Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 326 The Klingons Attack Again (Tenth Update)
Just as Kirk had finished arranging the night watch schedule and everyone in the camp was preparing to take a short break during this rare lull in the storm, his communicator suddenly emitted a strong static interference noise.

Immediately following was Uhura's urgent and tense voice, not from the bridge, but from a backup communication line: "Captain! Emergency! The Enterprise is under attack by Klingon cruisers!"
Two Raptor-class ships used thunderstorms and planetary energy fields to interfere with our long-range sensors and suddenly appeared at extremely close range to launch an attack!
Our shields were damaged during the previous landing and orbital standby, the port side was hit, and some systems failed!

Kirk's heart sank, and he jumped to his feet: "Where's Sulu? Where's Scott? Report!"

"Sulu attempted to maneuver and evade, but the enemy firepower was too intense! Scott is doing his best to maintain the engines and shields! They... they used high-intensity teleportation jamming, and then... then a Klingon combat squad teleported into our bridge and key engine room area! We have lost control of the bridge!"

The sounds from the communicator were a mix of phase gun fire and the Klingon's savage battle cries, clearly indicating that a fierce boarding action was taking place within the Enterprise.

Just as Kirk's brain was racing, trying to understand the rapidly deteriorating situation, the communication channel was abruptly cut off by a harsh and aggressive voice speaking in broken but clear Common Tongue: "James T. Kirk! This is the Klingon Empire, son of Krothal, Commander Kurg."

Along with the sound, a blurry, shaky image was even forcibly projected onto the miniature display inside Kirk's helmet.

The footage shows the Enterprise's bridge in disarray, with crew members such as Sulu and Chekhov being forced off the control panel by Klingon soldiers pointing at them with disruptors. On the main view screen, the menacing bow of another Klingon cruiser is clearly visible.

“Your ship now belongs to the Klingon Empire,” Kurger’s voice carried the mockery of a victor. “I know you’re on that cursed planet, Kirk. I also know you captured the squad I sent down, and… that ‘thing’ you found.”

He paused deliberately, allowing the threatening undertones to fully permeate the air.

“My demands are simple: immediately release all my soldiers, and transmit all the technical data of the ‘Genesis Torpedo’—the weapon capable of creating planets—to my designated receiver via your secure lines. Otherwise,” his voice turned icy, “I will execute your crew one by one, then tear this wrecked Federation starship to shreds and throw it into the furnace of this newborn star! You have ten points to consider. Don’t test the Klingons’ patience!”

Communication was unilaterally cut off, leaving only suffocating static noise.

The camp was deathly silent, with only the thunderstorms of Genesis Star still roaring tirelessly.

Everyone had heard the ultimatum. The members of Mann's squad instinctively gripped their weapons, looked at the bound Klingon prisoners, and then at Kirk.

Savik and Sharik's expressions were extremely grave.

Carol was pale; she knew all too well the serious consequences of the "Genesis Project" technology leak.

Chen Yu's crimson optical lens turned to Kirk, and his synthesized voice calmly analyzed the situation: "The situation is very unfavorable. The other side has taken control of the orbit, taken hostages, and is demanding the most valuable technology. The possibility of conventional rescue or negotiation is extremely low."

Kirk stood there, his face ashen.

He lost his ship, his crew were taken hostage, and the enemy was demanding ransom right at his doorstep.

A cold rage burned in his chest, but his years of command experience forced him to suppress the impulse.

He glanced at the still-sleeping young Spock, then at his trusted companions beside him.

They only have ten minutes.

Kirk's brain was racing under pressure, and a bold and risky plan quickly took shape.

He turned to Chen Yu, speaking quickly and clearly: "Sage Chen Yu, do you still have any stasis grenades left from the previous use?"

“Yes.” Chen Yu’s response was concise and direct. “Good.” Kirk’s gaze sharpened. “We can pretend to agree to their demands, propose that we need to hand over the prisoners and technical data in person, and request that their commander, Kurger, come to the ground in person.”

When they lower their guard and think we have surrendered, use stasis grenades to subdue him and his guards.

Then, we used their commander as a hostage to force the Klingons in orbit to surrender and release the Enterprise.

This plan is full of Kirk-esque style—using information asymmetry and psychological warfare to find opportunities to turn the tide when at a disadvantage.

The risks are extremely high, but if successful, the crisis can be resolved at minimal cost.

However, Chen Yu's crimson optical lens simply stared calmly at Kirk, his synthesized voice remaining completely still, yet he presented a simpler, more direct, and more impactful solution: "General Kirk, your plan is based on deception and hostage-taking, with too many steps, significant time delays, and uncertainties. According to my assessment, it is inefficient."

He paused briefly to allow the assessment to be fully understood, then continued in his characteristic, fact-based tone: “If your only requirement is to clear the Klingon occupation forces from the Enterprise and ensure that our squads are transported to the designated area on board, then Mann and his men are more than capable of handling the cleanup.”

Their equipment, tactical experience, and expertise in boarding maneuvers in confined spaces would make them far more effective against Klingon combat squads. No need for complex negotiations or hostage situations; physical elimination is the most direct solution.

This proposal has shocked Kirk and those around him who heard it.
They directly deployed a ruthless mercenary squad from another world into the occupied Enterprise for a bloody purge.

But Chen Yu hadn't finished speaking.

He raised his head slightly, as if gazing through the rocky ledge and the raging atmosphere at the two Klingon cruisers on the track.

“As for the threat in orbit—those two Klingon warships,” his synthesized voice remained steady, but the content was like a bombshell dropped on a calm lake, “if you can provide me with satisfactory and equivalent technology blueprints or rare materials as payment, I can ensure that they can no longer interfere with this mission. Destroying them is not difficult.”

The scene fell into a deathly silence, with only the thunder of Genesis Star booming.

Kirk was completely stunned as he stared at the massive mechanical creation before him, which gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.

Chen Yu did not propose tactics, but rather two levels of "solutions": one was to carry out efficient and ruthless physical elimination inside the ship, and the other was to talk about the possibility of wiping the two Klingon cruisers out of space in an almost cold, business-like tone.

This was far more brutal, and far more...absolute, than his kidnapping plan, which required careful planning and luck.

Kirk quickly weighed his options. Chen Yu's plan, though it sounded alarming, did indeed address the core of the problem, and its success rate seemed higher.

He had personally witnessed the capabilities of the Mann squad, especially in clearing out enemy forces from inside the ship.

"The matter of compensation... can be discussed later." Kirk took a deep breath, made a decision, and his gaze became firm again. "The primary task is to recapture the Enterprise."

Wise man Chen Yu, let's do as you say!

We need to contact our people inside the Enterprise immediately and establish a small, undetectable teleportation window. Mann Squad, prepare for an onboard assault!

Chen Yu's mechanical body emitted a deep, seemingly approving hum: "A wise choice. I will assist in stabilizing the teleportation coordinates. Mann, you have five minutes for the final equipment check."

(End of this chapter)