Blindesided (SL296)

## Blindesided

The Klingon Federation border near the Federation trading colony of New Inkster was, like many other places on many other borders, dotted by belts of asteroids (such as the belt containing the famed "Blackfoot Pass").

One such belt near a colony, known unofficially as "Blindside", was unusual in that it was composed largely of a mineral that emitted radiation sufficient to blind sensor arrays, making it nearly impossible to see what might lay on the other side of it. This radiation was concentrated primarily on the outside edges of the belt, creating a double wall to sensors, and a "tube" along the length of the belt that could barely be seen into or out of, and certainly not through.

To secure the border in this area and maintain proper border and customs procedures, the Klingons and Federation agreed to jointly build and crew a SAMS/customs station at a point along the narrowest part of the belt. The treaty also provided that each would construct a base station on their side of the belt to provide the necessary support and security facilities. By agreement, no fleet units or fighters were attached to these bases, although both sides patrolled the sector aggressively. The blind spot created by the belt was obviously cause for concern (as either side might use it to smuggle in agents or launch surprise raids, not to mention Orion operations).

One fine day in the fall of Y170, for no apparent reason, a brawl broke out on the custom station between its Klingon and Federation crews. Both sides, following procedure, locked down the station's systems and triggered their respective panic buttons. The respective BS commanders, unable to see what was going on in the asteroid belt and unable to raise their countrymen, called for reinforcements from nearby by fleet patrols.

Both sets of fleet units arrived at roughly the same time and were surprised to find a significant, but unquantifiable presence on the other side of the border, apparently preparing to move across that border in force. Both sides were unable to effectively communicate with the other, concerned over the fate of the SAMS crew, and deeply unsettled at the presence of such a strong force acting with apparently hostile intent. Both were ordered to secure the SAMS and its attending BS, and "eliminate" the threat" to it by the other side.

## Aftermath

The Klingons moved rapidly to the station and landed Marines, quickly overwhelming the defenders. The Federation moved more slowly, knowing the Klingons would not sit still in the face of over a dozen photons, and took up positions around the SAMS while moving as many Marines as possible onto it. After a surprise acceleration caught the Klingons inside 50,000 kilometers range the Federation managed to cripple the D7B and the F5C, forcing the Klingons to withdraw to their base station. Both sides sent frigates under a flag of truce to arrange a cease fire, and eventually the situation was resolved peacefully, with both sides returning to the SAMS as per the standing agreement. In less tense times, this situation would likely have been resolved without much incident, but in the months just before the Klingon invasion, both sides would often react with far more force than was really necessary.

## References

1. ↑ Various (29 November 2010). *Captain's Log 42*. Edited by Stephen V. Cole. (Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.), pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-1-58564-153-6.