CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

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"Kang, you understand what I want from this?" Ramsey asked later that evening in her chambers.

Kang glanced at the report she had given him to read and nodded. "I do. It is simple and I believe it is a workable plan. Kirk, your opinion?" Kang asked, turning to face Kirk.

"I think it's a good idea, also. Setting up planets in the Neutral Zone as trade centers and shore leave facilities will give us a chance to get to know each other. The problem I see is the same one we've always faced. What about renegade or rogue commanders and their ships? What assurances can you offer that the Empire will deal with those?" he asked. Kirk phrased the question carefully. Too many times Starfleet suspected ships the Empire claimed were renegades were operating on the authority of the High Command.

"Only my word that I will deal the ones I can. Since Kor is a member of the High Command, I'm placing him in charge of the border sections. Kang will be in command of the ships patrolling the Neutral Zone. I trust both of them, and I am relying on them to select other ship commanders who will maintain the peace," Ramsey said.

"That should suffice for now." Kirk nodded his agreement.

"Kang," Ramsey said, turning her attention back to the Klingon. "I have contacted Starfleet. The Hood will rendezvous with you near Sherman's Planet to transfer Jim back to them and to escort you to Khitomer."

Kirk saw a frown on her face as she turned back to him. "Jim, Admiral Cartwright will be on the Hood to debrief you. Just thought I'd warn you."

"I appreciate the warning. How about I just stay here? I am a member of the family, after all." He touched the gold sash he still wore.

"Do you really want to stay here? On Qo'nos? A lone human among Klingons?" Ramsey asked.

"Not so alone. You're half human Kelli Ramsey." He smiled. "Even though I seriously doubt I really could stay here, you have given me a lot to think about," he said.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, before we say goodnight, Ta'les and I have decided to honor a promise we made to each other thirty years ago. We will be bonding, and we would be honored if each of you would witness the ceremony."

Kor grinned broadly. "Will this ceremony be in the Klingon or Terran fashion? Personally, I would prefer to witness the Klingon mating ritual."

"I don't think so, Kor. Tonight Ta'les and I will be bonded in the Vulcan manner. Although, I would ask Kang to speak the formal words of the Klingon marriage ceremony," Ramsey said.

"I still think the standard mating ritual would be more fun," Kor said with a grin.

"Kor, keep your thoughts to yourself," Ramsey said. "If you are so determined to see a coupling, go to one of the local brothels. Otherwise, be silent." Kirk smiled at the playful gleam in her eyes.

Kang stood up and faced Ramsey and Ta'les. "I would be honored to stand as witness to your marriage."

"As would I," Kirk said, joining Kang.

"And I." Kor stood beside Kirk.

"Thank you." Ramsey turned and extended the first two fingers of her right hand to Ta'les. He responded by placing his fingers over hers.

"Ta'les, son of Romulus, does your heart beat only for this woman?" Kang asked.

"It does," he said.

"And you, K'Lyssia, daughter of Raynia, does your heart beat only for this man?"

"It does."

"Let all know that this man and this woman are married."

Ramsey and Ta'les looked at each other and nodded slowly as their hands separated. "Parted from me and never parted," they said in unison.

Kirk grinned as he added a phrase from Terran ceremonies. "What has now been joined together, let no man put asunder."

Ramsey smiled as Kirk gathered her into a hug. He felt her flinch at the pressure on her left arm and he released her quickly.

"Sorry," he whispered. "My congratulations on your achievements this day," he said.

"Thank you," she said, then gave him a sisterly kiss on the cheek. "It was an honor to serve with you."

"And with you, Kitty Kelli."

"Kitty Kelli?" Ta'les asked.

"An old nickname," Ramsey said.

"A fitting nickname for a lioness disguised as a kitten," Ta'les said, taking her hands. "You have the heart and strength of a lion, combined with the playfulness of a kitten. It is a fitting nickname indeed."

"I hope you're right. It will take the heart and strength of the lion to make this succeed. My plan, simple as it is, is not going to be easy to implement. There are too many on both sides who will not want to trust. I only hope they will not distrust to the point of war." Ramsey turned away from the group to stare out a small window at the stars.

Kirk shook his head at the tear he saw sliding down her cheek. Considering what you have given up and what you almost gave up for this, Commodore, I pray you succeed, he thought.

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This was originally where the story ended and because I was trying to find an agent to submit to Pocket and the length was too short, I added what was originally the second novel to this one. I will be uploading the next part of K'Lyssia's story as originally intended as a seperate story from this one - Look for Call of Duty; Demands of Honor to start posting within the next couple of weeks. I hope you enjoyed Oaths of Duty; Vows of Honor and that you will continue to follow Klyssia through the next two stories.