Star Trek TNG: Hell Hath No Fury

Chapter 13: Worf's Honor/Klingon Civil War

Captain's log, Stardate 44995.3. We're en route to the Klingon home world, where I will participate in the installation ceremony of Gowron, the next designated Leader of the High Council. This visit should also provide an opportunity for one of my officers to correct a grave injustice. We are being escorted to Qo'noS by the Enterprise-B, as Admiral Pinkerton believes, as Arbiter of Succession, I am marked for death. Due to Duras' actions last year, I cannot discount the possibility.

Sonic was laying back in his new chair.

"Commodore, why the hell are you laying down on the bridge?"

Sonic sat back up.

"Because I want to, Commander."

Luna sighed.

The old Sonic was back, although he wasn't running around the ship causing a massive mess, which was a mixed blessing.

While Sonic did not make the ship a living hell, he was relaxing more often then not, and on the bridge no less!

But, in Sonic's defense, he was technically off duty until 0800, and it was nowhere near 0600. "Sir, a Vor'cha-Class attack cruiser has decloaked 500 kilometers from the port bow!"

Sonic sprang into action.

"Yellow Alert! Shields up!"

"Vessel is identifying itself as IKS Bortas."

Sonic sighed.

"Keep us at Yellow Alert. If the Bortas does ANYTHING, open fire."

"We're being hailed by the Bortas, Commodore."

"Put them up."

The image of Gowron appeared on screen.

"Commodore, I request to speak with you and Captain Picard. We will have to move quickly if we are to be successful."

"Successful?"

"Yes. In preventing a Klingon civil war."

Sonic blinked.

"I'll meet you on the Enterprise-D."

"Very well, Commodore."

The image of the Bortas reappeared on screen.

"Contact the Admiral."

Galaxy-Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D

Gowron, Picard and Sonic sat in the conference room on Deck 1, just behind the bridge.

"The family of Duras is massing support. They have many allies on the Council."

"Duras died in disgrace. By Klingon tradition, his family should share that disgrace."

Sonic nodded from what little he knew of Klingon tradition.

Honor meant everything to a Klingon.

Gowron scoffed

"Their corruption has poisoned the Empire. Honor will soon have no meaning."

Sonic decided to ask an intelligent question.

"And who speaks for his family now?"

"Lursa and B'Etor, the sisters of Duras."

"And they would claim the leadership of the Council?"

"Women may not serve on the Council."

"Bullshit! Azetbur served as Chancellor after her father's death!" (1)

"A technicality at the time, as they was no time to choose a new Chancellor. The Khitomer treaty needed a someone to speak for the Klingon people."

"Then how-"

"I don't know! But they are plotting something. They have secured the loyalty of at least three fleet commanders. Lursa and B'Etor are feared, and fear is power."

"I do not see what I can do to assist."

Gowron looked at Picard.

"You were first chosen as Arbiter of Succession because no Klingon could be trusted. You accepted this duty and you must see it through to the end. You must ensure my installation."

"That is beyond my purview."

Gowron looked insulted.

"You will not support me?"

"I will not step outside the traditional role of the Arbiter."

"And if they attempt to block my installation?"

"Then I can only assure you that I will deal with any challenge according to Klingon law. Gowron sighed. "I fear that will not be enough." Sonic scoffed.

"You want support?"

Gowron looked at Sonic. "Computer, put Commander Ra-Cailum on screen."

Then face of the Admiral appeared. Gowron knew his reputation.

"Commodore, what can I do for you?"

Picard scowled. He was not liking where this was going at all. "We have someone who wants to speak with you."

Sonic turned to Gowron.

The honor was getting to his head, as the Klingon was close to fainting.

"Admiral Pinkerton. I have heard the stories and seen your battles. You must have Klingon blood."

"My DNA was fucked with by the Romulans, Gowron. What do you want?"

"Support against the House of Duras."

"That is unacceptable!"

"Shut it, Picard! If Gowron wants my help, all he has to do is ask. Besides, even if the House of Duras doesn't fear me, their supporters do. Even support in name only could keep the peace."

Picard forgot who he was talking to.

The Pinkertons were zealots when it came to defense and protection of the Federation.

While they knew the Federation would fall one day, they would make sure that it didn't go quietly.

Gowron wasn't ready for this and fainted.

The Admiral sighed.

"Klingons."

10 minutes later

Gowron had woken up and was on his way back to his ship when Picard and Sonic had an argument that, had anyone heard, you would think that they hated one another.

"Why did you do that?"

"Jean-Luc, we can't have the Empire torn apart! Not now! Besides, the Admiral is the only one that can keep the peace! He's on his way to Qo'noS now in order to make sure it stays that way!" Picard sighed. While he didn't like it, Sonic was right.

"I believe we should continue on our way to Qo'noS, but stay at Yellow alert at all times."

"Sonic, your ship is ALWAYS on Yellow Alert."

"The Dark Legion wants my head. What do you expect?"

Picard conceded the point to Sonic: he was right, as they wanted him dead.

Qo'noS, capital and homeworld of the Klingon Empire

Two Federation Starships entered orbit of the Klingon homeworld, and discovered that the Ra-Cailum had already beaten them there.

Escorting her was the Romulan Warbirds RIW Rae'Cailem'Tet and the RIW Norexan.

"Oh, the Klingons aren't going to be happy about that."

"Well, it's attack the Romulans and piss off the Admiral or suck it up and not get killed." Then the crew of the B saw the wreckage of two Klingon K'Vort-Class Birds of Prey as the three ships flew over the planet.

"Looks like a few of them chose option 1."

Sonic nodded. "Luna, you're with me: we're escorting Picard down to the surface."

"Commodore-"

"Shadow, you're in command until we get back. Don't get into trouble."

Surface of Qo'noS

"naDev ghoS!"

Picard walked toward the council.

K'tal, spokesman of the council, addressed Picard.

"Have you reached a decision regarding the succession of power?"

"Qaja plu d'itch jung. La woq you ghir klas qimha. Gowron. Doj hon. Doj hon."

Luna translated it for Sonic.

"Basically, 'Only Gowron had completed the Rite.'"

"I figured that much out, Luna."

"Gowron, son of M'Rel, hakt'em. The Arbiter confirms that you have completed the Rite of Succession. Your enemies have been destroyed. You stand alone. Do you wish to claim leadership of the Council?"

Gowron nodded.

"I wish it."
K'tal looked around the chamber.

"Are there no other challengers?"

There was no one.

Just as Picard is about to put the cloak on Gowron's shoulders, a younger Klingon appeared.

"There is one. I will challenge him."

Gowron wasn't impressed.

"An arrogant child!"

"Who are you?"

He smirked.

"I am Toral, son of Duras."

"That's bullshit! Duras had no son!"

While Sonic spoke out of turn, he was right, as it was common knowledge that Duras didn't have a son. "But he did, Commodore." Two Klingon women walked in. Lursa and B'Etor, otherwise known as the Duras sisters. "So, this is your doing, Lursa." Lursa smirked. "We wish to address the Council." K'tal sighed.

"Lursa, B'Etor, come forward."
Lursa addressed the council.

"Members of the High Council, it is a day of great rejoicing for the family of Duras and the Klingon Empire. We have discovered that our brother did indeed have a son and heir."

As before, Gowron wasn't impressed.

"This is outrageous. Duras had no mate. Where did you find him, Lursa? In a harlot's bedchamber?"

Sonic chuckled.

That might've been the case.

"I will personally cut your tongue out, Yintagh!"

"Impudent wretch."

B'Etor shrugged.

"A simple genetic scan will prove his bloodline is valid."

Gowron was furious, and rightly so.

"The illegitimate son of Duras cannot rule the High Council."

"The Arbiter will consider his validity. Len'mat."

A knife nearly hit K'tal in the head, but missed by millimeters.

The knife was human in design.

"I wish to address the High Council."

Everyone looked into the shadows.

Out of them walked Admiral Ronald Pinkerton, armed with his katana.

Every Klingon that wasn't a member of the House of Duras bowed to the man.

"What are you doing?"

He chuckled.

"80 years, and everyone thinks I'm going to kill everyone in sight. As I said, I wish to speak to the Council! Stand up!"

The Klingons stood up, fearing his reactions.

One decided to attack him, but all the Admiral did was unsheathe his sword.

The offending Klingon's knife snapped in two upon touching the blade.

"This sword is as old as the Federation itself, and is molecularity sharp. Do not attack me again."

He sheathed the blade, and walked toward Gowron.

"You wished the support of the United Federation of Planets, Gowron. As commander of Starfleet Tactical, and head of my family, I promise that you shall have it."

Every one of the Duras Sisters' supporters looked nervous.

And rightly so, as he was the deadliest man in the Quadrant.

"And should the Federation side with Gowron..."

He turned to three four Echidnas, all members of the Dark Legion.

The leader was Lien-Da herself.

"We side with the House of Duras, our longtime friend and ally."

This was their first meeting, but Lien-Da and the Admiral had met in battle many times in ship-to-ship combat.

"Lien-Da, Grandmaster of the Dark Legion."

"Admiral Ronald Pinkerton, commander of the USS Ra-Cailum NCC-1702-A. Now that the introductions are out of the way, we can get to the pain."

Supporters of both Gowron and Duras pointed disruptor pistols at one another, Sonic and Luna pointed phasers (and in Sonic's case, a Desert Eagle) at the Legion and the Legion had disruptors pointed at the Admiral.

Picard had had enough.

"Admiral, Grandmaster, that is enough!"

Starfleet officers, Klingon warriors and Dark Legionnaires all looked at Picard.

"If you wish to kill one another, do so someplace else! This is the Hall of the High Council!"

"The Arbiter is correct. We will settle this later."

"Fine by me."

In orbit of Qo'noS

"In seems that those idiots in the Tal Shiar can't leave well enough alone."

"Sir?"

The Admiral was looking at the sensors.

"There's Romulan lifesigns on the surface, and none of the crew on the Rae'Cailem'Tet or Norexan are down there: told them not to beam down."

Kate and So'tor looked at the logs.

As usual, the Admiral was right.

"Son of a bitch. The Tal Shiar are a bunch of idiots!"

"Beam them to the bridge."

The Admiral pulled out his sword.

"Now!"

two columns of light appeared on the bridge, and in the beams were two Romulans.

"Don't even think about it!"

Then they looked at the second one.

"Is it me, or am I seeing a second Natasha fucking Yar here?"

"Unfortunately, it isn't you."

Galaxy-Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D

"WHAT?"

"Believe me, Jean, I was just as surprised as you were. Her name's Sela, and she is not happy to see me. But it's not as though I care, do I? I've already contacted the Romulan Senate, and they are not happy with the Tal Shiar at the moment. They really can't control the Tal Shiar, but they can damn well try. She looks like Tasha, though! Did she transfer off your ship? Because I think they need to meet." Picard sighed.

"No, Tasha is still on board."

"I'll dock up with-"

The Admiral shook in the monitor.

"We're under attack! Admiral to the bridge!"

"You had to tell them to take into space."

Council Chambers

"Arbiter, what is your decision?"

"K'Tal, this Council knows the law of heredity well. G'now juk Hol pajhard. A son shall share in the honors or crimes of his father. Toral is Duras' son. That has been established by the genetic scan. But with due respect to the traditions and laws of this High Council, there is no basis for accepting a petition for leadership from a boy who has fought no battles, shed no blood for his people, or earned no honor for himself. One day, perhaps he shall. But not now. Duras is dead. His claim to the leadership died with him. Gowron shall lead the Council."

Gowron nodded.

"The Arbiter has ruled. There are no more challengers."

Toral wasn't pleased, and he knew of a way to pull them toward his side.

"Does the Federation dictate Klingon destiny or do we? Follow me and I will show you honor." Gowron countered quickly.

"Follow him and you reject all Klingon law."

Few Council members moved to stand behind the Duras supporters, as the sight of Admiral Pinkerton in the last day scared most of them.

Gowron was livid.

"Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent?"

He shook his head.

"Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future."

Ambassador-Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C

Kira watched the battle with between the Bortas and two K'Vort-Class Birds of Prey. "I come here to watch Gowron's installation and instead I get another battle. What is it with this ship and space battles?"

"At least we aren't on the Ra-Cailum, Kira." Kira looked at the more distant Galaxy Battleship. A small debris field surrounded it: mostly from Dark Legion ships.

"Amen to that." Then two Klingon ships strafed the Ambassador-Class ship.

"Did those two B'rels just do what I thought they did?"

"They did."

"Return fire!"

The 35 year old ship opened fire and ripped one of the Birds of Prey apart.

They wisely left the rest of the Starfleet ships alone after that.

"Argh. Pain. HAHAHAHA!"

Galaxy-Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D

Gowron entered the conference room on the Enterprise-D.

"The Duras family is gathering a large force near Beta Thoridar. As per the terms of the Treaty of Alliance, I now formally request your assistance in fighting these enemies of the Empire." Riker gave Gowron a look of 'what the hell are you talking about?'. "These enemies are Klingons." "By right and tradition, I am the sole leader. All who oppose me are traitors." "I understand your position, but I'm sure you're aware that the Federation cannot interfere in what is, by definition, an internal Klingon affair." Gowron looked livid for a moment. "You arbitrated the Rite of Succession. You are already involved."

"My duties in that regard are finished."
Worf tried to talk Picard into helping Gowron.

"Captain, we must intervene. The Duras family is corrupt and hungry for power with no sense of honor or loyalty. They represent a grave threat to the security of the Federation. Captain, you and I know that they have conspired with Romulans in the past. If they should be victors in this war, they will surely form a new Klingon-Romulan alliance. That would represent a fundamental shift of power in this quadrant. Starfleet must support Gowron. It is in the interests of both the Federation and the Empire. I beg you, support us in our cause."

"Mister Worf, I don't have to lecture you on the principle of non interference. As Starfleet officers, we have all sworn an oath to uphold that principle whatever our personal feelings. I'm sorry. I must refuse your request."

Worf started to follow Gowron out of the conference room.

Picard tried to stop him.

"Mister Worf. I'm afraid I must recall you to duty. The Enterprise will be leaving this sector immediately."

"Captain, I respectfully request that I be allowed to take an extended leave of absence."

"Mister Worf, your responsibilities as a Starfleet officer are incompatible with remaining on board a Klingon ship during a time of war."

"Captain-"

Picard was adamant.

"I order you to return to duty at once."

Worf took his comm. badge off and put on the table.

"Then I resign my commission as a Starfleet officer."

His fellow officers were shocked. Gowron, on the other hand, seemed pleased. "I will await you aboard the Bortas."

Worf left the conference room.

"Well, congratulations, Jean-Luc."

Everyone turned around to see Shadow standing there.

"Task force 108 will be in Klingon space supporting Gowron's forces."

Qo'noS

While the Senate wasn't happy with them, Sela and her Tal Shiar comrades were still allowed to perform their mission. The Admiral knew how to ruin everything for them, and Donatra was more loyal to him then to the Empire.

Then again, the Hobus thing had EVERYONE on edge, and the Federation was the only nation that would help them when it happened.

"Picard has rejected Gowron's plea for help. The Enterprise has left orbit."

"Coward! He didn't have the courage to face us. The Federation is-"

While she didn't like it, the Federation was her mother's homeland. No one bad-mouthed it around her.

"Celebrate later, Toral. We should not discount Jean-Luc Picard yet. He is human, and humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them."

"And there is the matter of Task force 108. Admiral Pinkerton is a zealot when it comes to the defense of the Federation, and a Klingon civil war is the perfect excuse for him to fight."

"He'll fall, like everything in our path."

Then two people entered the room. One was Lien-Da, and the other was Doctor Ivo Robotnik.

"You will have the support of the Eggman Fleet in your war, ladies. All I want in return is simple: your assurance that we will destroy the Federation."

Sela was not liking this train of thought.

Then again, she did meet her mother a few days earlier.

She seemed nice enough: different from the one she knew, but still the same at the core.

The Duras Sisters, on the other hand, had other plans.

"Agreed."

Sela didn't like this.

"The Romulan Empire will...think about it. You will have your answer before the next month is out."

He bowed.

"Thank you."

While mostly the same, we see a huge number of differences, as the Dark Legion and Eggman Fleet are allied with the Duras Sisters, Sela's met her mother's quantum double and is getting second thoughts and the most important is that the Federation ships of TF 108, which is led by the Ra-Cailum, will be fighting in the war.

(1) Movie VI, The Undiscovered Country, had Gorkon's daughter lead the council for most of the movie after he died. In TNG...well, the lines are from the show. As I like tying up loose ends, or cutting them up entirely, I've explained that one away.

And once again, while there are great changes, the plotline is mostly the same, as the in the normal timeline, the B and C are gone, Tasha is dead and there was no ship called the Ra-Cailum. I'm just taking advantage of the lack of facts and fucking over the timeline.

Next Time on Hell Hath No Fury: The Klingon civil war ends with the deployment of one of the largest starships ever built by the Federation.

Ja Ne!