| Catspaw
no Klingon content Metamorphosis no Klingon content The Great Starship Race by Diane Carey p42 the Klingons don't want anything to do with the great starship race organized by the Rey p42 competition without solid reward is a waste of time p43 a Klingon's eye view of the racecourse p63 Enterprise computer correlates emission residue with intermix formula currently being used by Klingons p64 Klingon ship described as crane-in-flight by Kirk, somehow threatening just by pointing its long neck and bubble on the front p64 Romulans use the Klingon design, but the emission ratio is eight percent richer p64 as species go Klingons are temperamental, surface-thinking, hot-blooded and gruff and could be outthought and outfought by someone who kept cool p66 the Romulans stole the big long-necked ship design from the Klingons and redesigned it for stealth and bursts of power p175 a converted Klingon star cruiser can have many hidden and dark places Friday's Child The people of Capella IV, Seven foot tall, fast and strong. Swords and knives and the very effective boomerang-like kligat. Totally uninterested in medical aid. Only the strong should survive. Many taboos. Wear all-enclosing garment, only face and hands free. Tassel at back of head, long cloaks, fur-edged. Klingon ships had been reported in this sector, Scott instructed not to become an incident. A Klingon steps from behind Maab. Grant, red shirt, goes for his phaser and is killed by kligat before the opening credits [what did he expect?] Klingon Kras, beard, no mustache or sash – he is unaware of any state of war between Federation and Klingons, or is it Federation policy to kill Klingons on sight. McCoy - Klingons are sworn enemies of the Federation, by their own words. Kras has freely handed over his weapons and other devices to the Capellans. Kras implies that Kirk wants to call Enterprise to order an attack on the village. Earthmen fear to bargain honestly. Kirk wonders what a Klingon is doing on Capella with the scrupulously honest Capellans anyway If there is a Klingon down here, there might be a Klingon ship up there. Bobbing about just at the edge of sensor range. Who else would be playing cat and mouse with a starship? Capellans consider combat more pleasurable than love, if you touch offering made by woman, her nearest male relative will have to try to kill you. Did Kras battle man who finds Kirk a disappointment? Kras informs Akaar that the sight of death frightens Federation men. That a man would be honored to die for his leader is a concept both Capellans and Klingons understand. McCoy – what the Klingons has said is unimportant, and we do not hear his words. [implies lying] Laughing at guest bad manners Kras – what do Earthmen offer you? What have you obtained from them in the past? Powders and liquids for the sick. We Klingons believe as you do, the sick should die. Only strong should live. Earthmen have promised many things. Klingons offer cleverness against enemies, the use of weapons. Eleen says Klingon speaks the truth. Kras smiles. Kirk – the Klingon empire is made up of conquered worlds, they take what they want by arms and force. Akaar says Earthmen have never lied to him – has Kras? Kras makes proper gestures before exiting with Maab. Kras searches for his own weapons and communicators while Maab’s men battle Akaar. Kras goes after Kirk with short sword. With sword held at his throat by Kirk he reveals his vessel is a small scout ship. Klingons need mineral too, he was sent to negotiate. Maab frees Kras from Kirk. Kras urges new Teer Maab to kill Federation men now. Kras asks if the new leader of the ten tribes is afraid, grabs Maab’s wrist. “Let me kill him for you.” Kirk suggests letting Kirk and Kras fight for Teer’s amusement. Maab saw fear in Kras’ eye. The agreement between Kras and Maab may change, now. Enterprise receives distress call from freighter Dierdre, convoy under heavy attack by Klingon vessels. Two ships already damaged. Must have help. Calls for help from Enterprise specifically, not general distress call. Second distress call, from Carolina, a vessel registered in the sector, ignored by Scotty. Kras – Eleen was prepared to die. But to live is always desirable. Logical conclusion that a Klingon ship is keeping Enterprise from saving landing party. Kras stands by Maab at Capellan encampment, wanders toward tent, called back. The agreement gave Kras a right to his weapons. Maab is keeping disrupter in his pocket, it will be returned when their business is completed, that was their agreement. Capellans can track by scent alone, if necessary. Children belong to father, Eleen considers McCoy the father of her child, now. Kras with Maab when Capellans go after fleeing Enterprise personnel and Eleen. Survives rockslide. Takes his small phaser from unconscious Capellan and then knifes him. Hides it in his boot. Continues on march over rocks, third, after Maab. Klingon warship takes position directly in Enterprise path on return to Capella IV. Uhura calls to Klingon vessel, no response. Drawing a line, daring Enterprise to cross. Lets see if they have the belly for Enterprise going right down their throat. Kras stays close to Maab. Consuls the earthmen must die. That is the law. Maab says he will honor his laws and his word to the Klingon. Kras questions Eleen’s story about killing the earthmen while they slept – if true, takes us to them. [glasnost – trust, but verify] Eleen takes offense at word of wife of a High Teer being doubted. Kras runs off to verify her story, pulls small phaser. If this what your sworn word means Klingon? Kras gets arrow in thigh from Kirk. Eleen runs up to grab phaser, Kras recovers and gets it back, fires at Spock’s position, causing rock fall, Kras phasers Capellan out of existence. Kras to Capellans – the next man who raises a weapon destroys all of you. You and your primitive weapons, I’ll teach you what killing really means. Maab’s life is forfeit for believing betraying Klingon, goes forward, is phasered out of existence by Kras, who is then kligated by Keel. Kirk wants revenge against Kras, for Grant, but doesn’t get it. Scott beams down, Klingons had no stomach for fighting. - Blish The people of Ceres were friendly toward the Federation, but Klingon ships had been reported in this sector, and though technically the Federation and the Empire were at peace, there had been an increase in the number of ‘incidents’ in the past month. It was vital that the mission to Ceres not become an incident. Ceres has mineral topaline, which has minute quantities of a metal essential to life-support systems of artificial domes. Rare and must be constantly replaced due to radioactive half-life. In bulk to special refining plants Maab, brother of High Teer Akaar, has heard that Earthmen steal, cheat, have no honor. Other brother Keel supports Maab, claimed Eleen was unfaithful to Akaar. Wool of Ceres zakdirs also traded, boomerang-like klugat, the cutting edge is on the inside His honor is my honor The Klingon Empire offered Akaar wealth, power, a seat in their Empire, for the mining rights to the rock in the hills. Akaar had already made a promise to the Federation, and did not trust the Klingons. Maab did trust the Klingons. Maab coordinated with Klingons to become Chief, to give them what they wanted. A Klingon ship drew Enterprise away while Maab killed Akaar. The Klingon ship was not to allow the Enterprise back until Maab signaled. Eleen killed by Maab via klugat for unfaithfulness, after baby born The Klingons backed off and ran when Scott and Sulu sent Enterprise straight for them, after decoy of false distress calls, the Klingon ships have speed, Sulu will grant that. Klingons not ready for a war, not even over topaline, or political situation on Ceres. Maab knifed by follower [Eleen’s lover, baby’s real father] for treason to Akaar and treason with the Klingons. Named baby High Chief Leonard James Akaar’s guardian-regent. Star Trek Constellations Ambition by William Leisner Rumor's been that the Klingons and Romulans are negotiating some kind of alliance. If the Romulans were to agree to share their cloaking device Star Trek Constellations Chaotic Response by Stuart Moore 2 D7-class Klingon battlecruisers attack Enterprise. One Klingon ship damaged by Enterprise. Warp nacelle wing broke apart. Cruiser pitched, lurched, grazed other Klingon's shields. Damaged ship retreats. Second ship moves off, unable to deal with Enterprise alone. Take refuge with other ship behind large moon. Klingons come back. Kirk handles them. Analyze energy output, coil emissions, to determine if D7s are seriously damaged. Klingons like to fight in close quarters Invasion! First Strike by Diane Carey P5 Uri Taug star system - a relatively small star system – onlyy five planets. Two livable, one worth conquering. destroyed Klingon patrol cruiser Jada, Captain Ruhl, newly assigned, Ruhl narrow-bodied, missing tooth in front. Reddish hair. Lack of inhibition about his own ignorance was Ruhl’s only good trait and the qualification that had gotten this command. No ego at all, no problem asking General Kellen what should we do. Not used to delegating authority, promoted too fast, from well connected family Rows of auxiliary monitors General Kellen, squat, broad-chested, combed bronze hair, neatly clipped above the shoulder, short clean-cut beard, thin stenciled mustache, a general of the highest rank. Wears glasses and looks like Ben Franklin. in wild situations he becomes calmer than anyone else, lowers voice, raise chin, deliver glacial demeanor. He had long ago discovered the best key to winning: When the situation becomes tense, become correspondingly calm. He could win over anyone that way. Being a Vulcan among Klingons, controlled and contemplative would supersede any Klingon. He enjoys reputation of unexcitability. Most Klingons despised Vulcans Tactical officer Six ships in system Shukar fails to hold mass, vaporized Karn, science officer, bronze face The precepts of concrete science Battle mode, deflectors up, battle configuration One finger punches shields up Qul, General Kellen’s ship. Border Fleet flagship Aragor, science officer on Qul Ship’s commander should relay orders from General to helm officer, who handles communications The ships’ bottle shape forms All systems accept and confirm The deflector formula Bird of prey in battle poise – wings down, shoulders tensed, knuckles in The long silence was unfriendly There were somethings even a Klingon preferred not to guess Starfleet, their old enemy, Kellen’s oldest. Starfleet would develop a mass-blanking weapon, but those people wouldn’t use it without provocation. No provocation lately Kellen had asked to do some provoking and been turned down Kellen turns to face Karn when asking his question, so Karn would not look bad in the eyes of his crewmates Dispatch immediate reports of all this to the Empire Tell them the star system is devoid of life, otherwise they’ll wonder why we failed to conquer Each screen picked up different elements – spectra, energy, spatial disruption. Like a piece of women’s fabric, waving veil Handheld communicator in holster, snaps it open If it is a weapon, we will own it Kellen was the smartest warrior in the universe, in Aragor’s opinion The whine of transporter energy chewed at Aragor’s ears, a pillar of expanding lights, many bands Stiff metallic fabric Vagh – transporter officer Small parasites for company and food Speculation made him uneasy. He would deal only with the facts Dagger at side in sheath The skulls’ shape and description churned the ugly bowels of Klingons lore in Kellen’s head, constructed to terrorize, tales of imminent evil from childhood, beasts of prey infused by with the wills of demons. All the things we tell our children to scare them, things we pretend to have conquered in our minds Plant life – sedge, spotted cabbage, adder’s tongue, tenleaf Kellen has seen white snakes in the sea Iraga – white eyes with yellow middles and black dot in center, top of head a mass of moving long white tendrils, each alive and fingering for food, growing out of holes in skull, wear white gauzy cloth Shushara – vestigial membranes from shoulders, spread open Hullam’gar – fingers reach the ground, fangs from forehead Approach pattern SochDIch – three ships form point in front, two behind Disruptors on full double-front Command chair upholstered in simulated animal hide Interlopers, unlawful entry into Klingon space. Kidnappers. Invaders Thought after thought he built himself into a mode of attack They would conquer before they were themselves taken. It was the Klingon way Mursha – Tactical Officer on Qul. Only two days at tactical position. Mustache. Attack configuration, flank speed, full impulse Fleet, advance! Mauve, the color of Klingon blood At once the unfamiliar ship declared itself an enemy – it fired back Phaser wash broke between her hull plates and shriveled the outer mechanics in their trunks Hands hold curved adjustments of the sensors Fleet terribly damaged rescuing Kellen from invader, lost chance to destroy them The booming voice was glorious anger to Aragor Aragor would walk fire for Kellen Kellen uncharacteristically yells Next time the choice is to save my life or take an enemy life, take the enemy life The tales are all true, they have come back as they promised they would Aragor beams to Ruhl’s ship and takes command of the fleet, calls the Empire for reinforcements, tracks the invading Havoc ship Rath, while Kellen goes to enlist Kirk’s aid P40 Kirk and 94 men plus 60 Capellans fight 200 Klingons on surface. Glossy bronze face of Klingon Hard metal wristband Hacking shouting and shooting Kirk had secured mining rights and turned the leaders of this province away from dealing with the oppressive Klingons The Klingons hadn’t gone away pouting, they weren’t satisfied at having been legitimately edged out. If they couldn’t have this planet by trickery or bribery they would take it by force. The Klingons attacked again at sunrise planettime at the Capellan camp Kirk was obliged to veer back in to protect the Capellans against the insulted Klingons. Nonaligned space Maybe the Klingons are retreating – not likely The local Klingon commander’s in trouble. He lost his mining deal wit this planet. If he goes back a loser, his career’s in the dumper Klingon lookouts had taken position on the highest crags The Klingons are trying to get attention, tick of some kind A gulp of bright bluish energy sprayed from the cloudless sky, loud whine, from ship or shuttlecraft, more likely disruptor backwash from a satellite keyed to Starfleet phaser energy, could also effect communicators Kirk- we’re here to knock the Klingons back The Klingons know they’ve knocked out the Fed phasers, so they advance for hand to hand combat. Klingons prefer hand to hand combat, they consider it more honorable to kill at close quarters than with a long range weapon, if they can arrange for that, they will Three cruisers battle Mr. Scott and Enterprise in space above Capella. More coming in Unidentified bird coming in at warp six, wings up, weapons systems off, broadcasting interstellar distress cal Kirk had reached his limit. He’s sick of Klingons The Klingons are in a fury The Klingons will target a commanding officer if they can pick one out The Klingons came roaring down the incline, disruptors holstered and daggers gleaming Humans were lighter and faster than Klingons or Capellans The Klingon soldiers were veering toward him, hungering for the glory of killing the leaders The Klingons can charge at Kirk together, but unless they cooperated they couldn’t hit him at the same time, and they wouldn’t cooperate, he hoped Eyes blazing and teeth bared The disruptor was warm in his hands, nearly drained. The disruptor started beeping, drained The high powered weapons could only be of so much use in tight quarters A half dozen Klingons broke from their struggles to follow Kirk, their ambition was getting the better of them, they’re disorganized Spock vs. at least 8 Klingons. He would try to fight logically, and that might not work against Klingons One Klingon, who wanted the glory for himself, was holding on to the top Klingon’s ankle and keeping him back Protective vest He saw in their hungry eyes the desire to defeat the enemy leader with their own hands. Only the fact that they were competing instead of helping each other was saving him They saw the change in his face, at least three started to back down Several Klingons wanted to deal the death blow if it hadn’t been dealt already Kellen comes in yelling Stop. The others Klingons collectively gasped and relaxed their postures in respect Why have you stopped our victory? Why are you wasting men and munitions for a few shipments of toparine? I see no victory squabbling over this bit of dirt They killed the Klingon commander’s representative – Kras The Capellan’s blunt honesty silenced the Klingon commander. Kirk knows of Kellen of the Muscari Incident, the only calm Klingon Kirk knew of. That kind of thing gets around Even if they didn’t know what he had done in the past, they had heard his name and they knew his reputation Kellen wears glasses, high pitched voice Enterprise is about to punch holes in Kellen’s cruiser Kellen doesn’t know why some elements want Capella Kellen – it has always been my standing to let the Fed tend these backward herds. Klingons will take the planets when they’re worth something It has always been a mystery to me when the Fed will fight and why Kellen has already spoken to Starfleet Command. They agreed to let Kellen approach Kirk if Kellen stopped the battle Havoc, in Klingon lore, is essentially an apocalypse. The releasing of all captive souls to wreck revenge on those who imprisoned them, a final reckoning A Klingon tricorder, has a translator Iraga – a vision from our past, a gathering of evils in one body, with snakes living out of its head and flame in its eyes. To Klingons it is our past coming back Kellen would rather be Kirk’s slave then live on the same planet with the demons, there is no difference between you and me anymore, we have to put off hating each other for now Put aside decades of trouble just like that? Kellen became quite agitated for being the calmest Klingon in the Empire. You want me to imprison my grandson? Kirk wants freedom and peace for all our peoples, wants the Klingons to leave the Federation alone, and leave their own people alone, too Tension between the Klingons and the Fed childish now Kellen – I don’t know if I can give you the things you ask, but I give my word as a warrior I will do everything I can for the rest of my life to work toward a treaty. You help us survive today, and I will dedicate my life to your wish The Klingons around audibly choked at what they just heard Take me aboard as hostage if you like. An experienced general knew the Fed would never take hostages P81 the Klingons might have slaughtered those people Kellen’s flagship did a little posturing when Kellen went aboard the Enterprise, but Kellen backed them down Kellen sent the other ships in Capellan space home. The Klingon commander wasn’t too happy, his career is pretty much wrecked, not allowed to start a war, not allowed to lose a skirmish A treaty is in effect Kellen’s flagship leads Enterprise, four other Klingon vessels tail Enterprise Warp 5, 12 hours to location of incident Something spooked a combustible Klingon and now he wants attention Spock – General Kellen is hardly a man given to idle combustion Havoc ship Rath the color of Klingon blood - plum Silver tunic Kellen on the Enterprise bridge makes a plunge for the phaser control button on the helm – knew exactly where those firing controls were, though there were no markings Kellen had the calm reputation even in Starfleet circles Note to Starfleet Command – Klingons have intimate knowledge of our bridge control configuration, suggest necessary changes in color code and location with next design upgrades Klingons started only lately using, and only in battle, protective molded vest P90 Aragor! HIgh! Tugh! Five lighter weight Klingon ships swing around Enterprise, race toward Havoc ship Rath Klingon ships open fire the second they are in range One Klingon cruiser spins out of control, heavy damage, main engines seizing Two Klingon ships pressured to leave formation Third forced of course and has to vector around again MatHa’ and Qul still attacking, forced away by Enterprise firing Two other cruisers kept going, fire on Enterprise with full power Their commanding general was out of communication on Enterprise, they might take that as final orders and fight to the death Qul back in the fight P97 Qul! Mev! YIchu’Ha The Klingon vessels came to a stop in some sort of formation Kirk hadn’t seen before Kellen – warriors coming home shredded and shamed, spewing tales of a Federation devil with hands of fire and steel in his eyes. I fought Kirk! my honor is not so damaged as if I fought a lesser enemy! It’s become an acceptable excuse to lose to Kirk. some want to avoid you, some want to challenge you because it would be a better victory. I expected you to come in and shake planets. And this is you? Talk? I wanted a warrior. All I find is you who will not act. I will go home and slap my commanders who spoke of you. I am disappointed in you, Kirk. you do not deserve to be Kirk! Do you see your chance sliding away? I see it sliding! Challenge them! P108 according to our history, our laws and treaties this area of space is claimed by the Klingon Empire. Nearby is neutral space, then the Fed. No planets in vicinity that could support advanced life. The Klingons named their own ships with words like Wrath Kellen’s face turned terrible. I will never go there again No one with any sense goes over to an enemy ship in the middle of a battle What would shake an experienced spacefaring Klingon general with a long record of bravery and a reputation for disarming composure? The known history of this area is more than two centuries Impressive in his tense stillness. Kellen had left his body armor behind when he’d beamed aboard General Kellen of the Klingon Imperial High Command We are not allies You must turn around and return to the depths from which you emerged. They are the Havoc. The tainted souls released from imprisonment, returned to torture us with their poisons. There is no dialogue. I came here to destroy them before they destroy all of us. If you will be this foolish I will take my leave of you and return to my ship Traditionally, Kirk and the Klingons are enemies. Occasionally we have an uneasy truce such as today There is a big difference between humans and Klingons! For instance, today we were in a skirmish with an aggressive Klingon commander. We had to hold them back from innocent people who refused to do business with them Klingons with their long-necked vessels, could lay waste to a planet, but that would be an act of war. In a skirmish they can always claim they were ambushed Klingon command is set up in cells. The area commanders have a great deal of autonomy in their areas, but aren’t allowed to commit the Empire to interstellar war. Each is responsible for a specific area, and can conquer it if it’s within his skills to do so, but if he fails in his aspiration, then all the Empire doesn’t suffer for it. The commanders aren’t allowed to drag the Empire into war. That’s for the High Council to decide. If the local commander oversteps his authority in the course of his ambitions, he can be demoted rather than promoted. They could have reduced Capella to blackened char but they know the Fed would not put up with that. General Kellen overruled the local commander because he was more worried about the Havoc. He fears you, he doesn’t know you well enough to hate you P143 the Kgha’lugh star system, located in sector nine-three-seven, Province Ruchma, Klingon Star Empire. Deep in Klingon space. Reputed home of the demon race known as Shushara, call themselves Manann. P191 The sun went through its first red-giant stage 3-4000 years ago and incinerated all its inner planets, if there were any inner planets, outer planets still there. No signs there was ever life in the solar system. P144 Midweight border cruisers, a fleet of heavy cruisers Kellen raised a new dagger and an old trick. In his fist was the warm hilt, behind it the blade. Kellen knifes security man Ens. Brown to death Complacence as much his enemy as Starfleet, and almost as alien Kirk was a thorough disappointment The thought of how far he could push the Federation had always been in his mind, through all his years in the Imperial fleet. Klingons had not survived so long by being stupid. He knew the Fed tolerated much more than any Klingon would. But when they did turn and fight they were not a pleasant enemy, they would fight ruthlessly and methodically. Unlike Klingon honor, the Feds had a sharp sense of right and wrong as their barometer. When they believed they were right they fought with unmatched ferocity. This had always been a mystery to Kellen – when the Fed would fight and why. Always a minefield to walk. He could spit in a human’s face – something a whole Klingon family would go to war over – and the human might shrug and walk away. Yet step on the toe of something they had no interest in and the Fed would marshal all its forces to defend a thing it did not care to possess. Why had Kirk refused to fight so obvious a threat? Primogenial memories of those demons for Klingons Even time beyond recall could be recalled when the common danger was disclosed Kellen figured the Feds were to polite to body search a visiting dignitary and had kept his dagger hidden, and a shielded communicator. Withdrew communicator and powered it up He asked and was answered Call for reinforcements. Tell that idiot Ruhl to prepare the squadron’s defenses The commanders will not be allowed to attack a Starship under a flag of truce without provocation. The commanders will demand proof Aragor was neither fool nor petty stooge. A truth was a truth A Kirk who was no Kirk. seek out the unshatterable and discover only crumbs The wasted space, these Feds, they came into the depths of space, then tried to pretend they were otherwhere. They coddled their comforts too much in sacrifice to efficiency and quickness. No one needed this much room. All this technology these idiots kept out in the open and freely showed The gaggle of evil What would the horror be, to be overrun by these, the condemned, even to survive and be forced to do their filthy bidding? It was a good dagger, not his family dagger, which he had already given to his son, but a good weapon that had known too little use, two claw extensions Kellen stabs an Iraga, cuts off head The price of his own life for not destroying ship at first sight The Klingon who stopped the Havoc would be the icon of the next age The disaster to his people would be shoved back into the maw of legend Bio-sweep for Klingon physiology P155 in Klingon legend the Shushara was a winged demon, or group of demons, given to consuming unsuccessful warriors, beginning with their feet and eating its way up the body while the victim witnessed this and contemplated his failures. They were ultimately banished, but promised to return with the Havoc to consume the weak. Kellen may see their return as a manifestation of the Empire’s failure to expand since the establishment of the Neutral Zone by the Feds. Havoc is their punishment for letting themselves be contained. The Klingons are acting on an instinctive level The crew of the Imperial patrol cruiser Qul shrank back like beaten children, huddled into the recesses of the bridge, and covered their faces with shuddering hands. Before them writhes the unthinkable, the incarnate, twisting between the fingers of General Kellen as he held high the proof of Havoc All screens on! Broadcast this on all frequencies to the squadron and on long-range to the fleet and all Imperial receivers, wide dispersal! Some crew of Qul – Aragor, Mursha, Karg, Rek, Horg P170 could the Havoc creatures have had a war 5000 years ago with one of the early Klingon cultures, and the Klingons still have a legend of Havoc. Spock doubts it, the Klingons had no spacefareing capabilities in their sectors that long ago. The Klingon squadron moves into attack position. They fired several times, glancing blows, maybe looking for weak points The Klingon squadron separated into a new attack formation The coordinated movement of the four Klingon ships keeps the Enterprise and the Havoc ship tied up The Klingon ships worked a baffling pattern that kept one always in the Enterprises’ path while the others cut across her lateral shields and fired on her Movement, panic, retaliation, that was how Klingons needed to be treated The Klingon ships veered out from each other in a practiced formation, then began angling erratically, so their patterns couldn’t be plotted. Then two broke pattern and swept toward Enterprise, knocked the other two off course. The two steady cruisers kept their heads, executed a perfect maneuver, fired on Enterprise upper hull Kellen knew what he was doing. Decades of experience could serve in a pinch. A huge wing suddenly appeared blocking their view – Kellen’s flagship, some daring twist Kirk had failed to anticipate Ship veered off afraid it would be hit at proximity The Klingons returned fire shot for shot without remittance Two Klingon vessels hit directly and knocked violently off course by Havoc ship Rath, others kicked into a spin The Enterprise dumps heavy radiation and it chokes the thruster ports of the Klingon ships, the squad falls behind P185 are you out of your inadequate mind? Kellen has summoned the Assault Fleet. You turn around and leave If you interfere then there is war between us I did not attain my position by waiting for my bidding to be done by others The Klingons don’t have a stellar history of complying with Fed law P196 if I had found only the Kling, we would be occupying this space by now The Klingon fleet is coming in, a very large fleet, at high warp speed! p216 life has been around the galaxy for millions of years. Is it really any surprise the Klingon homeworld might’ve had visitations? The Klingon recognized the Havoc P248 Kellen has his fleet now, 10 full sized battle cruisers, flanked by more than a dozen lighter-weight patrol cruisers. Not many overt differences between the two classes of ships. The difference was more of hull weight and firepower. I am officially revoking your privilege to be in Klingon space. Go home. This is man’s work. Get out of my way. Talking again. Respect for Kellen boosted a few degrees, not throwing out his options because he had been disappointed before Kirk’s trained eye in assessing Klingon ship strengths The Klingon fleet made no attempt to contact or warn off Zennor’s invasion ship. They came in fast and firing, patrol cruisers rushing in first, with obvious intent simply to blast the invaders out of Klingon skies. Kellen’s determination had infected the fleet and they meant to be sure this threat would not exist after today. The patrollers led the way. Heavier goosenecked cruisers could then inflict deep wounds. Waves of disruptor fire Quick maneuverable Klingon patrollers rocked in backwash. Kellen broadcasting from heavy cruiser with yellow ensign, banded with a yellow collar for identification over and above the other vessels, so everyone would know where the fleet leader was. Klingons did not believe in protecting their leaders Hulls of brushed silver Forms mindful of the in-flight silhouettes of cranes, their necks outstretched with sensor bulbs crewing at space before them As soon as they reached short range they opened fire. No approach strategy, the dozen patrollers vectored off, then swung around in circles, buzzing about the attack scene and shooting whenever they had clearance Civilization depends on how much you suppress the savage, the Klingons give in to it instead On the open comm channels Kellen and the other ship captains and their helms coordinated an attack that was clumsy at best, they kept opening hard fire. A full-sized Klingon cruiser – gone! Complete thermal compromise, hit in the warp core, no survivors Keep your short-range sensors sweeping for lifepods, Mr. Chekov The nine remaining Klingon battle cruisers moved in, using a dependable hourglass formation Three Klingons knocked sideways by Havoc ship Rath, artificial gravity would be screaming, propulsion systems buckling Two ships veer off venting plasma, one adrift being tractored out of range by two patrol cruisers, another limping away under its own power Other ships regrouping and coming back in Kellen’s ship is shutting down partial life support but is not veering off Three more Klingon cruisers had their approach side wings shorn off and were forced to drag themselves away, structural balance sliced apart The main force of the Klingon battle fleet, crippled in minutes The remaining Klingon vessel, Kellen’s ship, turned up its wingtip and was tilting drunkenly across space toward the midsection of the Havoc vessel Klingon ships were very heavy, long-bodied, almost as heavy and long as the Enterprise and a little better balanced Kellen’s ship on collision course with Havoc ship, impulse drive off-line, helpless but still shooting patrol cruisers zigzagged in and out Enterprise tractors Kellen’s ship away, its damaged systems still trying to propel it along last ordered course, cruiser’s automatic drive eight vessels left in Klingon fleet – 3 completely disabled, 1 moving at one-quarter power, 4 others regrouping. 7 patrollers still functional they actually retreated, after just a few minutes Fire! Fire, you coward! Thank you for the tow. Now mind your own business Four scorched patrollers, blasted by Rath’s selective hits, shuddered and veered off, one veered in the wrong direction, it’s gonna hit! The body of the ship exploded first, leaving the wings flying through space until the plasma inside them blew up P272 You want me to do what you say? You want Klingon commanders to do your bidding? Kirk wants Kellen to make him Commodore of the Klingon Fleet, or Kirk will veer off right now and leave you to the Havoc I concur Zennor of the Rath – this is our place. First we will smash the Klingon civilization The Klingon ships blasted photon salvos, blue balls of energy, with accuracy down into the grooves exposed as each plate was pulled backward The Klingon ships rushed in like streaks of light, at high speed they were better able to avoid the energy blasts Two Klingon cruisers were slammed out of the way in the first attack, but others made it through Hammered with blunt photons The Enterprise pulled up late after plate, Kellen’s ship fired down into fissures You go, Captain Kirk, We will continue firing until we all a ball of fire. We will personally take that demon ship to its own prophecy Use your warp speed to get away, Kirk. all warriors die Idiot. Kellen’s insult was almost warm. Do you think you’re dying today? Shields on extension mode. Shuttlecraft Columbia and Galileo report having picked up survivors from several Klingon lifepods McCoy paled at having to tell a Klingon general to come unarmed and expect to be under armed escort at all times Several Klingon lifepods littered the flight deck, in various conditions from pristine to burned and dented, unable even to sit on the deck without tilting Wounded Klingon soldiers, also in various conditions sat or lay against every bulkhead, over 300 of them Ensigns passed out drinks and something to eat that made most of the Klingons sneer, but they were eating whatever it was and trying to be polite Those Klingons who were conscious looked up at Kirk suspiciously as he surveyed them and received reports from the shuttlecraft lieutenants. Kirk saw in their eyes their fears, relying on rumors of the savagery inflicted by Starfleet on any prisoners of war. They didn’t seem to have quite absorbed the fact that they were in fact allies for the moment and were in the care of their commodore. Kellen expects his men to be completely cooperative with Kirk’s crew I congratulate you. You saved what is left of my fleet. You are the Kirk. Kellen still faces charges for murder of Ens. Brown I shall face those charges boldly. I accept your offer of counsel, as it will go in my favor to have Fed lawyers speaking to a Fed court There are mitigating circumstances, but Kirk takes the death of a crewman very seriously and intends to testify against Kellen. He’ll also testify Kellen stopped the assault on Capella IV, forestalling many other deaths. Interesting next few months Kellen confesses he does not understand what makes humans fight I wish you people would fight against us. What a grand war we could have! Who Mourns for Adonais? no Klingon content Perry's Planet by Jack C. Haldeman II P2 the sharp angry lines of a Klingon warship appeared on the screen in front of them. It hadn’t been there a few seconds ago. Blasts of pure energy leaped from the ship. One solid hit did considerable damage to Enterprise. A burst of phaser fire from Enterprise and the enemy ship rocked unsteadily, retreated. The Klingon vessel would use the planet as a shield. Having lost the element of surprise the enemy ship wouldn’t be taking any more chances than necessary. Spock received a sensor reading just prior to attack, but it indicated a much smaller mass and an entirely different direction. No warning of Klingon vessel at all. It would appear the Klingon ship is equipped with a device Enterprise unfamiliar with, managed to fool sensors, feed through faulty data, slip in undetected. Time to fire one shot. The face of a male Klingon officer, the face was vaguely familiar. His smile was forced, eyes cold as ice. A scar traced a thing line across his forehead. Behind him at rigid attention stood two Klingon officers of lesser rank. Korol, brother to Khall. We finally meet, Captain James Kirk A jungle planet, years ago, a fight to the death, man to man. Khall, dreaded, merciless Khall. It had been bad, very bad. Kirk’s hands around Khall’s throat, Khall’s knife in his side. No other choice but to kill the Klingon. Not something Kirk is proud of. Korol’s eyes grew harder yet. Deadly calculated evil. It is not something a Klingon is likely to forget. You will pay for what you did to my brother. If Korol wax half as sly and treacherous as his brother, nothing but trouble ahead. Your brother was a worthy opponent. You lived, my brother died. There is the difference. You will pay for that difference, pay dearly. Not now, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. Someday, when you least expect it, I will kill you. Slowly. Painfully. It will give me great pleasure. I have sworn the oath of blood upon our father’s grave. The oath of blood was the most binding obligation a Klingon could make. It meant that before his peers he had sworn to taker revenge in kind. It was a vow never taken lightly. Korol had pledged his life to the destruction of Kirk. All else in his life would be secondary to that quest, all else would be dropped when the opportunity arose to fulfill the vow. Powerful enemy Look at my face, Kirk. It will haunt you always. It will come to you in dreams, nightmares. You will see it in shadows. One day it will be real and you will die. I look forward to that day. Klingon ship breaks orbit and leaves Two days under strain of expecting the Klingon ship to appear at any moment. P13 Klingon beams aboard Enterprise undetected and wires explosive on transporter controls. Beams off. Leaves a tape cassette, Klingon origin. Recorded message from Korol, face contorted by twisted sardonic smile. It could have been Kirk in explosion, but that would have been a cheap way out – too easy, too quick. That would have been a simple killing, not revenge. I want you to suffer, suffer as my brother did. At night I trust you will see the faces of those who died in explosion. Knowing you as I do, I am sure it will give you great anguish. Humanitarianism is one of your weak spots, Kirk, and I intend to use it. I will do everything I can to make your remaining days unbearable, your remaining nights filled with demons. Then I will kill you. Sleep well. No indications as to how the Klingon ship got close enough to transport a man or team aboard to rig the transporter explosion without being detected. Mention was made to star Fleet Command of the blood oath sworn on me by the Klingon Korol, but that has rightly been assumed to be incidental to the immediate problem. P63 ship attacked – Klingons, gasped McCoy. Very bad, Korol and his bunch, right out of nowhere. Scott doesn’t think they were looking for Enterprise, they’re probably as surprised as Enterprise was. Scott saw them coming in plenty of time to erect enterprise deflector shield. If they’d been after Enterprise, we never would have seen them. They fired a couple of shots, deflected ok. Enterprise doesn’t have enough power to run. Klingons fired first, that’s open aggression. The Klingon ship has been much too busy since their arrival at Perry’s Planet to make contact with the leadership. Wayne Perry suspects they will get around to it in due time. No need to rush them. Wayne Perry contacted Klingons, called them to his planet, and they came Thanks to the Klingons the Enterprise couldn’t leave even if they wanted to. Random fire from the Klingon vessel forces Enterprise to keep shields at full strength. It looked bad. As long as Klingons continue their sporadic firing, draining Enterprise dilithium to maintain shields, Enterprise is helpless. Scott wonders how Korol would savor the victory when it came. P73 Korol a renegade. By swearing the blood oath against Kirk and blatantly attacking the Enterprise, he had violated the Organian Peace Treaty. The Klingon High Command officially disavowed responsibility for his actions. He was branded an outlaw, acting on his own. Unofficially, of course, it was quite a different story. The High Command would have no regrets if Korol was to rid them of the troublesome Kirk. The sensor-penetrating device on his ship was a one- of-a-kind prototype. If it continued to work successfully, it would be incorporated into all Klingon warships. It was an interesting field test. The blood oath was Korol’s business, a matter of honor. It was between himself, his priest, and Kirk. Korol paced the control room, puzzled by Enterprise not responding to his attack. They can only lose by sitting and talking everything thrown at them. It wasn’t normal behavior for a Federation crew, and that made him wary. He wanted to proceed slowly, deliberately. He was close to his quarry, but he smelled a trap. That was the only explanation that made sense, for Enterprise to just sit there, for Enterprise to be at planet at all. When Klingons had intercepted the subspace communication from Parry’s planet it was simple been a diplomatic request, and Korol had been the nearest ship. Although he was technically an outlaw, unable to speak for the Klingon Empire that was just a minor point. One that might be glossed over if they claimed control of a planet over the Federation. Korol addressed as Lord. Orders are random firing pattern. Korol’s quarters were Spartan, but functional. As commander he could have whatever he wanted. As a Klingon he wanted nothing more than was necessary. A desk, a chair, a hard bed. The frills were for people who were soft, either in the heart or in the head. He professed to neither of theses deficiencies. Knocking discreetly the priest entered That dog of a first officer has dried mako for brains, the science officer is not much better. They do not listen well. You talk too much, Kirl, priest of my father, aged man. Korol’s father tolerated Kirl, his brother did too May he fight battles in the everlasting [said of the dead brother] The days when you lifted sword against your enemies have long passed But my mind is not yet dull. Feeble one The dog who should not live It is plain, you should go there and kill him I have lived longer than you, son of your father, and I see no trap Do I detect cowardice? Do I detect insubordination, priest? Or disrespect? Need I remind you I hold the power of life or death above you and the rest of the crew I have faced death many time, it no longer frightens me Old man, Korol muttered By my hand he shall die If such is your will, Kirl said evenly Survive and succeed. The priest raised a fist It was not good to grow old like that. Better to die young on the field of battle. P87 High Command would be pleased at the loss of the Enterprise and her captain, long a thorn in the side of Klingons everywhere. They would disavow Korol’s actions. A blood oath was a personal thing, beyond the control of the state. Or they might not, after all, treaties were made to be broken when the time was right. The time certainly seemed right. Sensor-penetrating device. It was a simple machine based on a previously undetected flaw in the Fed sensor system. If the Federation got their hands on one of the machines, it would be easy for them to determine how it worked and correct the original flaw. The machine has to be used soon, and on a massive scale. The treaty would have to be broken and the Fed fleet totally wiped out. So far the machine had worked perfectly. Conquest of the entire Federation seemed within their grasp. Korol still suspected a trap, but once committed to a plan of action his feelings of helplessness had left him. It would be good to avenge his brother, the knot of hate in his belly would ease a bit. Digital on wall ticks off minutes and hours P93 Korol palmed the intercom open Korol here. Bring the phasers to full power His grin was one of pure evil Korol stood on the bridge, the priest behind him and to his left. Sixty seconds of fire should totally destroy the Enterprise The gunnery officer was bent over the firing stud Scott, infected with Perry’s peacekeeper virus, has himself beamed over to Klingon ship, and infects them so they can not fire weapons. I don’t think we’ll have any more trooble wi’ with Klingons So conditioned were Klingons to violence that it was nearly impossible for them to function without it. especially with a human on board. Korol can only glare at Scott. Scott takes sensor evading device The Klingons, infected by Perry’s peacekeeper virus, are incapable of even the simplest action. Violence is too much a natural part of their lives. They can’t let it go, and therefore can’t do anything. Korol particularly affected by it. Should have killed Kirk when he had the chance. Hindsight is the best sight there is You recall too much. It is not healthy Boil me in oil, hang me by my thumbs I despise you, priest of my father Korol’s father and brother would not have ended up like Korol You are weak Korol When a cure is found to the peacekeeper virus, the priest will be the first item of business on Korol’s schedule. Our own scientists are baffled. A splendid maneuver on their part Korol was not surprised when Kirk materialized on the bridge. Everything else had gone wrong, why not this? The hate inside him welled up to the point where he grew dizzy, faint. He had to sit in his Commander’s chair to keep from falling. What do you want, Earth-scum? Korol responsible for unprovoked attacks on a Federation ship, caused the deaths of three crew and injured others. Among other things you violated the Organian Treaty, a treaty signed in good faith by both our representatives. For this he will be brought to trial and no doubt convicted. Murderer of my brother, I carry the blood oath on your head. Nothing shall stand in my way. We are hamstrung by that insidious disease that fool of an engineer brought to us. Drs. McCoy and Kelly Davis has found a cure for the virus and Kirk could kill Korol with his bare hands Korol speaks in quavering voice. Kirk grabs the Klingon by the shirt and drags him to his feet. Their eyes met, inches apart. Kirk saw the hate in Korol’s face turn to fear. Instead of striking Korol, he ripped the insignia from his shirt, threw them to the deck, ground them under his foot. Kirk – I have the capacity for violence, but not the stomach for it. at least your brother had courage Korol, he may have been an enemy, but he was a man. That is more than I can say for you. Korol - Your day will come, Kirk Kirk - I don’t doubt that, Korol, but not from you. The priest enters Korol's quarters without announcing himself, a breach of protocol of the most serious proportions. Priest – you have been shamed Korol. You have a mouth and a tongue, it is even assumed you have a mind to go with them. Had you used them you would not be in disgrace. Korol – words. Hah. Priest – with words you could have saved face, instead you cringed, acted like the worst kind of coward, you have besmirched the good name of your father and brother, you do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with them. The disease is no excuse. The crew saw the Captain on the bridge, saw you foul the names of your ancestors. The priest breaks Korol’s blood oath, he is not fit to carry it out in the name of his brother. As Korol’s priest he can do that. Only allowed under unusual circumstances, such as this. Korol has no honor left to defend You are a foul swine, old man And you are a lost cause, ex-Commander Korol. Korol relieved of command as of this moment by the priest. First officer is taking over. We are in the process of informing the High Command. No doubt they will not be pleased at your actions, particularly the loss of the sensor-evading device. They had great plans for that. I doubt they will have much patience with you. Korol has no hold over the priest, Korol is a shame to all Klingons I wish you a most unpleasant death, priest Priest – I can almost assure you one, coward. P130 Lt. Cmdr Scott’s plan for infecting the Klingons was brilliant, he took a tremendous chance at great personal risk at a time when desperate measures were called for. Without him the Enterprise would surely have been lost. As a matter of practicality the Klingon ship remains infected with the virus. After the Fed ship Phoenix arrives they will be given a supply of the cofactor. The Klingon High Command has announced that Korol was acting entirely on his own and will be punished for his violation of the Organian Treaty. That’s hardly news. Amok Time no Klingon content The Doomsday Machine no Klingon content Wolf in the Fold no Klingon content The Changeling no Klingon content The Apple no Klingon content Mirror, Mirror Blish - The Halkan Council accepts that the Federation's intentions are peaceful, but what about the hostile Klingon Empire? The Deadly Years no Klingon content Faces of Fire by Michael Jan Friedman Kiruc Summoned secretly Ancient abandoned observation post, dark and craggy, far from imperial space routes. Squat stark bui9ldings designed entirely for function, a few pieces of severe furniture Zibrat and Torgis, Kiruc’s bodyguards They looked like hunting beasts tethered against their will Swamp spider Like anyone of his political statue Kiruc had no lack of enemies The greater danger would have been not to come Klingons subjugated the last of their enemies along this border and incorporated their worlds into the body of the empire over 50 years ago. No weapons, not even a dagger His father was a superstitious man New breed not superstitious Kapronek, emperor, Massive size, voice deep, strident, commanding. Eyes pale sea green Important not to show weakness Caught off guard most definitely a weakness I have not brought you here to threaten harm to you or your kinsmen Pale sea green eyes very unusual in a Klingon Gevish’rae, literally the Thirsting Knives, the Loyal Opposition, the clans of the homeworld’s southern continent, thoughtless fools who would plunge the empire into premature war with the Fed. Buying off some councilors, others simply assassinate, blame deaths on one obscure blood feud or another. Southern continent barbarians Kiruc’s spies had been accurate Noisemakers like Dumeric and Zoth are gaining in stature Kamorh’dag, emperor’s and Kiruc’s people, who have ruled the empire for ten generations, indigenous to the northern continent Sinking like a herd of puris in a salt marsh. Fat and sleek beasts fetch hefty price at market. Indigenous only to the northern continent Marsh east of Kiruc’s family’s hereditary lands Kiruc, son of Kalastra Kahless, Kamorh’dag, warned of times when our rule would be challenged Kiruc familiar with Kahless’s teachings. Kahless’s advice, in his Ramen’aa. Darkness will fall. Enemies will circle round and round, their swords as numerous as the trees of the forest. But we will not yield. We will wear faces of fire. According to commentaries the phrase faces of fire has two meanings; one pertains to the quality of determination, if one’s strength of will is great enough, he can surmount any obstacle. The second meaning is a reference to one’s skill at deception. An admonition to remain circumspect in all one’s dealings, particularly with one’s enemies, or potential enemies. 26 Karradh’s estate in fog shrouded hills outside imperial city. Typical Kamorh’dag residence, a combination of cunning angles and long, elegant curves, constructed of dark, polished woods. Reception hall, traditional, smooth wooden walls covered with weaponry most antiquated and well worn. Freeform metal sculptures in the corners. Torches blazed in blackened braziers, oily ebony smoke. Exposed wooden rafters. Alcove off the main hall where wrought iron table and chairs awaited in soft light of stranding brazier. Semicircular doorway at one end that led out into the water garden. Water garden laid out in lap of mist-laden hills, according to classic design precepts with every form and texture of movement represented. Here two channels clashed and eddied, there another gurgled with white foam about some dark rocks, in a third place a hissing waterfall. Levels and levels. Squat, spiky shrubs, gray boulders, dwarf willows. Torches held by dark cunning shapes, metal abstractions of demons from Klingon mythology also keep away biting insects. Table made of flat stones on peninsula extending into miniature lake. Karradh’s housemistress, elderly woman named Wistor, once Karradh’s wet nurse, elevated after previous housemistress’s death. I greet you on my lord’s behalf Karradh, bulky, bearded, black stony eyes. Kiruc saw his last 5 or 6 years ago, when Kalastra still alive. Karradh had at that time been master of security for the Second Fleet. Bit of a limp. Kiruc and Karradh had a productive meeting 5-6 years ago Too long, friend of my father Bodyguards did not take part in private conferences Kiruc used to permit bodyguards to drink on duty, but not any more, times have changed. Keg of ale, poured from crude wooden pitcher into ceramic goblets. The ale was sharp, enjoyable, it attacked the taste buds like a warrior. Karradh snatched the ale from the hold of a Romulan ship. Kiruc knows the story. It was a glorious victory. A model for future encounters with the Romulans. Karradh tends garden now that he is retired from the fleet. Chew the fat off the bones of old war stories 30 there is a young Gevish’rae named Grael, of the Nik’nash clan. A little more than a year ago he committed an indiscretion, an act of violence against his own kinsman. A play for power, a rash one. never bore fruit, but neither was it discovered. One armed with this knowledge might find Grael willing to do his bidding. If others on the Nik’nash clan hear about his treachery. I am Kamorh’dag, in working against the Gevish’rae you work on my behalf. Karradh has a son, Kell. Excellent Second officer on the battlecruiser Fragh’ka. The first officer Kernod, also capable. The normal way of the world would be for Kell to perform the task of arranging an accident for Kernod himself, but Kell is not always as ambitious as he should be. He has great respect for Kernod. Karradh asks Kiruc to assist in the matter. Kernod will be eliminated at the earliest opportunity and there will be no connection between your clan and the assassination. Expression ?Kahless – It is easier to defend oneself with two hands than one 42 dark and unpopulated the bridge of the Kad'nra seemed more passionately Klingon Vheled, captain. In brawl in one of Alalpech’ch’s public drinking houses. His crew emerged victorious against the scraggly Kamorh’dag cowards. Victory measured by the relative number of men still standing at the end. Vheled loved to shed Kamorh’dag blood. Show those high-and-mighty northerners, scheming puris like Kiruc of the Faz’rahn clan how a real Klingon carried himself. Skewered one on a broken chair leg Forward viewscreen Alalpech’ch, vassal world where Vheled and crew of Kad’nra laid over while ship equipped with improved grade photon torpedo launchers. Continue in the path of glory he’d been blazing since he entered the imperial fleet. Metal studs in his armrest, alters picture on viewscreen Dumeric, Vheled’s maternal uncle, newest member of the High council. Shadowy stone-walled library, crossed red metal blades on the wall presented to Dumeric for bravery during the Ia’kriich campaigns a long time ago, estate on Tiv’ranisch Island, off the coast of the southern continent. I am your servant, the proper response Pheranna, in the nineteenth ring. The sector disputed by the Fed. Klingons had no real claim to the place and privately they recognized the fact. Not far from the recognized boundaries of the empire. Humans call it Beta Canzandia Three. The emperor is curious about the terraforming research going on there. He said so in council. Originally he wished to assign mission to investigate to one of his kinsmen, but Dumeric argued that Vheled would be the best suited. Vheled somewhat familiar with the sector in question. The Kamorh’dag will likely try to thwart him, humiliate him. Important to improve position of Gevish’rae in government. No technology really mattered unless it could be used as a weapon against one’s enemies Vheled acknowledged the praises with a quick nod of his shaggy head. He didn’t like being a pawn in Dumeric’s council games. All this plotting had little to do with the way of the warrior. However, these are political times Pounding his chest with his closed fist It is my duty to serve my emperor’s pleasure. 53 a blue skinned Laurudite dancing girl. Years and years since they’d seized any ships full of Laurudites. Pouch beneath his tunic, hung on a leather thong from his neck. An imperial, a coin Pleasure compound at Tisur, ceiling dome of sandglass, frequented by the young. Coarser pleasures of youth. Subtlety of tastes in a more refined compound would have had an Orion. Divans or private booths. Music, dancing, strong drink. Round main chamber, corridors like spokes, booths on either side. Klingons took enough orders in the course of their lives; they didn’t come to a pleasure compound to be told what to do or even to have it suggested to them. Pale, almost white Mitachrosian, tall, tendrils on jaw, hair purplish silver, in charge, agent of the owner, reputed to be a member of the council. She smelled faintly of fireblossoms Grael, hair worn long and braided at the ends. The braids marked the man as a Gevish’rae. Squat candle on a dull silver tray I will place you in a position a wise man fears above all others; to be hunted by his own clan Risk your reputation responding to a Kamorh’dah’s invitation. You wish to test the weight of my threat. Somewhat more than a year ago Grael arranged the assassination of your older cousin, a man named Teshrin. If he died Grael would have succeeded him as head of their clan, young as he is. Teshrin was traveling to Szlar’it for a secret meeting of clan elders. Grael hired a handful of men to kill him and make it look like robbery. The men got drunk and became embroiled in a fight along the way, one that proved fatal to all but one. the assassin who survived some months later found himself in the dungeon of a fairly prominent Kamorh’dag. To earn mercy he offered information, got his freedom. Now Grael knows leadership of the clan is not a thing to be taken lightly, not much pleasure in it. Teshrin wouldn’t care that the attempt never succeeded, all he’ll care about is that his cousin plotted to murder him. A fortnight after Grael does what Kiruc wants the head of the man who survived will be under the im’pac tree on his estate At least you’ll be one head closer to burying the matter. Grael hired men outside the pleasure compound to kill Kiruc, but Kiruc, older and richer, hired better and more men. In Grael’s place Kiruc would simply have poisoned himself. It would have been the only honorable thing to do, instead of compound earlier treachery with another one. I am a Kamorh’dag and better acquainted with matters of honor. 77 Vheled was in his quarters, sharpening his favorite knife with a honing stone. Dark abraded stone usually kept on low shelf. Knife kept in space between his belt and small of his back. No threat her. Vheled flipped the knife into the throwing board on his wall. Heavy door of his quarters slid open. Grael Lean proud gunnery officer. Comes to tell Vheled of assassination. Security officer should warn of such things. If a warrior could not rely on his own senses of what use were weapons? Tapestry had been in his family for 12 generations Gidris is to be assassinated. First officer. Efficient and dedicated, not widely liked, popularity wasn’t necessarily a virtue on a bird of prey. Second officer Kruge seeks advancement. It is obvious. Second officer ambitious, Gevish’rae through and through. Vheled served with gunner Grael long enough Under normal circumstances the captain would have allowed the assassination to proceed., it was part of the process by which Klingons remained strong, ensuring themselves that the most capable and aggressive personalities were always at the forefront. Vheled wished his crew to be as stable as possible at Pheranna, no distractions, nothing to upset the quick and efficient fulfillment of their task. As you wish, excellency Haastra, current security officer, getting old 81 Klingon ship found wrecked by the Potemkin a few months ago. Impulse engines blew. A couple of compartments survived intact, including captain’s quarters, hobby was cultivating fireblossoms. Carol Marcus and research colony receive a number of the plants 100 Kruge, second officer big shouldered and strapping, tall, large protuberant eyes. He spoke slowly, a product of the S’zlach hinterlands starboard weapons room, Vheled had inspected it a couple of days ago to see how new torpedo launchers worked. Starboard disruptor console pounded his fist with his chest it was good to remind one’s officers who was in charge, particularly when one was about to give so unusual a command. Vheled opposes Kruge’s plan to assassinate First Officer Gidris – Normally I do not interfere in such mattes. This time, I will stand in your way. Kruge – Is it permitted to ask why that should be? Kruge has served well since arrived on Kad’nra. There is no room for personal ambition on this ship at least until we complete our mission. Put the Gevish’rae before your own ends. Kruge – I will do that gladly. Like you, I have no love for the Kamorh’dag. When I am first officer I will make you wonder how you ever tolerated a puris like Gidris. Humans can’t smell the scent of the fireblossom, but Klingons can. Fireblossom long dark blue full petals and large prickly looking gray stamen, something predatory about it 124 young David Marcus knows Klingons, the worst killers in the galaxy, ugly bumps on their heads and eyes full of hate Klingons, swaggering about in their heavy dark leather body armor 140 it was amazing how easily human children could be broken. Vheled had heard it in the accounts of other captains who’d had dealings with Fed colonies but he hadn’t believed it. Klingons looking for the G-Seven unit That was why the Fed would ultimately have to yield to the empire. Humans and their allies were weak. They didn’t have the stomachs for confrontation, while Klingons thrived on it. Vheled shook his head, if one of his sons had turned out like the human child he would have died long ago at his father’s hands Fireblossoms from the wreck of the Ul’lud, under Captain Amagh, an effete Kamorh’dag cultivator of flowers. Other plants can’t live near fireblossom. Kills all the growing things around it. Malurians can’t detect scent either, but animal cubaya repulsed by scent. Cubaya of Alpha Maluria Six similar to Klingon puris. Puris avoid fireblossoms like the plague. McCoy has info on puris Kruge thought Captain Vheled was a wise man. If he himself was to be a captain someday he would do well to listen carefully to Vheled Crewmembers Loutek and Aoras, Gevish’rae Terrik does sensor scans of the planet and finds 5 children Gidris beat his fist against his body armor - I hear and obey the Klingon’s bony brow bunched with anger commendations by the captain lead to promotions Klingons children would have posted a look out. Klingons knew a lot more about hunting and being hunted. The game of predator and prey was second nature to them Klingons were taught to trust their instincts, their reflexes His head hurt from the piercing sunlight Loutek back home on the homeworld, family’s tiny water garden, scented pool Vulcan nerve pinch on Klingons leaves them unconscious for three or four hours Usually Klingons carried a small about of food with them out in the field, pouch on belt held heavy brown grain pellets 185 Mallot, Klingon crewmember 223 search for human children for a day and a night, a remarkable amount of time considering who their prey was. Gidris had refused to ask for help from the captain or the Kad’nra. Aoras searching with Gidris. Fall into a pit drug by Spock. It wasn’t wise to criticize one’s superior, even in the company of a greater superior Go ahead! Kill us! We will not go unavenged! 229 Gidris, Loutek, Aoras, Iglat and Shrof disappear searching for children on planet. Dirat and Rogh unable to complete their assignment Kad’nra crewmembers Chorrl, Engath, Norgh, Zoragh, Grael, Oghir Much internecine warfare between the Kamorh’dag and the Gevish’rae Normally security chief Haastra answered only to the captain himself There has been an explosion in one of the cargo holds, sabotage, limited to impulse power 246 Terrik had pinpointed the location of every Klingon who had gone out in search Vheled has Engath, Norgh and Chorrl with him His fury climbed the inside of his throat like a small vicious predator Vheled finds Gidris and Aoras in the pit, fires disruptor, deadly blue light, until they’re gone He couldn’t allow his emotions to rule him that way. This wasn’t a brawl in some pleasure palace Terrik scans for Vulcan lifesigns, takes time, even knowing approximate coordinates. Unfortunately Klingon sensors were not as sophisticated as the Federation kind Vheled leaves other lost crewmen to rot on planet Rasping guttural noises recognize as Klingons talking to one another A mouth full of sharpened teeth A voice like two rocks being ground together Find him or I promise you will not live to see the homeworld After him, or your hide will be forfeit Insolent slug Klingons were not known for their merciful natures nor for their short memories. Having been thwarted this long they would have their revenge even if their demands for the G-7 unit were met The Klingon’s ebony eyes glittered beneath the ridge of his brow Give it to me, or perish In a way, Vheled hated to reward valor with death. Chorrl killed by Grael Vheled narrowly missed being disrupted. Grael’s second shot was perfect. Vheled could feel himself being ripped apart, the pain was like nothing he had ever imagined. He perished in the atom-tearing wake of the disruption radiation Grael finds treachery the second time around worse, much worse. He sabotaged the Kad’nra. Grael shots four other Klingons. Spock takes out two left. Grael comes down and destroyed his two unconscious comrades, then their weapons Grael lies to Krudge, says there were no children, but Starfleet officers, a trap Mallot coaxes data from Boudreau and computers They would look like puris, slogging their way home with their tails between their legs Kruge hated it when people lied to him. In his heart he still believed the G-7 was a weapon 269 With the suddenness of a summer storm in the Fesh’rin hills the Klingons had seen benign Fed technologies as threats in the past. Having already noticed his partner’s absence he was grim and alert Kruge now Captain of the Kad’nra Vheled’s death represented a personal failure on Haastra’s part. Security chiefs were always held responsible for the captain’s welfare. New captains generally did not retain old security officers As you wish Kruge fires on and destroys lab on colony before leaving, but not the G-7 unit 303 Kiruc returns to observation post, with Zibrat and Torgis. Mission accomplished. Kernod, The first officer of the Fragh’ka was dead, killed in a hunting accident and the way was open for Karradh’s son to replace him. The first officer of the Fragh’ka was kin to the emperor. A grandson by a line that runs through one of my concubines. He was my grandson and I cannot allow him to go unavenged. Karradh may have known the relationship. Kiruc was tricked into doing something for Karradh that he would never have dared do himself Carrion birds on a puris carcass The council was not the cauldron it had been a few weeks ago Kapronek must not have been expecting any serious assassination attempts Kapronek – You look well. I thrive on serving my emperor. It was the correct thing to say Kapronek – Your emperor has thrived by your serving him, and your people as well. At least for the time being The Gevish’rae threat had been defused by the abject failure of the Kad’nra and the resulting fall of Dumeric from the council. It will be some time before the Gevish’rae can successfully challenge emperor at court again. but the Thirsting Knives will always be at our throats. They will never give up. That is the way of the predator. It is the path of courage. I admire them. I admire their hunger. Their perseverance. And I envy them their future, for someday we will not be so vigilant and they will overwhelm us. We Kamorh’dag will fall to them as surely as grain falls to a scythe. To contemplate eventual defeat, when victory was so fresh Grael, the Gevish’rae who aided the emperor at Pheranna, allowed to live, he may be useful again in the future The intonation pattern suggested that someone else would die A Kahless quote from the Ramen’aa – When one’s emperor commands, all other loyalties become secondary. When one’s emperor commands, no sacrifice is too terrible, no price too great. May I have the option of dying with honor? In your home, you have earned it. He pounded his fist against his chest Kahless – Watch your back. Friends may become enemies in less time than it takes to draw a dagger. The Starless World by Gordon Eklund Cover illustration Klingons, metallic tunics, sash. P1 Enterprise apparently alone at the Galactic Core, no sign of Klingon activity. P29 a Klingon Battlecruiser also orbiting the planet Lyra, directly in front of Enterprise. There were reports of their presence in this area. Uhura receives a transmission in Klingonese. Kirk initially orders yellow alert, but then ends it when it becomes apparent the Klingon battlecruiser fails to possess the ability to transform threats of its crew into action. Enterprise phasers are also no longer functional. The force that controls the ship has also chooses to render Enterprise and the Klingons weaponless. Uhura's scans would find the Klingons if they were down on the planet. The Klingons Kirk suspects of being on the planet can wait. Kirk had received the distinct impression that something was afoot when, accepting the initial Klingon transmission, he had discovered the smooth face of a junior officer glaring back at him. Where was the captain? Although the young officer made a valiant effort to be as crude and abusive as any more experienced Klingon, Kirk's suspicions were not eased. The young officer threatened to destroy the Enterprise unless Kirk immediately surrendered his ship and crew. When Kirk asked why he should, the Klingon answered with a colorful stream of invective, which the translator dutifully rendered into universal terms. Kirk took the precaution of ordering a yellow alert, then delivered his own pungent reply. When, several hours later nothing had happened, Kirk decide to return the Klingon's call. The same junior officer, his features contorted by an expression of deep loathing, appeared. Kirk grinned broadly, he often found it difficult to regard the humorless Klingons with all due seriousness. Kirk - I thought you promised to burn us out of the sky The Klingon tightened his lips then started to unloose a chorus of cursing Kirk cut him off I demand to speak to your commanding officer The Klingon for a brief moment looked worried, but soon recovered his composure. My captain is not available to the likes of you. Kirk - he'd better make himself available or I'm apt to burn his ship out of the sky The Klingon said mockingly - threats, idle threats Kirk - I demand to speak to my equal Klingon - you have no equals aboard this ship, Earther. Only superiors. Kirk- I'd still prefer talking to someone old enough to shave The young Klingon, unlike many of his race, was beardless. Kirk didn't know if this was youth or personal preference. From glare received he guessed he must have struck a nerve. The Klingon was flustered now. Of course captain is on board, but he refuses to converse with you. There is no life on that world. It is of no concern to the Federation. You must surrender. We have claimed title to this planet in the name of the Klingon Empire. P35 Uhura finds evidence of communicator activity, bipedal life forms, not certain they're Klingons, yet, but it seems likely. At least 50. That sound like a very large landing party. Because of the Klingon ship, Kirk wanted to leave an experienced man in command -Spock. Need capable people for the landing party too - Klingons were not noted for their friendly ways. P44 on the planet the Klingons, if they were Klingons, remained several kilometers ahead. Kirk could have beamed down in the middle of the Klingons but he preferred to give the Klingons time to evaluate his presence. Sudden surprise tended to produce a reaction of either anger or fear. A Klingon, whether frightened or angry was not an easy creature to handle. P45 a Klingon might shed is pants, but he'd never go anywhere without his agonizer. P50 the dark beings who came recently. The Kl- Kl- Klingons. They took our treasures, he is very angry with them. Kirk not surprised to find the Klingons had been less than perfect guests. Greed and scurrilous behavior were common with them Ola seemed to have trouble saying the word Klingon. She was accustomed to saying it another way, in their language, not ours. She speaks Klingonese. The Klingon cruiser has remained remarkably silent. P53 Kirk wonders what the Klingons think of planet Lyra, a vast and plentiful garden. How would the endlessly aggressive Klingons ever manage to adapt to such universal tranquility? P56 Uhura - Captain, I think we've got company. A group of Klingons was coming toward them, moving at a rapid clip. The one in the lead, a thin-eyed, dark bearded officer, held a pistol-like weapon. Suddenly the Klingon raised the weapon. The barrel was pointed at Kirk, the Klingon squeezed his hand shut. The Klingon loosened his grip and grinned broadly. Kirk thought he ought to be dead, or badly stunned. The Klingon kept coming, his empty hand extended in front of him, My friend, my friend, what's wrong? Did I give you a little scare? Was it possible no weapons worked on Lyra? Ignoring the Klingon's proffered hand Kirk said I didn't find it very funny. Klingon - I was only making a point. On this world, without weapons, we are all equal. There is no reason for us to be anything but friends. Captain Kree of the Imperial Klingon Fleet. You are the famous James T Kirk? Four other big, broad shouldered male Klingon officers and A strikingly beautiful young woman, wearing a regulation Klingon uniform of jerkin, shorts, and thigh-high boots, but nothing to designate her rank. She met Kirk's curious gaze boldly, her face an expressionless mask. Al-nab the all-powerful has rendered the weapons useless, imposed this peace. Al-nab is the sun of the planet itself, always in the sky Kree grinned even more broadly, enjoying his private joke P58 Kree sent message, to meet alone with Kirk to talk about making a deal. An officer delivered it, handing Kirk a slip of paper and immediately disappearing. The message was signed by Captain Kree. Included directions for reaching the house where the Klingons were staying. It could be a trap. For what purpose? Even Klingons require motivation. What would Kirk possess that Kree might desire? Kree had been on the planet longer that the Enterprise people. He may have the answers to a lot of questions. Kree wouldn't have to know, if Kirk let a security man tag along. Spock does not like Klingons, he says with unusual emotion. Klingons thrive on violence. They seek chaos and create it where it does not exist. They are illogical. If Kree could in any way alleviate the ignorance from which he was suffering, Kirk would be more than grateful. Kree - Captain Kirk, my good friend. Do come in. The Klingons followed the Enterprise landing party long approach, Kree had thought the Enterprise transporter more accurate. Kirk prefers to stand. Kree hopes the young officer he placed in temporary command did not offend Kirk unnecessarily. Kree reprimanded him severely when he learned of attitude to Kirk. A silly young pup, inexperienced. Not sophisticated, in the manner of you and me, not aware of the ways of the cosmos. Too often in the past our species have reacted toward each other with automatic hostility. No reason for that here, we are both in the same trap. The Klingon female approached Kree with long easy strides and spoke in a voice accustomed to command. Captain, you neglected to inform me that this meeting was in progress. Kree - my deepest apologies, your highness. Wanted to brief Kirk before disturbing her rest. Takes her hand deferentially and led her to one of the chairs. P62 Princess Kyanna, legitimate heir to the throne of the Klingon Empire. A striking woman, like a female snake. The Princess has an offer to make. Captain Kree and Princess Kyanna are outlaws. Her uncle, the present illegitimate Emperor, as sentenced both to die under trumped up charges of treason. Necessity caused Kree and Kyanna to join forces. The crew of any Klingon warship is loyal first to their commander and then to the Empire. Kree offered her the use of his battlecruiser. Internal Klingon politics were much too complex for anyone but a scholar to follow. Assassination, rebellion and civil war were common occurrences. Fed regards this instability as a blessing. As long as Klingons kept busy warring upon each other, other races of galaxy that much safer. Kyanna decided to hide among the multitude of stars at the Core. Cover to evade pursuers until supporters at home might rally a cause. Forcefield took hold of them and brought them to Lyra. A telepathic message to Kyanna from Ay-nab told them to beam down to native village. Captain Kree, I grow weary. Explain to Kirk about local situation. Turning away, she crossed her long legs at the knee. The Lyrans believe Ay-nab made their planet and is carrying them across the Galaxy, they have myth they will one day encounter a strange dark place. The Klingons theory on this - the Lyrans are hardly more than animals who talk, something took control of the Klingon ship. Want Enterprise to help find the advanced race responsible. Our cruiser is a warship, designed for deep-space combat. Candidly Enterprise has better sensors and computers. The Klingons long ago rejected any possibility that a supreme being might exist. Kyanna smiled, a gorgeous smile, board and open, and undoubtedly extremely rare. She frowned, plainly skeptical of his sincerity. Klingons did discover a store of advanced weapons hidden in the village. Extremely powerful, evidence of a superior race. Klingons hope to carry some away when they finally leave this damnable planet. The princess has authorized me to offer you a share of these weapons in return for you assistance in obtaining mutual release. Kree can arrange a demonstration Of course our only purpose in obtaining these weapons is to use them against my uncle the usurping Emperor. No aggressive designs of our own. The strain of constantly trying to ferret out the truth behind the Klingon's veil of constant falsehoods was wearing on him Kree and Kyanna unaware of when it gets dark on the planet Kirk nodded to Kree, bowed to Kyanna Kyanna warns Kirk that at night strange things can happen, remain indoors. It is a wise course, we always follow it. Princess awfully eager to get away from here - where is planet headed? P70 native girl Ola tells Kirk the Klingons took our treasures, Domo, village elder, was very angry about that. The treasures are machines that kill and destroy. The Klingons learned of their existence and removed them from the ground. Ay-nab will take care of them in time. P99 princess Kyanna and Captain Kree so eager to leave Lyra because in 93 solar hours it will collide with a black hole. The Klingons might not have the sensor capability of the Enterprise, but there was nothing crude about their navigation equipment. P113 a group of figures coming down the street, Kyanna and Kree. Princess Kyanna, smiling and bowing seemed relieved to see him. Captain Kirk what a pleasure to find you awake and well this morning. Kree stood stiffly at her side. In her hand was narrow metallic cylinder a tiny lever protruding from one end like a trigger. There are others quite a bit larger but this will give an indication of the power we possess. She raised the cylinder and pointed the solid end out over the village. More than a mile away an old tree. One finger lightly brushed the lever at the stub of the cylinder. Tree vanished without a trace. Kirk impressed in spite of himself. Princess Kyanna - do we have a deal or don't we? Kirk - we don't. Kyanna shook her head as if unable to believe her ears - What are you trying to pull here? Kirk - princess trying to pull something over on Kirk. She lied. She neglected to inform Kirk that planet due to fall into a black hole in a few days. She forgot to mention the Strangers. What kind of fool do you think I am? Was it your plan to have me solve the problem of getting out of this world and then leave me and my crew here to die? Kyanna's initial surprise had turned to cold anger. She glared at him with eyes that could kill. Captain Kree didn't look any happier. Kirk -when I die at least I'm going to have the pleasure of seeing you go with me. Kyanna made a sound in her throat like a strangled tiger. In the flash of a moment she threw up her hand, she thrust the metal cylinder at Kirk's face. She jerked the trigger. The weapon was dead and unresponsive in the hand of Princess Kyanna. Whoever owns them, whoever controls them, doesn't seem very happy about the way you're using them. The Klingons and the Enterprise people part company. Kirk wonders how much of Kyanna's story had been true. A usurping Klingon emperor, as she claimed, or as Kirk had all along suspected, the Federation was her target. P121 big cavern with about 100 old people, a Vulcan female, two Romulans, several Klingons, Tholians, other aliens Uhura has never seen before. The Strangers. Al-nab has taken part of their soul. The Strangers are dead without knowing of their true condition P143 the god Al-nab shows Kirk a vision of the Klingons - these who were so eager to steal the weapons of great destruction to use against your own kind? Kirk - yes, the Klingons, too. They are a young race. Should they be refused the opportunity to learn, to break the terrible cycle of peace and war? Al-nab - you seek mercy for your sworn enemies? Kirk - I ask you to spare them, yes. P146 the Klingons got out, one minute stuck on planet, the next way out in open space, with everyone back on board. Try to contact Enterprise, but Spock refuses to answer, as Enterprise has nothing to say to them. Kirk accepts call from Princess Kyanna, who informs him that she would soon be returning home. Once the Klingon ship leaves the area, Kirk intends to follow it at a safe distance. He still has no way of knowing how much of Princess Kyanna's story of treachery and rebellion is true. From her eagerness to return home he guesses that most of it was a lie. I, Mudd P50 the penalty for fraud on Deneb V is a choice of death by hanging, death by electrocution, death by gas, death by phaser. The Trouble with Tribbles -Blish Tribbles newborn about an inch long, largest 16 inches. No arms, legs, eyes, only a mouth, long fur in beige, deep chocolate, gold, white, gold-green, auburn, cinnamon and dusky yellow. Cost about 10 credits. Average litter of 10 every 12 hours. born pregnant. Control growth and breeding by limiting food intake Space station K-7 orbits Sherman's Planet, which is about 3 light years from the nearest Klingon outpost and hence well within the Klingon's sphere of influence - or the outpost was well within the Federation's sphere of influence, depending on how you look at it. Both sides have claimed the planet, although it was mostly barren, its position between the two political bodies was of considerable strategic importance. In the old days, one or the other would have grabbed it, and the other would have tried to jockey him off, at constant risk of war - a pastime the Klingons enjoyed. These days, however, the Organian peace treaty, Sherman's Planet would belong to whoever could prove they could develop the planet most effectively. Mr. Baris, Federation Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs in this quadrant, thinks that Klingon agents may try to sabotage warehouse of quadrotriticale. Nothing could be more likely. The Klingons will do anything they can to keep it from getting there. It must be protected. Enterprise sensors just picked up a Klingon battle cruiser, closing rapidly on K-7. Scott challenged it and got a routine acknowledgment. Commander Koloth, you'll remember him from our last encounter, a real 14 karat son of a - Kirk posts battle stations. How complicated protecting the grain was going to be was immediately made clear by the presence of the Klingon ship. It made no move to attack the station; that would have been suicide, since every phaser on the Enterprise was locked on it, as Koloth, an able captain, would assume as a matter of course. Instead Koloth stunned everyone by asking for shore leave for his men. Organian peace treaty, no choice but to grant request. Kirk limits 12 Klingons allowed shore leave at a time. One Enterprise security guard for every Klingon. Baris did not want any Klingons on the station at all. .the Klingons had a right to be there, and nothing could be done about it. Cyrano Jones a system locater, down on his luck. locating new planetary systems on the margins of Klingon space is a synonym for locating trouble. Scotty supervising latest batch of Enterprise crew on shore leave so there's no trouble, unless the Klingons start it. the Klingons wouldn't want to do that. Koloth knows if there's any trouble Kirk will double the guards. If he's really after the grain, that's the last thing he's want. 5 -6 Klingons at table at space station bar, studiously ignoring Enterprise personnel. Cyrano Jones went over to the Klingon table, approaching one whom Kirk recognized as Korax, one of Koloth's officers. Friend Klingon, may I offer you a charmin' little tribble . . . All the tribble's fur stood on end. It hitched itself up Cyrano's forearm with an angry spitting hiss. Never done that before. I suggest, said Korax coldly, that you remove yourself and that parasite as speedily as possible. Take it away! Korax slaps Cyrano's arm away, sending tribble flying across room to land among Enterprise crew. Arne Darvin, Baris' assistant, is his constant companion except when Kirk beams over to first check on tribbles in the warehouse. The Klingons will get Sherman's Planet now. For formal hearing Kirk wants Arne Darvin there, and Captain Koloth, and Cyrano Jones. Koloth, Korax and another Klingon aide stand with various degrees of uneasiness, interest or defiance. The Klingon captain spoke first I had heard that you Earthers were sentimental about these parasites, but this is carrying things too far. I wan t an official apology from you, Kirk, addressed to the High Command of the Klingon Empire. You have restricted the shore leave of my men, harassed them with uniformed snoopers, and now summon us here like common criminals. If you wish to avoid a diplomatic crisis . . . Kirk causing a diplomatic crisis will give Klingons final wedge to claim Sherman's Planet Oh, as to that matter, Koloth said silkily, it would seem that the outcome is already settled. The Klingons have an obvious motive to put tribble in the grain. No obvious connection to Jones. Kirk looked fixedly at Koloth, but the Klingon only smiled. Could not have poisoned the grain, had no access to it, obviously. Kirk's guards were watching him every instant. However, Captain, before we go on, would you mind very much having that thing taken out of here? He pointed at the tribble in Cyrano's lap. Arne Darvin enters meeting late, the tribble being removed fluffed itself up at spat. Kirk takes tribble at holds it out to Korax, tribble spits again, it spat at the third Klingon too, and at Koloth. Purrs for everyone else. Hissss at Darvin. McCoy's tricorder shows heartbeat all wrong, body temperature, numerous details, he's a Klingon all right. Grain was sprayed with a virus that practices metabolic mimicry, blocks nutriments being absorbed by any warm-blooded creature. Federation courts will deal with Mr. Darvin. The guards take him out. Darvin's attempt at mass murder did a favor in killing the tribbles, tribbles revealed infection without loss of human life. Captain Koloth, about that apology - you have six hours to get your ship out of Federation territory. Koloth left, stiffly and silently. The tribble hisses after him. Tribbles most effective Geiger counter for detecting the Klingon agent. 17 point nine years to remove every tribble from station Scotty had Enterprise clean up detail pile all tribbles into the transporter, gave them a good home, gave them to the Klingons. just before they went into warp, transported the whole kit and kaboodle into their engine room Strange New Worlds 9 A Bad day for Koloth by David DeLee Page 10 Grotok, navigator, IKS Gr'oth under Koloth and Korax If not for the High Council's subterfuge, poison, spies, Sherman's Planets would have been secured by Koloth. They were acting like Romulans. Page 11 Bel'kor, chief engineer IKS Gr'oth Tribbles are into the machinery ship-wide. Can't beam them off into space. IKS Gr'oth banished from Klingon Space due to infestation Hunt tribbles down with targs on board What is a good friendship if we cannot get under each other's hide now and again Bloodwine and blood have been spilled in Koloth's quarters Koloth knew not to underestimate the Tholians, worthy opponents in the past Your incompetence has been noted That was the stuff of story and song Page IKS SuvwI', Kang's ship A ship they will sing about from here to Sto'Vo'Kor His casualties had been acceptable and now he could return to the Empire not in disgrace but as a warrior, proud and victorious in battle Gr'oth explodes after Koloth battles 4 Tholians, Kang and SuvwI' beam crew off Missed, Strange New Worlds IV Enterprise crew upset with Scotty for sending tribbles to Klingons. Probably been put out an airlock the minute those monsters realized they were overrun. Thousands and thousands of tribbles tumbling through space. Spock most troubled by Scott’s means of eradicating the tribbles. He had no doubt that the tribbles had met with an undignified end at the hands of the Klingons. Spock had checked that on Belinium II, not a day away at warp 6, there was a xenozoological research facility. They did not have a tribble. Scott’s heart was resting in a briar patch of guilt. He honestly hadn’t thought about the Klingons and about what they might do with them. With tribbles aboard the Enterprise ceased to function period. Enterprise delivers 5 left over tribbles to Belinium II research and display facility The Trouble with Borg Tribbles by William Leisner SNW V small sphere, exterior Klingonese markings. IKS Gr’oth survival pod. Stellar location plotting systems Tribble 88.92 % water Bread and Circuses no Klingon content Twilight's End by Jerry Oltion P121 Romulan ale is the most potent nondistilled liquor in the whole quadrant Across The Universe by Pamela Sargent & George Zebrowski no Klingon content Star Trek Constellations See No Evil by Jill Sherwin Donico II, system too far from Klingon or Romulan space Journey to Babel The ship shadowing the Enterprise, seems to be cloaked against sensors. The Romulans have nothing like it, certainly not the Federation, or the neutral planets. What about the Klingons? Spock – I think it unlikely it is one of theirs The Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah P1 the Enterprise battles Klingon warship. Enterprise torpedoes fail, the Klingons move in for the kill. The enterprise fires short range phasers, the Klingon shields hold. The Klingon vessel’s port screens went down in a satisfying display of fireworks. the Enterprise fires torpedoes and phasers, the rest of the Klingon screens fizzled out and the long necked ship blazed in death glory. The Klingon ship lay dead in space, scans showed al power out, life support systems nonfunctional. The gasps of the aliens, choking on fumes from the fires consuming the last of their air, rang in the ears of the Enterprise crew. Kirk – Enterprise to Klingon vessel, crew prepare to be beamed aboard our ship! Scotty scans only a dozen or so left alive and they’re dying even as he tries to fix on them. Scotty gets three of the devils aboard alive, all sick as dogs from breathing smoke. They are in sickbay. McCoy will patch them up well enough for interrogation. The Klingon vessel, now a tomb for all but three of its crew. The Klingons dispute the Fed’s right to this quadrant. Kirk doesn’t understand why they attacked Enterprise. All Enterprise did was warn them that they were in Fed space. Scott – They’re Klingons. What do you expect? Kirk – But why risk their lives? One on one they knew they had a less than even chance against a starship. Why bother to fight over a hundred cubic light years of vacuum? Spock – Shakespeare understood the warrior mentality, Hamlet. Witness this army, exposing what is moral, to all that fortune, death and danger dare. Or as a Klingon poet might put it, any excuse for a fight. I have seen how the Klingons act, only too often. They are not logical, but they are predictable. Kirk – Are you suggesting I might have avoided this battle? Spock – No. I am suggesting that given contact with the Klingons in a disputed quadrant, battle was inevitable. Kirk felt no better because Spock agreed he had had no way out. There had to be a better way than blasting away at one another. They were like children playing pirates but with genuine loss of life. P226 T’Vet was the patron saint or goddess, its not clear whether she was a real person or not, of the warrior clans of Vulcan. Her worship was already old when Surak lived. P277 Spock combined elements from Vulcan music, human music, even a Klingon drinking song they had heard on Station K-7, when he played the harp. The IDIC Epidemic by Jean Lorrah Thought master Korsal dialed up computerized coffee, black, the way Cathy had taught him to like it. He wondered, not for the first time, why such a bitter brew should be so comforting. Taking strength from that which is harsh, Korsal had long ago learned, was something humans and Klingons had in common. Try to sell this virus to my people, Borth [Orion], and you will have the Klingon Empire as your enemy. A weapon which can turn as easily upon its user as upon his enemy is no weapon at all. Member of the science colony Nisus Council, engineer. Korsal has made no report to the Klingon council in 16 days. Dams a technology from water-logged Earth, only a generation old on three Klingon worlds where famine had been conquered by such dams in Korsal’s own lifetime. To Korsal it held the beauty of power. Korsal was uneasy in his position on the Nisus Council, for he was an engineer not a politician. Certainly no leader among his own people, where strategy, whether in battle or in politics, was the distinguishing feature of those who ruled. His position on the Council came by default, every culture represented. His colleagues had returned to the empire seven years before. Korsal was the only Klingon on Nisus. Transparent aluminum, another Earth invention Tricorders a Vulcan invention The feel of solid metal, the feel of futility Humans had swarmed across the galaxy in the past three centuries, creating diverse colonies that could n o more be assumed to agree on most issues than Vulcans and Klingons. Nisus colony; 40% Vulcan, 32% Human, 28% Tellarite, Hemanite, Andorian, Rigellian, Lemnorian, Orion, Trakeskian, Jovanian, and Klingon. The virus attacked those with blood based on iron, copper or silicon Klingons would fight, anytime and gladly. But they fought fair, enemy against enemy, whether the battle be of wits or weapons. This terrible plague would be a dishonorable tactic. Klingons fear no enemy that can be seen and understood, but a disease attacks invisibly, stealing a persons mind . . . In his frustration over the inability to act, Korsal was pure Klingon Korsal fights to subdue enraged Lemnorian Keski. Becomes exposed to the same strain of the virus that had turned the usually gentle Lemnorian into a raging beast. Korsal’s wife had the disease in it s earliest form, but he did not contract it. Neither of his sons has been ill. Now we will know if Klingons are immune. Lips pulled back to expose the points of his teeth Killing off a planet’s population with disease in not the way Klingons gain territory. We fight. Let them defend their homes. Borth to Korsal – You’re no Klingon, you’re a weakling like the Humans. If I do become ill, I won’t die. someone has to be around who knows you for what you really are! Satat, war chief of the Clan T’Vin, Vulcan, he and his followers being transported to Vulcan Colony Nine. Captain Henson, 50ish woman, of Starbase MI-17, a strictly military installation 33 Korsal in isolation wing of hospital Andorians have far less strength than a Klingon. Andorian finger joints naturally bend backward. Andorians cannot be resuscitated. 49 unlike other Klingon scientists who had participated in the experiment of scientific cooperation, Korsal had found a home on Nisus. On his homeworld he had been a misfit. Myopia and astigmatism had kept him from military advancement. Wearing thick lenses before his eyes, he could see well enough, but an enemy would instantly recognize that to deprive him of that external aid would be to blind him. Therefore he never go past the required basic term of service at the lowest rank. That had satisfied Korsal, though; his interest had always been in research and technology, particularly engineering, where he could apply the theories that fascinated him in practical ways. He had used his right to minimal education earned in his military service to make a mark as a scholar. First in his class, he had been admitted to his planet’s Academy of Engineering, where he continued to dominate his classmates intellectually. With their father’s enthusiastic encouragement, his brothers rose slowly through the military ranks. Korsal, meanwhile, soaked up the knowledge available at the Academy and was chosen to study on Klinzhai itself, at the most prestigious university in the empire. His father gave grudging approval. If you cannot succeed in the military, you might as well do something useful. Something useful was exactly what Korsal wanted to d, and on Klinzhai he found his opportunity. He studied and he built. He invented an antenna that would draw in subspace radio messages from twice the distance formerly possible and eliminate the distortion caused by ion storms. He moved from student to teacher. Eventually, despite delays caused by political maneuvering, or rather his refusal to participate in it, he became the youngest thought master on record. But Korsal’s scientific career brought him little fame or glory, because he had no interest in designing weaponry. His colleagues found his attitudes incomprehensible. Do you not believe in the Perpetual Game? Korsal – Only when I can get outside this universe to gain a perspective will I know whether there is a Perpetual Game. All one can know for certain is that in this world the only game is the Reflective Game. The Reflective Game of klin zha was played with only one set of pieces, a man and his enemy as one. It was the great game of the greatest Klingon strategists, yet few allowed themselves to admit that it represented the futility of war. It was the game of entropy in which both sides lost. For at the end, the winner triumphed over an empty board. In a society founded upon war, Korsal’s attitude did not win him many friends. Thus when the invitation came for Klingon scientists to join Fed scientists in an exchange of knowledge on Nisus, Korsal was one of the first to apply. There was no reason not to let him go; he might not be an enthusiastic inventor of military technology, but he was certainly no traitor. He was, to most Klingons’ way of thinking, nobody, Korsal’s family was not of the Imperial Race, nor had any member distinguished himself greatly. By the time he left for Nisus, two of his brothers had died honorably in the Space Service and the third had achieved the position of squadron leader. Their father took pride in his soldier sons; he never quite understood the scientist he had produced. One of the first things Korsal had discovered on Nisus was that the Fed had a simple, painless, chemical treatment for eye problems like his. When it was offered to him he accepted the risk. After interminable allergy testing, he was given the treatment in one eye, and in three days had gained perfect vision! They made him wait 30 days more before they treated the other eye, and for the first time in his life Korsal woke in the morning to a clear world, rather than a blur that would not focus until he had groped for his glasses. The eye treatment Korsal had undergone was now as routine in the Klingon Empire as in the Fed. His sons were half Klingon, neither had contracted any strain of the disease. Korsal might defend Klingon honor to his last breath, but he knew as well as any Orion that even if no one in official channels would purchase such a dishonorable weapon, it would not take a wily trader long to discover someone who would make the purchase through unofficial channels. He felt as if he had been coerced into a game of klin zha known as the Final Form, where to take an opponent’s piece was not merely to set it aside, but it destroy it utterly, burn wooden pieces, smash or melt those made of stone or metal. There was no victory, when only one set of pieces was left the game reverted to the Reflective Game, and the weaker player’s mistakes resulted in the destruction of the stronger player’s pieces. Only Klingons, Korsal thought, could conceive of such a game. But only an Orion could force a Klingon to play it. Korsal’s home was on the distant outskirts of the city. Cheery main room. Land, a garden. It was something he could never hope to gain as a scientist in the Klingon Empire. His title of thought master meant little there if his science was not military strategy. Kevin, age 14, inherited his father’s eye problems which cold not be treated until he was sixteen, but knowing he would be able to discard his glasses Kevin did not resent them. Kevin was succeeding in growing a mustache, although he did not have enough facial hair for a beard. His human heritage was plain in his appearance, his hair light brown, his skin lacking the swarthiness of his father’s. Kevin now at an age when demonstration of affection for parents was considered embarrassing, a stage both Klingon and Human adolescents exhibited Karl, age nine, playing klin zha at the communications console with Vulcan schoolmate Sonan. The family enigma. It often seemed to Korsal that his younger son was trying to turn out Vulcan. His son’s formality might be appropriate in a high-ranking Klingon family, but that was not the reason for it here. A few years ago both boys would have thrown themselves into his arms when he returned. Korsal had called to tell Seela he had been released from the hospital. Seela had had the second strain of the plague and recovered. I would not wish my sons to marry too soon, or to choose consorts merely because they are hungry. They must learn to cook. Game of rough and tumble with his sons 65 ice has damaged the dam above the colony, Korsal helps black human female engineer Emily Torrence. Korsal’s sons had studied martial arts with her large jealous husband Charles Torrence. The stress of the plague was bringing out hidden prejudices, perhaps he wasn’t really at home here, after all 78 Karl had inherited the Klingon early growth pattern. In the empire 9 year old Karl would have been operating powered vehicles for over a year by now, and be well begun in his primary military training. Korsal had not protested when Kevin had taken the examinations for early entry into Starfleet Academy, for he did not expect him to be accepted. Would the Fed teach its military strategies to someone with dual citizenship, when one of the nations was the Klingon Empire? If they did, the boy would get adequate training in combat and weaponry and an excellent general education along with it. If they did not, Kevin would have to decide within the next three years whether he would go to the Klingon Empire and perform the required minimum military service, or renounce his Klingon citizenship. The boy knew he would have to make the choice; Korsal kept painfully silent on the subject, although he hated the thought that either of his sons might renounce his father’s heritage. Korsal had trained both his sons in small-arms self-defense himself. And insisted that they enroll in all the martial arts classes offered in school. Should they choose their Klingon heritage over their human, he would not have them defanged. The encounter with jealous Charles Torrence had unnerved Korsal more than he cared to admit. After the first year or so of mutual distrust, the Klingon delegation and the other scientists on Nisus had become accustomed to one another, and when Korsal married Cathy Patemchek they had not hesitated to have children of their own. Korsal’s sons were competitive, something they had inherited from their mother as much as from himself, but that was the norm on Nisus. He could not imagine a better place for his sons to gain the foundation of their education. That, and his human wife, had been the primary reasons Korsal had not returned to the Klingon Empire when the rest of the delegation did. Korsal hadn’t intended to marry twice. He had been content with Cathy, but she was career Starfleet. She had thought her assignment to Nisus permanent; Korsal was certain that she would not have married, certainly not borne two children, if she had known she would be unexpectedly promoted to commander and reassigned to science officer on Constitution-class starship. Korsal could not go with her, nor could the boys. Cathy refused to resign. They had fought bitterly, made up just before she left. There were promises of meetings on leave, of requests for reassignment to Nisus at the first opportunity. There were message tapes every few days, then every few weeks and finally divorce documents with a tearful message from Cathy telling Korsal and her children that she had no right to bind them when she could not be with them. She gave up her sons’ custody to Korsal, and none of them had seen or heard from her since. Korsal had heard she was climbing steadily through Starfleet’s ranks. When Kevin was born Korsal decided to stay on Nisus until his son was old enough to decide between the Fed and the Klingon Empire. Karl’s birth had extended the length of his intended stay. Fusions, children of mixed heritage, were regarded with scorn in the empire. There was only one way to overcome it; military glory. His sons would be forced to fight, often against Humans like their mother, or endure being second-class citizens. Korsal had traveled in the Fed, experienced the fear and hatred of Klingons that prevailed everywhere but on Nisus. He had thought Nisus a safe haven. Stop the spread of this khesting plague His liver turned over He didn’t have to look at her, her scent, delicate, almost unidentifiable as such, embraced him before she arrived herself. Seela, Orion female. She was enough to suspend any man’s thoughts, but when she focused her attention on him it sometime seemed he forgot to breathe. Emerald skin, black hair, vivid blue eyes. Her body was lithe and sensuous. It was days since he had touched her, he had no resistance. Coherent thought fled, and his next lucid moment was sometime later. Memories of their loving were keenly sweet. Kevin helped fly hoverer to evacuate geology camp Kevin grinned, exposing his teeth in the Human way. 400 children of mixed heritage on Nisus. 90 He longed for a physical enemy, something he could see, take a disruptor to, or a knife, or even his bare hands. Then he could do something to protect his family. Seela badly wants children with Korsal. It would take a great deal of help from the geneticists; Klingon and Orion were far more different than Klingon and Human. But it had been done before. Was this plague a message from nature that Klingons were right to consider fusions somehow inferior? Two meals in the stasis bin Kevin has a hoverer license, got it the day before airfield closed. Korsal had never flown with Kevin before, Kevin’s lessons were with a licensed instructor. Korsal’s hoverer instructor had been human Kevin – I was at the bottom of their list of pilots Korsal – You were on it and you performed responsibly. Khest! exclaimed Kevin, the first time Korsal knew his son knew the Klingonaase obscenity. Even a Vulcan would have decided the cause was sufficient. Unforgivable! We have allowed the enemy to surround us. [winter storm] Nature is more dangerous than an acknowledged enemy, for it so often appears one’s friend that one never expects the moment it turns and casually kills. Always assume Nature is an enemy. If the enemy provides an advantage take it and use it against him. Kevin had passed his Survival at age six. I have failed as a father. My sons do not think like Klingons Kevin Katasai has pushed Kirk out of the record books for youngest admission to Starfleet Academy. Kirk - Starfleet’s certainly not going to admit Klingons to the Academy! Klingon pattern of naming Korsal Katasai. Korsal and Kevin’s hoverer’s antigrav engines explode, stranding them in snowstorm, Korsal broken rib. We make our own luck. It was a human saying but it could as easily have been Klingon. Heavy utility knives inside their boots, badge of manhood, earned at Survival. Korsal was deeply proud of the boy. Kevin was reacting calmly and competently. Kevin – If I go to the empire someday, what will I have to do to be accepted? Korsal – Fight. They only want weapons from their scientists. A child passes Survival, goes to school. Korsal always good in school, better than his brothers. But they were bigger, stronger. Krel the oldest, taught Korsal klin zha. By the time Korsal was eight he always won. And Krel always challenged again. Korsal couldn’t win at wrestling, shooting, running. None of the others would game with him. But Krel always gave Korsal the chance to do what he was good at. Kevin – 9 year old Karl’s much better at klin zha than I am. I should play him anyway. Karl’s better than Korsal, and Korsal taught him. Kevin’s mathematics teacher Starfleet Vulcan Stel. Kai Kevin Krel died in a battle with the Federation six years ago. Korsal never got to tell him he knew Krel gamed with Korsal so Korsal could win at something. He sat down before a board set up for the Reflective Game. Across from him sat his brother Krel. He smiled without showing his teeth and gestured to Krel to make the first move. Nisus Earth like, with vast oceans surrounding one large continent and a number of good sized islands. Science colony one small area of continent. Kevin has gained early admission to Starfleet Academy. Commander Carmilla Smythe, in charge of colony, recommended Kevin Katasai for early admission to Starfleet Academy. The Academy will give him the best education, and he has a mind deserving of such education. He will eventually face taking the oath of loyalty to the Fed if he continues to graduation and a commission. As she understands it the Klingon Empire will force a choice on him anyway in the next couple of years; if he does not enter their required military training, they’ll disown him. Kevin’s no more career military than his father. The whole family are thinkers and dreamers. Kevin will design starships, not command them. He’s a young man whose going to contribute technological advances to someone and Smythe prefers that to be the Fed. She’s studying the diversity of the colony. Probably write a book about it. The doctors tested Korsal very thoroughly, and his younger son Karl has been through every test the doctors could conceive of in the past two days. Klingons are definitely immune to the plague. Kevin’s mother is Commodore Catherine Patemchek. Kirk – What is Kevin comes up against Klingons in battle? The Katasais don’t sound like any Klingons Kirk has ever met. You’ll find them quite different from the warriors we’re accustomed to confronting. Average citizens of the Klingon Empire, except for their scientific brilliance. His son had fought well. Let him go peacefully, in his sleep. Kai Katasai he whispered defiantly to the approaching darkness. Humans in the Black Fleet? Kirk beams near death Korsal and Kevin up, has two security officers with phasers drawn in transporter room. The Enterprise diagnostic beds have never been set for Klingons before Kevin, being half human, has higher iron and hemoglobin; heart rate normal at 80 per minute, body temperature different than Klingon norm. Good pain, it means I’m still alive McCoy’s bone-knitter is a Klingon design. The principle goes back to 20th century Earth, but the current design, miniaturized and concentrated, was one of the first trade-offs when the Klingon scientific mission came to Nisus. The Klingons got plenty in return. Klingons are sharper traders than Vulcans bargaining over the price of kevas and trillium 130 Sarek – Klingon scientists, Intriguing. I should like to meet them. 140 Dr. Daniel Corrigan finds he can make a serum from Klingon blood, from sample of Karl Katasai, a hemoglobin factor, produce a vaccine for iron-based blood. McCoy has analyzed Klingon blood before. 167 Karl, once he was sure he was immune, volunteered to work in the high risk ward, caring for the mixed-heritage children. Karl passed Kahs-wan. Not a child anymore. A life or death survival test, completely comparable to the Klingon Survival every boy must pass. When Karl was at the appropriate age, not enough Klingons remained on Nisus to supervise Survival for him, but Korsal obtained permission for him to substitute Kahs-wan, and the Vulcans accepted him for the ritual. Karl now has the right to make his own decisions. Korsal had heard of James T Kirk. from the legends, he had expected a more imposing figure of a man than this average-height, average build Human with light brown hair and eyes and the same air of nervous fatigue that gripped everyone here and on Nisus. But he soon experienced the power of Kirk's personality. Korsal - You thank us for something we have no control over, a factor in our blood. Kirk – no, for your willingness to aid others. Korsal – Your staff is treating us like the emperor himself. Kirk – Kevin Katasai, I have the honor and pleasure of informing you that you have been granted early admission into Starfleet Academy. As I understand it, you will complete your schooling on Nisus by Stardate 4100. The next class after that begins on Stardate 4168. If you accept the appointment, you will report to Starfleet Academy on that date. Korsal saw his son’s eyes sparkle with delight as he shook hands with captain Kirk. Kevin – I am honored, sir. Even more so that you should be the one to tell me. I’ve read and heard so much about you. I want to be an engineer, like my father. In Starfleet, I can design ships that can go even farther and faster than the Enterprise. I was not sure I would be accepted. I’m way ahead in math and physics. I prefer what’s real. Literature and poetry is all imaginary. Kirk – And where would engineers be without imagination? Kevin, starships had to be imagined before they could be designed. Korsal’s smile was forced, he knew Kevin would come up against blatant prejudice at Starfleet Academy. Yet, Starfleet Command had overcome its prejudices to allow a half-Klingon cadet to enter the Academy. He knew his son had the courage to succeed. Literature and poetry had not been major part of curriculum at schools Korsal attended. Karl Katasai was sent up to the Enterprise and put on the same regimen as his father and his brother for blood production. Karl too young, McCoy takes him off drugs. Korsal reports regularly to the empire but his mission is to acquire and transmit scientific data. Korsal’s messages take approximately two days to reach an empire outpost. Even Klingons respond to a medical distress signal. Kirk is asking for help from Klingons. Korsal’s smile just barely showed the points of his teeth, a warning. Kirk had seen that expression many times in along career but never before from Korsal – Among my people, the fact that I am not a soldier sets me apart. Despite that, I know something of military thinking. If I sent a military distress signal, the empire would send help. But consider; those who came to the aid of Nisus would take back a full report. Captain Kirk, have humans never engaged in biological warfare? Yes, the Eugenics Wars. Among Klingons it is considered equally reprehensible, dishonorable, forbidden. However, every military man knows that once a weapon exits, it will be used. A Klingon observation from life. This virus is effective against every race in the Fed but Klingons are immune. It is a weapon that you cannot turn back upon us. James Kirk, you cannot be so naive as to think that for all Klingons belief in the honor of direct confrontation, there are not those, and it takes only a tiny few, who if they knew about this virus, would use it. The only cure has to be made from the blood of Klingons. Make humans vampires, preying on Klingons. Kirk – I didn’t realize there were Klingons who didn’t want war. Korsal – Not that kind of war. Not any sane Klingon. A scientist’s job, extrapolation. Kevin expected his admission to Starfleet Academy would disturb Korsal, perplexed when it did not. When Karl and Kevin are grown up Korsal would have the choice of returning to the empire. If Kevin had graduated from the Academy and Korsal had returned to the empire, there was the remote possibility they might meet as enemies one day. knowing about the plague means Korsal can never go home again. 202 Starfleet tends to classify anything about Klingons or Romulans in case it might be strategic, they release it eventually. Bright boy Kevin does Korsal honor. Kevin studies Canterbury Tales at Kirk's suggestion. Borth – The plague will set the Fed and the Klingon and Romulan empires at one another’s throats, and the winners will be the Orions. The Federation, that pitiful mix of slave-born races. You are no Klingon, you’re weak as an Federate. Anger gave Korsal the strength to grasp Borth’s shoulder in a bruising grip. Had they been alone, he might have strangled him. Do you think I will allow you to tell them, Borth? I will kill you first. Borth – This intermingling of races weakens both the Fed and the Klingon Empire. We Orions sell our excess women to both, diluting your bloodlines. Korsal had purchased his wife from Borth to prevent the man from sending Seela back to the Orion system when she reached an age to be valuable. Her beauty and dancing skills would probably have meant her purchase as an expensive pleasure slave. Korsal had set her free before marrying her. Seela amazingly loyal to Korsal. Boreth unable to get useful information from her. All Korsal’s friends had warned him against marrying an Orion, then become silent on the subject after he had done so. Seela did not manipulate him, except when he wanted her to. Borth – She is merely a woman. A commodity. You are a fool to treat her otherwise. However, you can salvage her, make a place for your sons, escape before you become prisoners of the Federation. Come with me to Klinzhai. Report the plague to your people, Korsal. Be a hero, giving them a new weapon against their enemies. Your enemies. Korsal and Seela in unison – No. Borth, Seela’s uncle. Seela grew up on Nisus. Borth does not know the codes for contacting the Klingon Empire, he will have to go there. Seela asks favors of Korsal via communicator, so her pheromones could not affect him. The third or forth time it had happened he had realized how much she wanted his trust. She struggled to overcome her upbringing, her dependence on men to tell her what to do, her instinctive and practiced use of sensuality to obtain favor. Seela was supposed to persuade Korsal to agree with Borth. Seela – I had never known a man could be so strong and honorable until I came to live with you. Whatever happens, I will stay with you. Scotty has wariness in his eyes when he sees Korsal, but he tries to cover it. Whatever Korsal might do, Scott saw only Klingon. Scott – Captain Kirk tells me he has promised your son Kevin a tour of engineering. Antimatter generators require the absolute zero of deep space as a coolant system 247 Korsal might be able to put questions through Klingon channels and get same answers from the Romulans on T’Pina, adopted as child survivor of attack on Vulcan colony Five by Vulcans T’Kar and Sevel. Nisus resident, found to actually be Romulan. The Klingons have dealings with the Romulans Human/Orion Beau Deaver – You can trust the Klingons a whole lot further than the Orions. At least when they’re hostile, they’re open about it. Orion trader Zefat thought young human/Orion hybrid Beau Deaver would go for a high price as an exotic toy for some rich Orion or maybe Klingon family. 259 Borth taken into custody by Starfleet liaison officer Commander Smythe, refuses to say if he sent message to Klingon Empire. Korsal tipped Kirk off about Borth. Korsal recognizes that Borth sent a coded Orion message. Korsal built a small boat with his sons. Seela hates to go in the boat, terrified of drowning, but during floor heroically she went out and rescued people. 267 Korsal studies the writings of Chaucer. Korsal recognized T’Pina, though they had never formally met. Acquainted with Beau Deaver, a mathematical genius. The Klingons have diplomatic relations with the Romulans. The Klingons aren’t supposed to know we know they’ve got an alliance with the Romulans. The Orions know, Deaver knows. Klingons and Romulans care greatly about family lines. Romulans have tradition of avenging themselves in feuds between families by stealing an infant, an important heir or marriage potential, kill child and return body parts, or place child with criminal element to disgrace family, or place child with greater enemy, impossible to get back. Romulan raid on Vulcan Colony Five just to place T’Pina. The Klingons cannot investigate her parentage for T’Pina The Fed has no dealings with the Roms, as far as Korsal knows The Klingons have had dealings with the Roms for a long time, not a new alliance, the Klingons met up with the Romulans not long after they first perfected star travel. 269 Klingon Imperial cruiser Star Blaster comes to Nisus, Kef, commander of the Star Blaster. They have come seeking Korsal. It is you we seek. Why have we had no reports from you in so long? Why must we learn of events on Nisus from the Orions? Kef - Speak. I command you. Korsal squared his shoulders – I cannot. To do so might embroil the Federation and the Klingon Empire in a war of such dishonor and desperation that when our children’s children meet us in the Black Fleet, they will not fight our enemies but seek revenge on us. Kef – You fool! You and that khesting Orion think you have some new, unknown disease on Nisus. We know what it is, and that we are immune to it. The Klingon smiled, showing just the tips of his teeth. We have broken Starfleet’s latest code, we will have the nuisance of breaking a new one. Kef – my crew will donate the blood you need. Kirk, suspicious of too easy a victory – Why? Kef - If we didn’t give it, you would take it. The first blood is ready to transport. The formula for synthesizing the immunity factor takes 20 days. If we had known about the plague we would have come sooner and brought a supply of synthetic serum. Th cure is hemoglobin-neutral, it can be synthesized for either iron or copper based blood. We are here because Korsal’s transmissions stopped abruptly thirty days ago. The technological advances made on Nisus even though nonmilitary, have been invaluable to the Klingon Empire. We do not want scientific cooperation between the Fed and the empire to cease. When the empire could not raise Korsal, we were sent to find out why. On the way, we received Borth’s communication, we decoded your transmissions and discovered that your plague was what we suspected. Korsal smiled, no teeth showing Kef’s chief medical officer talks with McCoy This mutating virus is well known in the Klingon Empire, even though most of us are immune to it. Every Klingon knows about the Imperial plague. The Klingon Imperial race not only is not immune to it, but rejects antibodies form other Klingon blood. Everyone entering the Klingon Empire must be immunized against Imperial plague, lest our leaders be exposed. To them it is deadly. In the 20 days it takes to synthesize the only cure they can use, most would be dead. The disease has not been seen in the Klingon Empire for generations. Kirk knew the real leaders of the Klingon Empire were never seen in the neutral territories bordering the Fed, although they has been seen back in the days of First Contact. He had seen old tapes of men with gnarled foreheads, who wore their hair longer than the Klingons he was familiar with. Scott – saved by Klingons and Romulans. Klingons in Starfleet Academy. Captain, we’ve not gone through some strange space anomaly, have we? Kirk – Maybe by the time Kevin graduates, we’ll have a real alliance instead of just an armed truce with the Klingons. The Case of the Colonist's Corpse by Bob Ingersoll and Tony Isabella December 2267 Page 33 Mak'Tor and his people. humans and Klingons colonize Aneher II, as per Organian Peace Treaty. Human Serenity Colony, Aneher II, headed by Daniel Latham. Daniel Latham killed. Mat'Tor implicated. Aneher II in Neutral Zone between Fed and Klingon. Aneher II rich in dilithium, zenite, pergium, topaline. Maggie's World also colonized under terms of Organian Treaty. Organian Peace Treaty – neither Fed nor Klingons could send starships into the Neutral Zone. Page 36 K'Vak, Klingon male on Aneher II. Involved in fight with human Sayger, remanded into human custody for trial. Sayger delivered to Klingons for baiting him. Page 37 qaHoH! Feds suspicious that the Klingons were substituting personnel in their colony surreptitiously. Frequent supply sleds. Klingons did not seem to suffer in the heat of Aneher II Page 45 QaSuj'a'neS ? Page 45 Khogo, Mak'Tor's second in command on Aneher II. Not in favor of human – Klingon coexistence. Mak'Tor had broken blade of bat'leth honorably when he was commanding the battlecruiser Kavek on a mission to provide reinforcements to a cargo ship under attack from Orion marauders. Broken the bat'leth with a chaQ to the ribs of an Orion captain. Mak'Tor walks with a limp from wound from Orion knife. Mak'Tor received special commendation from High Council. Also removed from active duty. Since the toDSaH Kor had lost the military base on Organia the entire Empire was forced to suffer the indignity of the Organian Peace Treaty. Instead of being a proper military governor, Mak'Tor was head of a colony. Page 46 battlecruiser Kavek. Kor was given command of one of the new k't'inga-class battlecruisers. It was Mak'Tor's fondest wish that when the Empire finally recognized Kor's cowardice Kor would never find himself in Sto-Vo-Kor Page 48 veQDuj = (1) garbage scow, (2) any ship necessary though without honor No Klingon would ever dishonor himself by lying to escape punishment Firegems mined on Epcir Prime Homero Galdamiz spying for Khogo. Dilithium mines on the Klingon side of Aneher II Page 137 Klingons don't have fingerprints The result of the Battle of Donatu V were inconclusive Klingons seek justice with honor in judicial trials Sam Cogley first human to represent a Klingon in a trial Kolos first Klingon to represent a human in a trial Page 184 'Iw Taj The Bloody Dagger. Klingon bar on Aneher II, dark, like all Klingon bars. Page 191 Qovpatlh! Under the terms of the treaty, after an unprovoked murder, the Klingon Empire would forfeit all claim to the planet I have given you my warrior's oath Find yourself slopping the targs Page 200 Khogo, son of Moag It is the desire of the Klingon Empire to learn the truth in the matter of the death of Daniel Latham. Your souls will rot in Gre'thor for these lies. Fek'lhr will gnaw on your bones. Grigory Nemov murdered Daniel Latham. Fed colony Serenity on Aneher II not working out. too difficult a climate for humans Khogo sent back to Qo'noS for his part in spying and smuggling on Aneher II. Mak'Tor has seen that there are humans of honor. Humans who could even be Klingons. He plans to honor Latham's memory by making Aneher II a place where humans and Klingons can live together. Attempting to frame a person is a violation of Klingon law. A Private Little War Uhura calls for Red Alert Battle stations after Klingon vessel appears on screen. Kirk leaves injured Spock to go to bridge. Chekov reports to Kirk at they are holding the planet between the Enterprise and the Klingons and he doesn’t think the Klingons spotted them. Uhura monitors Klingons sending a routine message to their home base, containing no mention of Enterprise. Kirk goes to Yellow Alert. Chekov to keep Enterprise out of their sights. Enterprise doesn’t send a message themselves, so as not to alert the Klingons. Kirk – So, they’ve broken the treaty. Scotty – Not necessarily. Klingons have as much right to scientific missions to planet as Feds do. Kirk – Research is not the Klingon way Scotty - This is a hands off planet. How to prove the Klingons are doing otherwise? Why didn’t the Klingons give the villagers breechloaders or machine guns . . . Kirk – there are Klingons here. If their mission is of legitimate research interest, the planet’s organic potential. The Klingons are breaking the treaty. Could be interstellar war. Enterprise may have to break out of orbit any minute to keep out of Klingon sensors. Enterprise does have to leave orbit shortly after beaming down Kirk and McCoy. The firesticks appeared on planet nearly a year ago, many hill people have died. Tyree snuck into village and saw villagers making the firesticks themselves, did not see any ‘strangers.’ McCoy – if we find the Klingons have helped the villagers, there certainly is something we can do Klingon Krell, not too dark, eyebrows, mustache, beard, black turtleneck and metallic tunic sits at desk, waiting for villager Apella to come in. No sash. You are late, my friend. Give captured hill women to the man who killed the most of her people, the others will see the profit in bravery, I’ll make a Klingon of you yet. Krell shows Apella the next improvement in rifles – for fewer misfires. When Krell returns, we will give you other improvements, a way to shoot further and straighter. Kirk and McCoy in forge. Chrome steel drill point, almost carbon free pig iron, not locally produced. Neither are rolled steel gun barrels made to look homemade. Krell and Apella come to forge so Krell can show Apella new method. Apella thought his people would grow tired of killing, but the Krell was right – it is easier than trading, and it has pleasures – like the hunt but richer rewards. Apella will be rich one day, beyond his dreams, a planetary governor in Klingon Empire. Kirk jumps Krell, knocks him into wall, and he and McCoy run out. Dressed like hill people, no reason to think they are Federation, except the brief sound of McCoy’s tricorder. Klingons changed normal status quo between villagers and hill people. Klingons gave villagers flintlocks. Kirk believes to maintain status quo he must give hill people fire arms, too. 20th century brush wars on Asian content, two great powers involved, much like the Klingons and ourselves. The only solution is balance of power. If the Klingons give their side even more, the Feds arm their side exactly that much more. Trickiest, dirtiest game but only way that preserves both sides. Kirk – war isn’t a good life, but it is life. Enterprise enters distant orbit at rendezvous time. Klingons haven’t spotted them yet. Chekov monitors Klingons beaming someone up. Blish – Kirk believes the Klingons are on the planet, threatening all that he admires so much Kirk didn’t have to see the cruel, lipless Klingon face. He recognized the tailored metallic Klingon dress. And a Klingon weapon hung at its belt. Forge has coal and sulfur. Cold rolled barrel rods, fashioned to look handmade You will be a governor in our Klingon empire. Unimaginable delights – Krell tripped over an iron rod. His rifle went off – and he shouted "Guards! Intruders! The work shed, intrud-" Kirk’s fist got him straight on the chin. Vulcan! by Kathleen Sky P87 Kirk remembers tribbles aboard Enterprise, with regret The Disinherited by Peter David P27 some border skirmishes with Klingon ships to report, but mostly things are quiet. P33 the method of the raiders’ attacks do not fit the profiles of the Gorn, the Klingons or the Romulans. P59 Kirk had helped draw up the Organian Peace Treaty. P67 the Enterprise is the ship with the reputation, on the exciting cutting edge with the Klingons, the Romulans. P112 Earth to the Klingon Neutral Zone is a long journey P125 in the Kobayashi Maru test Chekov blew up his ship, took the Klingons with him, too. P151 given the Xaridian colonies location, the raiders could not be Klingons. Sulu is grateful – We’ve dealt with them once too often for my taste. |
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