Chapter Eighteen
Qo'noS
“Our sensors have determined that the phason deposit
is hidden within these caves,” Up said, tapping his finger on
a worn paper map of the Klingon home world, the only one
the G.L.E.E. had been able to scrounge up on such short
notice. Nobody visited Qo’noS unless they had a very good
reason to. “And it’s heavily guarded – we’re picking up
robotic activity throughout the area.”
“And us with barely a dozen full Rangers on board?” Taz
said, shaking her head. “There’s no way - we can’t mount
an attack with those odds.”
The paltry team of gathered Starship Rangers shifted
nervously. Starship 13A-1 was a sleek ship - fast, stealthy,
and small enough to escape the notice of most advanced
sensors and radar systems with the help of a little cloaking
technology. It was a good ship, one of Space-Claw’s newest
models, though Up had turned his nose up at the
unimaginative name. But it was hardly the Cazadora. A full
complement of crewmen barely numbered thirty-six.
“Spa- I mean, Dr. Claw kept our numbers small for a
reason,” Up continued. “This is all about stealth. Ensigns,
you will be responsible for creating a diversion - one large
enough to keep the robots’ attention away from the cave
when the phason is being held.” He looked at Taz.
“Lieutenant Taz and I will take the explosives in to the
caves, find the phason, and destroy it.”
She looked back at him steadily, resignation in her eyes.