As the ship lurched again, another console exploded, causing the unlucky officer leaning over it, to scream with pain as his face was burned. The fire suppression system cut in, putting out the flames before they could take hold and spread but several of the control panels on the bridge were now completely unusable.

The first officer seemed to be missing and Krang realised that the crew were close to panic with nobody to tell them what to do. Immediately he took control, yelling, "Helm, attack pattern gamma." And then "Gunner, continue firing." Pointing towards the nearest enemy ship, he added, "Aim at the upper wing joints, they are vulnerable there." Moving over to an undamaged console, he began to re-route power, attempting to bring the shields back up to full strength, at the same time continuing to give orders to the crew.

Then unexpectedly, Kehlan looked up from the communications console, "Sir, we have an incoming message."

"From Orinoco?" Krang asked as a lucky shot hit the Jem'Hadar ship, causing it to explode.

"No sir" Kehlan said, a note of surprise in her voice, "It's from a Federation ship."

Krang barked an order to the helmsman, telling him to change course, then, "Put it through on audio only. I want the enemy kept on screen."

A voice came crackling over the comm. system, speaking Federation standard English, "This is Captain James Mackenzie of the Federation Starship Endeavour. Do you require assistance?"

Krang gave a harsh laugh. "There are plenty of enemy ships here for both of us, Captain. You are welcome to join the battle." Quickly and efficiently changing his battle plan to take advantage of the unexpected ally, he continued "Take an attack vector on heading one-one-two, mark six. Target the ship to starboard and fire on my command."

With the assistance of the Federation starship the battle was quickly over. When a second Jem'Hadar vessel blew up, the remaining ships, realising that they could not win, changed course and retreated. Regretfully, Krang gave the order not to pursue them. They were badly damaged and there was a freighter full of refugees in need of medical and technical help, not to mention protection on the rest of its journey.

Bringing the Hegh'Ta to a stop, Krang moved around the bridge, congratulating each of the crew on their performance. They had fought well. But his gaze turned cold as he looked at the first officer's empty station and asked, "Where is Ch'vok?"

The officers stared at each other, realising that they had not seen the missing officer for some time. At last, the gunner spoke, admitting he thought he had seen him leaving the bridge just after the captain was killed.

"I want him found and arrested," Krang said angrily. "In the meantime, the Freighter has sustained some serious damage. I want an engineering team over there to help them. Endeavour can supply the medics. Kehlan, you speak English - go with them."

The Federation captain did indeed supply a medical team to the freighter and even sent his head of sickbay, a Vulcan healer named T'lia to assist the Hegh'Ta's medical officer in the treatment of those Klingons injured in the battle. Captain Mackenzie himself came on board the Klingon ship to meet Krang and discuss the situation.

Their meeting was interrupted by the security officer. Koreq called to inform Krang that the missing Ch'vok had been found, hiding in his quarters.

"Bring him to the bridge," Krang decided after thinking for a moment, "Summon the officers. I want everyone assembled there in ten minutes, including those on the away team."

Turning to the Federation officer, he said, "Captain, you are welcome to stay and witness to this if you wish, but you should be warned. I may wear a Starfleet uniform, but this is not the Federation."

Captain Mackenzie shrugged, saying calmly "I know what to expect from Klingon justice."

The two men, Klingon and Terran walked together onto the bridge where the Klingon crew waited. Two security men had hold of the disgraced First Officer. At a nod from Krang they released him.

Well, Ch'vok," Krang asked harshly, "Have you no explanation for the crew you let down with your cowardice?"

"I'm no coward," Ch'vok insisted, "You're just a passenger on this ship. I'm in charge now the captain's dead."

"Why did you desert your post?" Krang snapped.

"The captain was killed and the bridge was destroyed," Ch'vok said, suddenly afraid. "We were losing the battle. I was going to launch an escape pod and send out a call for help."

There was a murmuring, growing in volume as the assembled officers listened in disbelief to Ch'vok's excuses. Krang held up a hand to silence them and the room quietened again, waiting for Krang to give judgement. "Ch'vok, you have admitted that you left your post during battle and that you intended to abandon the ship. Have you no excuses at all?"

Ch'vok gave no answer. There was nothing he could say without condemning himself further. Desperately he looked around him, hoping for some sign of support from his fellow officers, but there was none forthcoming. Everyone present knew that the first officer's actions had endangered the ship and almost cost them the battle. And to admit like that that he'd been going to abandon the ship. This time, Ch'vok had finally and irrevocably gone too far. Klingon justice was swift and harsh - there was only one penalty.

"Nothing to say, Ch'vok?" Krang asked again. "This is your last chance to redeem yourself."

The disgraced Klingon stared at Krang, saying nothing, but the fear showed in his face as he saw the lack of mercy in Krang's eyes.

Krang realised he had no choice. It was now his duty to kill Ch'vok. Noticing that the Klingon had been disarmed, he said harshly, "Someone give him a knife."

There was hesitation. The Klingon d'k'tahg was a symbol of honour and no-one wanted to lend their blade to a proven coward.

"I said, someone give him a knife," Krang repeated.

Still no-one moved. Then, slowly and with obvious reluctance, Kehlan removed her knife from its sheath and handed it, hilt first, to Ch'vok. The first officer took the weapon from her, then with a trace of his old arrogance, pushed her out of his way. She gave a low growl, but did not otherwise react. Unlike the others, she had known Krang for a long time and had fought at his side. She knew his abilities and knew that in a few minutes, Ch'vok would be dead. He had been dead in fact, from the moment he had deserted the bridge, but by allowing him to fight rather than just executing him, Krang was giving him the dignity of an honourable death.

Pulling his d'k'tahg from the belt of his Federation uniform, Krang activated the triple blade and took a step forward. Ch'vok swung at him and he countered easily. The dishonoured first officer feinted to one side before striking again. Krang countered for a second time, watching his opponent carefully and judging his skills. Ch'vok lunged for a third time, and Krang was reminded of the dead captain's words – adequate and no more. Even now, in a fight to the death, those words perfectly summed up Ch'vok's abilities. This time Ch'vok had left himself wide open to attack and Krang was quick to take advantage. With one swift motion, he thrust his knife straight into the other man's chest. Krang twisted the blade before removing it and Ch'vok's eyes widened in shock and pain, then slowly dulled as the life drained from them. As the dying man slumped to the floor, Krang shoved the knife, still wet with blood, back into his belt before proclaiming "I am Krang son of Marek of the House of Inigan. I now take formal command of this vessel. Do any of you wish to challenge my right to do so?"

The crew were silent for a moment, then Kargan, the second officer stepped forward. Krang tensed but relaxed again when he heard Kargan's words. "You got us through that battle. I for one will follow you – to Gre'thor and beyond if that's what it takes."

"So will I!" called out the helmsman, and a third voice shouted, "Me too." Suddenly the crew were chanting his name, "Krang! Krang! Krang!" amidst the tumultuous cheering.

Krang held up a hand, quietening them. "Good. Then that's settled." He looked around, appraising his officers, then continued, "Kargan, you're promoted to commander. You'll take over the duties of the first officer. And you, gunnery officer… Vareq isn't it?"

The gunner nodded.

"How long ago did you graduate?"

The young Klingon looked embarrassed, "Actually sir, I didn't," he told the captain. "I should have finished my academy training next year."

"I was in the last class to graduate," Kargan informed the captain, explaining, "Vareq and the others were pulled out early because of the war – there weren't enough qualified officers to man the fleet."

Kahless, Krang thought, surprised. No wonder they all looked so young, half of them were still cadets. Well if this was the calibre of the officers the Klingon military academy was turning out, then he was glad to have them.

"Well Vareq, you'll take over as second officer, with a promotion to lieutenant commander. You can start by selecting one of your men to take over as gunnery officer."

Kehlan stirred. She was senior to Vareq, but he had been promoted over her and she didn't like it. Unknowingly, her hand strayed to the knife she had just retrieved from Ch'vok's lifeless body.

Krang saw the motion and growled. "Take your hand off your knife, Kehlan," he said. "I have other plans for you."

Kehlan's hand tightened on the d'k'tahg, but after a moment, she did as she was told. "And what plans might those be?" she asked coolly.

"Captain Mackenzie needs a new first officer," Krang said, enjoying her surprised reaction to his words. The two men had talked of many things during their earlier meeting and each had been pleasantly surprised to find that their views were compatible. Endeavour was, he had learned, desperately short of senior officers. This at least was something he could help with. Not that Hegh'Ta was over-blessed with experienced officers but he could manage without a science officer and Kehlan was in his opinion, wasted in that role. "You're ideally suited for the position, so I'm sending you over to the Endeavour. You will remain a Defence Force officer, but for the duration you will answer to Starfleet. Oh, and you'll hold the rank of commander."

Turning away from Kehlan he addressed the chief engineer, telling him to get the repairs finished. "Nobody goes off duty until the ship is back in fighting condition" he finished. "Now, any questions?"

There was silence.

Krang gave a satisfied nod. "Then go about your duties." And gesturing towards the corpse at his feet, "One last thing, someone get this useless petaQ off my bridge." With that he stepped across the bridge and seated himself in the captain's chair.