| Tears of the Singers
by Melinda Snodgrass
25 this particular quadrant was one which both the Fed and the Klingon Empire were expanding into. Overseen by Starbase 24, more than three days away at warp 6. Ultimately there would be a clash, new lines would be drawn and the uneasy peace would be maintained. The two major powers would be battling by whatever means were available for territory. Kirk hoped that word of the phenomenon in the Taygeta V system hadn’t reached Klinzhai and that he wouldn’t find any Klingon destroyers at Taygeta. 54 two Klingon battle cruisers already there. Hold position 150 km from Enterprise. A picture of the bridge of a Klingon warship. A man was seated with his back to the viewscreen. Slowly he swung about in his chair and smiled ironically into the screen. Kor, a long time and a long way from Organia. Kor smiled, his teeth gleaming whitely in his dark face. Thin drooping moustache. Kor found Organian difficult to forget. I still regret the Organian interference that kept us from our appointed duel. There are some aboard my ships who would not be as forbearing as I am. The space/time warp represents a greater threat to the Klingons than to the Fed. They hold inhabited planets closer to this sector than Fed does. Kor has been sent to investigate the phenomenon. He will not willing to risk his ships even for the lure of a Fed starship. McCoy –These are Klingons, for God’s sake. They’re about as trustworthy as a rattler. They’ve got a problem on their borders that’s larger than the Federation right now. The conference room on the Klingon flagship was a scene of chaos. Kandi, captain of the second Klingon vessel, Emperor’s Pride, sprawled in a chair near the door, stared morosely at the toes of his high-topped boots and wondered if Kor had lost his reason. To have the Enterprise under the disruptor fire of two Imperial cruisers and let the opportunity pass, seemed like madness. Apparently the other men in the room agreed, but they were more vocal in their objections. Karsul, Kor’s ambitious second-in-command was holding forth the loudest. Young bright hotheaded and inexperienced. Kandi’s spadelike beard, lean, elegant figure, extraordinarily handsome Ambition was a good thing in an officer, but not when the officer served under one’s best friend. Perhaps it is time to suggest to Kor that we arrange a tragic accident for this one, Kandi mused. The hubbub died as the top officers of the two ships eyed their commander. Kor straightened the gold command sash and dropped heavily into a chair at the head of the table. Recommendations? Karsul - Attack! Attack at once! Clever, Kandi, Kor murmured to his old friend and companion. Put me on record so that if my plan goes wrong there will be only one to bear the blame. The handsome, dark-skinned faces of his officers The space/time rip. A computer extrapolation indicates that the rip is increasing at a terrifying rate. At its present rate of growth it will begin to offer a substantial threat to Imperial shipping in 15 days and a threat to nearby worlds in another thirty. Kor – you make it sound as if we are dealing with a scout ship. This is the Enterprise, with Kirk in command. Even with two cruisers it is very likely that we would end up with both ships crippled or one destroyed. That would certainly hamper our investigation of the phenomenon. Kandi – Kor is right. The Enterprise is the most powerful starship in the Fed fleet and Kirk is no average Earther. He can fight like a Klingon when pressed to it. I would not willingly go against him unless he were heavily outnumbered and certainly not when we are faced with what could potentially be a greater threat than the Federation. There was something in Karsul’s expression that indicated he thought Kor and Kandi were behaving like cowardly old men. Kandi would face Enterprise with three ships, at least. Kaandal, Kor’s aide-de-camp Kor – humans are technically superior in some areas to us Klingons. it serves no purpose to deny it. their worlds are richer, and such abundance gives them advantages. It is possible that they have techniques that will allow them to solve the puzzle of this space/time warp faster than we could. We work with them. it will increase our chances of success if we pool our resources. He cut off the babble of protest with a hard glance. Karsul spat out – Work with human? Never! Kor’s eyes narrowed in fury and he rose and kicked back his chair with a booted foot. He walked to his second and swung the younger man around. Kor – Is your answer still never when I say this is an order? Think well, Karsul. the agonizer is an effective device for quelling even the hottest temper. Karsul – If it is your order, Commander, I will work with the humans. Kandi – And after we have dealt with the phenomenon? A small almost mischievous smile tugged at Kor’s lips – We can always attack the Enterprise then. There was a gust of laughter from the relieved officers and Kandi nodded slightly indicating his approval of Kor’s tactics. Kor waved dismissingly to his junior officer and fell into step with his old friend. The corridors were deserted, everyone was at his post because of the alert which had been called with the arrival of the Enterprise. You are going to take vengeance on Kirk for the trouble he has caused you? Kor – I suppose so, though I would probably be better served by taking vengeance on those men at Fleet Command who reprimanded me. Kirk and I were merely victims of the Organians. I did not fail in my command. His expression was bitter. Kandi warned – No so loud. There are some on your ship who wouldn’t hesitate to report such insubordination back to Klinzhai. Kor – You don’t think I can control my officers? Kandi –I don’t think you are realistic about their capacity for treachery. Kor smiled faintly – That just makes them good Klingons. Kandi – And thwarting them makes you a better one. He clasp Kor on the shoulder. Watch your back Kor wished he could have Kandi as his second. Then he would have known that his back was secure. But the younger an was too fine an officer to be left playing second fiddle to him. He deserved a ship of his own. It did no good to repine, he would just have to guard his own back. Kirk – two ships? Two science teams? They obviously don’t’ have much confidence in their ability to solve this mystery. On Organia Kor seemed like a man who disliked senseless waste. Commander Kor. Kor gave a wolf’s grin in answer Kor – It’s a pity that we are once more thwarted in our test of strength. Kirk orders Sulu and Chekov to constant monitoring of the Klingon cruisers. 64 Kor stared at the shimmering image of the space warp on the viewer in his private small drab quarters. It was not a thing he cold destroy with a good blast of disruptor fire or a well-placed torpedo. Nor could he use his own cunning to solve the problem. He had to rely on others to answer this puzzle and it frightened him. The metallic fabric of his shirt front. Kali, Kor’s wife of five months. Her delicate bifurcated brows accentuated her golden eyes, short tunic and thigh-high boots. Bronzed skin. Honey gold skin. Topaz-colored eyes. Piquant face, high cheekbones, pointed chin. Shoulder-length black hair. Kor – in spite of what you may have heard or read in Imperial propaganda, the humans are a highly capable and advanced race. I am not blind to Karsul’s ambition, but I am also not blind to the dangers inherent in that. Kali – I alarms me when you say such things about our Empire. If you won’t think of yourself, at least think of me. Kor – I am not disloyal to the Empire, but I have traveled widely in this crazy galaxy of ours and I have learned to separate truth from doctrine. We will conquer the humans, it’s just a matter of picking the most advantageous moment. I have been handling puppies like Karsul for years. Kali – What would become of me if you fall? ?Kor – I have no doubt that Karsul would take you. You would maintain your rank. Kali’s hand connected with a ringing slap against his cheek – If rank and position were my only concern there was a fleet admiral who would have been happy to marry me. You can question and doubt everyone around you but not Me! However hard you find it to accept, I do love you. Kor – You have made the last two years bearable and I’ll risk you for nothing. Who knows, you may end up married to a fleet admiral after all. 69 Spock contacted Kor and told him of planned mission. once Kor learned that Spock’s investigation of the forth planet would most likely have nothing to do with the phenomenon he lost all interest and declined to send a Klingon vessel as backup or watchdog. There was little interest in knowledge for knowledge’s sake in the Klingon makeup. 72 Kirk and Enterprise have only encountered Kor as garrison commander on Organia, they don’t know what sort of talents he might have. 78 Uhura – Cute doesn’t mean a lot to a Klingon. Remember the tribbles. Kirk – Lets hope the Taygetians and the Klingons don’t arouse that kind of antipathy in one another. 78 kali strapped on her holstered disruptor and tied it down with the thigh belt. The thin leather strap was a macho affectation that never ceased to amuse him. Despite her fragile beauty kali was an intelligent, well-trained and highly capable female. One of the best sharp shooters in the Imperial fleet. Kor felt his heart squeezed with love for his young bride He almost regretted his decision to include her in the landing party I need you to keep an eye on Quarag and Jennas. The sweet smell of her perfume With you there I know I will be getting accurate information. Kali to contact Kor every evening on a scrambled, closed beam to his cabin. Quarag is in command of the landing party. He will make daily reports. Communications will pick up the private transmission. That will keep Karsul guessing and a little off balance. Kali – Keep them guessing. I think that should be your motto. Kor – If we live long enough to start a family, it shall be the code of our house. You’re impossible, but I’ll keep you. If the humans send down a party, I must counter them. Strategy, my dear. I want them to be nervous. It wouldn’t do to have them too cocky. Survive and succeed There were several flashes, and the landing party was gone, via transporter Kor felt very isolated with Kali gone and he hoped he could maintain the delicate balance he was treading between the Earthers and his own mutinous, ambitious crew. He doubted if Kirk was bedeviled with such problems. The distinctive flashes of a Klingon transporter 82 Maslin – I thought we had a truce with the Klingons. Uhura – What an innocent. The Klingons’ basic law of life is that laws are made to be violated. Five dark and saturnine men and one delicate woman Lieutenant Commander Quarag, tall, slim, science officer aboard the Klothos. Quarag smiled, but it was a wolfish, unpleasant expression. Spock – This planet is inhabited. It will be the decision of the natives to determine which, if any alliance, they desire. The Earth party eyed Kali curiously, for women were rare on Klingon vessels. Only once before had they met one, Mara, Kang’s wife. Mara had been tall and angular with beautiful but almost harsh features. Kirk had been in the habit of thinking of her as the typical Klingon woman, but this was clearly not the case, as Kali was small and fragile. Kali disconcerted by Kirk’s scrutiny, shifts away. The warm light in Kirk’s eyes when he was interested in a beautiful woman. Jennas – I doubt there is anything we could learn from Earthers Quarag – I will discipline anyone if it becomes necessary. Kali – Our first duty is to determine the cause of the space/time rip and repair it. you know my authority. Jennas – Your position in Kor’s bed does not give you power over me, woman! Keep to your place. Kirk wondered if Kali, like Mara, had been told stories of Earth torture and death camps. Kali – My husband said you were different from moth humans. Kirk – I could say the same about him. Uhura and Maslin come upon Kali finishing communicator transmission to Kor. Uhura disarms Kali with a kick, but then they talk. Uhura – I think we can agree that neither of us is a killer or a monster. Kali likes music and hopes Guy Maslin, one of the Fed’s best musicians, will play for her. Uhura – Based on what we know of Klingon society, I’m quite certain that being a musician is not one of the more respected functions. Lt. Mendez translates the message Uhura intercepted from Kali to Kor. It confirms Kirk’s suspicions that Kor has his hands full. Kali is using a tight-beam, scrambled transmission to contact Kor. Kirk’s theory is that Kor is not in full control of his ship. Mutiny is not unknown among Klingons. Kirk hasn’t forgotten that he is outnumbered and that Klingons are vicious fighters. 104 Kali knew she was probably exceeding Kor’s instructions, but she had to confess she was curious about the humans. All the stories she had heard about human cruelty and treachery. She resented their relaxation for it pointed up her own tension. She was on their territory, and one against many. Kali never heard of coffee. It’s good. Kali liked Uhura singing. The intonations of the music were very different from Klingon music, but pleasant to listen to. Months ago Kali and Kor went to a wine garden on Klinzhai and sang and danced until the three moons had set. Kali adjusted the golden sash of her rank where it cut across her heavy cape My position as Kor’s wife gives me certain advantages. Yeoman Chou – I’ve read that a Klingon woman can only enter the service by marriage. Kali – A woman cannot enter the service unless she has a male sponsor or protector. He may not necessarily be a husband. We do not hold the favored position in society that you Earthwomen have. One gains rank by working hard, doing a good job and by attaching yourself to a man who’s star is ascending. If his star descends, you fall with him. Spock – If the Organians were accurate such things will, in due time, become possible. Kali – Would it be treason if I said I hoped so? There was something very honest and sincere about the Earthers and she found it a welcome relief after the hostility and hypocrisy that riddled the ship. Dangers beset Kor. Relax, enjoy the peace of this world and prepare for the next battle. The five men sat talking and drinking around a portable heater in front of the circle of tents. The liquor might arouse both hostile and amorous emotions. She felt a flicker of resentment at the circumstances which forced her to spend her life constantly armed and constantly on guard Some place far removed from the plots and politics of the Imperial fleet. 123 Jennas – Kor, the old man’s lost his touch, he’s soft on Earthers and scared of a fight. Soft on women too. Quarag remembered all the times Kor had resisted threats to his command. quavas, the hot, spicy Klingon brew he’s probably not too soft to use the agonizer on you if he hears you carrying on. Kali and Uhura met briefly on the beach and agreed that castration was better than death for the hunters Kali marches off to kill the hunters slaughtering the Taygetian adults for their crystal tears. She considers asking Uhura to join her, but having an armed human at her back was not something she could view with equanimity. Quarag calls Kor to tell him Kali’s gone off. There was always a subtly different scent about humans She hefted her disruptor, testing the balance She reminded herself that she was a Klingon and an officer and stepped into a firing position. The hunters have never seen a Klingon woman before. These were humans ass he had been taught to expect them Excitement and a sense of power coursed though her and she began to enjoy the situation. Kor saves Kali from the five hunters, wounding them. Kor stood nonchalantly over the hunters, his disruptor dangling slackly in one hand. He caught Kali with his free arm and held her close but he never took his eyes off the humans or allowed her to block his line of fire. He kissed the top of her head – If you must be a heroine can’t you at least bring enough troops to make it successful? My dear one, you are amazing. He doesn’t kill them because Kirk probably would like it if he started killing Fed citizens. He will meet with Kirk and see what should be done about the Taygetians. If the Empire clams this planet the Taygetians may be an inconvenient presence that will have to be removed anyway. 136 Kirk, you have some extremely unpleasant members of your race squatting on that planet, Kor said without preamble. Kor – You do not go hunting for Cxentares cats with a slingshot. The soundless flashes of a Klingon transporter Kandi lifted Uhura’s hand and bestowed a light kiss onto the wrist – I had no notion that human women could be so beautiful. Uhura – And I had no notion that Klingon men knew how to flirt. Kandi – You wouldn’t happen to have any recent Earth fiction tapes that you would be willing to part with. Kor – Kandi we would like to settle this sometime before next week. You can importune people for trashy novels some other time. Kirk noticed Kor and Kandi in low voiced conversation. Not for the first time he wished he could speak Klingonese. Kandi was speaking urgently to Kor, who looked thoughtful but kept shaking his head. Kor – They have insulted my wife, and for that they must pay. It will be a pleasure to teach them manners Kandi circled one of the downed hunters, taunting him to get up. When he did, Kandi neatly knocked him to the ground again. twice more. Kor – the coup de grace, as I believe you Earthmen call it. let us handle it for you. We’re not so squeamish as you humans. Kor and Kandi beam to Enterprise with Kirk, security team, and captured hunters. Kor – if you would prefer not to have, shall we say, semi hostile aliens aboard your ship you can send us directly to our ships. Kirk – As strange as it sounds, Commander, I’m beginning to trust you. I think Dr. McCoy can be persuaded to break out the Saurian brandy. Kor, as Kandi looked hopeful – the offer of Saurian brandy is too good to pass up. Kor noticed that they were taking an inordinately circuitous route to the confinement area and he assumed Kirk was bypassing any sensitive areas. He didn’t blame the Earth captain. he would have done the same. Kirk and Kor share a bottle of Saurian brandy. 148 the angry frown pulled her delicate bifurcated brows into a straight black line over the bridge of her nose. The commander’s new wife was well known for her quick temper. She couldn’t believe that Kor would return straight to the Klothos after dealing with the hunters, surely he would have wanted to spend time with her since they had been separated for several days. She had spent two hours in the human camp waiting for Kor. She rode the power lift to the bridge She stiffened her back and set her jaw in a tight line of outrage. Karsul’s shaved head, he always wore his hair cut close to the scalp, like a common jevul fighter, a low class affectation Karsul, there was always something so intense and brooding about the man’s look. It is a foolish man who barricades and guards the door while leaving the windows open behind him Don’t crow too soon, I’ll have your job someday. I’d rather be a galley cook on a garbage scow Your husband is too weak to keep you in line The proper position for a woman, at the feet of her man! Any Klingon woman is happy to take that position, but only if there’s a man available. She slammed her hand against the lock panel Dusting the already spotless dresser Straightening Kor’s collection of antique weapons that hung on one wall Coverlet on the bed Mutiny hung like a miasma in the air and drifted through the halls on the Klothos, carried by the muttering of disgruntled men. Kor was lingering among the humans, doing what the gods alone knew. Adding fuel to the already prevalent attitude that he is a lover of Earthers. Kali knew Kor two years before she had finally convinced him to marry her. During that time she had heard a great deal about Kirk of the Enterprise. Kor had a great deal of admiration for the man and had always regretted that the Organians had interfered before they could test their strength against one another. After the Organians had dispersed the Klingon and Fed fleets without allowing a battle and forced a treaty upon the two warring powers, the Empire began to search for a scapegoat to bear the blame. The full fury of the thwarted ruling party fell upon Kor. He had been severely punished, had lost everything he had fought to gain in a long and distinguished military career. When Kali met him he had been a mere lieutenant teaching tactics at the military academy outside the capital, stripped of all rank and honors and more importantly, mourning the loss of his beloved ship. Kali had stood beside him, falling ever more deeply in love with this brilliant, ironic man while he struggled to regain his position. Finally a shift in the political climate had returned him to his ship and his command. When he felt he once again had something to offer her he had proposed and she had gladly accepted. The fear that had been torturing her for months – Was Kor still loyal to the Empire? Duty dictated that if she suspected such disloyalty she should immediately report her suspicions to Imperial Command. But Kor was her husband, the mate she had chosen for life, the love of her life. What was duty compared to the love she felt for this man? She was a Klingon. Surely the Empire that had raised her, educated her, given her a career, deserved her service and her loyalty. She thought of the unwarranted and unfair treatment Kor had received at the hands of the Empire. They had no right to treat Kor like that. No commander could have done more against the awesome might of the Organians. And the Empire lied, they said humans were cruel and barbaric. That their only response to a Klingon was death or the camps. She could see that humans and Klingons were very much alike. Humans were weak and overly sentimental, but by no means despicable. One could begin to like them with some exposure By Klingon law she was booty, spoils to the victor. If Karsul succeeded in his bid for power she would be expected to go meekly to his bed. If this was what Klinzhai expected from its women then she refused! 171 Kirk – We’re in this together. We have to continue to trust each other. Scotty – I’d sooner trust an Elasian fire devil. Kali back down on the planet, helping Spock, Uhura and Maslin understand Taygetian song. Kali contacts Kor, he’s back on Klothos As a race, the Klingons weren’t known for honoring treaties and commitments when there was something to be gained Using the power of their song the Taygetians can make marginal planets inhabitable. Contact is lost with the Klingon flagship Klothos. Kali suspects Kor had decided it had become too dangerous to allow the crews of the Klingon ships to hear any more. We are not a wealthy race. Many of the planets of the Empire are barren rocky, producing little. Kor would never want to appropriate the Taygetians for their own purposes, but others, less patient and more hotheaded might decide to act. Their feral, expectant expressions that filled him with a sense of dread. Al these officers, these young wolves of the Empire, had been held in check by his authority and the lack of a clear reason to fight. Kandi straddled a chair, his cruiser had not been party to the earlier discussion. Too late Kandi realized he had walked Kor into a vise. To put it plainly, the creatures have the power to alter and create environments A most useful skill for people beset with less than perfect worlds. Not to sound disloyal, but even our home world is no blossoming paradise. Chief medical officer of Klothos – If we use the mind-sifter will we be able to learn the secret of the Taygetians’ power? Klingons show only the most rudimentary psychic ability, the talent is vary rare. Kor ordered Kali back to the ship after Spock and Maslin’s briefing. Maybe to provide him wit the support he so desperately needed. He found himself soothed by her golden gaze. Tamboli, a young lieutenant, admirer and adherent of Karsul’s. Are we old women that we must negotiate and parley and beg for crumbs from the Earthers? We are Klingons! We take what we want! Let us take theses Taygetians. They will soon learn to bend to our bidding. Peace, friend. Most of us have not yet degenerated into women, but it seems we are led by them. Kali – The Taygetians are magic, they are beauty. To use them would be wrong, it would be a blot on the honor of our race that could never be expunged. Why must we always kill? Is there no other way for us? You’re no Klingon, you’re a puling Earther. You shame the uniform you wear Kor – You want to attack and destroy the Enterprise, do you? You young fool, this is Kirk we’re talking about. Not some useless desk pilot who just happens to have a ship. This man is a legend in his own time. He had his crew have faced and conquered dangers that have defeated even Imperial cruisers. And you puppies, you think you can take this man? Therefore, when and how we take on the Enterprise will be decided by me. I’m so glad we all agree. He led Kali from the room. Kor – Gods give me patience. Kor needs Kali on the planet to keep an eye on Quarag. Kali – What are you, Kor? You’re clearly not a Klingon anymore. Kor – Yes I am. It’s just that I’m an older Klingon now, and I’ve seen too many things to blindly accept Imperial dogma anymore. I say it know; Kirk is an honorable man and a fine soldier. I would welcome a chance to test my skill against his, but not here. I would not willingly prove myself false in the face of Kirk’s probity. That crooked little smile that she so loved twisted his lips Kor – And as for time to be with me, you, woman, will never escape from me. You will have to guide my tottering feet as I enter my dotage, and everyone will envy this old man with the beautiful young wife. Kali and Kor shuttle over to Enterprise, because Kor doesn’t trust transporter operator. Kali beams from Enterprise to planet. On Enterprise Kor just drinks tea, if he starts on anything stronger he might not stop. Kor – I must know your mind, Kirk. Otherwise I may be forced to destroy you. You are a legend, Kirk. To fight you and win would bring me great honor. To fight you and lose is not something I wish to contemplate. A clean fight, ship against ship, man against man, that I can accept. I guess I’m getting old, but I seem to have lost my taste for wholesale slaughter on a planetary scale. War is the natural condition of all races. We’ll no doubt stop fighting when the last living creature is gone, or the universe dies. The Organians are in some ways responsible for the problems I currently find myself beset with. Kor – You are a man without subtlety or diplomacy, Kirk Kirk – As a Klingon you ought to find that refreshingly familiar. Kor gave a short bark of laughter and held up one hand – A hit, indeed I concede the hit. Kor – frankly I do not trust my own government not to misuse this power that I will give into their hands if I deliver the singers. Kirk – I pledge my honor that the Taygetians will not become a weapon in the hands of the Federation. Kor slowly, hesitantly placed his dark hand in the human’s fair one – That is a pledge worthy of great respect. Very well, I will leave Taygeta for the Taygetians. While Kor and Kirk talk on Enterprise the Klingon ships pulled abruptly out of parking orbit and were peeling off to either side of the Enterprise. Obviously trying to outflank Enterprise. Kor – I would not have handled matters so crudely. You see, I regret to inform you, but I think I am no longer in command of my ships. On Klothos, Karsul, my exec I’m certain Kandi would not have betrayed me but I don’t know who would have replaced him. I am fervently hoping that you will succeed because if you don’t I’m either go8ing to die with this ship or be executed by my former first officer and in either case he will then take my wife. None of these prospects fills me with much joy. A third Klingon cruiser winked out of warp space, it raced down on them like some avenging bird of prey. Karsul must have summoned them in secret and they have been holding beyond the range of the harmonic effect. I should have killed that young man months ago. Kirk has the Enterprise descent, and the Klingon ships catch each other in a vicious crossfire. 200 On the planet ten more men transport down to camp and Karsul orders them to attack and destroy the human camp. Quarag caught kali before she slipped out of the Klingon camp. Tied her in her tent. Off in the distance she could hear the whine of weapons being fired. Kali works herself free, Quarag had taken her disruptor. Since she had failed to find another weapon she would simply have to make one, she thought with a predatory little smile, and she slipped off toward the sound of the fighting. She was about to kill one of her own kind, a comrade in arms, and why? To save a group of Earthers who were her traditional enemies. She wished Kor were here to advise her. Days ago she had decided if it were a choice between Kor and the Empire she would take Kor. If Kor were taken he would be killed. Her fate was far less enviable. She would end up as chattel to the man who had murdered her husband. The man was dead before he knew he had been attacked. Kali calmly removed her wire garrote from the man’s throat, and picking up his fallen disruptor, settled down to look for targets There was a flash of black and silver, she quickly aimed and blew away his head. Two more fell before the Klingons realized they were under attack from the rear. Feds come up, four more Klingons fall, breaks their morale. Five remaining Klingons rush for the beach. One more fell. They go back to their camp 209 Kor stared at Kirk in amazement and admiration. You are going to take us into the phenomenon and like hound after a hare they will follow. Captain, it was a privilege to know you. You are worthy to be a Klingon. 214 Kali – Sometimes I think it is a curse to love such men 228 at Kali’s suggestion the Singers of Taygeta return Kor to Klothos, stops mutiny. Khant, weapons officer under Karsul For the god’s sakes Kor’s ironic and terrifyingly familiar voice Kor fires disruptor at Karsul, point blank, the body collapsed in a heap, his uniform smoking. Take him away, and see the body jettisoned. Two men leaped to obey. Kor asked sweetly while Karsul’s body was dragged into the elevator – Anybody have any problems with my resuming command? Third ship, Captain Shibot, heavy features Korax, communications officer Kor – Not too sure of anything, are you, Korax. That’s probably the safest Shibot – Good to see you, old friend. Kor – Surprising too, no doubt. Get back to your scheduled route. Shibot – This will have to be reported. Kor – By all means report it. at this point I truly don’t give a damn about high command. I’ll either return a hero because I’ve solved the mystery of the phenomenon or I’ll die here making the attempt. Shibot – Ah, yes, I see. Either way my report won’t make much difference. I think the log can be suitably altered. My congratulations on your marriage. If anything had happened to Kali he would have liked to take it out of the other man’s skin. Kandi, tired, several bruises on his face Executions are already under way My landing party remains mute, have you heard from yours? Kor forced himself to ask. Kor and Kirk beam down with a hum and a flicker and armed guards Kali – the humans have earned the victory, we have done little but hinder them Kor – Imperial High Command is not likely to share your view Kali – So, we will have to give them a tale that will make them happy. Kor – Such a cunning little Klingon. I like these humans, I don’t know how I would feel about them if I had to live among them. 248 Kor – Once more we are denied our warriors’ duel. Kirk – you opted not to fight, but to work together. Kor – And we did pretty well, didn’t we? now we go home and face the music, forgive the pun. Kali and I will have several weeks to make it appear that we emerged victorious while you slunk away with your tail between your legs. Kirk – Oh my reputation, my poor battered reputation. Kor – Your reputation doesn’t need any further inflation. You’re already a damned living legend. And I once more have to leave the field to you. This time it wasn’t war. Think about it, Kirk, this time we stopped fighting ourselves; it didn’t take the Organians to stop us. Kali – So, maybe we are all becoming wiser. Spock – Your Empire and our Federation are still standing eye to eye and toe to toe on many fronts Kor – I don’t suppose we could borrow a few Taygetians to improve some of our problem worlds? If Kor heads the trade delegation, Kirk will be there to assure it works out Kor, gripping Kirk by the upper arms – I won’t say good-bye, but rather farewell, for I think we will be meeting again. Irk – You get the changes made so there can be trade between our peoples and I’ll see you get what you want Kor – Your hand on it? Kirk – My hand on it. Kor – You realize you’re asking me to take over the halls of power, redirect our Empire. Kirk – IF there’s any man who can do it, it’s you. You’re well on your way to being a living legend too. Kali – Please, he’s already vain enough. Kor – Ah, but my darling, I will always have you there to deflate my ego, so all will be well. Spock – A highly volatile people Kirk – Yes, but I like them. Pawns and Symbols by Majliss Larson The bed was very hard Stim shots Kang, tall even by Klingon standards, muscular, fine black hair, piercing eyes and an expressive mouth, wore his arrogance easily, as a birthright Kang picked up distress call from Sherman’s Planet but reconnoitered a day before responding because we’ve had false distress calls involving the Fed before. One man in communications room died shortly after Kang’s party arrived, from lourkain and a sedative. Eknaar warned Kang it was risky to administer the drugs Bridge report Filthy Klingon cowards! You’re not fit to do my wash. A vile Klingon insult. Laundry is a menial task traditionally done only by low-caste servant women, hence demeaning, especially to a male Kang – never turn and run from a superior force. That’s always a tactical error. A whistle shrill to the point of pain to a human Enterprise comes and fires shot across bow. Status Amber – full battle readiness. Kang’s voice was cool and dry Enterprise found newly established Klingon outpost on Sherman’s Planet. Scientific mission. Fed efforts to develop Sherman’s Planet not spectacularly successful. Klingons applied to the Organians for equal status on Sherman’s Planet. We have honored the treaty to the letter. Narrow corridors Bridge easily crowded. Banked displays of the weapons officer to the left. High back of Kang’s seat. Bond, by Klingon custom, if a person’s life is saved by another, then he or she becomes bond-person to the rescuer until rescuer sees fit to release that bond. Two additional cruisers with Kang flank Enterprise Agonizer – applied quarter-strength, standard duration, then confine to quarters for 60 hours. Klingon male collapsed screaming, stiffened in convulsions. Confine yourself to quarters for 30 hours Three-legged stool Transparent top half of the cell door Sonic toilet and sink One cruiser trails Enterprise out of Klingon space 30 hour Klingon day Aernath grew glory fruit in lab, from outpost world on other side of empire. Unpronounceable name. One fruit at a time Eknaar, doctor on Kang’s imperial battle cruiser Klolode II, stocky gray haired Aernath. Agricultural liaison Ag Tech on Kang’s ship. Slender delicate, black hair, long mustache, no beard, deep blue eyes. Bond to Jean Ly-Kieu Czerny, Fed agricultural specialist. From Mara’s planet, Peneli, outer one of system. His normal healthy sense of Klingon superiority had always been flawed by this strange fascination with xenobiology, alien plants, alien animals. Lourkain, truth serum drug Tirax, Lt. on Commander Kang’s battle cruiser Klolode II. From rim planet Tsorn Durgath. Oath by Durgath, lives in lair, eats offenders, all cruisers dedicated to Durgath, giver and taker of life. God of war. Beast image often displayed. rulers are his temporal representative Tatterdemalion, term of derision. Tatterdemalion galley scum 22 Siee, exclamation sticky bread like cold corn mush with slightly sour taste a Klingon seldom spares the life of an enemy nor does he expect it in return my dagger is in my right boot loop, I carry no other weapons he disobeyed a direct order, repeatedly, that is a capital offence survive and succeed Klibicule. Grain strain. Only bears second year The older wiser warriors called them sssts – soft skin, sharp teeth. The only good ssst is at the other end of a blaster Aernath took his foil from his room, went down to the gym, and set the fencing master at level three 40 Klen. Lt. on Sherman’s Planet Klingon outpost. Squat, slightly bald, commanding officer Klingon fortress, dim yellow glow of Command room lights Ordnance and Weapons station, firing console Status amber, hold and monitor You unexpurgated idiot You will have another chance to fight and earn a warrior’s death It goes against the grain, this waiting, this womanish waiting Klingons on Sherman’s Planet shoot down Sulu’s shuttle, unauthorized, your hit will be registered nonetheless 46 Tormin, a rank in Klingon security forces roughly equivalent to sergeant, first rank, second rank, etc Klingons on Sherman’s Planet go after downed shuttle, taken out by Sulu and Tamura A Klingon battlecruiser, Koloth’s Devisor, came up on freighter Deirdre, Captain Naranjit Randy Singh, disabled by meteor shower. Radioed that at the first sign of resistance they’d blow us out of space. began towing toward Klingon empire. Disabled main drive and dropped freighter. Diversion to keep Enterprise busy. Kang sat at desk finishing some dispatches, wood-paneled council room, Commander’s personal quarters next door. A small spartan room, bed, small table, two chairs, low hassock. Clothes locker. Call button above bed. Above the bed was a mounted case containing a collection of dueling swords. built-in bookshelf and niche which held a small stylized image of a ferocious fanged beast. Huge viewscreen. Small cubicle above clothes locker, weapons locker. Elaborate control panel in wall section below display case. View all sections of ship. Issue orders unseen. 52 tsungu. Klingon game like Chinese chess Tahrn, Kang’s home planet, center of Klingon Empire. Inner planet in system with Peneli. Hot Kang, for a big man he was surprisingly quick and graceful marasmus, exclamation, possibly Aldebaran ceremonial procession and an audience with the emperor. That will be conducted in Court Klingonese. Young woman from Court Protocol, comes aboard to fix Jean’s hair, dress was scratchy silver material, short sleeves and cowled neck. Kang in elaborate costume replete with jeweled dagger, dress sword, shoulder cape If asked, you will declare your vow of unswerving loyalty to me. Imperial Capital Spaceport, reception formalities, glide-car to Port Control. Black and scarlet uniforms of Imperial Security Guards, arrogant stance and hostile glances, Kang acknowledged their salutes casually. Scarlet flash of grim-faced Security High-wheeled, canopied conveyance drawn by two beasts similar to symbolic beast in Kang’s quarters Air was chill, crowds dressed in browns, blacks, maroons. Emperor is Kang’s maternal uncle. Sister’s son succeeds. Kang normally next emperor 61 aitchnit. A fever passed through open skin wounds, scratches tseni. Virus blight Peneli. Planet outer in system with imperial center Tahrn. Mara and Aernath native Mara went soft on the Fed, shortly after encounter with Enterprise. Kang blames Kirk, wants to discredit and ruin him, not simply kill him A Klingon woman would never cry before a man, to do so implies she is crazy or he has humiliated her beyond endurance, or she considers him less than a man. Bond-right is seldom invoked with an enemy. Klingons usually kill. Virus on only three planets. Kang – The fools! I told them that viral warfare was foolhardy. They wouldn’t listen. Some escaped, mutated, now both our major grains are affected. A Klingon commander does not beg! Urgent need, pain, indomitable pride Massive was the most appropriate word for Klingon architecture. Buildings of stone or orange-colored brick, roofs flat or domed, not much precipitation. City laid out along broad avenues with heavy muscular statues of military heroes at intersections, crowded alleyways of busy commerce. Ground transport small three wheeled rigs pedaled by their occupants. Large two-wheeled carts drawn by goat-like creatures. Sleek powered black glide cards of I.S.G. patrol Imposing building with dusky pink façade decorated with silver and while tiles, massive wooden doors with beast image above. Audience room filled with Klingon men in uniform, women in elaborate dress. The far wall was a huge tile mosaic depicting the fanged beast rampant against a field of stars. Kang raised his arm in formal Klingon salute The emperor extended his right hand for a ritual kiss Glide-car was gunmetal gray, opaqued the rear compartment windows Tirax is Kang’s top Lt. Metalmesh fence topped with flash rods Soil sandy yellow, no true trees These days Klingons don’t usually have more than two children, first-born male, second-born female. Kang can be a diplomat as well as a battle commander and he carried the soul of his people in his heart. The commander and his crew are different from the average battle cruiser’s. that first crew of his was even more remarkable than this one. It was a terrible tragedy when he lost that ship. He’ll never fully recover from that blow, then Mara left him. Son of Mara and Kang would occupy the throne of Peneli. Such a close alliance of the two premier planets of the Empire has not existed for generations. Theld; theld-barred We must negotiate from a position of strength. Kang’s mission with that first ship was to assess the Federation’s strength. Kang was badly shaken by the experience of losing his ship and most of his crew, being outwitted by Kirk, then having to accept Kirk's offer to deliver him to a safe port of transfer. Mara felt immediate negotiation was the best approach. Kang wanted to wait so he can negotiate only from a position of overwhelming strength. Each crew member must tender and pass Vow to his commander 68 sayilt, bamboo like plants, shady Tsuyen. Laborer at Tahrn agri station, female Klingon lap loom, women of this region of Tahrn famous for their weaving. Sit in courtyard or doorstep, with loom taut between toes and waist. Work two wands with one foot. Work out your bond-debt like a true Klingon slean. Animal, dangerous when cornered. Furred predator of Tahrnian grasslands Tsorn. Planet home of Tirex. On the rim We are all prey for Durgath’s palate, but don’t go looking in his lair Kuri. Young ag-tech apprentice working on grain project After ploughing in Tahrn’s rural areas by hand, the land worked with heavy double-headed implement, a sort of cross between a mattock and a rake, swing smoothly with practice Fed lies across Klingon natural path of expansion By the claws of Durgath He is a Klingon Imperial Officer, he lives by his vow. He will not contravene his commander’s orders. Death rate 2 percent. Infant mortality. Rationing, riots, including small one in capital. Czerny strain of quadrotriticale, Cheerny. Klairos, planet, grain virus spreads quickly here and on Peneli, blight worse then Peneli or Tahrn. Fairly recently settled rim world, primitive. Most inhabited areas are mountainous, lowlands are marsh. Has plenty of native animals, such as dagger-tooth, 120 kilo furred predator of the mountains, greater snowbird, 3 meter wingspan and talons that could carry off a full grown Klingon, many amphibians uncatalogued. Microscopic creatures dangerous as well Toss you bound into the teeth of Durgath Clear space and good landings Cymele – goddess of fields and forests, protectress of women, lithe figure. Carved from ivory-colored substance. 81 Boryx – nasty little beast, orange furred fisher animal, barred and plain varieties, vicious fighters. Males castrate each other frequently Quarters forward of officer’s section, bed with small attached sofa. Small desk. Table and two chairs. Recessed over the bed was aquarium with a number of small brightly colored fish. Aernath plays tsungu Report to sickbay for immunizations Klairos, odd customs primitive, having several children, extremely low status for women, direct patrilineal inheritance Direct patrilineal inheritance very antisocial, can’t maintain a decent social structure with ingrown system like that. The inheritance through the maternal uncle fostered a set of interrelationships and loyalties that were of great value in Klingon society. Aernath has plant that produces electromagnetic impulses that jam the security pickup Science mess Kang and lieutenants a couple of days of meetings planetside Tirax feels the Fed is soft and can be easily defeated Glory fruit bush Scanner alarm, detects hostile animals in vicinity 85 Libations to image of Durgath, part of consort rite, starting point Kang, Imperial fleet commander, goes through consort rite ritual with Jean Czerny, Fed agri tech, simple military version, accept cup part of ritual, then sex Kang can have 6 consorts if he wants By Cymele’s cloak Intercom button Kang’s quarters shower set up in reverse for hot and cold. I should have had maintenance fix it long ago. Spray foam medication for burns. Plastiderm dressing, leave it until it comes off by itself. Dishes on servocart Pomfrit, a fruit Eyes appropriately lowered she offered the bowl I will hear you I think you nearly match me when it comes to pride. You’re right to fear me. If I’m forced to it, you’re expendable. Mara understood this and she took the risk with me until your Kirk seduced her with his hypocritial human sentimentality. Consort-right involves male extending political and personal power around female. I have just handed you a far more dangerous weapon than my life. 95 Kang and Tirax found Jean on Sherman’s Planet. Tirax thought she would break easily. Kang wagered she wouldn’t. 95 Blinghat rapier, a bendable sword whenever Kang’s advisors wax enthusiastic about attacking the Fed the scar Jean gave Kang on his arm will be a reminder that although humans appear soft they have sharp teeth Aetheln = Kang wanted Jean to come to his bed for her own free will, even though he could have taken her by force at any time Kang – Mara stands against her own empire. But she said a peculiar thing before she left: You already have the strength but you won’t see it until you use it. Petty incidents and accidents continue to occur along the interface of Klingon and Fed space. Starfleet intelligence reports indicate the situation within the Klingon Empire has not changed substantially. Enterprise take additional personnel aboard at Starbase 10 for Sherman’s Planet. The Klingon Outpost on Sherman’s Planet weathered the winter well, ignore all communication from the Feds and the Organians. No apparent contact with the Empire either. Occasional hunting party noted by Fed personnel. 111 sashkas, common Romulan vegetable Romulan – Don’t mock me, human, you dishonor us both. Death on the battlefield or even quick death to a defeated enemy is noble. I accept that. The Enterprise will arrange the release of the Romulan prisoner through the Organians. Romulan ambassador newly stationed on Organia The Romulan sabotaged her ship with a very efficient Klingon device placed in the main engine room. The ship is in a sector the Klingons do not frequent, around uninhabited planet Persephone Two, between Starbase 10 and Sherman’s Planet. ‘gath’s teeth Cymele incarnate. I’m not superstitious but there are those who would believe the goddess herself had a human streak the way things have been here lately. 130 Kasoth – Klairosian male, typical hostile attitude to females, helps with agri project Theld – consort-status members of man’s Theld Clear space and good landings Kang’s form disappeared in the characteristic flashing of the Klingon transporter beam Klarios, late Tertiary period large amphibian species. Port Klairos, capital city, less than 75 years old, built on polderland Krelk, riding animal on Klairos, cross between llama and kangaroo. 1 ½ meters tall. Coarse hair, slender forelegs. Longer hind legs more muscled. Large tail formidable weapon. Prehensile last meter of tail. Wraps around rider, rider guides by foot and knee movements, hands free for weapons typical Klingon riding stance On Klairos women never approach men with their heads covered, Men eat first, then women and children No touching men without permission first, on Klairos Back litter, women ride in them atop krelk, cage like Klingon penchant for massive stone buildings Outer settlements of geodesic domes of lightweight materials analogous to duralloy and flex-glas, brought by first settlers. Local tree called stonewood. Flashnet above settlement buildings guaranteed protection from aerial predators, perimeter also guarded Insolent scum, what Theld owns you that you dare to The agonizer was appropriate technology for the Klingon culture. By the bowels of Durgath White snowbird Snowbirds hunt at dusk, evening Theld-barred. Cast out in difficult times Cymele’s cloak By the lair of Durgath Aydutywa – 12-13 year old girl Jean adopts = unwanted one Tywa = Jean’s name for girl, enthralled by stories of Kang and being on imperial battle cruiser Durgeth take [person] Khizr - Klingon coffee Hela = Klingon riding command ‘forward’ ‘come on’ etc Kinath = guard killed by sea beast on Klairos Commander Kasoth ‘gath’s bones Lt. Tirax Amarklor – something dived for, like pearls Kin-reft, no theld will own her Jean saves Tywa after she swallows poison. Klingons have a gag reflex. Ancient Klingon proverb – The merest feather proves its worth when you need it to trim your arrow. There is no higher honor than to serve on an Imperial Fleet ship A noble death is to be preferred to an ignoble one Let’s eat before everything gets colder than a space probe Tahrnian ale To your health, wealth, and a long life Kang aware of time of earth Asian lunar new year. He has been doing some reading A good strategist always knows his opponent and his playing pieces well. Kang means type of granite outcropping from mountains, used for fortifications. Also mountain fastness or fortress Jheen, Klingon version of Jean, mischievous and sometimes vicious daemon or spirit who inhabits woods and wild places. Capricious female spirit. Unpredictable. Obeys only Cymele herself. Even Durgath can’t command a jheen, except by Cymele’s consent Kang - Humans are tenacious but unpredictable adversaries. Individuals, like empires, can get soft and complacent unless they meet new challenges. That can lead to fatal miscalculations. The Empire must stay alert and strong. The Klingons have reached an understanding with the Romulans. That’s a long story and a shaky truce. Not at all analogous to the Fed. Kang – The Roms and the Feds make much better use of their people, by using their women more effectively. Tywa, an agile mind and an ardent spirit Klairos males nickname Jean Princess Daggertooth 159 Cami = an extremely versatile piece in game of tsungu Tsuyen agrees to look after rescued Tywa on Tahrn ag station Tahrn to Peneli half day journey Peneli – rich fertile planet. Main landmass tropical. Many plants Zelasz – xenozoologist from Peneli on Kang’s ship Strike cleanly and I will salute Durgath in your name when I stand before him [dead] Aeliki = Aerneth’s lithe black haired sister Cymele’s cloak Aernath’s Mara’s undercover agent on Kang’s ship Kyrnon, Klingon ?male with Mara Aernath bond-status Khizr for breakfast Persaba, fruit, made as a hot drink or eaten raw, local to Peneli. Jean allergic reaction Durgath take them all Like sitting riverbirds Cymele help me Aeliki, Aernath’s sister Klingons prefer a firmer sleeping surface than humans Operate faucet by putting finger on faint strip above spigot, slide down until find temperature you want then push. Push it again to turn of. Shower works the same way. Formal Peneli dress = bodysuit with long sleeves, tight bodice of gauzy light material, divided at the waist into six panels and floated to ankle length Males = similar body suit, overtunic Oceans, large shellfish, utensils made from shells. Peach tinge rare, caused by eating certain plankton. Pearly gray more common color Peneli rich, fertile planet, a rarity in Klingon empire. Key to the Imperial fleet. Kang must be able to count on it. Mara – In spite of our low population growth rate, the Empire must expand. The Fed is an obstacle to that expansion. Many Klingons feel therefore that it must be destroyed. Others of us, notably Kang, feel that all-out attack now would so weaken us that even if we did succeed the Empire would be destroyed in the process. What Kang doesn’t see is that the armed confrontation doesn’t have to occur at all, at least not on a major scale. He must be brought to negotiation with the Fed soon, successful negotiation. The invitation must come from the Fed, to Kang. And they must make a significant offer when he does meet with him. Aethelnor of Peneli, son of Kang of Tahrn, emperor-elect and Mara. Four or five years old, future regent of Peneli. Would be leaving his mother to join his uncle’s Theld in a few years. Kept secluded on Peneli known only to Mara’s nurse. Nurse raised Mara from a child, only attendant at Aethelnor’s birthing. Mara wants to send him to Fed as hostage, to get Kang to negotiating table, and give child experience of living with humans As a former Fleet science officer I have a fair knowledge of medicine Maelen of Peneli, warrior and regent of Peneli, Mara’s brother Cymele keep us Kang unaware of child’s existence Aernath fascinated with humans, unquestionable loyal to Mara, then Kang. To be Aethelnor’s tutor in Fed. Mara is well read in Terran culture, Confucius. Those days on the Enterprise after the truce. Kang wouldn’t let Mara out of their quarters, she spent the time with computer tapes, Spock limited access to scientific areas, so she took history and culture. Survival and success to you both Dematrix, Mara’s title Or = suffix means ‘bearing’ Aetheln = kismet, one’s fate or destiny in life, person proper role on the order of things dufflepods Tsorn. Jean and Aernath and Aethelnor travel here on fast courier ship, red sands, rim planet located in quadrant tangential to Fed space. interior of main continent dominated by salt flats and great deserts of red sand. Narrow belt around edge of continent capable of support agri. Ichidurtsukaitsorn = Tsorn capital city Ichidur. Northwest part of continent not too far inland. Spaceport on edge of desert Shurdik, article of clothing women must cover themselves with voluminous garment on Tsorn. Mesh eye covering One piece suit standard for men of Tsorn Subtern – sub way transport system? Individual cubicles, coordinates entered on control panel set off to specified location Winters very wet in Ichidur Urban Klingons live behind massive stone walls. Stone wall compound. Solid wooden door. Red polyhedral tiles. House backyard slopes down to a stream, this side not fenced with stone but delicate metal grillwork and plantings of dwarf trees. Officially, the contact Jean and Aernath were to meet had met with an unfortunate accident on the way to the spoaceport to pick them up. Unofficially Aernath was convinced he had died under ISG agonizer. Always look for a chance to score when your enemy is paying attention to something else The correct term is Mark, not gotcha, Llngen - Huge trees in Ichidur, aerial roots rise two meters into air surmounted by abbreviated platform-shaped trunk, branches around periphery reach skyward, thick gray-green canopy, organic replica of planetary magnetosphere. Ngkatha - Burrowing near rivers and streams furry brown animal native, city scavengers. Meter long. Six legs. Sinuous body. Back cover with fur. Fur around limbs. No external ears. Telepathic with humans, not Klingons. One contacts Jean on Tsorn Code phrase, popular saying – the gyrfalcon only flies at dawn and dusk and the wise hunter does well to discipline himself likewise. Tree dark red roots. Along rivers and streams on Tsorn, gray-green leaves Tsorn women don’t eat in public open spaces Welcome, Kinsman. Formal courtesy. Amar – proprietor of restaurant/rooms on top of llngen tree, lagoon riverside, on Tsorn. Good for observing flora and fauna. Gyrfalcon – bird flies at dawn and dusk, exemplar of patience. Ngkatha – fascinating animals according to Spock, not much studied. On Tsorn. Communication. The burrowing telepath 200 Hathak – Klingon corpulent figure of importance on Tsorn. ?Name or rank. Disliked high ranking official ‘Gath take him; ‘gath’s bones Tormin – guard rank What in the lair of Durgath Well that certainly beats my potted plant all hollow Maenadic Kanish – substance, smoked, caused hallucinogenic dreams A fortunate stroke of Durgath Korin – a term of respect for elder males of the maternal line ‘uncle’ Thelsa – an elder female of the maternal line, older female cousin, aunt-by-marriage, grandmother Agricultural Specialist Aernath Khizr – moderate stimulant Jean captured on Tsorn, Aernath and Aethenor escape One of the guard’s scanners apparently registered her as non-Klingon Theld, societal duty to relinquish firstborn male child when young, importance of sibling relationship, man helped parents select sister’s mate as well as his own Kang will succeed his uncle as Emperor of Tahrn, the most ancient and therefore highest position in the Council of Rulers. His son next in line to succeed Mara’s brother Maelen as regent of Peneli Cyrano Jones transports Aernath and Aethelnor and Spock out of Klingon space, to Space Station K-seven. About three days away. Arcturean delicacy ndalj toxic to Klingon physiology, even potentially fatal to the young. Enticing aroma. Cyrano prepares standard Klingon fare for his passengers Aernath felt as if he were sitting on activated agonizers Cyrano – Once I found myself on a rather nasty planet, natives weren’t too friendly. Sales were pretty slow. I was about to give it up as a poor choice when I happened on the nicest little creature. A glommer it was. Had a ferocious appetite. Needed a good home and a steady diet, so I took him in. It just so happened that I knew a place where he could feast to his heart’s content. So off we set. Klingons began to chase me with their big spaceship. shooting at me. Cyrano has tribble Juliette on his ship. Tribble maddening screech causes nails on school slate sensation. Spock – Our agreement specified no tribbles aboard this trip. the payment of his fee depends on trip not being disturbed by any tribble incidents Last time Kirk turned Jones over to the authorities he wriggled out by volunteering for hazardous duty like any good patriotic Fed citizen in the time of need, in return for suspended sentencing. Jones’ tribble stock was in deep hypothermia storage on K-Seven, unit became temporarily inoperative, tribbles infest K-7 again. Thirty hours in a space day Mara pulls off coup on Peneli, brother does as she says Numerous stories told of humans. Their friendliness and good will one of their most dangerous traits. They would appear deceptively friendly but they used this as a camouflage for their devious and cunning machinations. Certain Penelian xenopsychologists argued that this was a fundamental misperception of human nature. Academic theory. Those with combat-contact experience told very different stories, if they survived. Mara had reported that most Enterprise crew carried no weapons but Aernath hadn’t really believed it. Aernath picked up occasional scents of fear, several of anger or hostility from humans they passed. He sensed his own fear scent climbing well above detection level Aethelnor likes human koko Quarters on Enterprise immense by Klingon standards, bed outrageously soft, difficult to sleep in. Aernath denied permission to carry dagger on Enterprise. The press of cold metal against his calf was comforting somehow. He thought longingly of his dagger. 220 Kalimbok – Penelian bush, spicy scent Kahlex – I.S.G. commandant for the Ichidur spaceport, elder twin to Tirex Kahlex tortures Jean. The nightmares would be with her for years. Agonizer causes her heart to stop. Cardiovert restarts it. ?jequard, wild animal play Durgath to Cymele and her jheens Cymele preserve us Cymele will have her revenge Kang went over Peneli with a fine-tuned phaser, even thought Jean might have been taken to Tahrn, to throw him off so he sent out a net there, too. Some double agent sent word to try Tsorn. Black webbing above sickbay beds Kang agrees to meet with Kirk when Mara and Jean convince him of son’s existence. Kang to Mara – I thought when I got you back I would be safe, the one person in the Empire who could be held hostage against me, you could command the legions of space itself and I would laugh if I held you here. Mara to Kang – You are the only one in the Empire with the strength and the vision to treat with the Fed. Mara allowed her hands to move, first to the ritual gesture of submission before Kang’s belt, then to his face, Milord. Mara applied the body oil Klingons prized so highly. Mara had a superb body and she gave it the same meticulous attention she gave to other things she deemed important. Mara – I would not dare defy Kang on any other thing. Mara’s mission to meet with Federation for negotiations Jean second-consort. Were Kang planetside instead of in the Imperial Fleet he probably would have taken a second consort long ago. In one of such exalted rank it would not be remarkable. Mara is First Consort, with all that that implies. Jean has no powerful connections in the Empire to worry Mara. Humans have the habit of single pairing. Kang doesn’t expect Jean to love him. Certainly not immediately. Mara didn’t love him at first. He expects, and deserves aetheln. Mara – You recognize what he is, what he can mean for the Empire! For the Federation even. Kang – I need Mara, and I love her. Does that surprise you, human? That a Klingon can love? It’s a weakness, I know. I’ve tried to overcome it. But I have not succeeded and it may prove to be my fatal flaw. Cymele will have Her revenge, because I dared give to a mortal what belongs to Her alone. Tirax nearly made Kang indebted to him for locating and retrieving Jean. Kang – What is it about you humans? You clearly possess the courage to tackle situations even when the odds against you are overwhelming but you seem to lack the stomach for the messy infighting needed to finish it. How then do you clinch your victories? If I kill him, two more Klingons will simply take his place, their resolve redoubled to revenge his death Tirax is a fine line officer except for his hatred of human Let him stew in that tribble-brew for a while He’s not intended to like it, but he’ll survive it. 237 battle of Donatu V occurred nearly 30 years ago Aernath finds Enterprise information on Klingons amazingly deficient and shockingly inaccurate. Aernath fences with Sulu Imperial experiment station on Tahrn Violet-amarklor = very deep violet color to color blind Klingons Amarklor – a color in the ultraviolet range Amarklor-kalish – a color Kalish – nothing visible beyond kalish 3200 angstroms color spectrum Klingons can’t tell the difference between black and red, white looks green. Klingon eyes don’t have erythrolabe, can’t see red, but can see orange, visual range runs from 6400 angstroms down in ultraviolet range to 3200 angstroms. He can see ultraviolet amarklor and kalish, names to two major colors in ultraviolet range. Four retinal pigments, one lets see orange to green and one for blue to kalish Klingon confront and annihilate faction vs Kang Five Klingon cruisers, a full hand of cruisers. The imperial fleet rarely deployed even a formation of three cruisers. Five was unprecedented. Coming in from Klingon space on a very oblique course to Enterprise, interception just this side of Sherman’s planet. Klolode Two, Kang of Tahrn commander Kahless, Commander Ekthorn Devisor, Commander Koloth’s ship Three of five Klingon cruisers unprecedented number for deployment near Sherman’s Planet. Intercept Enterprise Ekthorn carried a lot of weight in the Fleet. From Klairos. Has younger brother high in the Klairosian Council. Koloth’s sector is area around Sherman’s Planet Kasob – another Klingon cruiser commander. His uncle highly placed in the Peneli court. Comes with Kang to negotiate Kang – It is our understanding that the Federation wishes to rectify some previous errors. As representative of the emperor, I am willing to listen to your proposals. We come in peace. Only by vigilance does one survive to hunt another day. Sherman’s Planet is the one planet in the galaxy where Fed and Klingons each have a settlement. Scotty had never quite forgiven Kang for the rape of his engineering room at the hands of Kang’s Klingons some years earlier. Lt. Klen from Klingon post on Sherman’s Planet Lt. Klyndur, tactics officer just transferred from Commander Ekthorn’s cruiser. Checks communications console setup on Sherman’s Planet during negotiations. Checks that Fed delegates are unarmed Ke 9236 Klingon name for Neural Two weeks of negotiations Kang and Kirk, first meeting for them since beta XIIA incident some years earlier Respective Imperial colors – Kang in silver and white, Mara in blue and argent Kang revealed his apprehension by the faint scowl that drew his slanted eyebrows toward each other. Mara revealed her apprehension by the tight set of her lips Glidecar Through vigilance comes victory Kang deliberately removed his blaster and sword, handing them to the tormin. Although he appeared stoically indifferent to the process, his fury at this indignity by the vein that throbbed in his temple. The ceremonial dagger from his boot, too. Kang – The Empire, of course, earnestly desires a peaceful relationship with your Federation, but unfortunately there are a number of regrettable acts of aggression and hostility that have been directed against us. Naturally, reparations must be made before there exists any basis for peaceful relationships. There is continued Fed interference in Klingon Empire star system one-zero-four-three-seven, the Tellun system. Ongoing harassment of our representatives and their protectorates on Ke nine-two-three-six, Neural. Also wrongful death at the hands of Fed agents of our representative on Capella IV. Grave matter of ecological sabotage by Cyrano Jones on one of your planets, related blatant sabotage of one of our cruisers. Klingons have consistently refused to acknowledge Organian transmission signals about Sherman’s Planet. Kang felt his position vis-à-vis Sherman’s Planet was one of the weaker points in the Klingon case. We have not violated their treaty in establishing our colony here. If they wish to annihilate us nonetheless, let them come and do it. We are prepared for that. I see no reason to argue with them about it. The Organians have agreed with the Klingon arguments and suggest it would be appropriate to allow a Klingon scientific post on Sherman’s Planet. The Klingon post on Sherman’s Planet had been considered a suicide mission with scant chance for survival, its only purpose had been as a feint for the Enterprise. Expendable. McCoy shares defensive measures developed against tribbles, augment genetic research with glommers, the use of neoehylene and its effects on tribble metabolism. The Tellun star system, Kirk thought it would be poetic justice if the Klingons and the Elasians got together. Discuss resources, trade agreements, travel restrictions Buffet of both Klingon and human dishes. Kang and Mara familiar with all of them. Klen and Klyndur suspiciously avoided unfamiliar items The driver of the glidecar, a weather-beaten veteran of numerous battles and now a member of the Sherman’s Planet outpost contingent. I can’t drive and keep a bead on you, too. Hotter than a mad Vulcan Recording stylus. By Kahless Jean volunteered for mission into Klingon territory. Starfleet Intelligence had learned of the blight. They learned a raid on Sherman’s Planet was in the offing. She was supposed to cooperate, and look for opportunity to consider negotiation and cooperation. But earthquake messed with her memory. Kang seemed to enjoy their discomfiture equally. He really was a gambler. The higher the stakes and the greater the challenge the more he enjoyed the game as long as the risk and stakes were matched on the other side. Ask Mara to tender Vow. Mara is completely loyal to the Empire and to Kang personally, though she knows he doesn’t believe it. Klen and Klyndur admire Kang’s negotiating achievements. You have defiled your honor as a Klingon warrior, desecrated your vow. By Durgath and by his throne which shall be yours [Kang’s] I accept your affirmation of the vow, Kinsman Classic Klingon posture of submission – knelt knees wide apart, hands on heels, head bowed. Permission to kill Kang popularly regarded as the best damn commander in the whole Klingon fleet by populace. Kang – It makes humans very nervous for us to carry weapons so we left them behind. Mara tells Aethelnor Kang always wins Kang’s sister died young, without having children Hathak Kang, kla i’il kurin aetheln = I salute you Kang with the aetheln which is your due Thelerrin = a general term for younger female of household. Kang calls Jean this. By snapping a goblet stem between thumb and forefingers neatly in two, breaks consort bond. Place one fragment in one of female’s hands, other piece in other hand, words – It is broken, neither bond nor consort be, you are free. Retain the claim to theld-right, so as not to be left kin-reft in the Empire. Formal banquet at end of two weeks negotiations, two days of protocols and ceremonies on K-7. Two mahogany furred six-legged Tsorn ngkatha, gifted by Cyrano Jones to Spock Potential baby index – Kang/Jean Ly-Kieu Czerny Jean Ly-Kieu Czerny/Aernath Cry of the Onlies by Judy Klass P14 The Enterprise en route to Boaco Six to contact rebel government and try to smooth relations with Federation. Also must be alert to signs of Klingon infiltration and report on the extent of both Klingon and Romulan influence in this system. Boaco Eight a Federation ally. P35 line of thought currently very popular among Starfleet Academy cadets - the Klingons have no final goal, they’re insatiable, they’ll stop at nothing. And little worlds like Boaco Six don’t know what they’re doing, what they’re letting themselves in for. They buy arms from the Klingons, might as well sell their souls to the devil. They think they’re fighting for freedom, and then their whole world will turn into a prison camp, and it happens over and over. Boaco Six was a brutal, evil place before. P51 The Klingons are pretty gung ho according to the news service wire. They say this situation is just typical of Federation thinking – that we think we can just divide up and demarcate the galaxy, draw lines around everybody else. They’re worried the Romulans are being mistreated, for wanting to renegotiate the borders of the Romulan Neutral Zone. The Klingons are worried about the Romulans? That’s a laugh. You know that something is up when the Klingons start playing good Samaritan. P61 Klingon made air skimmer, crushing the grass beneath it and sinking its gliders into the mud, looked like a piece of mechanical junk, styled for a gullible primitive market, narrow hatchway. Cylindrical chamber, lacking several important safety features, buttons and knobs. Hard seat. Curved glass dome causes major glare. Bumpy ride. The machine trembled and vibrated. The gliders dipped and dragged in the branches. Air-bludgeoner is more like it. P93 the larger, long distance aircrafts were obviously of Klingon and Romulan design, and no attempt was made to hide this fact. But questions about the number of air- and seacrafts acquired from the enemies of the Federation received evasive answers. The aircrafts were quite primitive, corresponding roughly to solar powered planes from Earth’s twenty-second century. Primitive weapons and machines, manufactured and sold on all sides to these developing worlds. Boaco Eight, though a Federation ally, is hardly democratic or enlightened. P115 Relations between the Federation and both the Klingon and Romulan empires have gone critical. Fed may not be able to avoid direct conflict much longer. P125 the Klingons would hope to aggravate the tension between the Boacan worlds, since they hope to spur the sixth planet to go to war with its neighbor. The Romulans and Orions also have a stake in the sale of weapons. The terrorist act of destroying a ship from Boaco Eight could be done by anyone who wants these worlds to go to war and Boaco Six to distrust the Federation. An excellent tactical maneuver. P152 Klingon Commander Kreth. Aboard an empire battle cruiser within the parameters of Klingon space. He is demanding audio-visual contact with Kirk, and threatening to bring his ship into Fed space. Kirk tells Uhura to tell Kreth to hold on. The dark eyes of the Klingon Commander Kreth flashed. Kreth – So you are the famous Captain Kirk. With all due respect, Captain, you can tell your authorities at Starfleet Command that this time they have overstepped themselves. We in the Klingon Empire are not fools, Captain, and we are not to be trifled with. We protect our rights, and those of our friends. Kreth drew himself up and paused dramatically – Kirk, we are now on good trading terms with the planet of Boaco Six. And there is every reason to believe that this will blossom into an even closer relationship. And so we were dismayed to learn of the completely unprovoked Fed attack on a Boaco Six vessel, and another vessel from that system. The galaxy is seeing the true colors of the Fed with the destruction of these two helpless spacecraft. He smiled, to reveal a set of gleaming white teeth. Kirk’s response was crude, to the point and a word not usually employed in diplomacy Kreth’s eyes narrowed – You may say so. But we believe that the Enterprise was involved in the attack, that the small vessel that penetrated it was launched from your hanger deck. And that same small vessel recently violated Klingon space. It is responsible for the death of several thousand people, and property damage equivalent to the sum required to build a small space station. This time, Kirk, you have gone too far! You will, of course, repay the financial debt. But how can you make restitution for your other crimes? Your vicious insinuation to the Boacan ministers that we destroyed their ship. Kirk – the attacking vessel was of Federation make. But piloted by insane children Kreth – Aha! Pirate children, you say? A very colorful excuse, Kirk, very creative, but not very plausible. No. these are clearly Federation terrorists and you can never repay or live down the murders they have committed, the breaches of interstellar law. Kirk – it is surprising to see you becoming so adamant about space demarcation lines being respected. Considering the fuss your empire has been making about the Romulans’ right to expand their space and their neutral zone in any direction they please. Kreth flared – there is a subtle distinction between the two situations, Kirk. I am not surprised it escapes you, but I call your attention to it. The Romulans have not demanded the right to unloose spies and marauders across their boundary lines! Kirk – The Fed believes that space demarcation lines, recognized the galaxy over, are there to be respected and reinforced. Kreth menaced – Your actions show you think nothing of the kind. You have overstepped yourselves, and must be taught the consequences of such foolishness. You seem to be simply asking for war. But you have not maneuvered wisely, Kirk. All your enemies are joining together against you. You might like to know that the Romulan and Klingon empires are on closer terms now than at any time in the past. We were equally dismayed, you see, to learn that you have armed this renegade spacecraft with some sort of new cloaking device. And it will be in both our interests to put an end to such violent experimentation, shall we say, on the part of the Federation. War - His mouth savored the word. He spoke with passion, and his eyes shone fiercely. Kirk – the day the Klingons and the Romulans trust each other enough to form a working alliance will be the day the galaxy freezes over. Kreth again pretended that he had not heard – And Captain, this is not the only friendship the Federation has cemented through its cruel and stupid acts. The Klingon visual transmission panned away from Kreth and revealed a figure standing beside his command chair. It was Iogan, the minister of public welfare from Boaco Six. There the boy was, making no attempt to hide the Klingon connection. Advertising it, rather than covering it up. Iogan – the Federation has proven that it cannot be trusted. Kirk – the Federation is your only hope of maintaining any control of that planet that you worked so hard to liberate. Iogan – The Klingons have befriended the Council of Youngers Kreth – Kirk, you will confine your comments to the subject at hand and address them to me, Kirk – No, I’ll address them to him, because he’s still independent. You don’t own him or his planet yet. Kreth – This is not the time for Federation propaganda. Kirk to Iogan – Take a good look around you. Take a look at the ship you’re on and how it runs. Take a good hard look at the Klingon Empire, at home and the far-flung planets that have come under its control. And ask yourself if that’s the way that your planet should go. Did the thousands who died in the struggle to liberate your world die to lead you to this? A puppet Klingon regime. Like it? Think! Think of who you’re doing business with. Kreth stepped in front of Iogan and snapped – I remind you again, you are pushing the united forces of the Klingon and Romulan empires to the brink of war. You can, possibly, prevent this catastrophe by reimbursing us for the damage done, and extraditing these terrorists of yours to the Klingons for trial and punishment. Kreth’s toothy sneer returned – Dealt with, you say? Well, I hardly think, in light of the crimes committed, that a spanking will be sufficient. Think about what I have said to you, Captain. He inclined his head, still sneering, and the transmission of this image creased suddenly. Spock – Doubtless the Klingons are communicating the same challenging message as the one Kreth delivered to us to Starfleet Command. Kirk – They intend to milk this situation for all it’s worth. They must know it’s not really a spy ship. Unlikely the Klingons will declare war. The incident wasn’t large enough and I don’t think they’d go out on a limb for the Boacans. Of course relations have been strained for months and this doesn’t help any. It’s Flint’s [Requiem for Methuselah] new cloaking device that’s got them worried. Fears about that are enough to start a Klingon-Romulan alliance. They trust each other as little as they trust us. P167 the Klingons are becoming more belligerent. Klingon and Romulan arms are being delivered to Boaco Six at an increasing rate, according to intelligence reports. If war breaks out the Fed will have no choice but to arm the other side. P198 the Flint-cloaked ship Sparrow had destroyed a robot satellite and a small slave galley ship in Klingon space. when a Klingon ship closed in and opened fire, after Sparrow had turned off cloaking device, cloaking device reactivated. There was something strange about the people who attacked them, their chatter over the radio was incomprehensible and harsh sounding, their ships of an odd and scary-looking design. The Klingon attack had poisoned the food system, damaged life support aboard Sparrow. There is a large Klingon vessel nearby, just inside the parameter of Klingon space. the Klingon ship is leaving Klingon space and moving toward Enterprise at warp drive. Klingon ship approaching, decreasing speed. Kirk to Spock – Do you think the Klingons could want an all-out confrontation? Galactic war? Spock – Possibly. Their intent could be to provoke us and create an inflammatory incident. Or they may only want the Sparrow. Rumors of a Klingon-Romulan alliance might have some truth to them. The Fed must not stumble into conflict against such a formidable coalition. An ugly white beam shot out of the Klingon ship. It blasted into the graceful metal arch that lifted up the cylindrical top decks of the Enterprise. It was a well-aimed shot. The neck of the ship was a technical nerve center. That one Klingon phaser blast was well placed. It sliced into one of the generator units Spock – That is the answer to your question, the Klingons do feel confident enough to risk an all-out war. Kirk – fire one photon torpedo past the right side of the Klingon ship, as a warning shot. Make sure you do not injure the Klingon ship. The Klingons have put up their shields. Once more the smirking face of Commander Kreth appeared on the main screen – Well, Kirk. You do not seem to have activated your shields. You enjoy living dangerously? Kirk – You must enjoy living dangerously, Kreth. What are you doing in Fed star space? Kreth – We now claim the renegade Fed ship which entered Klingon space for its attacks, and the saboteurs on board. And we want to investigate this interesting way you have thwarted your own new cloaking device. Kirk – You claims for justice will be heard in due course by the Council of the Federation of Planets Kreth snorted – We prefer to procure justice for ourselves. There is no need for us to fight. Why, we have no quarrel with you. Only with the pirates in that small ship. Do not interfere, and there will be no trouble. Kreth crept across his bridge with the easy assurance of a tarantula in its lair. In a chair by the wall sat Iogan. His eyes followed Kreth’s form, then flicked to a young Klingon who sat near him. On the young Klingon’s face the skin in places appeared raised in bubbles. Kirk knew that this meant that the crewman had been punished for some breach of regulations with an atom-air gun, a horribly painful Klingon device for maintaining discipline. It shot gas into the skin of the victim, causing cells to rupture, explode. Kirk hoped the young Boacan had been on hand when the punishment was administered. It would give him some insight into his Klingon friends. A tractor beam reached out of the Klingon ship and clutched the Sparrow, drawing it inexorably toward the Klingon bird of prey. A high-intensity tractor beam. It will destroy the ship, the children, and the cloaking device they want so badly. The Klingons will not respond or acknowledge Kirk’s message. A Klingon phaser blast shot out and grazed the cylindrical smooth top decks of the Enterprise, not far from the bridge The Klingons may try to beam the children out first. They’ll die if the Klingons get them. When the Klingon tractor beam reached the Sparrow there was a jolt, and then the little ship seemed to come alive. Every panel, every wall, every fiber and circuit began to groan and whine and tremble, to shift uneasily. The cabin began to heat up. The hull of the Sparrow was cracking and folding in on itself. The giant Klingon ship was looming ever larger on the viewscreen, its hanger doors open like a hungry mouth. The Sparrow implodes. It seems the Klingons have overplayed their hand. After the implosion of the Sparrow the Klingon ship had turned off its tractor beam, scanned the shards and debris that floated aimlessly in the void, and then retreated rather sheepishly back into Klingon space. Kirk knew that this would finish Kreth’s career. Such mistakes were not easily forgiven by the empire. McCoy – Next time our shields aren’t working, don’t thumb your nose at the Klingons. P233 the Klingons have not, through Kreth’s experiences, learned enough to penetrate Flint’s cloaking device. P236 no more claims from the Klingons that the Sparrow inflicted massive damage on their people or equipment. Apparently, Kreth’s debacle has embarrassed them out of belligerency. The Fed has tried to estimate a fair sum to pay in restitution; the Klingons have accepted it without comment. The Enterprise has returned to Boaco Six, in an attempt to capitalize on the restored trust and court the revolutionaries out of the Klingon-Romulan camp. Boacan brandy, haunch of one of the six-legged jungle animals, the skin sizzling and braised with a sweet-smelling sauce on long sharp double-pronged skewers. P240 Iogan did not bring back a glowing report of Kreth and the Klingon arms dealers. He was disgusted by how they ran their ship, how they treated a colony they visited, how they treated him, and by their stupid destruction of the small ship. Iogan does not now think the Klingons are to be trusted. Kirk – They’re not exactly known for their winning personal charm. But I’m glad he was on hand for that graphic display of just how cruel and destructive they can be. Other acts of sabotage on Boaco Six have been linked to the Klingons. Evidence that they and the Orions are trying to force a war between us and Boaco Eight. They’ve been feeding us false information. Sabotaging our cargo ships and making it look like our neighbors are responsible, or the Feds. The Orions have apparently been trying to sell weapons to both sides. Kirk – Mmmm. Typical Klingon and Orion tactics. P242 Off the record, you will not be hearing any more about a Klingon-Romulan alliance. Iogan witnessed the beginnings of the discord. The Romulans wanted very badly to get hold of the Flint device. They blame the Klingons for ruining the chance to do that. The Klingons are not angry that the Romulans sold us shoddy goods, and are making much of it. Telling us that the Romulans are not reliable. Kirk – I knew that it was a marriage that was too strange to last. The danger is past. Neither empire is willing to take on the Federation alone at this time. Or to make an issue of the Boacan system. There are some on the Boacan council who still favor doing business with the Klingons and Orion, or with the Romulans, the general feeling seems to be to give the Fed another chance. Patrian Transgression by Simon Hawke P11 the Patrians are prime candidates for Federation membership, or acquisition by the Klingon Empire. it could go either way. Fed just agreed to a truce with the Klingons. if Fed negotiations with the Patrians fail, the Klingons would be free to make their move and Fed could not do anything about it. An attack on a culture that is not part of the Federation could not, from a strict standpoint, be regarded as a break in the truce. If the Klingons moved against the Patrian Republics, and the Fed tried to intervene, then we would be the ones breaking the truce and the Klingons could, with some justification, accuse us of initiating open warfare. Sarek is busy with ongoing peace talks with representatives of the Klingon Empire. 24 the balance of power between the Fed and the Klingons, not to mention the Roms, who as always remain something of a wild card. Truce negotiations are currently proceeding between the Fed and the Klingon Empire. there have been some Feds who have been so bold as to refer to them as peace talks. Sarek is heading up the ongoing negotiations with the Klingons during the ceasefire. The Klingons will not consent to any face-to-face negotiations, the analogy Sarek used to describe the talks to Amb. Robert Jordan was that of a fencing match between two champions, in which each moves warily, attempting a small feint here and there in an effort to draw out his opponent or reveal a weakness, with neither yet ready nor willing to commit to a decisive action. Perhaps the Klingons are only going through the motions. Failing to go along would only play into the Klingons’ hands. Whether or not the Klingons are sincere, the fact is that we do, at least for the moment, have a ceasefire, and that is no small thing. Patrians do not shake hands, they have talons. Patrian geeza wine, Scotty describes it like brine flavored with rotten herring. Primary vegetarian. 43 Patrians have recently become aware of another federation, an empire of worlds united under the government of a race known as the Klingons. the Klingons have been in contact with violent rebel faction of Patrian society. Recently the rebels have started using energy weapons of a highly advanced nature, weapons Patrians are not capable of manufacturing. mention of the Klingons had brought about a marked change in the mood of the proceedings. Amb. Jordan – The Fed stands for a union of mutual, voluntary cooperation. The Klingon Empire stands for conquest. We are currently engaged in a mutual ceasefire, while negotiations for a lasting truce have been proceeding. However, there is reason to believe that the Klingons are not sincerely interested in a lasting truce, merely a temporary ceasefire that will serve their immediate needs. Allows them to concentrate their attention elsewhere while truce negotiations are proceeding. Patrian Elder Harkun – If our negotiations do not lead to Fed membership for Patrian Republics, then the Klingons shall seek to add us to their empire. If Fed intervenes, it would be guilty of breaking ceasefire agreement. Nothing to prevent Klingons form attacking Patrians with their vastly superior weapons. In the Klingons’ interest to disrupt Fed negotiations with Patrians and add to Patrian internal instability If the Klingons have supplied energy weapons to a terrorist faction, Prime Directive would allow Fed to restore status quo. Weapons instantly recognizable to men of the Enterprise as Klingon disruptors. Still fully charged. So much for Klingon sincerity. They wouldn’t dare act openly so long as Fed and Patrian Republics are in negations, so instead they supply weapons to Patrian terrorists in an effort to disrupt their government and cause negotiations to collapse. 51 Chekov – I would not like to give up my phaser if there’s a chance that Klingons are around. Spock – Scanners do not report any Klingon power sources in the area, not picked up any Klingon life-form readings on the planet surface. 68 Patrians become merely another battleground in the war between Fed and Klingon Empire. Spock – The Klingons have no respect for the sovereignty of any culture but their own. They are not now, and never have been, bound by the Prime Directive. If the Patrians want to stand alone, not join the Fed, the Fed would respect that, but Kirk is afraid the Klingons won’t. 78 it was one thing to face a Klingon battle cruiser in space, even if the ship was cloaked, because they had to decloak before they could fire, and there were ways of spotting a cloaked ship. 117 Fed Secretary of Protocol Kim Li Wing, of the Federation Council on Intercultural Affairs – We cannot turn our backs on the Patrians and leave them to the tender mercies of the Klingons merely because their sense of morality offends us. Jordan – They do not yet fully understand what it would mean to be conquered by the Klingons. we must try to make them understand. Wing – Patrians have absolutely no idea what the full might of the Klingon war machine can do. The Enterprise is going to be patrolling this sector for any vessels that might be smuggling Klingon ordnance. Scotty surprised Feds protecting invasive telepathic Patrians from the Klingons. the Patrian Mindcrime Unit makes the Gestapo, the KGB, and the CIA look tame by comparison. Kirk – We’ve joined forces with the Patrians in an effort to stop the flow of Klingon weapons to their rebel terrorists. Prime Directive trying to restore balance to an alien society that’s been interfered with. Thanks to covert action by the Klingons it had turned into a full-scale intervention. P141 Kirk to rebel – By giving you disruptors, the Klingons are interfering with the cultural autonomy of the Patrian Republics. They’re trying to destabilize your government and upset the treaty negotiations with the Fed, so they can come in and take over. You’re not a freedom fighter. You’re just an unwitting Klingon pawn. Rebel – I would expect a Fed officer to denigrate the Klingons. the fact remains that it was the Klingons and not the Fed, who offered to aid us in our struggle against oppression. 159 Jordan – We are attempting, at the request of the Patrians, to compensate for cultural interference in their society by the Klingons, and we are confining our activities to dealing with the source of that interference. Kirk – Dealing with the source of that interference would ordinarily imply the Klingons, but then one could make the argument that the disruptors themselves are the actual, direct source of the interference, while the Klingons, who supply them, are only indirectly responsible. The rebels the source of the interference. The rebels are in possession of an unknown quality of Klingon disruptors. 166 the Orions have no great love for the Klingons, and the Klingons like the Orions even less, but politics and greed often make for some mighty strange bedfellows. Sulu - You think Orion freebooters might have made a deal with the Klingons to smuggle disruptors to the Patrian rebels? I wouldn’t think the Klingons would trust the Orions to deliver the disruptors. Scotty – Nothing to keep the freebooters from simply selling the cargo to the highest bidder, and you can be sure the Klingons would know that. However, if I was a clever Klingon looking to destabilize the Patrian government, I’d simply give the Orion freebooters the disruptors and then pay them to deliver the weapons to the Patrians, knowing they’d only sell them to the rebels for as much as they could get. That’s a deal no freebooter would be able to refuse. They’d deliver every shipment and hurry back for more. Sulu – It makes sense. It would be worth it to the Klingons, having freebooters take all the risks, and the Orions would accept the risks because they stood to make a significant profit on both ends. Scott – The Orions are a violent people, capable of giving even the Klingons a good run for their money. Orions emerald-green skin, thick mane of black hair, wear glossy black lizard-hide tunic over dark red shirt. 178 the Orion was smuggling weapons to the rebels. He had Klingon disruptors packing in the cargo holds of his ship, enough to equip a small army. 260 Patrian who made a deal with the Klingons to smuggle in disruptors, not distribute to the rebels, but to equip a clandestine special unit to stage terrorist incidents and blame them on the underground, thereby increasing public support for the Mindcrime Unit and autocratic government. Jordan – Perhaps the Klingons have given the people responsible some sort of guarantees. Kirk – But we both know what that’s worth. If we don’t succeed a lot of people are going to die. The Patrians will fall under the domination of the Klingons, and there won’t be a thing the Fed can do about it. The appearance of Klingon disruptors on Patria One. Elder Harkun was the mastermind behind the plot. Councilmen Dorin, Urik, and Rahz Commander Anjor, Captain Lovik, in it as well. They were in secret contact with the Klingon Empire, who had promised them full control of the Patrian Republics. Captain Lovik and the Komarah would rendezvous in space with Orion freebooters, who were carrying disruptors on commission form the Klingons. Business as Usual During Alternations by P82 Sulu jumps to the conclusion that the Klingons have developed a dilithium eating virus. P93 Klingons! said Chekov thickly. KLINGalingallingalingalons. Klingons could be preparing to renew hostilities. If they could corner the dilithium market. There is a Fed-Klingon treaty. Unlikely the Klingons have infiltrated Starfleet HQ – a probability of two in five billion, seven hundred million, fifty-three thousand, two hundred and one, in view of the Organian monitor. The fat joker may be the hypothetical Klingon agent. P117 the Klingon-Romulan League had approached the Federation, requesting a temporary alliance to deal with the dilithium crystal shortage. Ships of Starfleet, and the great war armadas of Klingon and Romulan alike, were paralyzed. By authority of the Joint Council pro tem of the UFP, the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Empire, the Enterprise is ordered to use any legitimate means to procure crystals. This is an emergency. P127 Harry Mudd holds an auction of dilithium, Klingons and Romulans bid. Or he’s bluffing. P152 the Enterprise should be in Sector 78 checking reports of a dastardly Klingon infiltration. There was a report of an unidentified armed robot vessel. At or near the planet N’cai. It is unthinkable to Commodore Blunt of Starbase 7 that Starfleet would collaborate with Klingons and Romulans. Starbase 7 is very close to the neutral Zone, near the Klingon border. Commodore Blunt considers Starbase 7 much too close. Constant vigilance required there at all times. Very dangerous post. He would never tolerate Klingons on his base. P176 his androids banish Harcourt Fenton Mudd from Fed space, space under the control of the Klingon Empire, or under the authority of the Romulan Empire and send him beyond the Galactic Barrier. Crossroad by Barbara Hambly p15 Enterprise picks up six free traders from disabled black starship Nautilus; Sharnas T’Gai Khir, the Vulcan boy’s akhra-name; captain small thin human/alien man with green hair Dylan Arios; tall and lanky man Phil Cooper, with dark hair, scared face, military bearing; Adajia, curvaceous, nervous, Orion female; short, dark cherubic, scared, young man Thad, Thaddeus Smith; tall Klingon woman Raksha; all from ALTernate 300 years in future, 2550s Pleased, murmured the Klingon woman, coal eyes taking in not only the room but the man in it with the speculative air of one working out some mathematical puzzle in her head. A renegade? wondered Kirk, or a watchdog for the real masters, whatever Arios’s crew might call him? Thad opened his mouth to protest but Raksha kneed him sharply in the side of the leg. Scott was watching Raksha, the Klingon woman, with wary suspicion at the way she was observing every detail of the room around her. Scott – you’ve got the weirdest engine readings I’ve ever seen Raksha gave him a sidelong glance. Raksha angled her head down to look over the doctor’s shoulder at his tricorder, calculation in her narrowed dark eyes. Raksha was examining the triangular viewscreen in the center of the table in the briefing room as unobtrusively as possible. Kirk had the feeling Arios and Raksha knew he touched the signal button under the table to request additional guards. The Nautilus was heading for Tau Lyra system, protected system, they had passed the first line of warning buoys. Anyone with enough training to pilot a space vessel of any kind knows Non-Interference Directive. Raksha’s mouth curved in an expression of irony. Five days ago they found the Nautilus derelict. Their own ship the Antelope lost to attacker while towing nautilus out of Crossroads Nebula No record of any vessel of that name in Starfleet records, Raksha’s mouth quirked in a kind of wry satisfaction, like that of a prophet who has pronounced the doom of a city and seen it burned before her. Thad began to protest and received a sharp glance from Raksha. Raksha offers Convergent evolution as explanation for no info on ship. Raksha was watching the faces of those around the table intently from under long black lashes. Going over to the Nautilis, Probably not a good idea – Raksha leaned casually on the end of the table, trying to pretend that no one had seen the momentarily alarm and horror in her eyes. We had trouble with built-in defenses on the ship. It’s honeycombed with booby traps. Raksha had lost her air of cynical detachment, there was fear there, too. More fear than of discovered contraband. Naturally no records available on either the Orion or the Klingon. Kirk orders Arios and Raksha held in separate cells P31 Scott brought out his whole collection of schematics for Klingon booby traps as they run scans of the Nautilus P34 Yeoman Wein of Security sees Raksha inspecting her cell’s visicom P35 ChadHom, Arios’ pet name for Raksha. Raksha – Don’t call me chadHom. Raksha muttered in Klingon - Animals copulating all over the place. Raksha – Remind me to explain the extent of your errors the next time we have three uninterrupted days. The black stormcloud of her hair fell forward over her face as she worked, big hands pecking swiftly, delicately over the keys. Arios gathered her hair into his two hands and bent to kiss the nape of her neck. Her own smile turned her face briefly beautiful and briefly young. Raksha had gotten the code out of the computer moments before. By the time they reached the door of the brig Raksha had cross-coupled the programming on the visual pickup to display its own loop. She pulled tight the belt on her doublet and shoved into the resulting pouch not only cable but every tool and piece of replacement hardware in the desk drawer. Raksha unimpressed with Enterprise computer safeguards. Adajia – The Consilium are mean people. Almost as mean as Klingons. Arios – Naah, nobody’s as mean as a Klingon. Raksha agreed mildly – You’re straight on course about that, puq. P45 the Klingon woman with her watchful eyes and her air of having seen everything before. Arios, Raksha, Thad and Adajia travel through the ducts to the Enterprise bowling alley. Arios and Raksha went straight to the rank of hologames. She perched on the seat and spent about a minute shortcutting the game and slicing into what the game module really was, a very elaborate lab-quality terminal. P53 Raksha said softly – If this is the Enterprise, your best bet would be to kill the life-support. Shoot him trying to escape, cut him into little bitty pieces. I’d even do it. Arios’ mouth flinched, a mouth too sensitive, in a face whose thinness rendered it fragile-looking, Raksha thought dispassionately. Among her own people such a man would not survive. Her brown hand caught him under the chin, forced his head back around. Her mouth hardened, a bronze line like a bitter poem. Raksah – Kill him, whoever is responsible for their plight. Arios – I can’t Raksha – Then tell me who it is and I’ll kill him. Raksha’s eyes followed Thad, and for the first time a glister of tears brightened them. Raksha added in Klingon as they moved off – Spirits of the lightning, protect him. P59 From what I overheard of your conversation with Rakshanes, he used the polite Klingon honorific The dark-faced Raksha, her doublet winking with metal and leather It was clear the woman had fired heavy stun charges into every human she’d met, and looking at Raksha’s face, beautiful and utterly cold, Kirk was only glad it had been no worse. She uttered a brief barking laugh. Her eyes met his, bitter and dark as Turkish coffee, haunted with old anger, old pain. P67 Raksha in her metal-studded doublet Orion, a desert world, no uprising in the Orion systems for at least 15 years. Orion clan chief. Chuulak, Orion backcountry dialect for public execution by torture for the purpose of discouraging other possible miscreants. The hearing of Klingons was far less acute than that of Vulcans. Zchliak, Vulcan word for friend. P91 in the small glow of a hand lamp Raksha stood leaning, bronze statue with a phaser in her hand and the garnets of her stiletto hilt glinting like blood droplets in her hair Lacy as a vase of baby’s breath on a Klingon mind-stripper Raksha – Sharnas tells me a story about a Vulcan master who met a god at the crossroads. He asked for perfect enlightenment. The god gave it to him. Gods do things like that. The Vulcan went and drowned himself, it was the only logical thing to do. Klingons have a reputation for being stupid. We treasure it. Klingon caramelized fruit P98 it took at least 15 minutes for Raksha and Adajia to get from wherever they were to Spock’s officer, probably travelling by vent shaft most of the way. P119 a new layer of shielding appeared around the Nautilus, presumably one of Raksha’s repairs, making it impervious to transporters. P122 Raksha came in, the steel on her doublet glinted as she passed through into the room where Arios still lay. She said softly, Hey, puq, in a voice Kirk hadn’t though Klingons possessed. Raksha stood silent at the foot of Arios’ bed, impassive face and haunted, weary grief in her eyes. P128 Kirk remembered precautions he himself had taken, against Klingons, against infection, against ambush and attack. Sometimes precaution was not enough. P139 Raksha’s lips thinned and her nostrils flared, like an animal about to bite Arios, speaking of ALTernate future – Most people still don’t believe the Consilium seeded the plague on Qo’noS and Khergos and Romulus, in order to get half the populations wired to control the effects. They might alter the future, change the course of certain battles and confrontations arising in the next 30 years with other powers in the galaxy so that the plague wouldn’t spread because large segments of the population of every Fed or Klingon world had already been wiped out. P150 Raksha supervised Thad and Adajia to make sure no further cases of temporal paradox developed. Arios and Raksha, sitting quietly together observing the stars from Deck 10 lounge, lovers who had become friends. P167 Raksha and the others are in ambassadorial suite on Deck Five, clustered around the disabled comm-link panel in the wall. Raksha kneeling on the bed, listening to a communicator, which none of them were supposed to have, connected into the comm panel by a hank of wire. Chapel asked politely – Pick up anything? The Klingon’s eyes glinted, half-suspicious, half-wry. Raksha – Just the usual rumors. According to Yeoman DeNoux Kirk and the Domina are still drinking soda water and chatting. Tell him to watch out for her, Chapel. She’s crystal poison disguised as mother’s milk. She unhooked the wires and unself-consciously slipped the communicator into the pocket of her doublet, then stuffed the loose cable back into the comm panel and closed the hatch. There was far more wire there than there should have been, which meant the Klingon had stolen or jury-rigged tools to cannibalize wiring out of some other portion of the walls. Raksha – Mr. Spock and a security guard came down 20 minutes ago and pulled Arios out of here fast. He told us to stay here. Chapel reflected it was very like the Nautilus crew to stay in prison not because of guard, but because their Master told them to. She had to keep this crew from panicking, since Raksha had very clearly found a way to cut into the ship’s comm system, and that probably meant she could get into the computer from here as well. Raksha folded her arms, her dark face somber – You weren’t far off when you said she’d be telling your captain the same things about the Master that we’re saying about McKennon and the Consilium. Information, and slander, is the name of the game for the Masters. She’s probably got him convinced that the Yoons suddenly invented spaceflight and phasers, went on a genocidal rampage two years from now, and would have destroyed the Fed if they weren’t stopped. Cooper – You should hear what they’re saying about the Organians, now that they’re P180 Raksha said something truly vicious in Klingon. P184 Arios – there are no Klingons in Starfleet right now, anyway. The first Klingon officer in Starfleet serves on this ship, not this Enterprise but the Enterprise-D. after that there were a lot of them. They made damn good officers, too. The Empire and the Federation, and the Romulan systems as well, come to a state of almost complete détente. p187 Kirk had ribbon for mission aboard the Republic. 10 wounded men beamed up all alive, a Klingon ship exploding in a glare of white and yellow over the distant pink-amber surface of Thalis III. Another Klingon ship departing into the darkness of stars, its mission unfulfilled. P197 Raksha reports Kirk, Spock and Scotty go over to Savasci. She had been shuffling and reshuffling a deck of cards for half an hour. Wire with make shift earplug cannibalized from parts of disabled comm link ran from comm through remains of communicator, to her ear. Transport circuits report 9 beamed across, in two batches, 4 humans and a Vulcan, first shot, three humans and an unidentified, second shot. The master reads as unidentified on this computer because he hasn’t been invented yet. Rembegil won’t even be discovered until Raksha replied patiently, laying out a ring of solitaire on the table before her. She paused, bringing her hand to her ear again, her dark eyes sharpening suddenly, and turning hard. Raksha cold monitor the computer’s small, tinny vocoder through worse distraction than Terror of The Pecos holovid. Someone is running her shield-slicer program. When Kirk beams back, something’s going to happen. Thad had interrupted Raksha before when she was concentrating and knew not to do it again. P206 Raksha sends Wein to report to Sulu that she’s picked up evidence that someone’s gotten into the computer with her slicer program. She got hold of a communicator and rigged a voice breakthrough from that. [Wein’s] She offered to surrender the communicator but said she was using it to track the interference. Someone has done a cut-in on the transporter ops. P227 Raksha with Sulu trying to break into backup computing room and stop Ens. Lao. Sulu saw McCoy’s gaze cross that of Raksha and saw the warning shake of her head. McCoy sighed – That’s all I can say. Raksha raised a finger – It’s enough. Lao’s actions are logical from his own standpoint. Trying to destroy the ship and hooking it to the incoming transporter as a trigger. And I think that you’ll be safe enough draining the phaser power. The last thing the Savasci’s gonna do is open fire on you. Sulu hesitated, but the warning look was still in the Klingon’s dark eyes. Dan Miller, assistant engineer, loped down the corridor, with Raksha at his heels Arios’ ship and crew goes back into the Crossroad Nebula. Enterprise crew don’t remember a thing. |
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