Free Star Trek: ALL - Seven Deadly Sins by Dayton Ward Page A

“we wait.”

7
    Transition from warp drive complete, Proconsul. Now proceeding at impulse power.”
    Toqel swiveled the captain’s chair at the sound of Centurion Nilona’s voice, feeling a slight twinge in her stomach as the
Kretoq
’s inertial dampers compensated for the battle cruiser’s deceleration to sublight speed. Looking up from the handheld computer interface pad containing the latest reports delivered by her lead engineer, she said, “Excellent.” She rose from the chair, moving to stand behind the helm officer and take in the image displayed on the bridge’s main viewscreen. “What about the
Vo’qha?
”
    From behind her at the tactical station, Centurion Rezek replied, “It has just dropped out of warp, as well.” A status indicator flashed on his console, and after turning to consult it, he added, “Coded burst message from Commander Lajuk, Proconsul. He awaits your orders.”
    “What is the status of our cloak?” Toqel asked.
    Rezek said, “Fully operational.” He reached for one bank of controls at the tactical station. “Sensors detect no trace of the
Vo’qha.
”
    As it should be.
Toqel smiled at the thought. She had been waiting for this moment since receiving approval from Praetor Vrax to undertake this clandestine survey mission. Having proven the success of the technological exchange she had championed, the
Kretoq
now was crewed solely by loyal Romulans, with Captain Mortagh and hiscontingent having been returned to Klingon space after the completion of the exercise in the Dar’shinta system.
    “Continue on course to the fifth planet,” she ordered. In accordance with the instructions she had been given by Praetor Vrax himself, the first order of business would be to determine the full capabilities of the outpost’s sensor array. During the
khaidoa
that had passed since the Tal Shiar’s initial report on the installation being constructed here, covert reconnaissance had been conducted by vessels operating at the very edge of the border separating Romulan and Federation space. As a result, most of the new information was limited in details and quality, but one thing had been determined: the base—while still largely under construction—was operational, including the massive sensor array that appeared to be its most prominent feature.
    “Sensors standing by,” Rezek said, and Toqel nodded at the report. Stepping around the helm console, her attention was fixed on the image of Theta Cobrini V—as it was listed in Federation data banks—growing larger on the viewscreen. According to the long-range scan data originally collected
fvheisn
ago by sensor probes, the planet was unremarkable in nearly every measurable sense. It possessed no useful mineral deposits in any amounts to justify establishing a mining operation. Its atmosphere, just like the system’s other four planets, was poisonous to most humanoid species. Indeed, the world’s only redeeming feature was that it was the outermost planet in a system that sat adjacent to the territory of an enemy. Its orbit around the Mar’venas star would allow for ground-based sensors to collect detailed scans of Romulan ship activity in the vicinity of the border. If Starfleet followed its usual pattern, a series of satellites and other unmanned drones would augment that sensor coverage, making this system a key location in the Federation’s early warning and defensive reaction strategies.
    Assuming it’s allowed to remain here unmolested.
    “Proconsul, we are inside the planet’s orbital trajectory,” Nilona reported from the helm.
    “Activate sensors,” Toqel ordered, casting a glance over her shoulder at Rezek. “Inform Commander Lajuk to do the same.” According to the information gleaned from the unmanned drone scans, the outpost’s sensor array should have been powerful enough to detect an uncloaked vessel while still light-years away at warp. Pinpointing sucha vessel within the system’s perimeter should be child’s