Act One, Scene One

[Lieutenant Kinchlirah]

Welcome Aboard Lieutenant Kinchlirah, again

Standing on the pad of just prior to transport, Lieutenant Kinchlirah looked around the ship that carried her back in to Federation space. She was returning to her first official posting aboard a Federation ship. Sure serving along side them in battle was one thing but this adventure had opened up a completely new experience for her. One that brought something in to her life she never dreamed from a human. It was General....er Chancellor Martok's idea that more warriors of the Empire serve along side our Federation allies. It is a trail program that had some success in the past. But for her, it meant so much more than just that. She was hoping beyond hope that this would open up doors for her that would other wise not be offered to her in the Empire. Already, she found something she never dared possible. All that was left was to continue down this path. She gave a nod to the transporter operator and soon she was beamed off the ship.

She stared through the transporter shimmer at the sight of the USS Thunderchild. There is a Petty Officer, Vulcan female, at the transporter controls and a young human man stands in front of the control platform just between the transporter pads and the Petty Officer. He wore the rank as Ensign as he smiled at me and said, "Welcome Aboard Lieutenant." She heard his Klingon and found it horrible and could only think, 'my reception committee.

The Klingon warrior is an impressive sight to most "starfleets". Nearly two meters tall in her military boots, she is clad in the traditional uniform of the Empire. There is a bright medal on her chest. Her hair is a cloud of red and it is displayed in full traditional style as so to show off her thick forehead. Her eyes are large, penetrating, and brown. The center of her chest was exposed in traditional style. Lieutenant Kinchlirah was well endowed just like most Klingon women. Hanging from her left hip was a Klingon Disrupter and on her right a traditional Klingon Blade. Lieutenant Kinchlirah smiles at the two crew members and it is a predatory display. She could see how the Ensign was uneasy at the sight. Her over-all impression is disconcerting, to say the least.

The Ensign introduces himself, but she stopped him with a hand, "Your Klingon is insulting. I can speak English just fine" Lieutenant Kinchlirah said coldly. Shifting uneasily, he reached for the large bag beside her - her personal effects. She also reach for it and they took hold of the handle. The pair stop and stared into each others eyes for a long second. He lifted the bag and so did she. Again they pause and stare.

He said, "I can carry this Lieutenant." He seemed determined to do so.

She was not some weakened beast and was determined to carry her own belongings. The bag was now suspended between them as she assure him, "I am quite capable." The Ensign gave another tug and she immediately counter by giving her handle a yank.

For the moment, they both had forgotten about the transporter technician. No one knows that that Petty Officer thought of the scene which was playing out before her. It must seem like a comedy routine just for her benefit as the two of them were struggling for possession of the bag.

Knowing his place, he bowed as he let go of the bag, "Yes Lieutenant, I am sorry." He took a step back and motioned for the door. "This way please."

He had surrendered the bag far to easily which disappointed Lieutenant Kinchlirah. She took the bag with such force that it whipped about. The battle over the bag ended before it could begin. She turned and headed for the door with the Ensign following closely.

The Thunderchild was in impressive ship. She was to be the first of her kind in the Starfleet. Lieutenant Kinchlirah had done her homework on the ship. After the Dominion War, the Federation had learned a valuable lesson regarding small ship tactics. The Thunderchild was to be a test bed of new technology, which was why she was here in the first place. This mighty ship had undergone nearly a year long refit to act as a carrier. The joint project involved some of the best minds that both the Klingons and Federation had to offer. Lieutenant Kinchlirah had been helping in developing a different kind of defense grid for the Thunderchild. The ship still carried its main weapons systems, however thanks to the Empire the Thunderchild carried a grid of weapons specially designed to target and engage smaller ships at closer range.

After the over all tour, Lieutenant Kinchlirah was pleased to finally see her weapon grid installed. She had been here before but had to leave a couple of months ago. The weapon grid had not been fully installed prior to her departure. She had been edger to see what was done since her departure. Her specifications were what she had planned them to be. She had left very clear instructions and she was pleased to see that they were followed.

She noticed that some of the new crew had come aboard since her departure. It was clear that some of these new recruits haven't seen a Klingon before. Their looks made her feel uneasy but she shook it off quickly. She knew the score aboard this ship. Being a Klingon aboard a Federation ship was one thing. However for Lieutenant Kinchlirah, being a scientist and a Klingon offered its own issues. She was brought to her cabin that she used to occupy a few months ago.

The Ensign attempted to explain the luxuries of the ship only to be stopped by Lieutenant Kinchlirah once more. "Ensign, I understand you are new. However I have been here before. I was part of the first phase of this ship's refit. So I know my way around" she said while turning around. She dropped her bag on the table as smiled, "Even your Brig is like Risa."

The Ensign nodded as he retreated, "The Duty Rooster has been posted Lieutenant. You are expected on the bridge within the hour. Also, Commander Bonham sends his regards." He said as she looked around the room.

She smile top herself at the name, but made to outward expression. With a nod she said, "Excellent, Ensign. Inform the Commander that I shall be there as soon as I get my things put back away."

He nodded as he continued to back out of the room and left without another statement.

Lieutenant Kinchlirah walked slowly over to the bed. It was not a Klingon bed, but over the past few months she had come to welcome it. Her untimely departure from the Thunderchild was of a personal nature and Commander Bonham didn't like not knowing, but accepted her request to keep it private. As she had promised, she had returned.

For the past few months, it was her work that had been the center focus of the Thunderchild's defensive systems. Thirty separate phaser arrays lined the ship on both top and bottom. Each array were independent of each other with their own back up power supply and targeting systems. The idea was that once the ship was placed on Red Alert the system would switch to automatic fire mode. It would be able to track and target fast moving ships at very close ranges. And engage those targets once the Tactical Officer removed the safety. The system was interlocked with advanced IFF systems to keep friendly fighters from becoming targets. If the test system worked, than she would be honored throughout the Empire for its development.

She walked along her quarters and came to a stop at her dresser. Her belongings were just as they had been the day she left two months ago. She ran her hand over the Bat'leth hanging over her dresser. She remembered the day that she was welcomed in to the Order of the Bat'leth. When she was young, no one thought she would make it this far. After all her love for science had easily over shadowed her love for battle. But she had found in battle, the science of war. She smiled as she reflected on her life and the rewards that came with her hard work.

She turned and walked for the bathroom and the shower beyond. It was time once more to prove why General....Chancellor Martok choose her for this critical mission. The way he put it, one would think that the fate of the Empire rested solely on her and her project. Her success and that of the Thunderchild would open up a new future for the Empire and change the balance of power once more.