Molehole! (SL330)

## Molehole!Part of Kzinti-Lyran Border

The Kzinti survey ship Tiger Blood was investigating an unusual spatial anomaly located near the Lyran border. They located the anomaly, which appeared to be a wormhole, and launched a probe. To their astonishment, the probe was not destroyed. Instead, it traveled through the wormhole, and appeared again only 150,000 kilometers away. No known wormhole had that short a length.

The Kzinti ship launched a second probe, and then a third. Each appeared in a separate location, but both were in the same general area as the ship and the wormhole.

“This is the strangest wormhole I have ever heard of,” the science officer said. “I’m calling it a molehole for the time being. I’ll work out something better in my report. Meanwhile, Captain, we need to study this further.”

Suddenly, the stars shimmered, and disappeared from view. On the viewscreen, there was only black.

“What is this? Report!” demanded Captain 1st Rank Cat-Who-Searches.

His science officer scanned the computer. “It appears to be some sort of energy barrier, Sir. A wall of some kind, spherical in shape. Trapping us here with the molehole.”

A bright light flashed on their viewscreen, and a Lyran ship appeared out of nowhere. The captain jumped to his feet with a growl. “Lyrans? How? Sensor report!”

There was a rumbling sound, cutting off any response. A strange voice boomed throughout the ship.

“We are The Masters. Since you have come to see our toy, we have provided you with a playmate. But be careful. Some
friends can be dangerous.”

“Captain! The Lyran is charging weapons!”

“Get our weapons online!”

The booming voice of the Master continued. “Should you two grow weary of each other, you are free to leave. Travel through the molehole for your freedom.”

“Freedom?!” shouted the Captain. “Travel through, and you will let us go?”

“Yes. But not right away. Should you traverse the wormhole enough times, we will let you return home. Enjoy the game.”

The rumbling stopped. With a low growl, the Captain stared at the looming Lyran ship. He had heard rumors of the Masters, and had never believed them. He certainly believed them now.

“Bring us about!” he ordered. “Close the range.”

The Lyran ship fired weapons.

## Aftermath

Outgunned and outmatched, Captain Cat-Who-Searches sent the Tiger Blood into the molehole, hoping the Masters would keep their word. The Lyran captain, who had apparently gone insane, was convinced that the entire matter was some kind of Kzinti treachery, and refused to answer all hails. He sent his own ship in pursuit, intent on destroying the enemy.

Under fire, the Kzintis passed through the molehole multiple times. When they entered it for the fourth time, the Masters be came bored with the proceedings, and returned the Tiger Blood to Kzinti space.

When Captain Cat-Who-Searches reported to his superiors, he was openly mocked and given a stern rebuke. But when the ship’s logs were reviewed and the crewmen questioned in detail, the surprised admirals were forced to change their minds. Instead, they gave the captain a commendation for bravery, and renamed him “Cat-Who-Walks-Through-Walls.” His ship was given a refit.

Confidential details of the event were later shared with Star Fleet and Gorn officials at an alliance summit in the hopes of improving intelligence regarding the strange entities known as The Masters. The details of those proceedings were not made public.

The Lyran ship, King’s Claw, returned to base with a similar report.

## References

1. ↑ Various (18 March 2014). *Captain's Log 48*. Edited by Stephen V. Cole. (Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.), pp. 55–56. ISBN 978-1-58564-180-2.