D-7A (FIame of Retaliation) Class VIII Battlecruiser

from Klingon Ship Recognition Manual, 2nd Edition, FASA, design by Matt Jefferies

Known Sphere Of Operation:  Triangle
Data Reliability:  C
Major Data Source:  Triangle Sector Intelligence

NOTES:
The Flame of Retaliation was one of several battlecruisers that originally participated in the attempted coup that would later give rise to the IKS. Originally christened the Tormenter, the D-7 battlecruiser saw less damage that most of Kamato’s forces, her primary shield system was seriously damaged during the fighting. Once Kamato arrived at Patterson’s Place with his forces, the crew of the Tormenter began repairs with the limited on-board supplies. Unfortunately, the shields could barely be repaired, and the Tormenter was forced into operational readiness with her shield at 1/4 their normal strength. When Admiral Kepel eliminated Kamato, the captain of the Tormenter was also killed, and her first officer, Kenm’moq was given command.

As the IKS slowly expanded, Kenm’moq was able to successfully capture an Orion Lightening while on patrol, taking the crew as slaves. He secretly arranged to trade the damaged hulk with Naussican arm dealers and obtained a number of starship disruptors and shield systems, including the NDC shield generators that were installed on the Tormenter. Kenm’moq also traded most of the crew to their families in exchange for rights to upgrade the IKS ships at secret Orion repair posts in the area. With the additional promise not to raid certain colonies and Orion freighters in the region, the deal was solidified and the Tormenter was drydocked for repairs.

While Kepel was frustrated that Kenm’moq had initiated the deal without consulting him or others in the fledgling IKS command, he could not argue with the results, and allows Kenm’moq to maintain his command of the Tormenter, which was soon rechristened as the Flame of Retaliation.

The Flame quickly gained a reputation in the Triangle of being a powerful and deadly vessel. Many freighter captains in the region would surrender rather than take a chance of angering Kenm’moq and his crew. For his part, Kenm’moq took a page from the local Orion pirates, sparing crews and passengers of vessels that surrendered, and taking only a portion of the cargo. For the next ten years, this tactic proved exceedingly valuable for Kenm’moq, who easily outpaced other front-line commanders in resource acquisition. However, there was little glory in defeating enemies who quickly surrendered. In 2266, Kenm’moq was given permission to raid closer to Imperial Klingon territory in the hopes of capturing much needed native Klingon equipment.

Kenm’moq’s first raid proved ineffective as the Klingon captain quickly surrendered, wishing him-self to join the IKS. While a new freighter was welcome news for the IKS, it’s cargo hold was filled with food stuffs – one of the few commodities that the IKS did have. Two weeks later, Kenm’moq attacked a small convoy near Haven, capturing several tons of raw material before being forced to retreat due to Imperial forces responding to the call for help. Kenm’moq retreated to Actonn to await a more lucrative convoy. In early 2267, Kenm’moq attacked a larger convoy once again bound for Haven. This time, Kenm’moq was in luck, capturing several cargo pods of valuable ore. Unfortunately, for Kenm’moq, the convoy was better guarded than he expected, and the Flame of Retaliation was seriously damaged. Attempting to tow three cargo pods proved too much for the Flame, causing catastrophic damaged to the impulse drive and causing a power surge that damaged the entire weapon system. Despite the damage, Kenm’moq’s crew fought valiantly to keep the ship at speed and eventually were able to retreat to Actonn.

Kenm’moq traded much of his captured goods for equipment and repairs at Actonn, causing a significant disagreement upon his return to the IKS in late 2267. Once again Kenm’moq’s results trumped his unsanctioned decisions and he was left in command of the Flame. The Flame was once again set loose in the Triangle to raid and capture much needed supplies. Even as the shipyards at Mataii became operations, Kenm’moq continued to garner favors and influence for both himself and the IKS.

Kenm’moq die in 2296 of natural causes; however, his crew and supporters took the Flame on one more mission to honor his legacy and ensure his entry to Sto’Vo’Kor. The Flame faked a Klingon recognition code and attacked forces loyal to AOFW near Hoot. Hoping to give Kenm’moq a glorious final battle and sew discord between the Federation-Klingon alliance and the AOFW, the Flame managed to destroy two AOFW ships before being forced to retreat.

The Flame of Retaliation remained in orbital stand-down for the next two years, even as new recruits to the IKS cause streamed into the fledgling Empire. Production of equipment and new starship components surged; however the Flame of Retaliation’s age meant it was placed at the bottom of the repair and upgrade list. The Flame’s new captain – K’tenka was quick to jump at the chance to acquire a new Orion torpedo system to replaced the Flame’s damaged launcher.

In later 2299, the Flame was given permission to once again ply the star lanes and for the next 40 years helps the IKS to continue expanding and growing.

In 2349, the final variant of the Flame of Retaliation was commissioned, replacing many of the Orion systems with reproductions of native Klingon equipment. With the strengthening of the Federation-Klingon alliance after the Narendra III incident, the IKS finally engaged with Federation forces. With the Empire and the Federation both attempting to hem-in the expanded IKS, and with the Romulans deliberately avoiding engagement with the IKS, a number of vessels fought with Alliance forces for the next 20 years. The Flame of Retaliation was eventually destroyed in 2354 while fighting a Federation cruiser near Statterfeld.