Ansolon Season 02 / Episode 05
by Alan Tripp
2412
Starbase Ansolon
A cloud of dust churned from the hooves of charging horses filled the air, partially obscuring the two opponents.
A resounding crashing sound revealed to be the Black Knight of Ansolon’s lance hitting dead center of his opponents chest, lifting him out of the saddle and sending the other knight crashing into the dirt floor of lists.
Ka’nej Hauk lifted the remains of his lance to the roar of a crowd roaring with approval.
He would advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Even as he turned to see who his next opponent would be only to see his personal assistant racing into the stadium, heading his way.
The Klingon warrior knight removed his helmet, handing it to his squire before swinging his leg over the saddle and dropping to the ground.
He patted the flanks of his horse – a real horse, not holographic.
He’d named the creature “Stormy Knight” … or “Storm” for short.
“Admiral! … Admiral!”
Hauk turned to face his personal assistant.
“Commander, you know I’m not to be interrupted during competition.”
The Romulan Starfleet officer fought a moment to catch her breath, knowing this would be his response and so unphased.
“I know you’d want to know, Admiral.” Sharyna huffed a couple more times, hands to her knees.
It was a long way from the fleet administration offices to Starbase Ansolon’s promenade.
“The Crazy Horse has missed her last three check-ins” she continued. “And failed to show for her rendezvous with the Highlander.”
This caught his attention.
Removing his gaultlets, he motioned to his squire to take Storm’s reigns even as he turned to his herald.
“Have my name removed from the list,” he ordered already turning to leave the arena.
“You’re forfeiting … NOW??? My Lord … It’s the semifinals!”
“Do it,” Hauk ordered.
As the herald ran across the field, Hauk was handing over pieces of equipment.
A collective gasp echoed across the stadium as realization struck as the crowd watched black cloth being draped over Hauk’s shield and the Black Knight striding out of the stadium.
–
Caledon Station — U.S.S. Mythos
“Admiral, I protest this wreckless move!”
The Fleet Admiral sighed wishing the turbolift would move faster.
“For the fifth time, Jenkins … This is NOT wreckless,” Ka’nej Hauk said.
“One of our starships is missing. This ship is best suited to lead the search … So it’s NOT wreckless,” he continued.
If they were down at the renaissance faire on the Ansolon’s promenade, the Klingon would likely have foregone Starfleet protocol and simply had the engineer who commanded Caledon Station tossed in the stocks.
Heck, he might have even sprang for the veggies for the crowd to throw at him as THIS was getting exasperating.
As he took a deep breath to calm and center himself, the lift finally reached its destination.
Hauk stepped off the lift but turned to block the engineer from following.
“Look, Jenkins. The ship is scheduled for her commissioning ceremony next week and I plan to have her back in plenty of time for it,” he said. “No scratches … I promise.”
“Admiral, that’s not it. This ship still has to go through trials between now and then,” Jenkins retorted. “She’s just not ready.”
“Son, I was an engineer when you were still in diapers and have built many ships along the way,” Hauk returned.
“Trust me when I say she’s ready,” the Klingon continued. “And whatever ‘trials’ are still needed, we will perform along the way.”
The admiral turned to his assistant who’d been waiting for them.
“Sherryna, please escort Mr. Jenkins OFF my ship, please.”
“With pleasure, Admiral,” she answered, stepping forward to take his position and stepping onto the lift in a manner that blocked all egress for the frustrated and still sputtering shipyard engineer.
Only when the lift doors closed, did Hauk release the pinned up breath he’d been holding.
Sure, it was a risk taking this ship out, but this was one of the few larger ships built specifically for navigating in the harshness of the Malstrom Expanse.
It’s what made her the perfect flagship for the Admiral.
The Excalibur name had already been claimed, so they’d settled on Mythos for this new girl.
And she was his. He would head up Ansolon Command from HERE.
This ship was going to serve as a ship of the line.
It was one of the conditions Starfleet Command agreed to when they cornered Hauk into returning to a flag position.
But that’s a story for another time.
“Commander Astylap,” Hauk said, stepping down into the command well. “Make sure remaining crew are aboard within the next ten minutes or they’re being left behind.”
Ratal Astylaph’s antennae both raised above her head, one twitching slightly.
“On it, Admiral.”
Ka’nej Hauk settled down into the ship’s centerseat for the first time, shifting around until he settled on the most comfortable position.
His fingers drummed the command chair.
The U.S.S. Mythos was an experimental redesign of the Ross-class exploration cruiser and so one of the Galaxy line. … Well, originally if the Galaxy and Sovereign had a baby it would be the Ross.
But in this case, she held various upgrades common in the Andromeda-class and other tech from the Lexington-variant of the Odyssey line.
Above all, however … Just as the original U.S.S. Ross had been perfected for operations within the Shackleton Expanse, the Mythos was geared to slice through whatever the Malstrom might throw at it.
And THAT was exactly what the Klingon feared would be needed.
“Don’t worry, Shallana,” he muttered under his breath. “We’re coming for you.”
Respectfully,
FAdm. Ka’nej Hauk
Commander, Ansolon Command
—- OUT OF STORY —-
This marks the REAL start of season two of Star Trek Ansolon …. aka. “The Straits.”
It will be interesting to see where this all leads.