Sins Laid Bare
Posted on Tue May 19th, 2026 @ 10:42am by Captain Shran dh'Klar
747 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Sins of the Empire
Location: USS Washington
Shran sat on the bridge of the Washington as the ship patrolled the edge of the Neutral Zone, near the area where Federation space met the border of Klingon and Romulan space. This was a routine patrol and was generally uneventful since the Dominion War. Sam had told him to take it easy since the shuttle incident, but Shran didn't see any harm in sitting on the bridge for this walk in the park assignment. He had given some time off to the crew, though most simply remained on the ship.
Things had been quiet. Scanning empty space, cataloguing space dust, the occasional comet or stray meteor, simple uneventful stuff. Suddenly, Lt Ibarra detected something out of the ordinary. "Captain, we have two vessels on an intercept course. Detecting weapons fire."
"Identify" Shran ordered, his antennae coming to a point at the possibility of a combat situation.
"A Romulan warbird appears to be chasing a Klingon Bird of Prey. The Klingon vessel has taken significant damage but appears to be on an intercept course with us" Ayana informed from tactical.
"Red alert" Shran ordered. "Where are the ships located?"
They are currently in the Neutral Zone sir" Ibarra reported.
"Which side?" Shran questioned, prepared to intercept if they were on the Klingon side.
"Inside Romulan space" Ibarra replied.
The one place Shran knew he shouldn't go. The Romulans were generally at peace with the Federation, but they still didn't allow people to trespass. There hadn't been conflict between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire in over a decade, and Shran didn't want to be the one to start conflict now.
Ibarra then gave him new information of note, "Sir, the Klingon vessel is hailing."
"On screen" the Andorian ordered.
The viewscreen came to life, the picture coming to life with a view of the Klingon vessel's bridge, the apparent captain a female Klingon. "Federation vessel, this is the IKS Ch'Tang, captain Ba'el commanding. Require assistance. We are under attack by treacherous forces of the Duras family..."
As the communication came to a sudden end, Shran had heard all he needed to hear. He'd deal with the consequences later, right now he was honor bound to deal with this situation. "Helm, intercept course. Tactical, ready photon torpedoes, target the Romulan vessel. Open a hailing frequency."
"Hailing frequency open" Ibarra noted.
"Romulan vessel, this is the Federation starship Washington. We are on an intercept course with you now and will fire upon you if you do not break off your attack on the Klingon vessel. This is your only warning."
The various junior officers all had a look of shock at the situation they found themselves in at this moment, but they remained vigilant in the duties.
"No reply sir" Ibarra remarked.
"Condition of the Klingon vessel?" Shran questioned.
"She is in bad shape sir. Shields are barely functioning, multiple system failures. I don't think she'll handle much more" Ayana reported. "I have torpedoes ready."
The situation had come to this. He was about to do something that may very well start a war. But he didn't have a choice. "Ibarra, prepare to beam the Klingon survivors to the Washington. Ayana, fire torpedoes."
The Washington continued to speed toward the battling vessels, firing a full spread of torpedoes. The red hue of the photons streaked toward their target. The Romulan vessel was on an attack vector as it moved in for the kill against the nearly crippled Klingon vessel. At the last moment the Romulan vessel was forced to alter course in an attempt to avoid the torpedoes, avoiding three whiles being struck by two. This provided the Washington the opportunity to save the Ch'Tang.
"Beginning transport" Ibarra noted.
"Extend shields around the Ch'Tang. Have medical deal with the casualties, and ready emergency teams to assist in repairs to the Ch'Tang. Location of the Romulan vessel?" Shran ordered.
Ibarra began to follow the orders as Ayana checked on the Romulans. "They are retreating sir. Romulan vessel is cloaking."
"End red alert, take us to yellow alert until we are out of the Neutral Zone. Take the Ch'Tang under tow. Ayana, you have the bridge. I'll be in sickbay. Inform Cmdr Grayson."
The Andorian made his way off the bridge in haste, Ayana barely having time to confirm the captain's orders. The Washington had just done something nobody had expected. The junior officers remained shocked at what had happened, and it was obviously only the beginning of something greater.
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