arm and they could prove potentially dangerous if not taken care of.
Thorgar: <C-Thorgar> "Indeed, Captain Tohi, indeed. Baryon sweep is proceeding well. There is some high energy particles concetration on solar arm tips. Sciences, I want a scan on them and how to remove them++
Thorgar: with our auxiliary deflector."
Kyhid Zohl: <C> Acknowledged Thorgar. Let’s keep it up. We’ll soon be complete.
Thorgar: <Kl’vok-Sci> attempt a multi-spectral scan of the high energy particle concentrations.
Tohi: “Interesting. The Empire will be pleased to get a full report.”
Kyhid Zohl: | Thorgar’s science team were expert in their fields; a collection of unique talent to say the least. They would soon outline a plan of action.
continued in Part B
