| Doctors Three, Strange
New Worlds II
no Klingon content Morning Bells are Ringing Strange New Worlds 8 4 years past Disaster Worf asked in his humorless voice Intellivore by Diane Duane P32 Mr. Worf programmed a Klingon workout on the holodeck for Riker. Klingon exercise trainers are, uh, enthusiastic. P91 the Enterprise holodeck has extra blowers for clearing odors, especially useful after Worf stages one of his Klingon banquets P128 one of the folklore citations in the Thompson index tells of a moving planet full of evildoers which was destroyed, killed, by the Organians. Talk about ancient history, when’s the last time we heard anything from them? Quite a while back. We seem to have been left to get on with our business after their old prophecy came true, that one day we and they Klingons would be working together. P184 on Trill. Ayai’leh-hirh, the Five Thousand Valleys. One of the largest mountain rages on any inhabited planet. Near sea. mount Arken, mount Oraidhe, a battle there once, in the valley under the mountain. One of the city-states in the nearby lowlands was trying to dominate the mountain people. The mountain people had fortified the valley. The battle was one of the epic kind. Live free or die. Twirl spears. Trill predators – Ilrienh, Noraikghe, Sethe. Thank the Powers P194 not even Klingons can remain standing while unconscious for prolonged periods The Search Lt. Commander Paul Eddington, Maquis operative, arrives as Starfleet Security Officer on DS 9. Curzon regretted volunteering every time There are a dozen other Alpha Quadrant alliances besides the Federation There had been other Defiants in history, power packed ships of 100 years ago when the Klingons were a blooming threat and the Romulans a sorcery in the darkness. The Romulans lent the Defiant’s cloaking device. Proud Helios by Melissa Scott P11 the large ship attacking the Xawan merchant ship was cloaked, which would mean they were Klingon, or Romulan, or someone who trades with them. Xawe, an independent race with a couple of colonies on the Cardassian boarder. Not members of Fed. Keep to themselves. P35 the familiar distortion effect of a starship uncloaking. Huge, hulking, ungainly shape studded with angular projections. A Klingon hull, with Cardassian phaser emplacements, a dozen other technologies. P80 the Cardassian version of chess was complex, owed much to the Klingon version of the game, and to Bajoran variations. P97 the Helios, a Klingon hull, Romulan cloaking device, Cardassian phaser mountings, some Federation stuff. Nearly as powerful as a Fed starship. Commanded by Cardassian pirate Demare Kolovzon. P98 the Vulcan ship T’Marisu used sensor program that homes in on the subspace frequencies where the wave emissions from a cloaking device are strongest to get a rough fix, two years ago against the Klingon renegades. P221 O’Brien reasonably familiar with the Klingon hull interior layout. Detention cells near outer surfaces, no one wasted the most protected spaces, at the core of the ship, on prisoners. Several major core to hull arteries. Bank of turbolifts. Ventral corridor ran from bridge to stern on most Klingon hulls. The turbolift carrier lurched into jerky motion. P237 Curzon had smelled of a musky tea he had liked P243 Klingon ship cell block, purple lattice forecefields on cells, armor-glass door. the Klingons had built their cells to hold fellow Klingons, whose average body mass and strength was significantly greater than the average human’s. the walls were made of spun and fused carbon fiber. No sign of a check port, or anything that might give even limited access to control systems that must lie behind the dull grey surface. Interior plates shift under stress. Structural members bend. DOH Ancient Blood by Diane Carey P2 Fed Commissioner Perry Toledano leaned close to Picard and murmured – Must’ve been hard for you, getting used to having a Klingon on the bridge of a Federation ship. Worf ‘s bass voice, like low thunder Worf has notified his security team, four guards will meet us in the transporter room, also one engineering technician, Ens Jensen, a new transferree barely out of Starfleet Academy but one who Worf had high hopes for. Worf and security squad investigate crew and passengers of liner, 30 people, arms torn off, two have eyes gouged out, others throats cut. Then these two spoke up, Worf suggested, as if relating the details of an ancient battle. The Klingon stepped a little closer and spoke more intimately than Picard had ever remembered him doing – Sir, whoever did this, we are dealing with people who have no honor at all. Worf’s voice seemed somehow deeper than Picard had ever heard it. Worf was deeply disturbed, and there was enough of his upbringing among humans left in him to let his feelings show. It was a band of Klingons. Worf stiffened – Impossible! Klingons do not arbitrarily torture anyone! Klingons will kill, but not like this! Klingons do not behave this way! Clamping his mouth shut, Worf blew his fury out his nostrils. P16 the Klingons are working for the ringleader of the crime network on planet Sindikash. Klingons are hardwired to react emotionally and violently. Because of that they could never have survived as a culture unless they developed certain restraints, like shame. Worf boiled over – Klingons do not slaughter innocent people who have no weapons with which to fight back. Picard – It’s a matter of honor. They even celebrate it. The Day of Honor is coming up next week. Thursday. Toledano -That’s why we chose the Enterprise for this mission. We need a Klingon. There’s a group of Klingon expatriates on Sindikash. Several instances of this kind of action, not as bad as this, can be traced right back to them. We need to get to the person who is giving the orders. Worf felt all his body hairs go suddenly prickly and his eyes widen – I will do it because I am a Klingon. If Klingons are doing these things, then I am the one to go. You implied that I would have to be bribed to do my duty. Picard would be Worf’s barometer of action, for he could no longer trust himself. He saw the captain as he often did, more scholar than warrior. His fingernails cut into his palms, he anchored himself on the pain. He burned to sweep up the filthy rumors of Klingons indulging in frivolous torture. if this were the Klingons, you think they’d let any of their colonies go? P25 Ross Grant, close family friend. Had been very close to Alexander when he was living with K’Ehleyr. How friendly Ross had been with K’Ehleyr was something Worf had no desire to learn. Ross Grant had many times provided Worf with information that aided one investigation or another. Worf had learned that Ross was excellent at his job, a reliable friend, and for a human, surprisingly driven by honor. Alexander had not seen Grant in years. What else was Worf depriving his son of experiencing? Life on a starship had once seemed a good option. Should I find another way? Would he be happier with relatives, on a planet, on Earth with his grandparents, rather than on a starship with his father? How much is a father worth? Should I ask him? How much is a father worth who can barely summon the will to ask a simple question? Worf had not planned for anything like being a parent in his life, never anticipated these critical minutes. He had been shut out of Alexander’s early childhood. A boy’s youth, an important time, especially for a Klingon boy. joy of anticipation in Alexander’s face. Uncle Ross Ross Grant calls Alexander Lex, buck. Brings Alexander 180 year old yellow firefighter’s helmet, Seattle, Engine Company 9. Alexander’s Day of Honor present. Grandparents give Alexander a holodeck program, journal from one of your Earth ancestors. [unclear Rozhenkos or K’Ehleyr’s mother] Ross - Your grandparents told me all about the whole deal and I couldn’t just let a commemoration go sliding by. Kinda like Christmas. They thought that since you’re having a Klingon rite of passage, you ought to have something from your human side, too. They’re always thinking of you, punk. Let me say hi to this mutant gorilla here. Hey, Wuff! Worf and Grant, Preficon II incident. Grant a head shorter than Worf. Grant – It’ll be like old times at your grandma’s table. Big slabs of homemade bread, baklava, lamb chops. Ultra-super-replicator double-dollop slow death by melted caramel, deal? [obviously Rozhenkos] Worf fought to control a terrible grumble of regret. He could never remember hugging Alexander. Did the boy want to be hugged? Worf’s foster parents were warm and friendly people, but they had held back in their demonstrations, wisely knowing that some day he would have to survive as a Klingon, and heavy emotions would have to be masked. He had assumed they were right and taken the same course with Alexander. Did his son see him as a cold island in a sea of warmth? Grant’s free-flowing affection blanketed Worf with sudden self-reproach and he didn’t know what to do about that. Worf was no longer alone in this task. Grant had common background, knew him better than anyone else on board, and was not intimidated or ill at ease around him. Grant – Do you think it was Klingons? Torturing people without any way of defending themselves? Flash and burn is one thing. Worf – Klingons would not consider those kinds of actions honorable. I want to know what kind of Klingon could do those things. Somehow it is my responsibility. Grant – you always screwed yourself to the wall with that kind of thinking and you’re still doing it. I’ll work my computer magic, you’ll bust some heads, we’ll crack the crime network. You, me, a couple of white horse, you know the drill. Worf – I know. Grant – You’re so hardwired! I can see right through you, just like I always could. You just get a nice steel rod to chew on. Afterward we’ll have a family reunion that’ll shake the bulkheads. And you’ll break its legs if it doesn’t, right? P32 Sitting in a public square trying to decide which animal passersby were in a previous life did not strike Worf as a pleasant way to pass the time. Grant had shown other eccentricities over the years, speaking when there was nothing to say. His flawless record had shown Worf that his sometimes strange behavior was worth the price if his involvement. Quite innovative with computer trails. Worf – He is not a lizard. I have fought lizards. Grant – You always did have a concrete imagination. Grant has explained before how he has cracked criminal organizations on 15 planets because he understands how technology helps criminals. They have to keep records. Grant – Even a gorilla like you needs a little backup. Odette Khanty and her elite team of Klingon guards pass through middle of Burkal City square. Anger bled into Worf’s heart as the eyes of the guards, the Rogues, as they were known on Sindikash, hoods and dagger at belt, fixed upon him and he felt their animosity. They really were Klingons! Klingons in service to a human woman, a woman criminal. What kind of Klingons. A pack of Klingons who had simply rejected anything Klingons are supposed to think about right and wrong, not here because of any sense of honorable conquest, duty, family loyalty or anything else Klingons might be motivated by. These had just thrown all that away, cast of centuries of attachment to the things that held a culture together. There Klingons were destructively pursuing personal power, rather than acting in some way that would hold society, even Klingon society, together. Profit and gain could be pursued in a way that strengthened culture, but these Klingons wanted to go around those rules and achieve through the basest acts of brutality and opportunism. Scum. Nothing. Ugulan, the sergeant of the guard. Purple hood. Allowed himself to be goaded. The dagger swung upward as if to be its own exclamation point Worf had Ugulan nearly figured out already and could afford to not be creative. Spinelike brow ridge Ugulan reached into his jacket and drew his government phaser. Worf- So, the Rogue Force of Sindikash uses women’s weapons. Would they make no move without her permission? Were Klingons not Klingons? Genzsha. Klingons fit well with the earthy, moody, deep and stirring colors that gave an impression of permanent autumn. Th café became a blur of kicks, spins, elbows and grunts. Worf knew he might be giving himself away, if they paid attention they would see Starfleet training, not just the systematic moves of a schooled Klingon, but also uneven elements of surprise. The two remaining Rogues were still fighting but they were also dizzy and grunting. Worf decided a broken arm would only make him angrier and that might help. Genzsha pulls fallen comrade from the arena but did not join the fight himself. Driven by the personal insult these men were to him. With physical control that surprised even himself, Worf stopped fighting. Since he had stopped, the two remaining Rogues could no longer be justified in attacking him again. Like wolves twitching around a stag who refused to run they blinked, gaped, shifted and glanced back to Mrs. Khanty, but they didn’t know what to do. Boiling with frustration, Ugulan burped a command in Klingon and the Rogues grappled the newcomer. Their eyes rolled with contempt, for he had humiliated them by stopping. Worf’s plan was a success. Odette Khanty was intrigued. Worf to Khanty – You have to maintain order. If your men are not feared, you will not have order. Some Klingons claim Starfleet is the place to be. That they were trying to get in. I spit on them all. I spit on their insistence that lessers should be able to tell me what to do. That I should be subservient to people I knew were not my equals. They do not allow men who disagree to settle it like men. Ugulan was glaring through his own wounded ego at Worf P39 Stating the obvious was another of Grant’s habits Worf found hard to bear. An observation Grant had made on Garlath IV had saved 10 people’s lives. He had lost a battle on purpose, which was difficult enough to be forced into. But to lose it to warrior who had forsaken their code of honor! They looked at each other, dueling. Worf to Khanty – Many Klingons no longer understand the need for authority. They made a treaty with the Federation. Here was a woman who had found a way to make Klingons turn from their honor. They were nothing but low-life murderers, souring the reputation of Klingons all around. Could he pretend to be a Klingon with no honor? Worf to Khanty – Klingons are ethnocentric. They have a tendency, more than most, to think they are superior in every way. They do not see the strength in others. That is why we could not, for so long, beat back the Federation. I have grown beyond such constraints. I see the strength of rigorous rationality in Vulcans. I see the stubbornness of humans. There is strength in patience. There is strength in calmness. I remained calm and stubborn in the face of your Rogues, and I beat them. Khanty – You beat Klingons by understanding the weakness of Klingons. It burned to be admired by such a person! Worf was embarrassed for himself but also for the Rogues, who were for some reason ruled by this person. They call themselves the Rogues, that’s their own name for themselves. The Rogues are very independent. Seniards appreciate independence. P46 the actual observation period of the Day of Honor is roughly four days. This is Alexander’s first real exposure to the Day of Honor as more than a time set aside to tell stories. He is now 12 years old. That means he must begin to study the history of the Day of Honor and to understand the full meaning of honor and respect for an enemy’s honor. Worf was not raised Klingon. His foster parents did their best to keep him close to his natural culture, but he has found many discrepancies in the actual practice of being Klingon. Alexander has not really been raised Klingon, either, though Worf has tried. Worf would like Alexander to at least be familiar with the rites of passage. Worf re Picard - Curse me for a weakling. He knows me too well. Knowing he was caught Worf battled with himself and lost. All right, there was no way out. Picard knows more about Klingon culture than most others aboard, since he has been so associated with the structure of Klingon government and know something of Klingon history. Picard offered a reserved smile, and Worf nearly melted with embarrassment. Worf would like Picard to usher Alexander through the Day of Honor. A child’s first Day of Honor celebration is akin to a bar mitzvah or some other rite of passage. It’s really the place of the boy’s father to give him the proper exercise, to make sure he’s truly a changed person when it’s over. Worf’s whole life had been a series of choices, each chased by doubt. Alexander one quarter human. Picard told Alexander to pick any historical period in his ancestry, to select an ancestor’s struggle with honor, and prepare to study that. he picks the American Revolutionary War program his grandparents sent him for his first Day of Honor. It was his mother’s, the Rozhenkos got it from her human relatives on Earth. K’Ehleyr’s great-aunt had a journal, in the family since 1777, made into a holoprogram over 75 years ago, doesn’t comply with safety controls. Written by historians, not technicians. Kirk and Dahar Master Kor working together who founded the Day of Honor. Alexander has been hearing about Klingon honor all his life; stand your ground, chose strong enemies, fight forward, and die in battle. There has to be more to it. Alexander wants to see what’s in his human background. P57 Alexander was born of a culture that prized hand-to-hand fighting, but Klingon stories and Klingon day to day life were two different things. There really wasn’t that much blood drawn anymore. P67 Worf was among Klingons and he should feel at ease Ugulan pilots old freighter Cargo Sindikash 405, stolen by Rogues this morning from Lt. Gov’s brother, loaded it with unmarked crates of illicit goods. We took our chances, chance went against us. Curse your skull! You are a frightened woman in man’s armor. Nettled by shame and broiling inner fury, Worf poured all his frustration into goading Ugulan. He had to restrain himself from driving his knuckles into Ugulan’s mouth and out the back of his neck. What had driven these Klingons from their loyalty and honor to the strength that made the Empire survive? Were they simply inadequate? Had battle training been too rigid for them? How had someone like Ugulan ended up doing the bidding of a human woman. Where were his parents? Who was his family and were they ashamed? Was their name ever spoken in their own land anymore? Worf thought back to the names of the dishonored families whose power in Klingon society had been lost, and wondered, was he flying with their sons? With they fathers of disgraced Klingon boys who would pay all their lives for the dishonor here? His hands played with the controls with a hunger so deep that his fingers hurt. The shame of pretending to be one of them boiled beneath his skin. Mission or not, he could not banish the nausea of humiliation. I wish I could deliver a foot into the throat of each Klingon here. Ugulan was panicking, the other 6 Rogues on board were agitated, but waiting for Ugulan to make a decision. Ugulan frantically worked the controls, he barked at his men, who negotiated the ship around a dust belt and between two asteroids. Pathetic invertebrate cowards Mortash, Goric, Gern and the other slime. Rogues. Ugulan snarled – We are supposed to destroy ourselves before ever giving up. Goric – For her? I have no wish to die for that woman! Worf – What will you die for? Ugulan – That was the oath we made to her. We swore on our honor we would never allow ourselves to be captured as evidence against her. She has not violated her agreement with us. Worf – You are all cowards. You swear an oath that swallows you honor, then you betray even that. Better dead tomorrow than today. The Rogues’ faces were pasted with bloody-minded anger as they realized their acrimony would get them nowhere. Were they angry that all they could do now was be angry? Worf found a certain sorrow in watching the wreckage of Klingons thinking there was nothing to do but give up. Curse you all into the dirt! Frightened children! A penal institution is better than dead! Filth! Animals, pathetic animals! Instantly Ugulan came to his feet again and his phaser pressed into Worf’s cheek – I command this ship. Hair-raising excitement charged them all suddenly. I will not pay your price for you! He swiped Worf’s head with his armored cuff. Worf’s brain wobbled. Down, maniac! A chance is a chance! I will cut you throat myself just to hear the sound! Trying to bring the bulky freighter around so they could pretend to go down fighting. It was slowing down to draw out its own victory and to shame them, so they thought. He spat on the deck, hitting Worf’s boot with his comment. P82 the Enterprise was hovering just outside sensor range, waiting for Worf’s reports P89 Worf and the other Rogues came limping back on the freighter they had failed to deliver to Sindikash authorities on the Cardassian border. Worf hoped his message would get through to Picard. The heavily coded message had been sent along very thin civilian lines, through several trading packets and one drunken lightship keeper. Might take four or five days. He and Grant were completely isolated on Sindikash. That meant Grant’s life was in Worf’s hands. He began to wonder if teaming up with a close friend might not be a ghastly mistake. Their obsequiousness gave Worf a twisting stomach. Ugulan took out his old style tricorder and scanned the room for any devices. Ugulan, get your pack of swine in here, you beetleheaded cur! Ugulan whipped out his communicator, quickly signaling the Rogues without a word. They came crowding through the doorway. They took positions along the wall, and even behind furniture, if possible. Seven Klingon warriors, fully armored, fully armed, holding the only energy head weapons on the planet, stood with their shoulders pinned to the walls. Some of the toughest warriors in the quadrant not steeled themselves to face a single human female. I am not one of them, yet I drown in their shame. Khanty - Certainly brains weren’t involved, or loyalty. A mission worth more than all your lives and all your mothers’ lives. You couldn’t follow through. Couldn’t do one thing right. Wouldn’t follow through on the promises you made. Worf’s face turned hot from bitterness and embarrassment for the whole Klingon race. He had tried all his life to be an individual, to resist taking the course of this group or that faction, or even this or that culture, but today he was a clutching mass of Klingon, aggravated that a human woman was dressing down those who should be warriors. They deserved it! P95 Ugulan and the other Rogues were going to let themselves be captured instead of destroying themselves as they swore to Khanty they would. Worf – I am not a man who will die easily. Worf frowned in protest, abruptly defensive about Klingons and cowardice fielding the same sentence. Khanty – We had a pact. They swear allegiance to me, stay on my planet, enjoy expatriate status here, be my elite guard, gain influence and power, and in return thy swore they would self-immolate before letting themselves be caught, which would cast me under suspicion. They didn’t hold up to that pact. They understand there’s a price. They will have to pay it. Worf will be the collector. Chose any one of them. Make sure you don’t leave any flotsam. Khanty used to give the special jobs to Ugly-an. Genzha, ever since he was a child he had a sense of when there was someone else around. His father had been the same way. Suspicious of everything. Someone hauled him to his feet, and no one could do that but another Klingon. In an instant of panic he clamped his numb arms to his chest, clumsily hoping to protect his vital organs from the blade bite he knew was coming. What do you want? I sicken of your gloating! Worf sends Genzha, via container vessel out of Sindikash, to a Torkezzi fuel ship, to an asteroid breaker, to Enterprise. Drugged, wakes up on breaker seven hours before reaching Enterprise. Wrists and ankles manacled, however he is very loud and no one could get close enough to gag him. Data succeeded in gagging him. Long table laid out nightly with Klingon food. They were expected to eat together. It was the only way they could interact. Or keep an eye on each other. Genzha was breaking the pact. According to the agreement between themselves, they could not begin eating until all were accounted for. Worf had had a chance to kill, and he had found his reserve. He wished Alexander had been there to see it. He wanted somebody to know. What good was control unless he could gloat over it a little. In a minute they would all be afraid of him. He liked that. Worf leaned a casual elbow on the table and picked up a stick of rolled meat. Rogues – Mortash, Tyro – a comparatively short-statured Klingon, Kev. All suddenly turned stiff with realization, stared at Worf, then glanced at each other. None seemed to know what to say. Ugulan seemed the most shocked of all, worf had just stolen his job. Morash broke out in a barroom laugh, he scooped up his tankard, raised his glass to Worf, and indulged in a deep swig. The other Rogues laughed then, too, nodded in satisfaction and plunged into their food. They were Klingon guards. Klingons needed structure, that was the reason for the supper together every day, for their pact with Khanty, and their agreements between themselves. Worf expected them to take revenge upon him for his actions against another Klingon. Instead, this bizarre cheerfulness, except for Ugulan, was pure relief. They knew one of them was destined to pay for the freighter incident and now that debt had been fulfilled. And each Klingon was glad it wasn’t paid with his blood. These were not particularly good Klingons, not particularly good people. They were cowards! Shameful! His appetite withered. He put down the meat stick. He watched the others wolfing down their dinner. They talked and gulped, back-slapped, chewed and laughed. All but Worf and Ugulan, the two rivals sat in silence and watched each other. So much shame. To want refuge from an enemy I could lift with one arm. I must be getting old. Khanty bolted the Rogues to the wall with words alone. She inflicted mortal fear into fully grown Klingon warriors. they seem to be in terror for their souls. P111 Alexander – Honor is winning. Honor is how you win. Alexander was named after ancestor Alexander Leonfeld, Austrian, son of fifth Duke of Leonfeld, mother of the Gosch-Embourg family. Educated at Cambridge. Grenadier Sergeant, British sharpshooter in American Revolutionary War. Alexander’s relatives hadn’t told him the name of the ancestor in the program, but he knew about who he was named after. P120 Picard, Riker and Worf arranged the old patroller trick. Worf destroyed the drone ship with his usual panache. Worf successfully sabotaged the freighter to make it turn back. P125 was there some way to just handle this cleaver woman with a phaser or bat’leth or a club? The Rogues are motivated by greed. They hope to have influence all the way back to the Empire. Most powerful enticement for expatriate Klingons. Grant found the computer trail on Pasha IX. In your way you are a warrior. The hand of Kahless will guide you. Worf felt patently not clever enough for such an adversary. This is not my kind of enemy. Grant – No live grenades for you to fall on, then try not to grunt when they go off. Wuff. You’re here to get attention and beat people up and growl and make Uhulan look like a U-gu-rangutan. Standing over his old friend Worf saw a man who often seemed a clownish, uninterested computer technician. Worf found him quite annoying. Yet he was am an in whose heart beat a code of honor as strong as any Klingon’s. much stronger than the P’taks who served with Khanty. He wanted a good end to this, not for Sindikash or the Fed, but to redeem Klingon honor, to wipe the stain of the Rogue Klingon actions from the galaxy, to make certain that Alexander, just now learning the meaning of honor, would have no reason to feel ashamed of his Klingon heritage. Mission partners should be able to offer each other sustenance, old friends, even more, An inadequacy plagued Worf. Was he nurturing his son or only raising him? Alexander searching for elusive peace of the soul. Was Worf losing control of himself? Rushing the mission to hurry back to take over as Alexander’s mentor. He wished he could be like data, divorcing himself from his emotional core and his imagination. Then he angrily reminded himself that Klingons were not Vulcans, and his feelings were valuable possessions that could drive his resolve. He was a Klingon, raised as a Klingon, but by humans, and he had found his adoptive parents’ interpretation of being Klingon to be sketchy and not always serviceable. Sometimes he was too Klingon, sometimes too human, and sometimes, other things. The quiet was enraging. Subcutaneous transponder. Things were clear on board a starship, his duties delineated, his role as Alexander’s father somewhat easier. Somehow, that job got harder whenever he was separated from Alexander. What kind of man would his son become, living with a foot in two cultures so unlike each other? P135 keep your dishonorable mouth shut! I will brand your face with your own words! What good would it do to peel Ugulan’s skin off? What a smell this situation put off! Ugulan gray eyes Ugulan drew his dagger and swung on Tyro. ‘I will decide!’ Instantly he swung back to Worf and gestured toward the door. The hunger of that dagger pricked at Worf’s angry mind. If only he could just roar out all the truths! Khanty is the Rogues’ last line to power and influence It felt good, finally, to kick and shove! Battle honor went to the wind, he knew they would gladly gang up on him. Amethyst-colored blood Goric, right eye cut, gasping with pain and fear Grant – Think we made him mad? Worf – I hope we made him insane! The Rogues were becoming insensitive to their injuries in their fury and insult Klingons do not attack fallen Klingons Ugulan’s dagger, embedded in the fleshy part of Grant’s back. You cannot keep us from our rightful revenge! We are Klingons! P142 What is that makes you cower like a beaten slave before that woman? That makes you obey her orders no matter how much shame you bring to yourself, to the Empire, to all Klingons? Ugulan – She has our oath, he said quietly, sadness replacing his fury. She has our Oath of Sto-vo-kor. It was the only way she would grant us sanctuary on this world. Worf had been prepared for any answer except that. Sto-vo-kor was the Klingon Valhalla, the place all warriors went when they died. The Oath of Sto-vo-kor was no mere oath of allegiance. It gave a commander the power to decide a warrior’s fate after death. These Rogue Klingons feared for their very souls, which, at a word from Khanty, would have been sent to oblivion. Worf’s anger flowed out of him, He faced Ugulan proudly – I pity you. Grant, a friend, a fellow warrior, as close to a godfather as Alexander possessed, asks Worf to lie under oath. Worf- I cannot perjure myself for you. I have my honor to consider. P153 Leonfeld cousin, same age, Jeremiah Coverman, born in England, master weaver, went to Delaware Station, linen factory, Coverman Textiles, 1777. Amy Coverman, wife. Worf shipped out to Enterprise on Sindikash trader, sends a message ahead via a Ferengi freighter. Alexander – Uncle Ross is practically family. I really care about him. My father won’t let anything happen to Uncle Ross, will he? You should at least tell me what’s happening. I deserve that. I’m a member of the crew, you know! Where Alexander got this perception of membership in the crew Picard had no idea. Alexander has a sense of self. He doesn’t just feel he’s part of the crew because of his father. He thinks that because of himself and his loyalties. Picard – He’s quite a young man. Alexander had Mr. Data show him the files on his father’s mission. He read all the headlines and letters. Alexander – But honor and truth are supposed to be the same, aren’t they? They go together, don’t they? Picard – Worf’s never been a hypocrite. That’s why he’s sometimes been confused in his personal searches. It’s why the Day of Honor bothers him. He doesn’t always define honor the way other Klingons do. He tries very hard to fit into the Klingon mold, but every time he’s come to a fork in the road, he’s chosen the Fed path. He’s used to someone he can challenge openly, honestly, with a bat’leth. P168 in Alexander’s life, human things had seemed the more elusive and Klingon things the most important. P180 Alexander agrees with Sergeant Leonfeld’s position. He’s sticking with his promise, that’s honor. The Day of Honor holiday is meant to appreciate your enemy’s honor. Alexander doesn’t see the colonists as having any honor. How am I supposed to understand celebrating your enemy’s honor when he doesn’t have any? This holiday doesn’t make any sense. The purity of the boy’s heart rang and rang – I didn’t think we were that kind of people! Picard realizes Alexander turning out to be a young man of principle. Alexander worried that his father has lost his honor. It’s his sense of honor that prevents him from lying. But Alexander thinks he wouldn’t really be lying because he’d be making the truth happen. He should make it work. It’s not honorable to just say you’re honorable. I don’t like my father very much right now. What good was it to stand on thin honor while the platform of justice collapses beneath? How could Picard explain the dishonor of perjury, even to bring in a criminal? Worf’s image as a parent, a warrior, and a starship officer tarnished in his son’s eyes. Perhaps Picard should have protected him from what was happening on the planet. Alexander - Alexander Leonfeld didn’t go against his family and government. He’s an officer. He’s a born gentleman. Klingons have the same thing. You can be born into a powerful family. I was! We’re the same, him and me. Alexander checked in the historical banks about Revolutionary War time period. Looking for his own answers. Worf was born into a powerful family. Alexander – Worf is chickening out. And I don’t know why. If that’s Klingon honor, then I don’t want it. Pouting at full warp Alexander flung himself onto the bench and ripped off a chunk of cheese. Worf – The Day of Honor is a Klingon experience! This is supposed to be a lesson in Klingon culture! Picard – It’s supposed to be a lesson in honor. He’s coming to his own conclusions, isn’t that the idea. Alexander – It was my idea! I got to pick the way the Day of Honor was taught to me and I picked my ancestor’s journal from Earth. I’m part human, too, you know. And I’m figuring out a few things about honor that I don’t think you know. You don’t have any business telling me how to learn about honor. You say you have honor, but you won’t face up to Mrs. Khanty. You’re throwing away a chance to win. You won’t stick up for Uncle Ross. Facing his son’s disdain, Worf was kicked in the heart as no challenge from any bruising enemy ever could. Worf steamed, watching his son’s respect for him dissolve before his very eyes. Worf – You should not be speaking to me this way. I refuse to lie. Alexander – Your whole mission was a lie! You’re not a Rogue. Do you think you have to say words to be lying. Worf, this huge warrior, nearly pathetic and sad with this fundamental loss, which no battle or angry demonstration could mend. He could not simply order his son to respect him. What did parents do in these moments. Picard – Any covert mission is by nature a lie. Alexander – How is it honorable to do one right thing and let a bigger wrong thing happen? Will your tongue snap off if you keep up the masquerade a little longer? That’s pretty simpleminded honor, I think. Either you can press yourself to the limit or you can’t. there’s more to being a warrior than war! Worf stared in raw astonishment at his son, who had been only a boy, in the truest sense, when he left. Now there was something else here. Worf swung on Picard, who flinched involuntarily – Is this how you teach him? By not explaining the difference between a covert mission and perjury? Alexander gave his father a little push on the belt to get his attention again. Worf fought inwardly to bury his frustration with his son and the captain, and forced himself to concentrate on his mission. Was the room fogging up? Worf squinted to see through his anger. The blood of shame rose and made Worf’s face hot. The sides of his chair were getting tight, his boots didn’t fit anymore, his hair was boiling A trained mountain like Worf Any other Klingon would have peeled the commissioner’s face and eaten the leavings, but Worf was indeed a Starfleet officer, which canceled all bets. First Grant and now Picard would pay for Worf’s honor. He wasn’t used to that. Hadn’t expected it. Sweating like a jungle rain, Worf struggled between his responsibility as a father and the request he had made of his captain. There was some honor involved here, too. Because of his honor, as he saw it, Worf had to go back to the planet, he had to leave Alexander’s rite of passage into honor with Picard. P225 feeling his bones rumble Worf knew Riker was forcing him back into obey the order mode just long enough to get him to stop hesitating. Ross Grant dead, hung in prison cell, eyes gouged out. There had been no hint of mercy. Feet broken, clavicle cracked, no brain damage, burns. Wounds cauterized so he wouldn’t bleed to death too soon. Of all the challenges Worf had ever faced and stemmed in his life of struggle for identity and cause, never before had he been so completely afraid as he was of facing his 12 year old son with this. Worf on Grant – He was more courageous than I ever imagined. He was no soldier. He was no fighter. He was never trained to resist torture. He never gave up his information. He expected me to come back. His innards shriveling, Worf bottled up a need to spit in Riker’s face and drive those words back. Not his fault? Worf – He died because of me. I kept my honor but he paid the price. Four other Rogues whose names Worf had never bothered to learn. Dishonorable Klingons, bottom feeders The terrible sounds delighted the Rogues, they were completely enjoying themselves. Not just the power or the promise of influence but the bloodlust was part of the reason they stayed with Khanty. At least 11 Rogues It was giving into their Klingon nature that made them so sadistic. Khanty tortures Worf with T’kalla prod, from Alak IV, like a cattle prod, metal stick, meter long with bulbous handle. Interesting way to die. Prodded to death. What would that look like on his service record. P242 Worf’s fist drew back and flew forward in a short, hard punch to Ugulan’s rib cage. Never had worf thrown such a punch in his entire life. Never had he felt such rage driving his actions. His fist struck Ugulan’s sternum, cracking the bone. Ugulan’s body collapsed. Living or dead, either way, his soul was doomed. Rogues incapacitated by Worf, Riker, Data and Crusher, no confirmed dead P246 Alexander – the colonists came out so quickly to defend their town they could be called half-a-minutemen! Alexander takes up a long American rifle – Great! I can do this! A sad moment for Picard. Alexander had just let fly his first deadly element. Alexander – Ow! Ow, that hurt! My shoulder! And its burning my face. Picard shots dead a wounded man, to put him out of misery. Alexander – I can’t believe you did that! Picard coldly – You came here to learn. Now you’re learning. P260 Alexander doesn’t shoot the rebelling American colonists – They’re only defending their say over their own lives. At first he seemed to be waiting for approval from Picard, but when none was forthcoming, Alexander glowered fiercely, as if making up his mind a second time, put his rifle down, and turned his back. Alexander slashed across shoulder and chest by a sword in holoprogram Alexander – I’m getting up! Don’t stop the program! It’s just a cut! That’s all! The front of his shirt was soggy with plum-colored blood. P264 Worf refused to run after Odette Khanty. He balled his fists and stalked, step upon step, as regulated as a parade. His boots made an authoritative chunk on the brick. He concentrated on the sound, it brought his mind slowly back from the effects of the T’kalla prod. Worf felt ready to burn and determined to avenge his friend’s death. He wished he had treated Grant with more respect. Honor was not always being tough, he now knew. Bravery did not always define itself in raw strength. Grant never gave up the data thread, how impressive. Anguished squeezed him hard. He would walk, not run, after her if he had to walk into black space on the stairway of his own rage. He fancied she was terrified of him as she ran. He hoped she was. Worf - One thing you should never have done, was kill my friend. Khanty’s death will release the Rogues from their Oath of Sto-vok-or. They would be able to recover what honor is left to them, and perhaps gain more. Khanty - release them, they are freed of their oath! Worf – Thank you. P270 Alexander Leonfeld has a change of heart after involvement with American patriots. Tries to spare Jeremiah’s life. P274 Picard – I’d better make a will. When your father finds you’ve been wounded, he’s going to relieve me of some important cerebral matter, I think. A gargantuan fit of fury plowed in. the walls rattled. The desk buzzed. Worf – My son has been wounded in the Revolutionary War! Picard didn’t sit down, no sense dying in a chair. Worf’s brow came down – I am proud of his wound! Worf demanded – Captain, I must know if the scar will be an honorable one. Picard – Oh, yes. He fought valiantly to protect our ship. Worf fell silent for a moment, absorbing all this, all the parental worries about a wounded child crashing up against the Klingon sensibilities about where this fits on the honor scale of injuries. There were other things playing in those nut-dark eyes, things more complicated, more tortuous. The door opened without a chime for permission and Alexander charged in at full tilt, almost slamming into the captain’s desk. Worf worked to control himself and did about as well as any overheating steam engine. Worf – The Captain has informed me that your wound is an honorable one. Worf – I cannot accept any commendations or other considerations for this particular mission. I do not suffer about my decision, but I must not gain form it. To honor me in any way would be an insult to Grant’s memory. Worf did not shirk the moment. He looked at his son and said – Alexander, I was not strong enough or fast enough to rescue Grant. Alexander’s voice was thin, tiny – He’s dead? Worf – He died before I could get to him. I failed him, Alexander. I failed you. Grief twisted Alexander’s face. He averted his eyes from everyone for a long minute, working valiantly to keep control. Alexander nodded at some thought or other with which he grappled, then finally looked up. He couldn’t look in his father’s eyes but stared instead at his father’s uniform. Alexander rasped – Some things are worth dying for. At the boy’s generous words, Worf twitched, squinted, and fixed a perplexed look on his son. What his son said was something all Klingons knew, but until now Worf had never known if his child believed it in his heart. Alexander’s voice was thready, full of effort – The Day of Honor is meant to help us understand that our enemy might have honor, right? Mrs. Khanty didn’t understand that. She didn’t think her enemy had any honor, but she was the one who didn’t have any. So she underestimated you. I don’t know if what you did was right, but I know honor isn’t simple. Sometimes it means both sides might be partly right, and you’ve got to figure that out before you go killing people. I still don’t know what honor is, but I know it’s why you fight, not how you fight. Alexander checked on some things about the events covered in the holoprogram, most were true. He thought about checking on the fates of Alexander Leonfeld and Jeremiah but decided not to. His relatives have the rest of the journals, he can get them if he wants. He wants to go back to the era. Perhaps he’ll wait until next year’s Day of Honor to see the rest. Go with his father next time. Khanty was handed over to Sindikash law enforcement, and the planet voted to secede from the federation. The whole area will be unstable for decades. The new governor wants a relationship with the Fed. The House of Quark Kozak, Dark, scraggly hair in face, beard. Calls for another bloodwine, his 13 th. You cowering little Ferengi slug. You pathetic mak’dar. Kozak Tells Rom he’s out of money, asks for credit, Passes out at table. Kozak Pulls knife on Quark for speaking to him disrespectable, they tumble down the few steps and knife impales chest. Bashir examines body for long time in bar. Crowds gather. Rom cautions Quark – what if the Klingon’s family comes looking for revenge Quark claims the Klingon was abusive, vulgar, a typical drunken Klingon, all that was fine until refused to pay his bill. Pulled a knife, furious exchange of blows, knife at throat, Quark twisted it out his grasp and plunged it into Klingon’s chest. Odo finds out Kozak, by all accounts a thoroughly disreputable character, a notorious drunkard. Head of a rather powerful Klingon family, from what Odo could gather. Odo warns Quark that Kozak’s family might show up. Quark, slayer of Klingons Klingon, quite pale in right light, attacks Quark in corridor - you killed my brother. My brother killed by a miserable Ferengi! I want to know exactly how Kozak died. I’d better like what I hear. I hope you’re not going to tell me that he died in an accident. There would be no honor in such a death. If Kozak died in disgrace then that disgrace will be passed to the rest of his family. If Quark is the cause of an accident that dishonored entire family, brother going to kill him. If he died as a warrior, in personal combat, then there would be no dishonor for him or his family. An honorable death requires no vengeance. It was an honor to kill him. I’m sure it was. Grilka comes into bar all wrapped in cloak. She has been told that Quark was the one who killed her husband. Was it an honorable death? Defend yourself! Goes after Quark with d’k tagh. She wants to know how her husband died and she wants the truth. Knife in sheath at waist. Grilka knows Quark has told tale to Station security, his customers, and to D’Ghor. Jabs Quark in neck with hypospray. Calls for beam up after touching badge on left upper arm. Hypospray in neck revives Quark on Qo’noS. Ancestral home of late House of Kozak. Pillows on gray couch, two matching arm chairs. Low table between with object d’art. Wall scones. Red light ceiling panels. Large Stone walls. Circular masonry above door. Bat’leth displayed vertically on wall. Small tapestry, or shirt on wall as well as large back lit red and yellow stained glass piece in corner. Skylight – light streams in from overhead. Disk tied to rectangular frame on display pedestal against wall. Computer consol desk with bench. Klingon writing sigils on wall, in silver or back lit. buttresses. squat urns with vegetation, recessed lighting at night. Large jar on low table. Very large circular shield like object on stand against wall, writing sigils around outer edge. Outer hall has several large dark sculptures. Kozak died in disgrace, the house no longer has a name. No male heir. D’Ghor’s family has been sworn enemy of house of Kozak for seven generations. What he told Quark was a lie. If Kozak died in an accident and left no male heir the Council might have decided that this was an unusual situation and granted special dispensation. That might have allowed Grilka to become head of the family, even though she’s a woman. If Kozak died in honorable combat no special dispensation would be granted. House will fall. Grilka come sin wearing white robe with fur shoulder panels. bracelets Tumek – I beg you, mistress. Consider what you do here. Put this on, because if you do not I will kill you. Hold hands Quark’s right to Grilka’s left, stretched out in front, face Tumek. Grilka speaks, then Quark. Tumek utters phrase. Kiss. It is done. The ceremony is complete, you are husband and wife. High Council Chamber Klingon symbol on floor and red back lit one on wall behind Gowron’s chair, raised two steps. About 8 councilors arranged on either side of Gowron wear long robes, red x lit on wall at back of entrance, passageway leads off from entrance to room, not a door, regular bumps on side wall, guards stand against wall. High ceiling with skylights. Gowron wears robe with many badges and pins, chair high studded back. D’Ghor with two little braids in beard– there being no special circumstances in the death, and no male heir, I make claim to the title and property of this fallen house. Gowron – the council has considered your petition and will grant the transfer once the final rituals Grilka enters – the Petition is out of order. D’Ghor – this woman has no place here. Her husband is dead and her house has fallen. I ask that she be taken from the hall. Grilka has performed the brek’tal ritual and has chosen a new husband to lead my house. Al she has done is follow the brek’tal ritual – if the leader of a house is slain in honorable combat the victor may be invited to take his place and his wife. D’Ghor made this possible by certifying before the council that Kozak died an honorable death at Quark’s hands. Grilka simply exercising her rights as an honored widow. D’Ghor will place Grilka and Quark’s heads outside the gates D’Ghor can not challenge Quark in council without just cause. Gowron says council will consider the matter, until then the brek’tal will be respected. The house of Kozak is gone, House of Quirk, Quark, for the time being. Grilka told Quark not to say anything in the council chamber – chews him out when they get home. She’s making it up as she goes along. Kozak squandered much of family’s wealth, incurred several large gambling debts, made unwise investments. House has been weakened severely in power and in influence. Much of debt is owed to D’Ghor, now ready to take advantage of weakness. If D’Ghor can gain title to family’s lands and property his House will become a very powerful influence in the Empire. May even earn a seat on the council. Grilka protests that finding way out of financial difficulties by examining financial statements is not the way we do things here. Klingons do not dirty themselves with filthy legers looking for financial tricks. Quark finds D’Ghor very clever financial dealings, manipulated family holdings, devalued the lands. Systematically attacking family assets for over five years now. There is no honor in what he has done, scheming like a Ferengi. If he had wanted to challenge my house he should have made a declaration, met our forces in battle. Thank you, Quark, you made have saved my family. I really am very grateful for all you’ve done. That is why I am going to let you take your hand off my thigh instead of shattering every bone in your body. Quark talks the 8 council members, old and young, and Gowron through D’Ghor’s finances mergers currency transactions each with palm pilots. Gowron goes over to D’Ghor – the challenge has been made that you have use money to bring down a great house. D’Ghor declares Quark has lied, smeared my name, demands personal combat. D’Ghor has uncovered new evidence that Kozak died in an accident – via Rom. Quark and Rom try to sneak out. Grilka thought Quark might try to leave. It is a matter of honor, D’Ghor as accused Quark of lying. There is no way to answer that except through personal combat. What they say about Ferengi is true – all lying thieving cowards with no sense of loyalty or honor. I don’t want them in my house. Tumek growls at Quark Council chamber in the morning – D’Ghor with bat’leth ready. Grilka paces. D’Ghor – the house of Quark has dishonored itself. I ask that it be dissolved and its land and property be turned over to me as compensation. I am Quark, son of Keldar, and I have come to answer the challenge of D’Ghor Quark throws away bat’leth, accuses Klingons of wanting him to put up a fight even though he doesn’t have a change so their precious honor will be satisfied. Gowron stops D’Ghor from killing Quark. Gowron didn’t want to believe the things Quark said yesterday, but if he can murder this pathetic little man you have no honor. You have no place in this hall. Gowron takes bat’leth from D’Ghor, throws it to floor, steps back, makes fists and crosses wrists across chest, turns back on D’Ghor. Other council members and guards in chamber cross wrists and turn away. Two guards haul D’Ghor out of chamber. Gowron – A brave Ferengi, who would have thought it possible. I believe there are enough unusual circumstances to justify granting you special dispensation. Grilka can lead her house on her own, if that is what she wants. Quark has given Grilka back her house and her family name. Divorce –left hand back handed slap across face, phrase, spit Grilka kisses Quark, Qapla. Crossover by Michael Jan Friedman 125 When Scotty was at the Academy, a grizzled old instructor who taught a survival course said - if you’re captured by someone like the Klingons, no matter how tough you are or think you are, you will eventually tell them what they want to know. 139 Worf detects intermittent energy pulses on his long-range sensor monitor. At first he thinks they’re some natural phenomenon, but then he figures out it’s a message from Captain Scott. 144 Worf uttered a Klingon curse. For the sake of propriety, the security officer had apparently limited himself to one of the milder variety. Worf on rescuing Scotty – I cannot say we were the best of friends, however I know what the Romulans will do to such a man. I cannot stand by and allow them to work their tortures on him 149 Worf hesitated, no doubt wondering why McCoy was giving such an order. Finally he asked – Where is the captain? Picard knew Worf would not simply obey McCoy’s directives, not without some explanation. After all, personal loyalty meant even more to the Klingon than his duty to Starfleet. 156 the great military victory at Narendra III still commemorated as a holiday among the Romulans 181 Worf peered at Picard from under the bony protrusion of his brow ridge. The gleam in the Klingon’s eyes told Picard there was something particularly interesting about the information Worf had gathered. McCoy had not been interested, he advised Worf to file it. The Stugg, a formidable people according to all records of Fed dealings with them, live in area bound by Fed Romulan Neutral Zone. The Stugg have never succeeded in unifying themselves sufficiently to pose a threat. 225 Worf leveled a glance at McCoy that could have sliced duranium 245 Picard orders Worf to go make sure the battle bridge is in working order 280 Worf’s fingers crawled over his control pads like some deadly quick variety of insect. 294 In the future Q had shown Picard he had seen his friends, Riker and Worf in particular, separated and at odds with one another. He’d sworn not to let matters take that course. Equilibrium Curzon had a temper Curzon fell out of a tree once, and didn’t like top bunk beds Sisko to the surgeon about to remove the Dax symbiont – Tell Dr. Tarvin to get a cup of raktajino, he won’t be needed. Kahless by Michael Jan Friedman P1 initiate Brother Olahg, cleric of Boreth, never one for confrontation, skinny limbs, slight frame, directs archaeological dig with hand tools on site of old road, best guess where historical Kahless, 75 generations ago, made camp on his long trek from his fortress to Sto-Vo-Kor. now dense forest gray-and-yellow streaked micayah trees, slim brittle leaves, forest prized by Klingons living in area. Small dig sites supervised by clerics. Clerics had plied High Council for years to obtain permission to dig here, sacred site, location where Emperor Kahless had walked. Other places they want to excavate. Pungent smell of micayah sap, slim brittle leaves make insect buzzing noise in wind Shrill screech of blue-gray treehens, scuttle across fields looking for parasites The foreman of the workcrew, long black beard, a Klingon's Klingon he had a brow heavy with thick hornlike ridges Olahg had fallen out of favor with his father early in his youth, because of slight build, which ensured him a desk job in some deadly dull Klingon bureaucracy. Spurned by everyone in his life. Several months ago Olahg heard the Call, small insistent voice within, urging him toward teachings of legendary emperor Kahless. Went to Boreth, shadowy mountain monastery, spurn worldly things, embrace life of pious contemplation instead, sit around smoking prayer pit seeking visions in the scented fumes until face raw with heat. After few weeks, the austere way lost appeal. Olahg wanted more personal relationship, audience with great glorious Kahless himself, or being made from Kahless's genetic material who had been named the Empire's ceremonial emperor a few years ago. Olahg petitions many times, always told Emperor Kahless too busy, duties keep him away from Boreth. Olahg feels it an injustice that the clone they created should ignore the clerics. Koroth, chief guardian of the monastery, honored and respected for his insight, tells Olahg Kahless is testing him. Clerics of Boreth are beyond reproach. Sto-Vo-Kor, the Klingon afterlife, to which Kahless disappeared after his death. It was a leap of faith to believe in such a place. Divok, Midday meal Spotted targs Oblong metal box, half-meter long, unknown alloy, carved with ancient-looking symbols, found by Olahg. Scroll inside, held by leather thong. A scroll was mentioned in the myth cycle. It was said that Kahless had left his fortress with such a thing in his possession. Writing in bold flowing hand. The greatest blasphemy Olahg could imagine. If this was the authentic word of Kahless, should it not be given a voice? Should it not be heeded, as the emperor no doubt intended - for why else would he have written it? caw'va melon, bursts if left in the sun Olahg pounds the ground on either side wishing an answer would be handed down to him. Peace? Or truth? Klingons taught A gift should never be wasted. City a day's walk away from dig site P11 Kri'stak volcano, severe and lonely place, first eruption in nearly a hundred years when Kahless goes to make bat'leth. Kahless's dark leather tunic embossed with sigils of Klingon virtues, shoulders with bright silver circlets, leather gloves reinforced with an iron alloy. Kahless not dissuaded by erupting volcano in the least. Kahless cuts lock of hair with d'k'tagh, a ceremonial dagger. He drops lock of hair, drops it into volcano, it vanishes, then shoots up again on geyser of lava, coated with lava, an object of unearthly beauty. Kahless puts out his hand and the flaming hair tumbles right into palm of his gauntleted hand. Worf in need of spiritual affirmation. The myth of Kahless's labors at the Kri'stak Volcano After that he plunged the flaming lock into Lake Lusor, and twisted it into a revolutionary new form of blade, which no Klingon had ever seen before. Only after much hardship would he come to the lake. The myths are sacred to Klingons, the essence of our faith. Not speaking figuratively, truly believe he did such a thing. Picard knows Klingon lore perhaps as well as the average Klingon. Plains west of Kri'stak volcano. Out on plains he wrestled his brother Morath for twelve days and nights after his brother lied and shamed their clan. Morath learned his lesson and never compromised the honor of his brother or his clan again. Out on plains Kahless used bat'leth to slay the tyrant Molor, on plains emperor united all Klingons under a banner of duty and honor. Each story is a truth, no matter how impossible in cold light of logic. Or they were. Assassination very real concern in the corridors of Klingon government. Kahless clone as widely loved as any Klingon could be. 1500 years ago the historical Kahless took leave of the Klingon people The road to Sto-Vo-Kor Scroll found appears to discredit all the stories that concern him. It is as if Kahless himself has given the lie to his own history. The scroll reduced Klingon faith to a series of tall tales. Historical Kahless nothing like the legend. Such a scandal could shake the empire to its foundations. Klingons everywhere would be forced to reconsider the meaning of what it is to be Klingon. Social upheavals. For a while Kahless seemed to be all that kept Gowron in his council seat. It could be the end of the Fed-Klingon alliance. Klingons so eager for a light to guide them, were happy to embrace clone of original despite all that. Kahless revived Klingon's dedication to the ancient virtues. A subspace packet has arrived from the Klingon homeworld for Worf. Worf has requested the contents of the scroll. Picard can read it after. P22 [heroic] Kahless rides lean powerful s'tarakh at the head of the emperor's forces in pursuit of outlaws. Molor rides with Kahless on a proud black s'tarakh. Towering Uhq'ra Mountains. s'tarakh short yellow tusks, red eyes, thick hairless hide, barks loudly. Kahless tests the scent of the wind to see if brigands are afraid, they are not, and flash their teeth at him. Molor had seized half the world's greatest continent, going for the rest of it. Kahless had served Molor for seven years, gradually won post as one of his most trusted warchiefs. Molor pale green eyes, long gray brows, chin-beard. Kahless, son of Kanjis Molor - Battles are won and lost before they ever begin, in the manner and timing of attack. Molor - Fear. There is no more powerful emotion. And to us, no more powerful friend. Molor - strike swiftly and unexpectedly, like a bird of prey, and show not an ounce of mercy War-axes It is always a good day to die It would be the greatest shame if their monarch fell in battle. Kahless fiercest and most loyal warrior in Molor's service P29 When the Muar'tek Festival comes to Tolar'tu, even the heavens lift their voices in celebration - old saying, meaning it always stormmsss Muar'tek Festival - musicians, hoarse whistling of longg tapering abin'do pipes, strumming harps, metallic krad'dak drums, actors, one all in red, one all in blue, red - will teach his opponent a lesson about honor, blue - I need none of your wisdom, brother. Unchoreographed hand to hand fighting ritual, but in the end Kahless would exact from his brother Morath the price of telling a lie. Symbolic of 12 days and 12 nights of combat. A couple of times the red actor demands blue regret his act of betrayal, blue refuses. Ultimately, blue cries I yield, citing the ancient words. Red lifts exhausted figure of Morath to the heavens and bellowed his triumph. Bow to crowd, crowd thrust fists in air and beat on one another's shoulders in delirious approval, butt heads. traditional red clothing element - glove, headbands, making a comeback among audience. Audience vocal participant. Post performance speech by Unarrh, son of Unagroth. Powerful member of high council, one of Gowron's staunchest supporters. Sponsored the street drama. Only proper for him to address crowd afterward. Crowd questions if stories are true, what if myths are lies. All our lives we've believed in him, worshipped him, never suspecting our beliefs were based on falsehoods which bring dishonor to us all. What will we believe now? The spirit of the occasion ruined by dissention. Unarrh had subordinate mark protestors to be taken bodily from crowd later. Teeth exposed in broad benevolent smile The only thing worse than incurring dishonor was refusing to recognize it as such. Tolar'tu - town ravaged by Molor 1500 years ago. The town's ancient center where, it could be said, Klingon civilization first took hold. Kahless stopped Molor's greed here. Navrath, near Tolar'tu, where Unarrh lives Briny scent of fresh serpent worms, pungent rokeg blood pie. Street vendors Kerpach, one-eyed shop keeper, western wall of historic Tolar'tu square Kahless clone has all the memories, wisdom and ethical fiber of real Kahless. Also ability to read lips, skill of original Kahless. Most days clone glad to be the Empire's icon. Considers Olahg's scroll to be assailing purity of faith. Chu'paq Sea, tidal P36 food hall off main square, run by Tolar'tu native, old woman whose husband was killed in Romulan attack on Khitomer. Firepit. Bare walls. Serving maids. Mediocre Bloodwine and gagh, heart of targ, liver of targ, bloody or not. Fastest way to build a business was to allow disrespectable clientele to flourish. We stand by our steady customers. Elderly man T'lanak a regular. Kahless has eaten midday meal here for a week. Clone a creature of habit. Kahless didn't back off from anyone. As emperor he seldom gets to engage in combat. It was satisfying to engage an opponent eye to eye and stare him down, though not as satisfying as drawing blood. Kahless never felt comfortable lording it over others Women with nice sharp mouthful of teeth Moons of Qo'noS. Lomakh - high ranking officer in KDF, long chin, wispy moustache. Very much in favor a year ago with Council and Defense Force hierarchy. Less then a year ago ceremony honoring Gowron's suppression of the Gon'rai rebellion. Kahless and Lomakh in attendance In ancient times a great many people could read lips, essential to communication in battle, practice fallen into disuse in modern times Kahless reads Lomakh and companion shaping an intrigue P43 [heroic] M'riiah, village, central square with ceremonial cooking pot, communal cooking for whole village Kraw'zamey, carrion birds minn'hor, strong beast of burden, plow, droppings used as fertilizer Starad, son of Molor, arrogant, cruel, selfish, raw-boned strength and very skilled in swordplay, brash, long sharp teeth, Kahless considers him a fool. Molor, ruler of everything from mountains to the sea demands tribute in grain or livestock. Collect full amount or burn village to the ground. Kahless doesn't like squeezing tribute from starving villagers, two years of drought and famine, plague ravaged beasts. No glory in terrorizing women and striplings. Headman of village from biggest hut with narrow rusted honor band Kanjis long dead, killed by a cornered targ. Kahless his only child. In every life, there are moments like a sword's edge. All subsequent events balanced on that edge, eventually falling on one side or the other. Folly to believe one could determine on which side they fell. Kahless had learned fighting during long, drawn-out border wars. Lavender blood, purplish tinge of gore Throwing dagger, in sheath strapped to thigh The spirit passed out of Starad Kahless kills Starad, son of Molor, and one of Starad's followers. Remaining warriors pledge allegiance to now renegade Kahless by holding swords high. Now in blood feud with tyrant Molor, the most powerful man in the world. Morath, son of Ondagh aids Kahless in fighting Starad. Wound cauterized with hot metal and bathed. P58 the scroll controversy has caused High Council Chamber long hall guards to question whether Kahless is an utter fraud Remember who you are, remember and be proud. Other Klingons pause at Council Chamber double doors, Kahless, as emperor, comes and goes as he pleases. Dark vaulted roof. Guards in chamber, too. Gowron in leader's seat at far end of chamber. Confers with councilors. Gowron's eyes give no clue to his emotional state. Neutral voice also A plot against Gowron and his regime is a plot against Kahless as well. Kahless tells Gowron about Lomakh in dining hall. Gowron - why them? They have always been among his strongest supporters. Kahless could be seeing a conspiracy where none exists One might look at a thranx bush for seven years and conclude it was always incapable of flowering, but eighth year would see a vast profusion of flowers. Gowron - I can not accuse my right hand of clawing at my throat until I have seen its fingers reaching for it. Had it been anyone else, Kahless knew, Gowron would have rewarded his impertinence with a swift and violent death. Gowron didn't dare kill him, no matter how great the insult, scroll or no scroll. Until recently Gowron's regime had benefited mightily from the emperor's popularity. As scroll controversy reached new heights Gowron eager to disassociate himself form Kahless. Kahless can not let the Empire fall, the clerics who created him are thinkers and philosophers, no one else he trusts implicitly in the Empire, but outside the Empire. Doddering old warrior who had outlived his usefulness pherza wasps, sting P63 [heroic] large village, deep slow moving river irrigates fields, groves of fruit trees. Dark tower of central keep, surrounded by dark walls. Water bladder Kahless and band move north, away from Molor's capital Famine year before causes lack of game Groundnuts edible Stringy yolok worms edible Porus, eldest follower of Kahless. He had been in Molor's service even longer than Kahless's seven years Shurin, wiry one-eyed warrior. Morath closemouthed Slink around like a p'tahk Rokeg blood pie - baked in spices, or baked in its own juices Gnaw on bregit lung and heart of targ Kahless and band surprise naked women playing in river. Kahless little time for lovemaking in Molor's service, not going to let his band take advantage of these women. Daughter of Lord Vathraq, Tallest and most beautiful stood her ground all alone with long deadly dagger Female with the heart of a warrior. Hanged with our own intestines P70 Koroth, drab, loose-fitting garb with cowl marked him as one of the clerics of Borath, chief cleric. Clerics dedicate their lives to the preservation of Kahless's traditions. Beams secretly in and out of Picard's ready room. Koroth inclined his head out of respect for Lt. Worf, who forced a meeting of minds between Gowron and Kahless clone, giving clone an honorary place in council hall. Otherwise the empire might have split into bloody factions over their conflict. Worf returns the gesture of respect. Kahless sends Koroth to enlist Picard and Worf. Kahless reluctant to speak with Koroth of what he wanted Picard and Worf to do. Simple gave him coordinates of a Klingon colony in the Nin'taga system, to meet Kahless at a designated time The scroll had not been authenticated, and Koroth does not believe it will be. He has publicly demanded the scroll be subjected to dating technologies to prove it false. Kahless needs Picard's help before things get any worse. Worf indulged himself in a typically Klingon remark - Can I let my captain risk his life alone? Worf is the sort of warrior the emperor believes him to be The cursed thing The Byndarites, who normally don't have much to do with the Federation, transport Koroth on one of their merchant ships secretly to meet the Enterprise, meeting lasts 10 minutes. Koroth familiar with the Byndarites. Boreth on the outskirts of the Empire, near one of Byndarite trade routes Riker reminds Picard that Koroth tried to deceive Picard before. Koroth and the clerics tried to convince the entire quadrant that Kahless the clone was in fact Kahless the Unforgettable, and they nearly got away with it. The Klingon Empire, hardly the safest venue in the quadrant, in Riker's opinion Picard has visited the homeworld before, he will hardly be a babe in the woods. Riker speaks Klingon DujIIj yIvog = trust your instincts Alexander in quarters doing quantum mechanics homework when Worf comes home unexpectedly early. Alexander had figured out Worf's facial expression of reluctance to put himself in danger any more than he had to because Alexander needed him, and determination to do his duty. Worf once said Pescalian ships were held together with spit in Alexander's presence. Enterprise rendezvous with Pescalian cargo ship in an hour to take Picard and Worf to homeworld Alexander gets a lump in his throat every time his father leaves on dangerous mission. This one sounds pretty dangerous to him, but he considers Picard trustworthy and too valuable to Starfleet to put in great danger. Worf and Alexander have come to an understanding about Alexander's human side, the quarter of his heritage from his mother. Worf wouldn't scold Alexander for being afraid. Alexander practicing with bat'leth. Troi will keep an eye on Alexander in Worf's absence. Alexander likes Troi, and knows his father does too. Bad luck for a Klingon to leave in the midst of sorrow. P81 [heroic] the food writhes and steams and bleeds on Lord Vathraq's table. tor'rif bread, soft and warm minn'hor cheese, sweet and dark bloodwine fragrant Kellein, daughter of Lord Vathraq, sees that everyone is amply served at meal. Wears long belted tunic, sharp teeth, brown eyes. Wearing jinaq amulet on a silver chain, signifying that her parents had only in the last year deemed her old enough to take a mate, girl 18 years old en'tach leaves brown and oval shaped in the spring drum fists on wooden table to endorse toast Kahless has learned that Morath has principles, the kind that didn't allow him to let a falsehood go uncorrected. P85 Klingon colony on sprawls across ruddy brown hilly landscape situated below 150 meter precipice from smooth black plateau with rock formations on it, red-orange sky, spicy scent in air. Area resembles T'chariv, in the north on the homeworld Kahless clasps Picard and then Worf strongly by the forearm in greeting. clone wears T'chariv, where the original Kahless called the outlying provinces to his banner. Kahless informs Picard and Worf that apparently the Klingon Defense Force is undertaking a military coup designed to unseat Gowron and the rest of the council. Kahless saw them whispering in a dining hall in Tolar'tu, starting during the Festival of Muar'tek and continuing every day since. They say Olahg's scroll has enabled them to get their rebellion under way, they embrace it as evidence that the Kahless clone is not worth respect, Kahless the Unforgettable is not what he seems, and never was The leaders of the Defense Force were handpicked by Council Leader Gowron. They have sworn to defend him with their very lives. In many instances, the Kahless clone was all that kept the people from rising up against Gowron. Kahless thinks that to scheme against Gowron is bad enough. without Kahless to bolster Gowron, he is too vulnerable. Gowron is not Kahless's idea of a great leader, but he's a damned sight better than the alternative. Picard likes Gowron because he is still an ally of the Federation. Stand on their necks and watch their blood run out on the floor Gowron dismissed Kahless's story because he thought Kahless was just making it up to feel important. Picard and Worf have a little bit of the same feeling. Kahless discerns their feelings of incredulousity. Picard puts Worf uncomfortably on the spot asking what he thinks directly. Picard leery of the prospect of going to the homeworld, but puts his trust in his security officer. Kahless activates transporter by tapping his wristband, the same kind Picard used to control Enterprise shuttles Kahless has use of modest cruiser, as with all Klingon vessels small, stark, lacking in amenities. Quarters were cramped and lights were dim, bridge has three seats. Even for small and relatively unsophisticated vessel its damper system left something to be desired. Kahless preferred it rougher the better. Kahless speaks directly to computer to set course, heading and speed. Qo'noS on heading 346.1 from colony world, couple of day's journey at warp six. Fore and aft cabins. Aft cabin has bunks. Worf says Nice ship Gowron gave Kahless the ship, he hasn't used it much The jinaq on Kahless's chest, he has no lover, but he wears out of respect for a remembered love. P92 [heroic] Vathraq a poor storyteller, in Kahless's opinion Vaulted great hall, anteroom, keep, a few dark blockish storage buildings, gates to river road, sentries with crossbows. tran'nuc trees cultivated, sweet heavy purplish fruit, long jagged thorns on black branches tran'nuc fruit, on the ground, in seconds yolok worms realize it is there and rise up beneath it and devour it quickly yolok worms also eat meat yolok works slender white bodies with pincer jaws Molor treats his servants well. Provide females, bloodwine, eventually a hall of his own, a wall of trophies, vassals with land Knife hung at Kahless's thigh in leather sheath, oiled surface The hunter's spirit rising in him Kellein smashed Kahless in face with open hand, slashes with nails, punctures his lip with her teeth when they kiss, inflames Kahless's passions Season of Growing Kellein wore fragrant wildflowers in hair at feast Praxis rises in the east Where I come from this means we are betrothed [having made love] but it does not have to mean anything. Means the same in Kahless's home area as in Kellein's home area. Kahless from a village Kellein will make a jinaq amulet just hers, so everyone will know they belong to each other The Cold season, the long Cold through The Growing season Ask Lord Vathraq for his daughter's hand in marriage P101 K'Ehleyr once suggested Alexander count sheep to help him get to sleep, he had never seen a real sheep in his life. Alexander clings to the things he remembered about a little more than is absolutely necessary. K'Ehleyr used to sneak up on Alexander and hug him. K'Ehleyr would recite nursery rhymes to Alexander, which she claimed were from Earth but sounded more Klingon than human -Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, three Billygoats Gruff. Alexander misses K'Ehleyr. Alexander can access Worf's communications via computer in their quarters, he could hack his way around Starfleet priority clearance, but he liked the officers on the Enterprise too much to get in trouble with them. What Alexander reads on the scroll talks about Kahless and the kinds of things he did when he was young, but it doesn't jibe well with what Alexander knew of him, seems to be talking of someone else altogether P103 Kahless takes Picard and Worf to dining hall in Tolar'tu. Nearly every one in dining hall wear hoods. Worf more and more skeptical about the whole mission. Lomakh tall, co-conspirator shorter and broad. Worf would recognize Lomakh. Worf goes to warm his hand by firepit and look at men. Kahless read they lips - they spoke of plucking Gowron from the council like a fattened targ. Picard a connoisseur of Klingon fare, but disappointed by lack of fresh gagh, only cooked variety. But tasty. Pay for meal and leave Dining hall half kilometer from main square His eyes narrowed beneath his bony brow Picard protests that the Federation has no spies among their allies the Klingons Six or seven masked assassins with d'k tahg set upon Kahless, Worf and Picard. Phasers would identify them as Federation people Distruptors would draw undue attention Every Klingon carries a blade of some sort, Kahless gives Worf and Picard blades Attackers flee when group of warriors approach from direction of dining hall, eager to even the odds. They go on after the attackers hooting and hollering Fortunately, there was nothing a Klingon disliked more than an unfair fight. Kahless caught up on a bloodlust, Worf restrains him from going after in a berserker rage. A flesh wound, I've done worse to myself at the dinner table P113 [heroic] Molor with vastly numerical superior force comes out of nowhere, surprising Kahless and band out of their early Cold camp Molor had to be half-insane with his thirst for vengeance Starad had been the most promising of his children Molor stalks those who defy him with infinite patience, infinite care. Strikes with swiftness of heat lightning m'ressa branches, tough, gnarled, used to built rough mountain shelter Morath younger than Kahless Morath has been in these soaring mountains, steep rocky slopes before. Morath leads Kahless's band to narrow slot up in mountains, just big enough for warrior and mount. Underground stream has carved a path. Leads to beach by the sea, 10 miles distant Molor half a mile away The sighing of the north-country wind. Kahless - each morning I wake to is a victory. There's no shame in running if it allows you to survive Morath disapproves of this sentiment P119 Kurn's seat on the High Council brought with it the governorship of the colony world of Ogat, addressed as my lord governor. Serving on the council is more drudgery than Kurn expected. Inspection of training academy one of the pleasanter duties. Kurn familiar with a feasting hall in town where the heart of targ is worth dying for. Kurn swarmed by group of young admirers, warrior-in-training, wearing the black and crimson colors of their academy, questioned about his encounters with the Romulans after Gowron's succession Kurn favors mother's side of the family Garden of standing rocks, tall oblong boulders, remote cul-de-sacs with seats Rajuc, son of Inagh, Short, stocky, jutting brow his most distinguishing feature, dark deepset eyes. Esteemed headmaster of training academy of Ogat. A gracious host. Turns out warriors of the highest caliber. Stately robes, air of haughty authority Youth reveling over first hunting trophy Worf, growing up in alien culture of Earth had learned to hide his innermost feelings, his stint on the Enterprise had encouraged him to open up somewhat. Kurn misses Worf's companionship The academy honored beyond measure by presence of Kahless. Kahless - tell me that after I've bloodied your furnishings and ravaged your women. Rajuc - do your worst, great one - and I will be honored to match blades with you The clone slammed his fist into Rajuc's shoulder. That's the spirit. Give ground to no one. Rumor-mongers would have us believe Kahless was a fraud The stories we learned as children contain the truth of the matter Someone rammed him in the stomach with the business end of a painstick Eldest students of academy plan to reenact Kahless's departure for Sto-Vo-Kor in two days time Kahless enjoys such dramas For the sake of protocol, Inclined his shaggy head, first to Kurn, then to Kahless and finally to Worf and Picard, then departed Kurn could conduct an investigation into Kahless's accusations through his contacts in the Defense Force. Worf told Kahless Kurn would not fail them Picard and Worf notice Kurn is holding something back. Worf feels sure Kurn lied to them when he said he would help. Let us pin him down now while his lie is still fresh on his lips My brother is not a traitor Kahless known for his swaggering ground-eating pace Klingons were damned quick when they wanted to be When the emperor wanted something he tolerated no delays At challenge bares his teeth, his nostrils flared, thrust his chin out, then his temper seemed to cool Close scrutiny of the activities of the Defense Force would have revealed a significant number of concurrent absences on the parts of two particular officers, a male and a female, each one with a mate outside the Defense Force. Both members of prominent Houses, which have long been allies of Gowron. If their affair became public it would drive a wedge between their families and severely erode Gowron's power base. This is not a thing to be taken lightly. The response of the cuckolded husband, in this case, must be to seek revenge - as if a challenge had been made. Worse, the cuckolded wife in this situation may have her husband slowly drawn and quartered by four powerful burden beasts, while his lover is forced to watch. Kurn can not help Worf and Kahless. The Klingon family was held together by almost feudal bonds. Philandering was a violation of those bonds, at least on the part of the male involved. The female's situation was different, she could have initiated a divorce anytime, unless she had reasons for not doing so The importance of Gowron's survival as Council Leader. Kurn didn't bother with niceties, he merely turned his back on them and resumed his progress toward academy's main hall Explosion rips through academy building, shattering peacefulness of the grounds, shouts of fury, cries of agony, all children, many rescues, many dead. Worf runs to Kurn's aid. Rajuc carried out by students all bloody, broken arm. Second, bigger explosion follows first, no more cries. Worf goes back into flames and brings out two youngsters slung over his shoulders, one badly burned and bleeding but breathing, one dead. Worf had been reduced to instincts in his attempt to save the children, and his instincts were not pretty by human standards. en'chula grass, short, red, hardy several years earlier Picard had read the story in Worf's personnel file - as a child of six Worf had accompanied his parents to the Khitomer outpost, on the rim of the Klingon Empire. It was an installation devoted to research, to scientific pursuits. Nonetheless, the Romulans attacked the place without warning, brutally, destroying the four thousand Klingons who lived there, Worf's parents included. Buried in the rubble, in danger of suffocation, Mogh's son would have died too, except for the Starfleet vessel Intrepid which arrived in time to search for survivors. A team located a faint set of life signs in the ruins and began digging. It was Sergey Rozhenko, a human, who saved the Klingon's life and later adopted him. Picard could imagine what it had been like to be trapped in all that debris, small and alone, despairing of assistance yet hanging on anyway. Or how Worf had felt when he'd seen the stones above him coming away, to reveal the bearded face of his savior. That was why Worf refused to leave those two children behind. He remembered the horrors of Khitomer. He could not do less for those students than Sergey Rozhenko had done for him. The collected wounded survivors send up a wail of pure and unadulterated pain to the sky above. Not the death song, not the ritual howl of joy and approval meant the speed a warrior's soul to the afterlife. This was a mix of fury and anguish, of ineffable sadness, from the darkest depths of the Klingon heart. Those who died this day had been denied the chance to become warriors. Slaughtered like animals on the alter of greed and power. No one here would ever forget that. The murderers of these children had to be brought to justice. No other way Picard would be able to sleep at night. Kurn spoke in an soft but dangerous voice Obviously the conspiracy is real, and this attack was directed at Kurn, on the assumption he would move to help Kahless uncover it. Kurn, a member of the High Council, as if that meant anything. Kurn will put his loyalty to the lovers aside and help in whatever way he can. P133 [heroic] wild minn'hor herd amongst trees and snow Porus has an ample beard Morath only speaks if he really has something to say Southern continent a harsh and backward place, largely untouched by civilization. If the ancient gods smiled on them Port towns, hire a vessel and escape across the sea A pipedream Wrestle dream, illusion, wish into truth A dozen minn'hormey would feed Kahless's band for a week Minn'hor horned heads, shaggy hindquarters Size one another up, after all, they were Klingons Edronh Leader of another outlaw band, at home in mountainous north. Copper colored hair, braided. Kneels before Kahless and lays his sword at Kahless's feet. Bold Kahless leads the fight against the tyrant. Rannuf, youngest son of Edronh S'tarahk meat not very appetizing Hunt with bows and wooden arrows A Molor tactic - cut the serpent's head off and the rest will die. Tell me your name so I may honor it when I speak of our battle around the campfire Klingons didn't stop in the middle of a life or death struggle to declare their enemies their allies Get the cob'lat's share of the hunt P143 the Klingon Empire was more perilous than most other destinations for away missions Kurn's ship not much bigger or more comfortable than Kahless's, but it does have four seats, one center, three periphery. Corridor to sleeping quarters. Klingon vessels on this size have tendency to veer slightly at high speeds - check course frequently Worf apologizes to Picard for his behavior on Ogat, pulling away from Picard's consoling hand. Not Starfleet protocol. Worf feels fortunate to have commanding officer who understands at least a little the Klingon way Normally Worf can control his more feral instincts, no matter the provocation. Serving on the Enterprise had made him skilled at that. Killing of children is a provocation that when to the heart of his being - no just because of dishonorable, or from Khitomer, but because of Alexander. Not long ago Worf considered sending Alexander to academy on Ogat, to make him more Klingon. Every one of the faces had been Alexander's P148 [heroic] season of Growing. micayah trees heavy with dark green nuts tran'nuc tree fruit grows fat and flavorful late in season a wise man would withdraw I am always wary Carrion birds kraw'zamey didn't abide the presence of Klingons Vathraq sits on high wooden throne in the great hall Brink of the firepit pherza wax pale and translucent wear jinaq at mating ceremony words at mating ceremony - I pledge my heart and my hand to yoouuu, Y daughter of X, and on other. I am your mate for the rest of my days. Kellein has passed through the gates of Death P155 Kurn's estate on Ogat not far from the academy, rambling main hall with windows, hearth, doors off to another chamber. The homeworld's sun reflected on Ogat from several fragments of Praxis Klingon tendency to fragment themselves at every opportunity. Praxis had supplied the Klingons with more than three-fourths of their energy resources. Due to years of overmining and insufficient safety precautions, a reactor exploded, contaminating the homeworld's atmosphere, poking great holes in its delicate ozone layer, creating a quirk in its orbit. Klingon scientists had turned pale as they anticipated in half a century Qo'noS would have become a lifeless husk, abandoned. Of course there were ways to save it, to preserve Klingon culture and tradition, but they were expensive, made implausible by the size of the Klingon's military budget. Only option - High Council opened a dialogue with the Federation, aiming for peace. Once that was accomplished, funds could be diverted from military uses to rescue the homeworld. Peace was not an easy row to hoe. Factions in both Klingon hierarchy and the Federation tried to halt the process at every turn. Considerable hardship, considerable violence. By courage, tolerance and hard work, a treaty was signed. Peace between Feds and Klingons didn't mean Klingons would stop warring with each other. Over next 75 years High Council changed again and again. Some rising power challenging an established one at the point of a sharpened bat'leth. No sooner was the upstart on the council than some newcomer appeared to challenge him As a young man Picard had heard about the Klingons' overwhelming thirst for power. He accepted it, but he never truly understood it. Now he understands it. Not power that motivates Klingons as much as instinct. It was in their nature to fight. If they couldn't battle an outside foe, they would battle each other. Hence this conspiracy to overthrow Gowron. Kurn arranges for Rajuc to report Kurn's death, and three other adults, in explosion Kurn does not have Gowron's ear, Gowron has changed, forgotten who supported him when House of Duras went for his head. Kurn no longer understands what he is thinking half the time Steambaths of Ona'ja'bur - hot mists of sulfur and iron, pungeennnt lichen grows in cavern there. Battery powered blue-white safety globes. Crafty merchants of the town down the hill say the steam makes people live longer, profit greatly from the armies of visitors. Wear loincloth in cavern. Lack of visitors at this time of year. Leader of conspiracy, not by nature a very patient individual, meets with Lomakh. They hired the groundskeeper to plant the bombs, was killed in explosion. Other sources on Ogat say action was successful Lomakh harsh voice, looks thinner and less distinguished in loincloth than body armor Lomakh was meeting with Kardem in the dining hall. Lomakh arranged for street mercenaries to kill their watcher. Sources at Gowron's court tell them the Kahless clone had come to Gowron with some interesting suspicions. Spy gathers that Gowron refused to help, asked for proof. Few humans ever set foot on Qo'noS, one of them, the famous Arbiter of Succession, description known, Captain of Enterprise. If Picard was on the homeworld, could his Lt. Worf be far behind? And would they have not enlisted Worf's brother Kurn. Kurn's estate too well guarded for conspirators to attack him there. Academy and other likely places planted with bombs. It is a tricky thing this reshaping of public opinion, especially when it involves a beloved figure like Kahless. Nothing was harder to fight than a memory. Sneak around like a Ferengi High seat in the central hall Leader of conspiracy wants to cast off ties to Federation and find other allies. Not Romulans. Allies willing to observe Klingon rules and serve Klingon purposes. He would be beholden to no one, not even fellow conspirators Lomakh, Kardem and Olmai. Relations already strained among them. Proven traitors. Better to have supporters among the wellfed and content. The trouble with the rebellion the House of Duras had launched - the Romulans had been pulling the strings, rendering Duras's sisters and his heir mere pawns in their scheme. If Gowron had been toppled the Romulans would have ruled the Empire. Look for the glint of knife's edge in every mirror. What was a council leader, anyway, if he did not spill someone's blood from time to time. What was the use of being in the high seat if one did not hold power of life and death? P165 [heroic] Morath comes after Kahless when he flees from death Kellein, blames Kahless for letting villagers believe there is a rebellion against Molor when all Kahless really wants to do is escape. Morath accuses Kahless of lying, you shamed yourself and all your ancestors. A charging targ S'tarahk paw at groundnuts He can follow me to Gre'thor P169 retorts to warrior's taunts usually Alexander's favorite part of Klingon bat'leth exercise program, set in subterranean depth of a cavern, a gift from Worf on Alexander's last birthday. Birthday gifts a peculiarly human tradition, but Worf grew up on Earth and was familiar with the practice. Worf had asked if Alexander wanted anything in particular, something from Earth? Alexander said he wanted another bat'leth program. He's tired of the town square one, so easy once you get the hang of it. Worf was surprised. Worf made an adaptation of a program he used - a Klingon inserted in place of Pandrilite, and restricted to level one. Worf's original program went to level three. If his adversary's bat'leth connected with Alexander it would hurt like crazy. Majjas, son of Eragh, as canny a warrior as ever served on a Klingon ship. Lives on B'aaj. blind, white hair, sits in heavy carved chair against wall in his central hall, several tall windows. Trustworthy Wife, epitome of Klingon gentility, a slight woman with sharp features. No sons. Five young daughters come from back room with trays of decantered drink, brazen goblets, writhing gagh in bowls of supple red m'ressa twigs. Served on bird of prey all his life. Lost sight several years ago in weapons-room accident on bird-of-prey. Scars around both slitted eyes. Majjas identified visitors without waiting for his wife's introductions. Pleasure to meet Emperor Kahless, renew acquaintance with sons of Mogh. Also fortunate to have beneath my roof the esteemed Arbiter of Succession. Kurn would have warned old man of their visit before they left Ogat on his private vessel. The Mogh family is coming up in the world to be traveling in such company. Majjas friend of House of Mogh before their father Mogh was born. Worf remembers Mogh saying no one knows armaments like Majjas, daggers or disruptor cannons or photon torpedoes Mogh was a difficult birth. I for one will always believe in the Kahless of legend. gagh served with m'ressa twigs. Black Klingon wine Females ornaments of the hall Worf has a pouch on his belt with metal fragments from bomb. mich'ara - a metal alloy most often used in heating elements, conducts thermal energy well. For a time it was also used to make explosive devices. Replaced by cheaper alloys only armory making mich'ara devices is on Ter'jas Mor, not far from city of Donar'ruq. The House of Mogh is once more in your debt, if there were some way to repay you for your assistance - Good to strike a blow again for the Empire. I would have enjoyed that to the bottom of my heart Dishonorable to leave without finishing the wine, but ok to leave without long goodbyes P179 [heroic] Sleeping mat S'tarahk have claws Specter of death. Kahless had never been much of a lip reader Mud gnat annoy minn'hor calves Kahless eats groundnuts 12 days Morath rides after Kahless in mountains after wrestling match, gets Kahless to agree to be the renegade he let the others believe he was Ondagh, son of Bogra, Morath's father was raised as a devotee of the old gods cried to them for help. The gods promised their assistance. They failed to deliver. Father lashed out at his deities, calling them deceivers, smashed all the little statues that stood around the house. Thereafter Morath's father hated deceit about all else. Almost killed Morath as a child of five for telling a small lie. Reavers, cruel Klingons who obeyed no laws, killed Morath's father. Father fought bravely while Morath ran and hid. Took everything. Morath wandered the wide world, trying to rid himself of guilt, father's ghost. Morath would brook no deceit from man or god. Never run away from anything again Corpses burned, to deny kraw'zamey and discourage disease P187 Klingon serenity a contradiction in terms Group doing mok'bara exercises assail each other ferocious kicks and blows, guttural shouts of exultation. Picard has watched Worf teach Beverly and Deanna. No such thing as mok'bara in Kahless's day. Ritual provides exercise and helps one set aside distractions - to concentrate on advancement of one's spirit Requisite after dinner brawl To Gre'thor with diplomats Godar, son of Gudag, tall wizen-looking with simple chin-beard. Once master of the defense armory on Ter'jas Mor. Kurn believes he can be trusted. Kurn, you Miravian slime devil Handclasp reserved for brothers and close allies. What in the name of Fek'lhr Follow the path of honor Kurn wears remote control band on his forearm to activate his vessel's transporter system A brief thrill, like low voltage electrical current, the earmark of the Klingon transporter technology. P194 [heroic] Kahless at T'chariv, village along edge of northern forest, a year after pledging to fight Molor Molor had sent troops to T'chariv for things Edronh was saying about Kahless, and killed young Rannuf, home visiting mother and younger brother. Warrior may accord another respected warrior honor Warrior must also seek honor in himself, a love of virtue. Kahless pledges to gather an army to march against Molar in the tyrant's own stronghold P200 Riker comes to be with Alexander in his holodeck program. Riker has never been to Qo'noS. but familiar with Worf's holodeck programs to recognize cavern called DIS jajlo'. Dawn cave. DIS jajlo' Dawn Cave, shaft of light comes in at midday, on homeworld Alexander is part Klingon, he had warrior's instincts imprinted in his genes. Alexander doesn't care how many days Kahless wrestled his brother or how hard it must have been to plow his father's fields with his bat'leth or how terrible a tyrant Molor was. Alexander thinks they're terrific stories, but They are just stories. To Alexander, being a Klingon isn't about being like Kahless, it's about being like Worf. Overthrowing Gowron would throw the quadrant into disarray The scroll strikes at the heart of Klingon faith. Faith means a lot to Worf P208 [heroic] Kahless served Molor during border wars Kahless's first major clash with Molor's forces takes place on barren hillside Yatron, Molor's son, leads Molor's forces. He and Kahless sword fight. Kahless kills Yatron, but is wounded himself by another. Molor's army breaks. P212 Ter'jas Mor's defense armory, a Defense Force installation, big, stark and gray. Picard had trouble believing even a Klingon would find it esthetically pleasing. State of the art security. Kurn, with his thorough knowledge of Defense Force design methods and codes, can break in. Among Klingons, masks were badges of dishonorable intent Tap in security code on well-worn padd beside door, metal panel door slides open, hard smooth floor. Adjur, son of Restagh, Lean, Dark skin, blue eyes, tuft of beard in center of chin, worker at Ter'jas Mor armory, stole bomb for conspirators, stinks of treachery. Muuda, a merchant, approached Adjur. Said he represented a conspiracy to overthrow Gowron, never named other conspirators. Offered latinum. Godar implied there were others with Adjur Najuk, son of Noj, got one bomb, Adjur stole the other. Made deal with Muuda together. Kahless hates liars more than anything Some of the victims of the Ogat academy bombing weren't tall enough to cut your throat Tell the truth or I'll see that you never walk the same way again Muuda lives on Kerret'raa, just north of the city of Ra'jahn. Once describes his home to Adjur. Muuda has only one arm. He lost the other in a battle with Romulans 20 years ago. Pack up and run, tonight, or you'll be kraw'za food before you know it. Kurn and Kahless won't turn Adjur in, but they will tell victims' families Wrist controller beams them out of armory P219 [heroic] Molor's fortress at Qa'yarin Kahless goes to afterlife Small stone courtyard, cut and carefully fitted together, tall stone walls, heavy wood doors bound between sheets of tough black iron. Anteroom before feast hall. High vaulted ceiling, Rafter Beams and poles of rich red teqal'ya wood. Exotic birds roost in recesses. Ringed with benches. Friendly swordfight in the center. Kellein was meant to perish along with the rest of Vathraq's people. Nothing Kahless could have done about it. The same thing would have happened albeit in a different way. We were meant to find this place. Afterlife only a legend, a tale told to children around the fire. Wonderfully painfully real. He will soon leave this place because he does not belong here. Return to the world. Kahless recognizes faces of warriors seated around hall, friend and foe. Kahless has a destiny to take hold of. In their hearts, all who follow you know that. To succeed in his quest Kahless will need a sword, a friend in battle, make him unbeatable. Kellein gives Kahless directions on how to make bat'leth. Lock of hair and dip it in hot blood of Kri'stak Volcano, then cool the thing in the waters of Lake Lusor, twist it just so. Kellein faded like smoke on the wind Starad, whole again and unscathed, approaches. Something told Kahless that he could not be harmed here. Just a yolok worm beneath Molor's boot Rannuf warns Kahless of treachery on the part of his father Edronh, weary of losing family and possessions, weary of bloodshed It was said the dead had knowledge that was denied the living What offering did he have to make to get back to the living world, and to whom? There was no sign of the serpent said to guard this place and keep it inviolate, or of the ancient ones who had challenged it To Kahless, The hall seems to quake and come apart, shivers and dissipates, occupants along with it, still cheering on fighter. Kahless himself began to lose his shape, to twist in the wind and drift away Morath, Porus, Shurun and heavyset healer Badich sit in Kahless' sicktent for two days Badich made poultice, nothing it can't cure P228 Muuda's estate, heavy-handed showiness, low-lying m'ressa-wood structure, ornate fountains of polished marble and overgrown tran'nuc trees, ruby-red fireblossoms. Statues. Windows of glass Kahless's epic struggle with the tyrant Molor, hand to hand combat after bat'leths broken. Battle would decide the fate of a civilization Darsekmey = monies bottles of amber-colored Warnog Worf made a gesture of dismissal, indicating it was only talk, the Klingons wouldn't incinerate these people any sooner than Picard would Muuda passed out in bath of faceted obsidian, three levels of stone steps, stone floor, with two naked females, robes hang on a wall rack Warnog had effect of making warriors sleep for days after a generous dose of the beverage Kurn's drawn dagger enough of a threat to stop them in their tracks Having dealt with Lursa and B'Etor, Picard knew how big a mistake it would be to underestimate the gentler Klingon sex. Muuda names who is involved in plot and their roles, some of the most highly placed officers in the Klingon Defense Force, plus one not associated with the Defense Force but more important than all the others What proof do we have that this ko'tal is telling the truth Stay and lock horns with them P234 [heroic] moving on information from Rannuf Kahless has great victory over Edronh and Molor's men, best trained men in the world. Morath shows Edronh the error of his ways Irrigating the ground with the blood of their adversaries Cut like a scythe Bat'leth symbol of self-reliance, freedom, victory. Toragh, best metalsmith among the rebels, takes 20 swords from the enemy to forge first bat'leth. 20 years a metalsmith. P237 Subspace relay station operated by Klingon Defense Force. Sole function to transmit data. Severe, ominous structure. Shields, probably heavily armed. Main deck. Communications console at one end of the room, customary Defense Force security bypass - commander's hand. Console with green and orange lights. Storage area. All staff armed at all times. No backup systems. Stationkeepers. Station commander - Lean long-faced with thin mustache,, command garb. One dark brown eye, one sea green eye Who are you and what do you want? Klingons do not waste time with amenities, simply say what is on their minds Kurn - the best way to deal with a bureaucrat was to seem even more annoyed than he was I am Kurn, son of Mogh. Governor of Ogat and member of the High Council I have heard of Kurn, but for all I know you could be a slug on the bottom of Kurn's boot Bring up my file image and compare it to what you see Barks order to offscreen lackey, moments later lackey whispers in station commander's ear. Info is that Kurn is dead Tell me, son of a targ, do I look dead to you? Picard and Worf set their disruptors on stun, Kurn and Kahless, Klingons through and through, did nothing of the sort. Tap out the proper sequence for remote transporter controls set into armband Each Klingon on the relay station looked up from his duties and wondered at the newcomers. To circumvent the security codes I would require clearance from the homeworld. I am here on Council business, and the Council does not wish its dealings known beyond these bulkheads. Backhanded him across the mouth with a closed fist Hate in his eyes and lavender blood down his beardless chin Thank your ancestors I am a merciful man Do it, or you will wish you had Disruption beam struck a bulkhead, where it disintegrated a good part of the wall before its destructive energies wore themselves out customary Defense Force security bypass - hand on appropriate padd only a minute or so to download transmission records, but Federation systems would have been faster Klingons are not enamored of redundancies - no back up systems on equipment biological redundancies Picard couldn't read Klingon very well The scroll was tested for authenticity and passed. Even the clerics of Boreth are now satisfied that it is authentic P245 [heroic] Shurin dead, thrown by horse during battle, hungover. Never knew his parents. One of the first to turn against the tyrant. Burnt on funeral pyre. Center of Tolar'tu defended by courageous rabble and riffraff. What will I tell him when I see him on the far side of Death. On to Qa'yarin and trample the serpent under our heel Roll gaming bones What in the name of our ancestors are we doing? battles at Serra'nob and An'quat before Tolar'tu. P251 observation port on ship The jinaq hangs in place of honor around lover's neck Wild targs Original Kahless left a powerful legacy, a way of thinking and acting that makes us all Klingon. His words hold wisdom, the philosophy they put forth is an honorable one. The words are more important than the man. All Klingons who want a Kahless, who need a Kahless will make the leap of faith, just as they did when they found out you were a clone Klingons care less about the scroll's authenticity than about what Kahless taught them P256 [heroic] skannu trees - sturdy black wood, grow in steep valleys south of Molor's fortress Siege engines, battering ram, archer platform, used in the past when a great many lords vied for supremacy on the continent. The lighter, more versatile bat'leth huge advantage over long heavy swords and axes in close quarters Kahless's men fought for freedom, Molor's men because they feared his wrath. More than one way to kill a serpent Torchlit anteroom P262 Navrath, wealthy suburb House of Unarrh, son of Unagroth. wealthy and prominent member of high council. Sturdy qava-wood gates with sensor rods on either side. Stand between sensor rods to get house guards attention. Four house guards, big and hostile. Courtyard before another set of gates. Pentagonal shaped anteroom. Majestic and well appointed Central hall, with high seat at far end, almost as big as council chamber. Free standing braziers placed at intervals for illumination. Fond of extravagant celebrations. several splendid feasts held there in last year. Likes inviting people to his home. Sponsors local festivals and opera performances. Family armory on premises. Invited Lomakh to his house for party, then invited Lomakh to join burgeoning conspiracy. Knew Lomakh was disaffected with Gowron' reign and bold enough to do something about it. Pledged to it, heart and hand The Empire was still reeling over the confirmation of the scroll's authenticity Gowron to stupid to believe in threat right before his eyes Hand over disruptor, but keep d'k tahg, concealed in the back of his tunic in molded leather sheath It would have been a breach of propriety to strip a Klingon of all his weapons. Tichar, Goradh, Olmai, Kardem, conspirators, all high ranking officers in Klingon Defense Force By what right do you impose yourself on my house Unarrh's plans for saving himself might not include the preservation of his allies Belt pouch Computer chip, the kind used here on the homeworld, compatible with systems of Klingon manufacture. A playback device Main communications band for subspace communications Frequency normally left unused by the Defense Force Unarrh guiding force behind rebellion even before scroll made public Gowron raised Unarrh to his office Unarrh turned a dark and dangerous shade of red A blue beam shot out from disruptor and consumed the warrior, one of Gowron's guards, in a swirl of rampant energies. Both Gowron's guards killed by Unarrh, die in agony. P272 [heroic] Kahless and Morath hack their way past Molor's guard, down long straight hallway deeper into the citadel. Kahless had only been to the citadel a twice before. left corridor decorated with heroic tapestries and ancient weapons. Right corridor black iron pedestals displaying stuffed heads, ends in circular stairwell, steep uneven steps. Dark windowless landing at top. Molor in room, at m'ressa wood table, single brazier. Another stair behind curtain leads up to high balcony Blood of my ancestors Black dung beetles Molor has disease, wrinkled skin, open purple sores, emaciated body. Mottled tongue, round worm-eaten teeth, wheeze. Plague had been killing all the minn'hormey. Disease afflicts one in a thousand. Molor calls himself the most powerful man on Qo'noS Kahless beheads Molor after Morath stabbed With a shudder his body became an empty husk Thrice cursed king Raised his voice in a harsh yell, wellspring of grief rose up in him, imagining that his noise was speeding Morath's soul to the afterlife. Kahless did not believe in such things, but Morath did P283 in his years with Starfleet Worf had learned there was no shame in retreating. Often the wiser course. But in his heart he was a warrior and a warrior always preferred to attack The rightness of his cause made it an even better day to die Using a mok'bara technique he had demonstrated on Enterprise only a week ago he brought his right hand around the head of his heavier, larger, adversary and grabbed Unarrh by his left ear. Then he pulled as hard as he could. Screaming for mercy Unarrh rolled on his back to lessen the pain. Unarrh continued to roll, drove elbow into Worf's ribs, winding him. Worf snarled, all the victory celebration he would allow himself The other conspirators fled deeper into Unarrh's mansion, down curving, winding corridors, stone floors. Kurn, Kahless and Gowron each take out one conspirator from behind. Lomakh and Tichar left. Tichar tall and strong-looking Armory, Large dim room at end of short straight hall. Dead end. Bladed weapons of all shapes and sizes, other arcane devices. Unarrh a collector. Not a chance in Hell, Kahless shot back P290 Bljeghbe'chugh vaj blHegh! Surrender or Die! or Jegh! Yap = Enough In Tichar's belly, just below the sternum The Klingon dichotomy Canny intelligence mingled with the most relentlessly violent impulses. A dream of greatness floundering in a sea of blood. This was joy pure and unbridled, an emotion as honest as it was repugnant to the human sensibility. Strive to be like me if you dare Kahless was the Klingon everyman, a mirror in which every last son of Qo'noS might find the noblest parts of himself Gowron had left more guards outside P294 [heroic] emperor Kahless takes over Molor's citadel. Road leads to eastern provinces. Anag, son of Porus, chief councilor of Emperor Kahless. Lean, dark skin, big full beard, handpicked choice of successor. Boil in en'tach oil Traveler's pack, leather bag Kahless gave Klingons a set of laws by which they could conduct themselves honorably. Based on principles Morath had lived by Keep your promises to one another Deal openly and fairly, even with your enemies Fight a battle to its end, giving no quarter When it is necessary to die, die bravely Klingons embraced these precepts as starving man Kahless insisted Morath get credit as the source of the wisdom Kahless in power 30 years Kahless released provinces from tribute and invited them to join confederacy for free states. Provinces swore allegiance to him, and paid taxes. Kahless's motivation had been to please Morath's ghost, to keep his word Kahless kept the dagger that killed Morath in a glass case in his throne room, Morath's blood. Kahless wrote the true story in the scrolls, with all the blemishes. Truth would be of value some day, when myths no longer quite so necessary and Klingons had learned to embrace truth. There were no assurances in life Fate bound itself to no one Kahless did not look back when he left though the gates, walked east. Master, where are you going? To a place called Sto-Vo-Kor, where no one lacks sustenance or bends his knee to anyone else. Where in every hall, the clash of swords rings from the rafters. And where men hold honor above all else. Sto-Vo-Kor is in the heavens and in the heart and in the head. This is where you will find Sto-Vo-Kor. Like an old rach'tor who couldn't hunt anymore Vorcha-doh-baghk, Kahless. All hail Kahless P30 coal filled brazier. Computer files damaged in the melee on the relay station - no data on computer chip Defense Force data is still Defense Force data, it is not for public consumption They have Gowron's gratitude for what they have done, but still much work to identify the rest of the conspiracy, probably close to home. Gratitude wasn't something one associated with the council leader either Governor Kurn has offered Picard and Worf a ride to the Neutral Zone. The council leader inclined his head ever so slightly - a sign of respect Picard knows Gowron still had his share of battles to fight. One could not sit where he sat without looking over one's shoulder now and then. Picard hopes the pressures surrounding Gowron would never turn him against the Federation. The last thing Picard wanted was to cross blades with Gowron. Kahless warns - Gowron has the tongue of a serpent. Be wary of Gowron's gratitude, almost as wary of his enmity. Kahless is grateful The ethos of honor is the foundation of the empire Worf make Kahless see that it is not the myths that bolster belief in Kahless, but the idea of Kahless that bolsters belief in the myths Picard notes that Worf had developed a knack for coming up with the right insight at the right time The name Olahg would be forgotten, the name Kahless revered for ages to come Worf likes to immerse himself in his Klingon heritage, but feels most at home on the Enterprise, friends, sense of duty fulfilled A Klingon could be a Klingon anywhere Not necessary to be raised as a Klingon to be a Klingon Being Klingon was a path on either chose or disdained, a way of looking at things with the heart as much as the mind. Not always a clear or easy path. The homeworld is fine, as long as Kahless and Kurn and others refuse to let their guard down A child requesting a parent sit with them until they go to sleep is not very Klingon. Captain's Table Dujonian's Hoard by Michael Jan Friedman P2 strategic conference on Madigoor IV to discuss the Maquis, a year after Fed signed treaty with Fed. P11 the muscular Klingon female was named Hompaq. Blood wine, only one drink fit for a warrior. You’ll find no better blood wine on Qo’Nos herself. Bloodwine was a powerful beverage. Picard’s first taste of bloodwine? Hompaq once had a lover. She had to gut him, the mangy targ. But he’ll always live in my heart. She grinned fondly, showing her fanglike incisors. Hompaq grumbled, a clear sign of displeasure P25 very early in the morning Worf teaches his Mok’bara class. Mok’bara is a ritual Klingon martial-arts form designed to enhance one’s agility in hand to hand combat. Popular class, Troi and Beverly. Elegant discipline. Maneuver method of dealing with an attack form behind. With a patience he seldom displayed in other circumstances Worf showed how to turn attacker’s wrist and grip it just so. Worf’s very posture an assurance that he would do whatever was asked of him Klingons place a premium on loyalty Worf and Picard headed undercover to Caliabris sector on board a Thriddian freighter to Milassos IV. A portion of the sector sandwiched between the Cardassian Union and the Romulan Empire. Sign on to the pirate ship Darling under Red Abby. The fact that Worf was a Klingon drew a few extra stares Certainly there were those in the galaxy who harbored a burning hatred for Klingons. P32 Worf’s undercover name is Mitoc. freighter Ferret caught smuggling caught smuggling weapons to the Maquis about a week ago. Does Mitoc have any enemies? None who still live, Worf said, giving an answer worthy of a Klingon. Worf had a small difference of opinion with Pandrilite Corbis. Corbis a head taller than Worf. Worf insisted, his lips pulling back to show his teeth. Worf was showing admirable restraint, at least by Klingon standards. Worf wanted rokeg blood pie from replicator. Captain Hompaq Taking the bait Hompaq curled her lip. Klingons like to cook their enemies. P49 Marrero Jaiya, a key figure in the Maquis rebellion, swarthy heavily bearded human. Clashed twice with Picard, now a free lance pirate Worf was smiling, he was a Klingon and they appreciated bravado almost as much as a good battle Worf – Red Abby has the heart of a warrior Worf’s instincts had been accurate, unfortunately Picard had waited too long to heed them Hompaq aware of Cardassian Galor-class warships P67 Worf held only one thing higher than his sense of duty, and that was his warrior’s code of honor. If the situation became such that he could survive only thought cowardice, he would simply choose not to survive. Hompaq didn’t speak. She just growled deep in her throat. A warrior does not set his phaser on stun. A warrior sends his enemies to their deaths. A Klingon would not have allowed himself to be captured in the first place Picard wondered what had become of Worf, though the lieutenant had proven himself a difficult man to stop Hompaq snarled. If it had been me in that cargo bay I would have gone for a Cardassian throat. And if I had died, at least it would have been a warrior’s death. Only a coward allows himself to be herded like a pack animal Hompaq bared her teeth, less than thrilled with Picard’s tone. For a moment, he thought she might pull a concealed weapon, or at the least throw herself across the table at him. In the end, however, she made a sound of disgust and stayed in her seat. P98 it was no small thing to question a Klingon’s loyalty. But to question his courage? The accused had little choice but to take the remark as a challenge. P112 Hompaq – Sometimes the hero of a tale has the good sense to perish. In fact, that is the hallmark of a good adventure story – a brave death in the face of terrible odds. Not sometime, all the time. An honorable death is not an enemy, to be feared and avoided. It is a prize to be coveted, the ultimate reward for courage and devotion. P122 he was a warrior. He died as one. Worf scowled at the mention of the Romulans, for whom he had no great love. After all, they had killed his parents in the now-infamous Khitomer Massacre. The place was as empty as a poor man’s feast hall P140 the Romulan warbird helm console was not so different from the Klingon version. The Klingons and the Romulans were allies for a while, in the middle of the 23 rd century. During this period they pooled their expertise in a great many areas of military technology, ship design being only one of them. Performance wise, the Romulans had clearly outdistanced their former allies over the last 100 years Thadoc’s story – a few years ago, shortly after the Klingon Civil War, our warbird ran into a Fed vessel, the Potemkin, in unaligned space. Romulans lost the encounter, Thadoc accused of incompetence, sent to penal colony Hompaq on the gecko – too bad it doesn’t have a little more meat on its bones. It looks like it would make a tasty snack. The Klingon bared her teeth, I have a cold, she said P147 a dark mechanism about the size of a fist, it bore a string of raised characters, distinctively Klingon characters. Those characters form a Klingon phrase: Wa’ DevwI’ tu’lu. Translation: there is one leader. it’s a threat, meant to intimidate potential mutineers. One may be tempted to destroy one’s commanding officer, especially if one is a Klingon. However the temptation diminishes dramatically when such an act ensures one’s own destruction. A self-destruct mechanism designed to initiate a sequence of events that will blow up a vessel from within. It became quite popular among Klingon captains several years ago, until a couple of ships exploded and the High Council was forced to outlaw it. It is disarmed by a sequence of commands, not armed. Set to go off all the time. Every 26 hours the commander was required to reset the mechanism. If he failed to do so, the ship would be reduced to atoms. The self-destruct mechanism interfaced with the circuitry in three separate places. Deactivate all three interfaces without creating an energy imbalance in the circuitry because that would trigger a self-destruct command as well. Not complex job, but exceedingly delicate one. Device obtainable on the black market P156 Hompaq reached out and pinched the youth’s buttocks. Wincing in pain he looked back at her, at which point she leered at him. The Klingon made a clucking sound with her tongue. Too bad he’s built so sparsely, even worse than the gecko. I bet I’d enjoy making a warrior out of him. Hompaq downed half of her bloodwine in a single gulp. He’s not off the point of the bat’leth yet. Hompaq would recount a romantic conquest detail for detail. She pounded her powerful fist on the table. Making it and the beverages on it shudder with the impact. What’s a conquest without a hearty song to commemorate it? Hompaq heaved a sound of disgust. She folded her arms across her ample chest and leaned back in her chair. I should have stayed in the Empire. she rumbled sourly. P175 Picard, bleeding from head would - A scratch. Worf grunted with something like humor. A Klingon would no doubt say so. Most humans would not. No one is quicker to anger than a Tellarite, not even the Klingons. Hompaq flashed her long, sharp teeth and let the matter pass P184 while the Abnarri ships were unshielded Worf took the liberty of establishing a subspace data link with their computer, to upload a lot of information. If Picard had ever underestimated Worf he promised himself never to do so again. Worf shrugged. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then his brow beetled. The Abnarri’s attempts at civilization were brought down by anarchy and lawlessness. The ancient Abnarri make early Klingons look polite and reserved. Hompaq made the table shudder with a thunderous blow – the Abnarri are inferior warriors, they are beneath my notice. She leaned forward, her lips pulling back ferociously from her teeth. Worf was scowling as only a Klingon could scowl. Richard Brant, former Starfleet, was in a one man science vessel running medical supplies to the Badlands when pursued by starship Trieste. P210 now, for the sake of Kahless, let us move on Worf is pleased they will be fighting on the side of the underdog Worf would have said he was fine if he was writhing in agony on his deathbed Hompaq proposes deploying escape pods and smashing them into the enemy’s vessels. By the time that was done, the odds would be more favorable A feat worthy of a warrior! P236 Worf allowed his wounds to be dressed and subjected to a healing device of some kind. However he refused to remain in the rebels’ too bright, makeshift sickbay, preferring to prowl the purple-shadowed precincts of the ship. P244 Hompaq – You shamed us all into silence, Picard. I don’t know whether to slap you on the back or spill your blood Hompaq grunted – And never to sleep again for wondering. Hompaq lifted her chin – Qapla P353 Sotugh, Klingon captain, friend of Sisko’s. Sotugh, head of the house of DachoH, commanded a large percentage of the Klingon fleet, under Gowron. He was loyal to the Empire almost to a fault, and made clear his disgust of the current alliance between the Federation and the Klingon Empire against the Dominion. Yet he had fought many brilliant battles in the course of the war. The last Sisko had heard, Sotugh and his ships were patrolling a sector of the Cardassian border. Bah, Sotugh said, waving his hand in disgust. He was a large man, even for a Klingon. His graying hair flowed over his clothing, which surprisingly, was not his uniform, Sisko wasn’t sure if he’d even seen Sotugh out of uniform before. Sotugh laughed at the suggestion – Sit with Sisko? I will fight with him against the Dominion, but nothing more. Sotugh is still mad at Sisko for the Mist incident. Sotugh’s hand went to his knife. The Mist would have been members of the Empire if not for Sisko. Their weapons would help us fight the Cardassian and Dominion scum. Sisko – As usual, your opinions blind you, Sotugh. Only a coward draws on an unarmed man. You are not a coward Sotugh only sneered in return Mug of bloodwine for Sotugh It had been a number of years since the meeting with Sotugh over the race called the Mist. There was nothing secret about the incident, but it hadn’t become widely known. Shortly after it happened the Klingons invaded Cardassia Klingons are legendary for their ability to tell a story Klingons tell stories of honor. The Abandoned no Klingon content Second Skin Electrostatic charges could be left by transporter or disruptor Maquis activity is on the rise in the sector between DS 9 and Cardassia Prime. By order of the Cardassian central command all incoming ships are to be stopped and searched The Brave and The Bold Book 2 by Keith R.A. DeCandido Several weeks before Caretaker, shortly before Quarantine B'E Maquis with Tharia ch'Ren [Andorian], and Gerron Ral [Bajoran] Beaulieu's World, warm, DMZ Fed colony destroyed by Cardassians Plasma-storm-filled Badlands P36 Captain Sulu fond of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. Several performances while Tuvok aboard Excelsior. Amniphon, DMZ Fed colony world, rockslide triggered by Cardassians. Nramia, Cardassian colony near Fed border, nice weather, red sun. military installation, 6 orbital defense satellites, suffered weather related disaster, ecosystem torn apart, uninhabitable Chin'toka IX, monsoon season Getting Michael Eddington on DS 9 had been quite a coup for the Maquis. Cal Hudson on Mishka-class raider "Liberator" Chakotay "Geronimo" salvaged from Tellarian depot a year earlier, 40 crew, destroyed by alien-device controlled Tharia ch'Ren Slaybis system, two class-M planets, Cardassian colony on Slaybis II; Human colony on Slaybis IV. Starfleet Intelligence has operative on Slaybis IV, Lt Elois Phifer (m) 6 months in Maquis as infiltrator. Dead. Chakotay from Trebus Juhraya, human colony, location of actual first contact between humans and Cardassians. Little known fact. Cardassian ship crashed on Juhraya 50 years ago Slaybis IV weather destroyed, 3 moons Chin'toka supply depot Grovran system, gas giant with moon, DMZ Narendra III unoccupied before Klingons. Thriving colony. Dozens of cities, prosperous. Civil Defense Dukat sincerely hopes Commander Sisko wasn’t vaporized while asking for one of those raktajinos he’s so fond of. Meridian Curzon fell in love every other week Double Helix Quarantine by John Vornholt P2 Chakotay, Tuvok, B’Elanna, Seska, aboard the lead Maquis ship, a Peregrine-class scout ship, the Spartacus. B’E on crucifixion – it’s always good to know that my human ancestors could match my Klingon ancestors in barbarism. P46 B’E’s forehead ridges may not be very pronounced, but the contemptuous scowl on her face sure made her look Klingon. She wields a Ferengi phaser rifle. P50 B’E to Tom Riker – I’m half-Klingon and half-human, I guess we’re both freaks. She said with some resentment. Tom Riker – B’Elanna Torres was the kind of person he thought would be attracted to the Maquis. She seemed a bit unstable, low in self-esteem, and angry at life. In short she was damaged goods. Her Klingon side probably relished the prospect of dying a glorious death battling the imperious and callous Federation. P78 Half-human half Klingon is a rare combination. The natives on planet Helena in the DMZ haven’t had any success convincing Klingons to breed with them. Having B’E lead delegations on Helena will open doors, they pride themselves on unique genetic combinations, the more unique the better P97 B’E – if I had any luck, would I be a Maquis? P101 Helenite Klain has seen computer simulations of half human and half Klingon. Remarkable that B’E was conceived naturally. If they wanted to treat her like royalty, she would oblige. Maybe it was the Klingon in her, but Torres found the idea of total dependence on genetic engineering to be unnatural Torres sputtered, unable to find the exact words to rip this popinjay up one side and down the other Gul Demadak was military governor of the DMZ. All the Detapa Council can think about is the plague and the Maquis. P148 Wearing the fantastic robe, B’E thought she would look like a queen from some old human fairy tale. B’E sat down, at an unusual loss for words. Torres bristled – I don’t eat gagh Gagh can come from food replicators Diplomacy – this had to be the one job in the galaxy for which she was least suited. B’E wanted to crawl into a shell or at least a dim engineering room. Torres could not believe all this fuss and attention was for her, and she fought the temptation to laugh it off or make a snide comment. She had to be diplomatic, which meant bowing and smiling while strangers gushed over her. Torres scowled, thinking the worst thing about being half-Klingon was that she was expected to like Klingon cuisine like blood wine. This tall, green-skinned woman with a plume of purple hair reminded Torres of the women of easy virtue who followed the Klingon fleets. B’E – I’m a drifter, I don’t feel at home anywhere. One of the ways to my heart is through my stomach. P162 Torres suppressed a burp that would do any Klingon proud P214 B’E jumped to her feet, fierce anger and tears in her eyes. Rage in her eyes. Chakotay knew she wouldn’t wait when she was in a state like this. Chakotay asks B’E about Klain of Helena, knowing that If B’E didn’t feel like answering, she wouldn’t. her shoulders sagged, and the tough façade faded just a little. It’s hard not to like a man who worships you and wants to give you the world. Like most of the men I like, he turned out to be rotten. Why am I always attracted to the rotters? P252 a male voice ordered – All ships, assume standard orbit, six thousand kilometer intervals. Cruiser Gagh N’Vort, coordinate scanning activity. Warship K’Stek Nak, coordinate targeting. Cloak on my command. Cardassians don’t have cloaking. They’re Klingon ships! A massive Klingon Bird of Prey had materialized from nowhere – dead ahead of Gul Demadak’s 8 ships. Behind them, two more Klingon ships came out of cloak. The Klingons open fire. In total there are 13 Klingon ships ringing the planet. The Klingon ships hail the Cardassians. a rugged, bearded Klingon appeared on the viewscreen. Cardassian vessels, turn around and leave. I am General Martok, and the planet Helena is under the protection of the Klingon Empire. Demadak sputtered – you have no right to be here! Neither do you, replied the Klingon. This is a direct violation of the treaty! We have no treaty with you, sneered General Martok. However you are clearly breaking your treaty with the Federation. I have been instructed to deliver a message to you from the Federation. They will overlook this serious transgression if you will leave the Demilitarized Zone immediately. In exchange, they will send a fleet of unarmed personnel carriers to evacuate the population of Helena. This will effectively end your concerns over the disease that has infected the planet. I can see no reason why you should refuse this gracious offer. Neither can I, General Martok, we will take our leave. End transmission. Demadak’s career was over, he would probably be executed. Chakotay and crew hide on Flint Island on Helena for a week. There’s a mission the Maquis has talked about, but never had the right person until Tom Riker. |
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