Special Ops
Mary wasn't sure what to expect when the Klingons beamed down. She had dealt with good and bad among the Klingons. Honorable and untrustworthy. Despicable and straight arrows. She was careful not to show it, but she and Jhinis were both on edge as the familiar red outlines of KDF transporters started appearing in the area that had been designated. Mary's MACO guards had not said anything, but they were clearly unhappy as well. Hard to blame them, really. The Klingon Empire had been at war with the Federation and even after that war and the subsequent Iconian war had ended? The Empire had recently fallen apart and all kinds of chaos had resulted, much of which spread into Federation territory, leaving messes in its wake. Small wonder Federation troops were a bit leery about Klingons beaming in. But what materialized was not what Mary expected. Yes, the big, tough looking Klingon warrior who stood in front had more weapons visible on his uniform than the entire team of MACOs showed, but it was the uniform that had Mary stiffening. Not a KDF standard uniform. She knew that uniform! She had been 'interviewed' by someone in that uniform at the Academy and it hadn't been pleasant. Then again, Task Force Omega was not a political organization. They were composed of badasses from several militaries whose sole job was to keep the Borg in check. Mary wasn't Borg, but she was sort of synthetic, so she had been 'examined' by several groups. Omega's exam hadn't been fun, but she had survived. Other groups had 'interviewed' her and that one hadn't been nearly as bad as a couple of the others. Temporal Investigations had no sense of humor. Neither did the Terran Task Force.
None of the MACOs or Catian security who R'lass had called in moved as the Klingon who had to be in charge nodded to Mary and hit his chest with a closed fist. Far too close to a grenade like device for comfort! He looked different from other Klingons Mary knew, but not enough to be comment worthy. Commenting on such might be taken as an insult. Such might or might not be a good idea.
"Captain Pangolin." The voice was same as on the com and from the look of him? Not someone to take lightly, even for Mary. Task Force Omega knew how to kill all kinds of things that were very hard to kill. Or very hard to keep dead, depending on the enemy.
"Captain Chu'Hak." Mary kept her face still and her tone calm. "nuqneH."
That was the standard greeting for Klingons. Literally 'What do you want?' Klingon warriors didn't have much use for pleasantries. If one did use 'small talk', either they were very good and trusted friends or something was very wrong. At her speaking Klingon, more than one of the newly arrived team eyed her, but no one moved until the Captain nodded.
"J'ula was right. You speak our language and know our ways." The Captain tilted his head as if bemused with Mary. "You look human, but you are not. You would stand there all day, ready, wouldn't you?" He asked, almost amused.
"You would." Mary replied. The Klingon captain smiled, but then shook his head.
"Probably not all day." Chu'Hak allowed. "I will do my duty, Captain Pangolin. My people know their duty."
Indeed, all but one of the warriors who accompanied the captain wore the standard attire of Task Group Omega. That one wore a hooded robe that Mary found a bit disturbing on several levels, but there was no hostility. Wariness, but no hostility. Wait a minute! That one shimmered and she was clad the same as the others! Mary glanced at that one and then at the captain in front of her. The Klingon eyed her right back. If he was trying subterfuge here of all places? It wouldn't end well for him and she likely wouldn't have to do anything. Catain security was no joke at all, especially now after such a close call.
"I am sure they do." Mary kept her voice level with some effort. She still thought like a young woman most of the time, even with all of her memories unlocked. Her emotions ran high but she was not their servant. "Your arrival was unexpected."
"Task Force Omega goes where we are needed. My group were in the area and had all of what the Chancellor asked us to bring." At that, everyone went still and Chu'Hak nodded at Mary's sidelong look. L'Rell had sent him? "From what we understand, you have dealt with the virus. We know little about it except that it is lethal to Catians."
There was no irony in that last even thought the Catains were darned leery about giving out some information. Understandable. Many within the Federation would not be happy with their 'usual' solution for the horrific disease.
"It will linger for a time. Even the best of technology will take some time to spread across the entire surface of a planet." Mary explained even as the Catains started to get a bit antsy. "No one else will die from it." That was an oath. "So my mother swore. So she has done."
"I for one have no question about your Mother's sincerity even without L'Rell vouching for you personally." Chu'Hak said firmly. "My task group was at Sol, Captain Pangolin. We saw what happened. We know why it did and we accept it."
"Not everyone does or will." Mary still did not take her eyes off the Klingons. Chu'Hak nodded, but let Mary continue. "What are your intentions here, Captain Chu'Hak?"
"I have two duties in this system, Captain Pangolin." The Klingon nodded to the surrounding area. "Even with such backup as the Federation is surely sending, these people will need help. We, the KDF that is, have dealt with such outbreaks before, both natural and not. We of Task Force Omega learned the hard way about how not to leave people after such." That was cold, but not directed at Mary.
"Fighting is easy, Captain Chu'Hak." Mary agreed. "Helping is far less so and if you will pardon my bluntness, less highly regarded in the Empire." Warriors generally had little use for Healers and vice versa unless circumstances dictated otherwise.
"Indeed." Far from offended, Chu'Hak sounded as if he agreed. "That said, if we handle such things as dealing with the fallen, the Alliance and Federation can take a step back. Be neutral in this. Task Force Omega has done such many times."
"I… I see." Mary said slowly. The Borg didn't generally kill people. It was far more efficient to assimilate them than destroy after all. Everyone who fought the Borg… Well... Yeah. Such battles often left lots of corpses, both Borg and not. It was never a good idea to assume the Borg were dead and gone just because every drone seemed to have ceased function. There were horror stories in abundance of Borg returning to operation at bad times and Mary had heard her share at the Academy. Then she shook her head. "Simply vaporizing the bodies won't work here, Captain."
"There are other ways, Captain." The Klingon was not perturbed at all by her concern. "Some are even what my people call 'honorable'. We Klingons have dealt with mass casualty events both viral and other many times in our history. Not always honorably, but no one sane will do such with J'ula watching." Mary had to smile at that and Chu'Hak shared it. The ancient warrior didn't even have to be in the system. The new Torchbearer for the Chancellor was incredibly adept at fighting from the shadows, using any and all tactics to win. Her main weapon had always been information and now? She had the resources of the entire Klingon Empire at her fingertips. Terrifying to any who might wish her or L'Rell ill. She was sneakiness made in Klingon form. A fact that many had learned to their cost and dismay recently. Not the least of which, the former 'Emperor' J'mpok. "We come to assist the Catain people. We come as Task Force Omega, not KDF and we are prepared to do our duty to the Catain people."
"I see." Mary turned to where Clan Leader R'Lass stood. The elderly matriarch was a bit unsteady still, but no one dared comment. Even the Klingons apparently knew better. "This is not my world. I did what my Mother asked. No more, no less."
"So you say." R'Lass said with a tiny smile. Said smile faded as she looked at the Klingon. "I do not know your ways. Our warriors are not like yours. What do you bring?"
"We bring logistical support for dealing with large numbers of bodies." The Klingon said bluntly. "Our setup will identify any who have not been, determine next of kin and then notify them if possible. We have specialists who are trained to help survivors. Not Klingons." He amended when Mary inhaled. "We also have search and rescue teams ready to be deployed. In such cases, speed matters. In these kinds of situations, it is common for lost individuals or even small groups to fall through the cracks and only be found long after rescue was possible. Such will not happen here." That was an oath.
"I do not know what to say." R'Lass said weakly. "One does not equate Klingons with such missions normally." Chu'Hak shook his head and R'Lass nodded. "I have heard of Task Force Omega and we would be honored by your assistance, Captain Chu'Hak." He nodded to her and two of his team tapped their communicators, moving away. Two Catains moved to stand near them and all four were quickly talking, but softly. "You said two duties, Captain Chu'Hak?"
"Yes." Chu'Hak turned to face Mary and looked her right in the eye. "Captain Pangolin, you were attacked en-route to this world." R'Lass stiffened but Mary just nodded even as Jhinis moved closer to her. "We know why. Do you?"
"I think so." Mary said soberly. "I don't have all the information and some of what I do have comes from people who lie for a living." That was sour.
"Any direct attack on you or yours will fail now, Captain Pangolin. On the ground or in the void, it matters not. Any who dare to do so will fall." Chu'Hak said firmly and Jhinis nodded slightly as Mary glared at the Klingon. "She will not try such again."
"She will try to kill me. She has to." Mary said sadly and R'Lass was hardly the only one to jerk at Alliance Captain's tone. "The sword drove her mad and.." She paused and then continued. "...and the one who offered her a job did not help."
"I have little more information than you do. But I bring one who does have more." Chu'Hak was quiet now as he turned to the member of his team who had seemed to be in robes at first. "Sister?"
Mary went utterly still as the armor on that being shimmered again and she was clad in robes! She wasn't visibly armed, but her face was Klingon, so that went without saying. Odd, her face was almost like the Captains. Not quite like any Klingon Mary had seen. Maybe like J'ula. Come to think of it, he had said he was of House Mokai, so…
"I need to speak to you privately, Captain Pangolin." The odd robed Klingon said. Her voice was odd too. Not 'quite' as harsh as normal Klingons in Mary's experience. "It is very important."
Mary turned to R'Lass who waved at her, moving towards a chair that had been set up for her near a wall. S'Rama stood by that chair, her face a study as she stared at the various beings in the area. Curiosity mixed with wariness and a great sadness. Mary understood that all too well.
Mary inclined her head to one side away from everyone else and started walking. The robed Klingon followed, not even pausing as Jhinis scanned her. The Klingon Captain also followed, but not close. From how he moved? Not to eavesdrop. More to ward the robed one? Odd. Mary stopped at the wall and Jhinis kept on walking. Mary eyed her, but the Herald wasn't focused on her. Instead, the Aenar moved to a nearby bush and, quick as lightning, reached down to grab something in the bush. Both Klingons stared as Jhinis pulled a struggling small furred form out of the bush. Mary shook her head as M'Kol cursed Jhinis and Mary in loud Catian. The Herald started off, holding the squirming Catian child at arms length even as he yowled.
"Make sure they clean him." Mary called after Jhinis who nodded. Both Klingons stared at her and Mary shrugged. "That bush secretes a sap that irritates Catian skin through their fur. Kind of like 'poison ivy' on Earth. I know Qo'nos has such too."
"That Catain cannot be more than ten winters old." The robed Klingon said slowly. "What does he hope to accomplish in ambushing you?"
"I doubt he knows or cares. He is angry." Mary shrugged. "With cause from what I understand. His mother died in the Iconian War, and as I am affiliated with Iconians, I am a clear target. That said? Even if he found a weapon somewhere, the chances of him hurting me are slim to none. I am more worried about him hurting himself, honestly. Your kind know more about vengeance than most. The good and the bad."
"We do." The robed Klingon said softly. "I am Quirwab of House Mokai." Mary waited and the female smiled at her. "And you are not surprised, are you?"
"Not really." Mary admitted. "There is a family resemblance between you and him." She nodded to Chu'Hak who ignored her, his eyes moving in trained patterns, watching the area. A Captain acting as a bodyguard? "What can I do for you, Quirwab of House Mokai?"
"It is more what 'I' can do for 'you'." The robed female said softly. "I know who hunts you. I know why she hunts you. She doesn't know why anymore. She wishes to stop and cannot."
"I wish I could believe that." Mary worked hard to keep her emotions under control. "Please do not take offense to my words. I mean no insult, Quirwab of House Mokai. Your kind fought the Federation and the Alliance. I am not a Federation soldier, but I do serve the Alliance. I cannot allow my personal feelings to interfere with my duty."
"Nor do I ask such." Quirwab replied without heat.
"I didn't remember at first, but now I do." Mary's eye were far away, seeing something only she could. "I was on my way to Earth and I found a wrecked Romulan ship with one life form aboard. An infant in a stasis pod. I rescued her, but there was no way to know who she had been. There were no records. It was not a warship from the few traces I found."
"No." Quirwab spoke up and Mary paused. "It wasn't." Mary looked a question and Quirwab shook her head. "I have lived for many years on Boreth. I learned a great deal there. I learned much of what I do not and will never know." Mary nodded soberly. The truly wise knew what they didn't know, which was usually a lot. "That said? I also learned sobering truths about myself. I was never meant to be a warrior." She admitted and Mary fought to keep from reacting. Quirwab smiled at her. "An odd sentiment for a Klingon, no?"
"A society cannot just have warriors any more than it can just have farmers or lawyers." Mary scoffed as Quirwab's smile became a grin. "Any society that is to survive must have some kind of balance. The Empire as designed was balanced, if not always fair."
"Life is not fair." Quirwab agreed and Mary nodded. Jhinis came back and took up station beside Mary, but most of her focus was on the area around them. "The girl you tried to raise can be saved." At that, Mary went utterly still and Quirwab nodded soberly. "She was warped by the weapon she tried to wield and by others."
"Daniels had no right to do that." Mary snapped and went still as both Klingons stiffened. "You know him."
"My brother and I have dealt with him. Fought beside him." Quirwab said slowly. "I make no excuses for him, but his entire focus has been protecting the Prime timeline." Mary's eyes narrowed and Quirwab nodded. "Not ours."
Wait a minute! Mary wasn't fully versed on temporal mechanics. She had tried very hard not to get involved in such, especially after Owlesha had fallen the way she had. Mary knew about alternate universes. She had been born in one originally for goodness sakes! Alternate timelines made her head spin and if she was in one herself… Oh dear.
"Am I cleared for this?" Mary inquired very quietly.
"You are the only one who can stop it, Mary Owlna Pangolin." Quirwab said soberly. "Daniels made a hell of a mess but you and yours have made just as much of a mess. She will come after you again. She will lose again." Mary didn't react and the Klingon sighed. "She cannot win and she knows it. You know how smart she is. She is trying to find a way out that doesn't involve hurting or killing you and she cannot. You can."
"I tried to help her once and she shot me." Mary still felt the pain and shock of the disruptor hitting her energy even now. It hadn't killed her, but it had hurt like hell.
"Even if she somehow destroys this timeline, she cannot kill you or she ceases to exist." Quirwab was still quiet and Mary went utterly still. "Because you are the focal point of this timeline."
"Me." Mary was somewhere between incredulity and terror. Jhinis reassured her mentally and Mary relaxed, just a little. "'I' am the focus of an entire timeline?"
"I have seen many timelines." Quirwab said softly. "I have seen worlds where Iconia never fell. Others where it never existed. I have seen wonders beyond belief and horrors that will haunt me until the end of my days. You are trying to make things better. Does it matter if this timeline is not the first?"
"I…" Mary paused and then shook her head. "I don't think so." Then she slumped. "Temporal mechanics gives me a headache."
"Me too." Quirwab reassured her.
"Does Krenn know you are here?" Mary inquired and Quirwab nodded. "And he is okay with this?"
"He doesn't like Romulans, but the girl who picked up the sword is not really a Romulan, is she?" Quirwab asked and Mary sighed. "You know why she did it." Mary would not meet her eyes and Quirwab pressed. "You do, don't you?"
"There were other ways!" Mary snapped, her rage blossoming. "I was looking for other ways!"
"You didn't know." Quirwab was relentless now and Jhinis stirred at Mary's side. "You didn't remember."
"It was not her fault, it was mine!" Mary snapped, her hand clenching on nothing.
"She made her choice." Quirwab might have been made of ice now and Jhinis looked very worried as Mary fought her anger. "You taught her well. How could she make any other choice when her mother was attacked?"
"Stop. Talking." Mary hissed through clenched teeth. Jhinis laid a hand on Mary's arm and Mary felt her Herald's worry rise. "It… It is my fault!"
"No, it is not." Quirwab said firmly. "You are responsible for much, but not that. Let go of your rage, Mary Owlna Pangolin. You can still save her."
"I…" Mary swallowed hard and her rage vanished, replaced by sorrow. "I want to. I still see her as the tiny form who started crying when I pulled her out of that pod. But… I tried. I tried." She repeated, pleading with Quirwab or herself?
"You didn't have all the information." Quirwab reassured her. "Now you have more. With your memory unlocked, you know what happened and why. You can end this. End her suffering and yours."
"I don't understand." Jhinis said softly as she worked to help Mary cope with her emotions. "I know the sword drove Owlesha insane but how did she get it in the first place?"
"Ael t'Rllaillieu gave it to her." Quirwab was sad now. "Owlesha needed a powerful weapon to fight off a golden skinned horror and save her mother. She knew that wielding the sword would damn her, but it is not too late, Mary Owlna Pangolin. For her or for you."
"Neesha will flip." Mary said weakly."It… She… They…"
"I know." From her expression, Quirwab clearly knew Neesha and how Mary's good friend would react to this. It would not be quiet nor subtle. "We will need her and Krenn." Mary stared at the robed Klingon who nodded. "Krenn is a pain, but he does mean well. Most of the time." The other Klingon snorted in derision and Quirwab glowered at him. "His job makes any of ours pale in comparison, brother. You know that." Chu'Hak ignored her and Quirwab shrugged. "Be that way."
"And what do you want?" Mary asked when she had herself under control. "Don't tell me this is altruistic of you." Quirwab shook her head. "Well?"
"I want the help of your mother's people to try and fix something I destroyed."