"Akula: Gravitational forces"
 by Ensign T'Kang


The Klingon growled at his controls while tapping them to adjust the 
Akula's decaying orbit.   At this close range, the planets gravitational 
pull was constantly playing havoc with an otherwise perfect 
trajectory.    T'Kang was growing impatient that Captain Lakkar or 
Commander Storm had yet to signal the ship.  The original plan was 
to go in and strike quickly, taking them by surprise.  This extended 
delay in extraction could only mean trouble.

"Troubles Ensign?"  Lieutenant Za called out from the command 
chair of the Akula.  He'd overheard the Klingon's growling, not that it 
was difficult to do.  Of all the people on board the starship, T'Kang 
seemed to be one of the crudest, less refined individuals the 
Andorian had ever met.

T'Kang snapped back gruffly, "Nothing I can not handle."

Za raised an eyebrow at the lack of proper address "sir", but didn't 
bother to harbor on the fact.  He'd come to an understanding several 
weeks ago that T'Kang was simply a Barbarian.  Even by Klingon 
standards.   No, the Chief Tactical officer was more interested in 
what on the flight control panel had caused T'Kang to growl in the 
first place.   "That very well may be the case Ensign, but I would still 
like to know what it is,  if you would indulge me."

The Klingon glanced over his shoulder at Za.    The whites of the 
Lieutenant's eyes seemed to sharply contrast the dark blue skin of 
his Andorian heritage and was a perfect match for his antennae and 
hair.  It somehow gave thin Andorian a commanding presence.  

"Minor variations in gravitational pull Lieutenant.   It is quite 
annoying."  T'Kang rumbled back.

Lieutenant Za tapped a single finger twice onto the arm of the 
command chair before literally leaping from the seat and propelling 
himself to the Tactical station.   It was a smooth, decisive move, that 
displayed such grace, T'Kang couldn't help but watch.  Even if it was 
Lieutenant Za.

Arriving at the tactical station, Za tapped the controls like a master 
pianist.   Silently observing the output that cast a erie red glow onto 
his blue skin.

"What is it Lieutenant?"  T'Kang couldn't help but ask.   When Za 
gave the Klingon a half glance over the tactical station console 
without responding, T'Kang demanded a bit more aggressively, "Tell 
me what do you see?!"

The Andorian straightened from the station and glanced over the 
bridge and towards the main view screen.  Taking a deep breath, he 
released it and responded.  "It is as I feared.  Another ship has just 
entered the system."

T'Kang's eyes narrowed into a scowl.  With the Captain and 
Commander already late at signaling for withdrawal from the planet 
surface, the arrival of this ship was not likely a very good sign that 
things were going to go well from here on out.

"What are your orders Lieutenant?"  T'Kang asked in a no nonsense 
tone reflective of the seriousness of this situation.