Disclaimer: Star Trek and all associated characters and situations are the property of CBS studios, Star Trek Online is the creation of Cryptic and Perfect World, all are used by myself for entertainment purposes without permission or intent to profit.

Author's Note: This was actually started Pre-Legacy of Romulus, so certain aspects may be apocryphal now, especially since that was what, two expansions ago now?

Character: Male Klingon KDF Engineer
Timeframe: During and immediately following "Facility 4028".

-o0O0o-

"An Exercise in Elaboration"
'Bodyguard'
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

-o0O0o-

Classified Federation Penal Facility,
Facility 4028,
Ayala System, Ayala Sector, Regulus Sector Block.

One of the Jem'hadar that had survived knelt before the Founder, "Founder, forgive me..."

"There can be no forgiveness - you failed in your mission, then you raised arms against your gods... I should have you killed for your actions."

As soon as the Founder spoke those words, one of the 'loyal' Jem'hadar stepped forward and raised their Kar'ta'kan over the other's head.

"Wait," the Klingon Captain barked out before the kneeling Jem'hadar could be executed, "Survivors have a certain use; they know what to avoid in the next battle... and they also become more jealous of their lives."

The Founder turned to give him a hard look, "You would let them live after this betrayal? Perhaps Klingons are not as wise as I once thought of them."

"You cannot create soldiers to follow orders and then punish them for doing so," he growled in contest, "This insult lies at Kar'ukan's feet and you can trust that I will make him suffer for it. This one, however... may prove useful. After all, he would know what changes Kar'ukan may have made to the defences of Deep Space Nine, and I'm sure he'll be glad to share them with us under the proper... motivation."

"Founder," Eraun spoke up respectfully, "He may have a point. After all, the station must assuredly have plans for the self-replicating mines that the Federation used to defend it within its computers. For all we know, Kar'ukan may have also contacted the Alpha Jem'Hadar that refused to recognise your wisdom in signing the Treaty of Bajor and insisted on continuing the war... Any information this Jem'hadar has would be of help to us."

"Very well," The Founder conceded, "But their actions will not be without consequence."

"Whatever penance I must face," the kneeling Jem'hadar answered, "I will gladly pay it for my redemption in your eyes, Founder."

"You own the solid Captain your life; You will serve him as his personal guard until you have redeemed yourself," The Founder decided, nodding towards the officer that had led the fight against Kar'ukan's Jem'hadar.

The Jem'hadar bowed his head, "By your command, Founder."

The Klingon officer raised an eyebrow as he looked at The Founder, "What will be said when word gets out that the Dominion has assigned me a bodyguard?"

The kneeling Jem'hadar looked up and spoke, "That you will live to die of age... First."

-o0o-

Captain's Ready Room,
Klingon warship,
Risa Sector, Sirius Sector Block,
En Route to Deep Space Nine.

It wasn't uncommon, but rather expected for Klingon warriors to take battle trophies, proof of their deeds and their victories, and display them for all to see. In many ways, they were like a warrior's own Record of Battle and Klingons took great pride in them. Not every warrior could say that they had faced Jem'hadar in battle and not merely lived but emerged victorious. This was something worthy of song, worthy of display, worthy of a drink; the drink, unfortunately, would have to wait until after Deep Space Nine was reclaimed from Karu'kan and Loriss' forces, but the Klingon captain had the perfect trophy to show his victories over the Jem'hadar - one of their Kar'ta'kan polearms, taken from a Jem'hadar defeated in glorious battle at Facility 4028. He was, in fact, in the process of hanging that Kar'ta'kan on his ready room wall when the door chimed.

"Bah," the Captain snarled as he finished placing the polearm and stepped back, "Enter!"

The door slid open and the ship's Weapons Officer stepped into the ready room.

"Captain," They spoke in measured tones, "I would speak with you."

"Speak!" the Captain barked, stepping up into the other Klingon's face.

"This is a ship of the Klingon Defense Force - we conquered the Gorn and Naussicans; we allied ourselves with the Orions - all are races that now serve on this ship, their peoples having sworn fealty to the Empire... But Remans and Romulans, Mirror Terrans, and now these Dominion Vorta and Jem'hadar. We are Klingon, Captain, we do not need these other races by our side, they should be under our boot!"

"I see," the Captain answered before growling lowly and backhanding the Weapons Officer across the Ready Room to strike the wall and land in a heap on the floor, "You question my orders and the will of the High Council again for such petty reasons, you had best be prepared to challenge me for my leadership of this crew, Commander. Otherwise, I will kill you where you stand."