Chapter 1

"We're approaching our destination, commander."

"Perfect," Worf replied in the typical clipped tone that told of his discomfort more than the Klingon male was comfortable. "Keep her steady and prepare to hail the station."

"I appreciate you being willing to allow the Defiant to help in this mission," commander Dax replied with a knowing smile. "I'm sure it isn't easy being so close to the Klingon border."

Worf merely grunted in response, shifting his head to the side to pop the stiffness from his neck. He'd dealt with far worse than this. Still, the fact he was so close to his people during this turbulent time wasn't the smartest move to make. Unfortunately, the mission was more important.

The Klingons had declared war on the Cardassians, under the deceit of the Dominion. Luckily, they were able to discover the treachery and stop it before the Empire caused irreparable damage towards Starfleet. But, that didn't mean things had calmed.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

Cardassia was demanding retribution and the Klingon Empire was not abandoning the new territories they had claimed, along with the captured peoples. That was where the Defiant was currently heading.

Dukat had sent word to Captain Sisko that they had received a distress signal from the Cardassian population on a moon not far from the Klingon battle-front that the planet they were orbiting had been taken into the Empire's custody and they needed supplies. The planet was their source for food and medical aid but with both in Klingon hands, there was no way they could go to the surface.

And, since it would be seen as a declaration of war for a Cardassian war-freighter to go anywhere near the moon, it was up to the station to supply the needed aid.

"The station is hailing us now," Major Kira informed from her seat. "I will answer to ensure the Klingons have the promised supplies. Be prepared."

No-one dared speak as the screen lit to show the face of a hardened Klingon male; an obviously battle-tested warrior. For a moment, Worf wondered what it would be like to stand where the male was. To glare and sneer at the Bajoran like she was a disease to be tolerated, instead of a warrior to be wary of. In another life, possibly.

"This is Major Kira Nerys of the Terok Nor station," the stern Bajoran informed. "We are here for the promised supplies, negotiated by our Captain Sisko, to be transported to the surrounding Cardassian colony."

"I know who you are, Major Kira Nerys," the Klingon male snarled across the screen, sharp sheet practically grinding in frustration. "And, why you are here."

"Then, you know we are awaiting your signal to dock," the Major pressed, deciding to get right to the point and make this conversation as quick as possible.

Worf could tell the mission wasn't to the Major's liking any-more than it was to him. The fact the previous rebel fighter had to be the one to provide aid to the Cardassians was no-doubt rubbing her the wrong way but still, her shortness in respect to the Klingons weren't going to give them much progress. But, Worf knew better than to point this out.

He was a strategist, not a diplomat. But, the delay in the Klingon male's reply had Worf's defenses start to rise.

"Yes," the male drawled, obviously in no hurry to do anything. "There is a change of plans on that."

"What?" Major Kira demanded, her head turning slightly as if she hadn't heard correctly.

Worf stiffened in preparation. He knew what was coming.

"You agreed to supply aid from the planet you are occupying," Major Kira quickly countered, "in order to prevent further confrontation with the Cardassian Empire."

"Correct," the Klingon male replied. "But, Captain Sisko did not inform us that….he would be here."

Practically swiveling in her chair, Major Kira glanced towards where the male was indicating. Worf forced himself to remain still, giving no indication as to whether the Klingon's reaction to him affected him one way or the other. To flinch would be a greater weakness than to die.

"Commander Worf is a Starfleet officer with the station," Major Kira explained evenly. "As well as, First Officer of the very vessel we are in."

"He is also a traitor to the Klingon race and an exile that is forbidden to ever enter the Klingon Empire again," the male returned harshly.

"Then, it is good this isn't the Klingon Empire," Major Kira snapped, her patience obviously wearing thin.

While the Bajoran had a point, the smug stillness of the Klingon male had Worf tightening his grip on his belt. For a Klingon warrior to remain silent at an obvious jab was…..unsettling.

"Yes," the male replied with a taunting calm. "Regardless, Klingon forces still occupy here and no exile will ever set foot among them."

"And, what do you suggest we do?" Major Kira challenged as she lifted her chin in defiance. "Your commander gave his word to send supplies and we are here to collect them. Has he gone back on his word?"

"Hardly," the warrior snarled, his previous calm dissipating like mist. "Our general keeps his word. We will shuttle the supplies to you, while you stay in orbit."

"That wasn't part of the agreement," Major Kira argued.

"And, yet, we are prepared and you come here demanding what we will give," the warrior countered with a huff. "Take it or leave it."

Worf could spot the Major's irritation at the turn of events but, truth be told it wasn't anything he hadn't expected. Already, he'd had the docking doors of the Defiant cleared, in case they weren't granted permission to land. However, the request was still worth a try.

Seeing no way around it, Major Kira nodded in agreement.

"Very well," she replied decisively. "We will await your vessel to hail us."

"Excellent," the male replied. "Oh, and you'll also be helping us with one other thing."

"I think we've given you enough concessions, already," Major Kira snapped.

"This….is non-negotiable," the warrior snarled in return. "You will get your supplies and we will be sending a few warriors to take something else to the very moon you are traveling to."

This suggestion caused the crew to exchange worried frowns before the Major met the screen head-on.

"And, that would be…?" she asked tightly.

"None of your concern," the male snapped. "It is Klingon business and obviously not within your understanding."

"Try me," Kira challenged.

The male's frustrated growling was expected but Major Kira wasn't budging an inch on this. And, by the looks Commander Dax and even Bashir's faces, Worf could tell the rest of the station's crew wasn't about to give either. For all they knew, it was a weapon being smuggled onto the ship.

"We have a traitor among our ranks," the male finally admitted. "An upstart that refused to follow orders. You will help transport him."

"What were his orders?" commander Dax asked, breaking the protocol of the conversation.

"It doesn't matter," the male snarled, with a flash of sharp teeth. "He raised his weapon against another Klingon in enemy territory and therefore has been stripped of his house and titles. You will transport the warriors guarding him to the wastes of the moon you are going to and they will leave him there. You will then return the two warriors back to our waiting vessel. Are we clear on this?"

"We are not prepared for transporting a prisoner," Major Kira argued, hands tightening on the armrests of the command chair. "Our hull is for supplies."

"Lucky for you, we are prepared," the Klingon male returned with a sneer. "Prepare to be boarded."

Immediately, the screen blacked out, leaving the bridge of the ship in a heavy silence.

"This is unbelievable," Doctor Bashir sighed with a shake of his head. "To suddenly drop a prisoner in our laps like that."

"Unfortunately, there isn't much that Klingons do anymore that surprise me now," Major Kira huffed as she quickly tapped in a message back to the station. "They're not even giving us the chance inform Captain Sisko of this mess before they board us."

"Probably to keep us from saying no," Bashir added.

Worf didn't suppose he could blame them. The Federation wasn't exactly willing to deal with the Klingons very often. But still, this was strange even to him.

"Are you alright?" commander Dax asked as she turned in her chair to face him. "I know this can't be easy."

Worf nodded.

"It is never easy to see a warrior exiled," Worf informed in a carefully measured tone. "But, if he truly did raise a weapon against a fellow warrior mid-battle, his punishment is a mercy."

"But, we don't even know why he did it," Dax argued with a quirk of her dark brow. "That doesn't interest you at all?"

"Not at this moment, no," Worf replied, keeping his features perfectly composed.

"Vessel approaching."

The call had Worf snapping his dark eyes to the main screen as he watched the Klingon Warship drawing ever nearer.

"Well, whether we like it or not, here they come," Major Kira informed as she rose from her chair. "Lieutenant commander Worf, shall we welcome our guests?"

Unwilling to show discomfort, Worf nodded as he followed after the Major. Once more, he would meet his people head-on; like any real Klingon would.