As was considered polite when the departing guest was of higher rank, Krang escorted the chancellor and his wife to their vehicle, and now he stood on the driveway, watching as the shuttle banked, flying low over the house before climbing towards the clouds and disappearing into the night.

Still a little over-excited by the day's events, Toni and Fina abandoned their viewpoint at the window and ran outside to join their father. A faster runner than her brother, Fina got there first, skidding to a halt and greeting her father with an excited shriek. "Vavoy, we…"

Krang was in no mood to indulge his children. With a snarl he turned on them. "It is late. Go to bed!"

Toni and Fina glanced at each other but wisely said nothing. Krang's show of temper did not particularly bother them, but it did put them on notice that this was not a good time to argue. Since it was almost an hour past the extension they'd been given to their bedtime in honour of the wedding celebrations, they decided not to argue. Silently they left and went back inside, heading up the stairs to their rooms.

Slowly, Krang followed them back into the house and went to rejoin his friends, whom he found had vacated the great hall and settled themselves in the smaller and cosier family room.

"What's happened?" Mackenzie asked, seeing Krang's expression and correctly surmising that something had seriously rattled him.

Krang shook his head. "It's nothing." He amended his statement slightly at the look of disbelief on his friend's face. "Nothing important. It can wait."

The Terran captain exchanged a glance with his new wife and saw his own concerns reflected in her eyes. Whatever was wrong, he decided, it most definitely could not wait.

It was at that moment that Chrissie rejoined them, having gone upstairs to check on her younger children who had been sent to bed some time ago. She'd been surprised, on coming out of her son's room, to see the older two traipsing past with glum faces on their way to their own rooms. Listening to their explanations, she thanked them for their good behaviour and their help during the day and reassured them that she would take care of whatever was bothering their father.

They were both growing up, she thought with a mix of both pride and concern, especially Antonio. After the awful events on Frontera, which had culminated in him killing a Jem'Hadar soldier with his father's spare bat'leth, his newfound maturity was hardly a surprise. Chrissie still shuddered at the memory – the screeching sound of the Jem'Hadar fighters swooping overhead, deadly fire lancing down from the sky… the screams, the explosions… death and destruction everywhere… and afterwards, the silence. She was still not completely sure how they had survived. Away on a mission for Starfleet, Krang had not been there to protect them. He'd left his family on Frontera, believing they would be safe there. He'd been wrong.

Suppressing a shiver, Chrissie forced her mind back to the present. It was past and she should not dwell on it. Today their friends had married. It was a good day, one of celebration… wasn't it? Her husband did not look at all happy and wondering what had happened to upset him, she quickly made her way to his side. Krang-oy… what's troubling you?"

"Nothing!" he snapped; then, moderating his tone a little, he added. "I am fine, Chrissie; there is nothing wrong."

Chrissie did not often swear but her response was rude enough for everyone to stop and stare at her.

"I'm with Chrissie," Kehlan said after a moment. "Krang, whatever's bothering you, you might as well just tell us and get it over with."

The Klingon growled. "It is your wedding night."

"I'm aware of that," Mackenzie said dryly. "And trust me when I say that we are not going anywhere until you talk to us."

Krang hesitated. He did not want to talk about this, but apparently, he was not being given a choice. Slowly and with great reluctance, he told his wife and friends about his conversation with the chancellor.

"You'll need me as Cha'DIch, then," Captain Mackenzie said calmly when he had heard everything his brother had to say.

"You would stand at my side as Cha'DIch?" Krang asked in astonishment. "I thank you for the offer, my friend, but I cannot accept."

"Give me one good reason why not," the Terran demanded.

"You have no idea what you're getting into," Krang said. "I will not endanger you like that."

"I told you once before," Captain Mackenzie said stubbornly, "I know what to expect from Klingon justice."

"In this case, I don't think you do," Krang argued. "The charge against me is treason. If I am found guilty, they are within their rights to execute you as well."

"Then I will die at your side."

Krang gave a growl of frustration. "Kehlan, tell him why this is not a good idea."

Kehlan shook her head. This whole thing scared her, but Krang needed their friendship and support now more than ever. Not so long ago, Mackenzie had risked his career for his friend; now he would risk his life, and that was the honourable thing to do. As he had pointed out that day when he had disobeyed orders and turned his ship around to go after the Dominion, a warrior did not let a friend go into battle alone. And that, Kehlan thought, was as it should be. "I'm sorry Krang, but I'm with James on this one. It is his right as your friend and brother."

Krang's wife stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. If Kehlan was scared, Chrissie was absolutely terrified. She barely knew the Terran captain, but she would be forever grateful to him for the unconditional support and friendship he was offering her mate. "Krang, please don't shut us out. We are your family. What affects you, affects us. Let James stand with you."

Krang sighed, knowing that he had lost this argument. He could not fight with his wife, but it did not seem right to place his friend in danger in this way. To fight side by side, with a weapon in their hand against a common enemy was one thing, but this… He shook his head unhappily. James and Kehlan deserved a long and happy life together. Right now, they should be heading off to the… what was the word for it? Ah yes, 'honeymoon' cottage that had been prepared for them to enjoy the first night of their marriage. If this went against him, then there would be a public execution and if the old laws were invoked, Mackenzie would die with him, making Kehlan a widow before she ever had a proper chance to be a wife. How could they ask him to accept that? But they were giving him no choice. "Chrissie-oywI, I believe that you Terrans have a saying," he said with heavy irony, "Et tu bruté."

The morning of the trial came all too quickly for Chrissie's liking. The day dawned hot and sunny, with no sign of the storms that had plagued First City throughout the summer. As Krang's wife and a key witness, she was expected to be present at the trial, and having packed off the children to Kehlan, she busied herself getting herself and her husband ready.

Despite Martok's promise to ensure that his family would be protected, Krang was taking no chances with their safety. Kehlan, being unable to attend the trial, had offered to look after the children and with Captain Mackenzie's permission, had taken them on board the Endeavour earlier that morning.

Deciding that they were old enough to understand, Krang had sat down with Toni and Fina and explained what was happening. Both were outraged by the insult to their father, but despite their awareness of the reasons for the unexpected treat, they were excited to be spending some time on a Federation starship.

Chrissie sighed as she pulled on a long, formal gown. Klingons liked it warm, and even in high summer, their fashions favoured heavy fabrics that were not at all suitable for a Terran to wear in this heat. It was not that the judge would care what she wore, but she did not want to rub their noses in the fact that she was an outsider. She'd talked it over with Kehlan and after some discussion, they had gone shopping together, finding the perfect gown in one of the little boutiques Sirella had mentioned. Klingon in style and appearance, it was made from imported Terran fabrics but was still warmer than she was comfortable with.

For the first time in years, Krang had donned the black uniform of Klingon Imperial Intelligence. Fastening the heavy belt buckle, he placed his ceremonial d'k tahg in its sheath before reaching across the table and picking up a little wooden box. Opening it, he removed the insignia that proclaimed him to be a security captain and fastened it to his collar. He glanced at himself in the mirror and shook his head at the sight. It felt odd to be wearing this uniform again, but it was appropriate. It had been in the capacity of security captain that he had committed the crimes that had led to this trial.

Chrissie studied him carefully. He looked good in the uniform but seeing him dressed like this brought back bad memories. She might as well get used to it, she thought, and besides, there were good memories as well as bad. Those memories were about to be made very public. She bit her lip, wondering momentarily if she could do this and knowing she had no choice. She would do whatever was necessary for her mate, however frightening or distressing it was.

The Terran woman reached up and kissed her husband hard before stepping back. All too aware that this was the last time they might be together in freedom, she was absolutely terrified, but was trying her best to hold it together for his sake. He was a Klingon warrior; she would not let him down by falling to pieces. "Are you ready?"

Krang took a deep breath. "Yes," he confirmed, "I am ready."

Federation Embassy, Qo'noS, 2375

Trial Day 1

"Admiral, you'd better come and look at this…"

Isis Portway looked up from her desk, irritated by the interruption. She'd told her aide she was busy and not to be disturbed. It was not strictly true; she was busy but no more than she ever was. Right now, she was too rattled to concentrate on her normal work. Two of her officers were on trial for their lives – or at least one was and the other had somewhat predictably stepped in as Cha'DIch and put his own life on the line as well.

The Terran admiral was one of a very small, select group of high-ranking Starfleet officers, who were privy to the classified information hidden in Krang's files and she had studied them carefully, hunting for any clue, however small, that might be of assistance to his defence attorney. But other than turning over the relevant Starfleet records from the time-period in question, there was absolutely nothing she could do to help her officers – and if there was one thing Isis Portway did not like, it was feeling helpless.

To make things worse, it was an unfortunate and undeniable fact that Krang had done the things he was accused of. A guilty verdict was inevitable. And if that were not enough, as an outsider, a non-Klingon, she was barred from the proceedings! What on Earth, she wondered in annoyance, was Martok playing at? Could he not have at least waited until the war was over to pull a stunt like this?

"Admiral…."

Portway shook herself mentally, and with some effort, brought her attention back to her aide. This was no frivolous interruption, she realised, seeing the very serious, almost worried look on his face. "What is it, Edwin?"

"There's a newscast just gone out," he informed her. "I've got it on my screen; you need to see it."

Sensing that she wasn't going to like this, Portway was immediately on her feet and following him back to his desk in the outer office.

"I've recorded it," he told her, somewhat unnecessarily, leaning over his console to activate the playback before stepping back to let her see the screen.

...

"This is Koval of the United Qo'noS News Service reporting from outside the Court of Justice where a few minutes ago the trial of Commander Krang epetai Inigan got underway. The session is closed to civilians due to the classified nature of some of the material being discussed and we can therefore only speculate on what is happening inside. However, we understand from a leaked document that the Commander is accused of treason against the Klingon Empire. We do not at this time know the reason for the accusation. It is believed that his Federation colleague Captain James Mackenzie is standing by his side as Cha'DIch."

...

Admiral Portway stared at her aide in absolute outrage. "Who authorised this?" she demanded to know. "The chancellor assured me that this trial was to be both private and confidential!"

"It appears," her aide said dryly, "that someone leaked the information to the press."

"Obviously!" Portway snapped back. "If this is Klingon security, I am not impressed. I want a formal complaint lodged with the High Council!"

"It's not done yet," her aide advised her, his worried look giving way to a faint smile. "This is where it gets interesting. Keep listening…"

...

"As we previously reported, the IKC Hegh'Ta and the USS Endeavour, under the command of these two officers, were credited with several heroic acts including the single-handed destruction of a Jem'Hadar weapons production facility. In the four months that the ships were missing, it is believed that they were also instrumental in the capture of a Cardassian ship and Breen energy weapon and the destruction of a Jem'Hadar warship, not to mention the liberation of a significant number of prisoners. It is not yet known whether these actions relate to the trial or if they will affect its outcome in any way.

"A few days ago, the Empire officially hailed these two men as heroes, now it is putting one of them on trial for treason. A guilty verdict would certainly mean the death penalty for both the accused and his Cha'DIch. Is this how the Klingon Empire rewards its war heroes?"

...

Public opinion… Portway froze, her outrage at the leak fading. That damned sneaky… Martok's strategy was cleverer than had given him credit for, she realised, with dawning admiration. This had been carefully planned. The chancellor knew very well what he was doing; the supposedly straightforward soldier had proved himself to be every bit as good at politics as his predecessor. Right now, Krang and Mackenzie were flavour of the month, the people's heroes, and the presiding judge would be all too aware of that. Just as public opinion had made it impossible for Starfleet to court martial the two men, Martok was relying on it to save their lives.

"Nicely played, Martok," she muttered under her breath. "Nicely played!"