"Left in the dark"
 by Lieutenant T'Kang
 Chief Tactical Officer - USS Tempest
 http://come.to/tkang


"Chief Tactical Officer's personal log.  Stardate 239908.20. "  
T'Kang stated in a deep voice while sitting in his personal 
quarters with the lights dimmed low.

"We are once again underway after having stopped dead in 
space to play nurse maid to the ravaged USS Avalon.  That 
vessel was so badly damaged, she could barely maintain 
warp factor 4, which would have extended our journey to 
Starbase Arcadia by two months.   It was decided that 
coming to a full stop to repair the Avalon's damage was a 
better course of action.  The effort was apparently 
successful, as the Avalon is now traveling at warp 6, a 
marked improvement."  the Klingon admitted with a nod.

T'Kang's expression however, soon drooped to a frown.  
"Unfortunately I do not agree with the tactics the Captains 
have chosen.  The Avalon has ventured out ahead of the 
Tempest and the Pagh by six  full hours.  Some elaborate 
code phrases have been chosen so the Avalon can covertly 
broadcast their situation to the following ships; however 
having the Tempest and the Avalon six full hours behind the 
still damaged Avalon seems like a foolish strategic risk.  If 
the Avalon runs into trouble that far ahead, she will surely be 
destroyed long before either the Pagh or Tempest can arrive 
to help her, even at emergency warp speeds.   The choice of 
such poor tactics makes me question whether the 
commanding officers are telling the senior staff everything 
that they know about the situation. . . ."

The Klingon paused a moment, just long enough to glance at 
the burning candle that illuminated his quarters.  T'Kang's 
hair was unbound and hanging loose about his head as he 
sat on the floor watching the meditation flame burn on.

"Were it my decision, I'd keep the Pagh and Tempest close 
at hand.  Both vessels contain superior cloaking devices 
capable of avoiding detection from as near away as a few 
thousand kilometers.  Keeping these ships within quick, 
immediate striking distance of the Avalon seems only 
intuitive in case she runs into trouble, or the Cortez decides 
to attempt to apprehend her.   Having our ships following six 
hours behind seems foolish and the plan of a Dogh nuch.  I 
do not like this feeling of uncertainty that accompanies 
following such foolish plans."

T'Kang's expression soured to his typical, gloomy scowl 
before he called out, "Computer, close log entry."

The computer acknowledged with a multi toned chirp.