IKS kor'Kang: Possible Spies

Posted on Mon Jul 13th, 2026 @ 3:25am by Colonel Kehlani

Mission: SHAKE DOWN IN A NEBULA
Location: IKS Kor'Kang
Timeline: Current

ON:

IKS kor'Kang, travelling through its slipstream warp corridor, was humming along nicely. This vessel was the prototype for the Kor'Kang class battlecruiser; a design to honor both the D7 and the K't'inga class battlecruiser frames before it. The base design had been the greatest design the Klingon Empire had ever produced, and after several failed attempts to create battlecrusiers in this modern age with something equivalent, but designed on different frames and met with failure, Kor'Kang colony took up the challenge with their own shipbuilding facility. Matriarch Kehlani knew her engineers could, and would, come up with something to honor the ships of old, but add a whole new level to the design. And, they had done so. For eight months they had taken a mothballed K't'inga apart from aft to stern, refit every component and system, reinforced and expanded the superstructure and hull braces, added hard points for point defense cannons. By the time they had finished replacing everything with something new and up to date it had become a whole new class of starship; a battlecruiser worthy enough to carry warriors to the stars.

After a trial run on the warp drive and systems, Commander Kehlani had ordered the ship to Qo'noS, to test its long distance travel capabilities. The vessel had arrived at the honeworld without so much as a hickup. The High Council had been informed in transit that she was on her way to see Chancellor Jarok, and to present him all the data on the newly classified Kor'Kang battlecruiser. After the meeting, and still within the confines of the Great Hall in First City, there was bloodwine sloshing aplenty as the High Council and House Kehlani celebrated together at the news of such a fine vessel, and receiving the data and construction plans for all the great houses to start producing them.

Jarok had cleared his throat and the chamber had gone quiet as all the Council members gave a curt nod to the Chancellor, signaling their agreement to whatever it was he had in mind. Kehlani had internally steeled herself, preparing for either a fight to the death, or an acceptance of whatever the Chancellor had to say. "Commander Kehlani! You have shown your House to be loyal to the Empire and the High Council. We may not always agree but your loyalty is not in question. You bring us data in regards to a new era of construction for our fleets! Since the vessel, and class, are named after the House seat where it came from the High Council has decided to grant House Kehlani ownership!" A cheer went up, plenty of heavy palms slapping her back and down on her shoulders, then hefty swallows of bloodwine and belching. "Starfleet has proven to be an ally worthy of the accolade," Jarok continued. "We may not see eye to eye on our approach to certain situations but, when called and they can aid us, they always do, as we do for them."

Kehlani continued to stand and listen, keeping quiet despite finding the Chancellor a bit long-winded. However, to interrupt by trying to crack a joke at his expense might incur the wrong reaction, sidetracking the leader of the Empire, which was never a good idea. Especially after having drank several goblets of bloodwine. Better to let him prattle on and get to the point on his own time.

Jarok took a swallow of wine and waved in the master at arms for the Great Hall Security detachment. "You are no longer Commander Kehlani. From this day forward you are Colonel Kehlani, a member of both the Klingon Defense Force and the Klingon Expeditionary Forces. Adding to that, the High Council convened a vote and you are now a member of the esteemed Dahar Masters since you have shown your skills at both combat and diplomacy. Qapla'!" He raised his goblet, as did everyone else, the crowd all repeating Qapla'!, like only Klingons can. The Master at arms came in and removed her Commander pin and replaced it with a Colonel pin, then added the crest of Dahar Master to her uniform front. There were members of the High Council who had never attained such a position and it filled her with pride. House of Kehlani would soon be sending a representative to the High Council, she was sure. Should one of these Great Houses find disfavor with the Empire, Kehlani would see to it that House of Kehlani would fill that slot.

All of this passed through her mind, the memories of the past few days fresh in her mind as the Colonel sat on her expansive Bridge aboard the IKS Kor'Kang. The Kor'Kang looked like a K't'inga class on steroids, as intended.

Behlanna, her First Officer, spoke up from her station. "Colonel, sensors are picking up a Cardassian Galor class in Federation space, skirting our border."

Kehlani stood up and went over to her SCI officer/XO, looking over her shoulder as she was sat down. "Heading?"

A hand came up pointing as Behlanna showed the track line for course. "It seems they are heading towards the Triangle. They have not adjusted their heading for some time now. Starfleet seems to know they are there from what we can gather, but appear to remain unconcerned with the matter."

Kehlani stood up straight, crossing her arms over her chest as she fiddled with her chin in thought. "Which means that they have permission to cross Federation space to get to the Triangle. How long would it take for us to get," Kehlani's eyes searched the galactic map and then pointed to a spot in line with the course for the Galor. "Here. How much time before they arrive?"

"An hour, HoD. Give or take."

"Feed those coordinates to Helm and then order them to change course. We shall lie in wait for them to cross into neutral territory. It is our duty to protect Camp Khitomer, which is fairly close to that location." Kehlani said with a snide grin. It provided an excuse to ruffle some Cardassian scales; to let them know they were being watched.

***

A little over an hour later, Colonel Kehlani sat crooked in her command chair which was designed as all Klingon command chairs; essentially, a throne. Her right boot heel was up and hitched on the edge of the seat, her left leg stretched out in front as she tapped away on the log recorder and duty PADD. IKS Kor'Kang, and her gallant crew, were all operating above standard.

"HoD! Target incoming!" Behlanna announced.

Kehlani sat up and dropped the PADD to the floor beside her chair. "baHwI' (gunner), prepare for battle alert! Behlanna, stand ready to drop the cloak at my command." Getting to her feet, the Colonel stood just before her chair and, as the minutes ticked by, began a short pacing back and forth. the BahwI' announced the ship coming into range at warp 4. "Open a channel to that ship," Kehlani ordered. When the nod was given she spoke up. "Cardassian vessel, drop to impulse or be fired upon. This is your only warning from the Klingon Empire."

Behlanna was watching the scans. "Galor has dropped to sublight and is now slowing to all stop. They have activated weapons and defense."

"Battle alert. Deactivate cloak." Kehlani ordered. "Helm, move us towards them at one-quarter impulse. Bring us to within 30,000 kalikams and then go to station keeping."

"Klingon vessel, this is CUV Tonok, a starship of the Cardassian Union. Last I checked there was no animosity between our governments. Respond."

Choosing to let them sweat for a few moments, Kehlani took her time in giving that response. "CUV Tonok, this is IKS Kor'Kang of the Klingon Empire. I prefer visual communication, will you comply?"

"I have no reason not to. Our visual is activated." After a nod from Kehlani to her comm officer, the front viewer came up and there he was. The Gul in command of the Galor. Not a bad looking fellow for a Cardassian. "I am Gul Merik. Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

"I am Colonel Kehlani, Commander of this vessel. We were curious as to whether or not you were lost, Gul. I mean, the Cardassian Union is in the Alpha quadrant yet, here you are, deep within the Beta quadrant. It raises suspiscion."

The Gul saw where this was going. They were being watched. By how many he could not guess. The Triangle region of space had been a neutral ground for all for many, many years, with the Klingons and Romulans constantly engaging in skirmishes over star systems and attacking each other's colonies. "Ahhhh. The infamous Kehlani of House Kehlani, I presume? No wonder I draw your attention. How else does one solidify the reputation of one's House if not by confronting a vessel without provocation?"

"Weak, arrogant, and stupid is no way to go through life, Gul Merik." Kehlani responded. "Perhaps you forget the Betrek Nebula incident? Where Cardassian interlopers laid claim to a star system belonging to the Klingon Empire? Although a minor skirmish, it still told the Klingon people all we needed to know about Cardassians and their lack of honor."

"A minor skirmish?" Merik asked even as a flabbergasted look crossed his face. "A skirmish that lasted 18 years, I might add."

"Your eidetic memory serves you well, Merik." Kehlani retorted. "And, truth be told, you lot kept coming so we kept killing. The Betrek Nebula was, and still is, Klingon territory and forever shall be." Even as she spoke, Kehlani was well aware that Cardassian cruisers normally travelled in a flight of three, just as Klingons normally did. So, where were the other two she was asking herself. But, she dare not ask the Gul that and tip her hand on what to watch for. "You may go on your way without incident. I'm sure you know you'll be watched if you are closer to Klingon territory than anyone else's. Make sure to check any planet you explore thoroughly for any sign of previous claim or habitation. I am more than willing to fight you for 18 years to be rid of you." She gave the chopping motion near her neck and the transmission was cut. "Secure from battle alert. Behlanna, inform all Houses out here on the border of the Triangle about our Cardassian visitors. Bridge, carry on." Going and sitting down, taking up the log PADD, the Colonel leaned back and continued what she had been doing before the Cardassians showed up.

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