The IKS Y’tem slid into the darkness of the Shackleton Expanse like a predator hunting its prey. The aging vessels frame shook with the pulse of her impulse engines, to her crew it was a familiar sound, one of home. She had once prowled the front lines during the Dominion War, she was bloodied, as if her wings themselves had been dipped in the blood of her enemies. Now though, was not her time to hunt, now she sailed through the darkness as an explorer. 

Captain L’rena, Daughter of Beltor stood in the centre of the bridge, the bronze and scarlet lighting of the consoles filling the bridge. She was every bit a warrior of the Empire, sharp, composed and even when silent commanded the air around her. 

“Status?” she demanded 

At the forward station, Hoban sat scanning his console. He hair pulled back to remove it from his view. “Sensors confirm Framheim station ahead Captain. Bearing zero-one-three mark six. We’ll reach her perimeter in 6 minutes at current speed. We’re receiving a standard welcome hail.” 

“A federation station,” grunted Tal’kor with a look of disgust on his face. The first officer giving a growl of disapproval at the clean and tidy lines before them. “full of smiling faces and pleasantries” he continued. 

L’rena’s lip curled slightly, not quiet a smile though. “Do not mistake their pleasantries for weakness Tal’kor. Starfleet may not fight as we do but you know that they are warriors of another kind. Their patients and persistence should never be underestimated.” 

At the rear of the bridge, Drenak, the chief engineer chuckled. The aging Klingon stepped forward, the grey of his hair and beard showing his experience. “Persistence, bah! They can keep their patience. Give me a plasma torch and a reason to use it over their waiting around.” 

The bridge crew laughed. The Y’tem may be a small vessel and the majority of the crew young and inexperienced but they carried with them the pride of their house and Empire. 

“Approaching the station,” Hoban said “requesting clearance.” 

 There was a pause for a moment, then a voice from the Federations station replied, crisp and polite. 

“IKS Y’tem, this is Framheim station control. Welcome to the Shackleton Expanse. Docking bay either is ready for your arrival.” 

“they sound…. Friendly” Hoban remarked with a smirk 

“They are our allies,” L’rena replied, “and they believe in this alliance, take us in.” 

The station grew larger in the Y’tem’s viewports as they grew closer. Built to withstand the wild energies of space, its hull shimmered. It was very un-Klingon. 

Within the ship, the atmosphere shifted. The crew adjusting their sashes and straightening their armour. Klingons cared little for Federation protocol but they respected formality. If there was a ceremony then they wanted to look the most fearsome there. Of course there was no ceremony now but if they could step onto the station with their armour gleaming, they would do it. 

Stepping through the airlock, the difference between the two worlds couldn’t be more evident. The corridor ahead of the crew was brightly lit and spotless, the air smelt weird, too clean and filtered.  

A young Starfleet Lieutenant was waiting for them. His posture was stiff and he tensed as the group of Klingons approached. They could naturally sense the uncertainty from him, like prey realising that it had been cornered.  

“Captain L’rena, welcome to Framheim station. I’ve been asked to inform you that Captain Kurnath, son of Morok awaits you in his command chamber.” He said. 

L’rena inclined her head slightly. “I am honoured by the invitation, please lead the way.” 

As they followed the Lieutenant, Tal’kor leaned toward his captain and muttered quietly “A Klingon leading an expedition from a Federation Station. Kahless must be laughing it Stovokor.” 

“Perhaps,” L’rena replied. “Or perhaps he sees that glory can take many forms. Even when wrapped in a Starfleet Uniform.” 

Behind them, their science officer, Trang, followed. He looked around the station in awe, taking in every sight. “One thing I can say for Starfleet, their design is efficient,” he murmured. “Every part of the station is precise, no excess.” 

Drenak grunted slapping the Science officers back, “But no soul either!” 

The doors opened with a hiss, the room was dominated by a holographic display in the centre. A map of a star system hung in the air, 3 planets orbiting a star. Next to the display was an older Klingon, L’rena recognised him as the commander of the Klingon expedition. He was tall and broad wearing traditional battle dress. 

“Captain L’rena,” he said, his voice deep. “Daughter of Beltor. I’ve heard your name spoken in honourable company.” 

“Not as much as I have heard yours” she replied, “The Y’tem stands ready for orders.” 

“hah, you flatter me L’rena, which from someone such as yourself is much welcomed” he gestured toward the display. “This is the Caelari System, no vessels have yet managed to get to the system to confirm the Federation’s charts. The shroud that once slowed travel in this sector of space hindered any efforts. It only dissipated a few months ago. With the path now open the Federation have agreed that the Klingon Empire will send the first vessel to scout the system.” 

He looked at L’rena, full of pride that the Empire has been given such an honour. “That vessel is yours Captain, the IKS Y’tem.” 

“It would be our honour,” L’rena replied. 

Tal’kor stepped forward, “and if we contact hostiles? We don’t know what the shroud has hidden.” 

“The you will introduce them to the Klingon way of…. Exploring” Kurnath continued, “Your orders are simple, survey the system. Identify if the worlds are habitable and investigate any unknown signals.” 

“Signals? Is the system habitated?” L’rena asked 

“We don’t know for sure, no one does, we do know that there are many civilisations in the expanse that have never ventured out of their systems due to the shroud.” Kurnath explained. 

“Understood,” nodded L’rena 

“one more point Captain, you will be first but others will follow. Starfleet is sending vessels to assist. They seek knowledge too, perhaps in the expanse we can both find it.” 

Four hours later, suitably refreshed and ready once more to head out into the black the crew of the Y’tem had returned on board and were departing Framheim station. The vessels wings were extended, like an eagle soaring through space. 

Starfleet officers watched her pull away from the safety of the operations room on the station, the small ship disappearing into the void of space. 

On the bridge, L’rena watched the stars on the main viewscreen expressionless. 

“Course laid in Captain, ready to get us on our way the the Caelari system” Hoban announced, “Warp 6 on your command.” 

“Engage warp.” She ordered. 

The ship surged forwards, light streaking past as she accelerated. The Shackleton Expanse open before them. 

Behind her, Tak’kor looked displeased. He folded her arms and began to speak, “do you trust this mission Captain? Starfleet’s motives are often buried under words and procedure.” 

“trust? Do you think me that naïve old friend?” L’rena replied calmly. “We do not trust blindly, we observe and learn.” 

Trang turned from his console looking at the bridge crew, “Still, Captain. A new system, never seen by Klingon or Federation eyes before. That is something worthy of great song.” 

Drenak huffed but L’rena nodded toward him, “Indeed science officer, and when we return, it will be one worth singing.”  

While Drenak was an engineer he’d spent almost his whole life in conflict, he could not understand why the Klingon Empire even had Science Officers when they could just take the information from others. But he respected his position as third officer and would support his Captain’s decision, at least until it was the wrong one. 

“Warp field stable,” Hoban reported from the helm. “all systems are holding” 

“Good” Drenak said loudly, “this old beast still has a few hunts left in her.” 

The bridge crew laughed with the old warrior, the sound echoing through the small vessel.  

A while later in her Captains quarters L’rena completed her log, with one final entry: 

“We travel now beyond the borders of our great empire, beyond the known stars, toward Caelari. The Y’tem carries the honour of House Zor’vek, the Empire and the memory of those who fell before us. Whatever we find here in the expanse we will face as Klingons, with curiosity in our minds and steel in our hands,” 

• Captain L’rena, Daughter of Beltor, IKS Y’tem