Captain's log, stardate 41503.7. We have entered the Neutral Zone, where a Talarian freighter has been severely damaged in a battle. Our away team recovered three survivors, and none are Talarian.
Soriana entered sickbay behind her captain and Worf. Two Klingons sat at the edge of their beds being treated for minor injuries, while the third was badly burned.
"I am Jean Luc Picard, Captain of this vessel."
"My name is Korris," the taller of the men answered, "Captain of the Klingon Defence Force. This is Lieutenant Konmel. That," he nodded to the badly injured man, "is Bekk Kunivas."
"Would you mind telling me what has happened?" Picard's speech, Soriana noted, was not as gentle as his words
"We were passengers. The Talarians were taking us to outpost M Zed Five."
"He lies," Soriana said simply.
Korris turned to her, and she felt his unbridled aggression. "Who are you?"
"I am Lieutenant Commander Soriana Turhal. There were no Talarians aboard the vessel." Soriana was doubly intimidated by the man's glare and his savage emotions, but she met both coldly.
Korris spoke without looking away from her. "I misspoke. We acquired the ship from the Talarians. They were no longer aboard. "
Picard pressed, "What was the ship doing in the Neutral Zone?"
"We were attacked without warning by a Ferengi cruiser. During the course of the battle we must have unknowingly entered the Neutral Zone."
"The ship wasn't Ferengi," Soriana spoke immediately. "The Neutral Zone course was deliberate."
"baQa'!" the Klingon exclaimed. "We are tired and hungry, captain."
"But surely you can answer some basic questions?" Picard pressed.
"We will make ourselves available for your questions, captain," the Klingon answered, "but it is exhausting to do so when this one doubts my every answer. Perhaps after we have rested?"
"... of course," Picard relented.
"Permission to show these men to their quarters?" Worf volunteered.
"Granted."
The three left sickbay before the officers spoke again. Soriana pointed out, "They hijacked a freighter, headed into the neutral zone, and were nearly destroyed by what Worf has already reported were Klingon weapons."
"Deserters," the captain pronounced.
"I can't think of a more likely possibility," Turhal agreed.
"Qo'noS is closer than Earth but not by much. Send a message to the Defense Force with their names and details of the rescue. And, Soriana."
"Yes, sir?" she smiled as she awaited his rebuke.
"Just because they're Klingons, doesn't mean you need to agitate them."
"Not my intent, sir. I dealt regularly with a couple of Klingon crews on an early station-side posting. They tended to quickly admit the truth when caught in a lie."
"Or they switched to a lie too subtle for you to detect," the captain mused.
"Possible, sir. I'll… be more diplomatic."
*****
"He's dying," were the first words that Crusher said as Soriana re-entered sickbay. She and Picard watched as the doctor tried every last-ditch effort available to her, but without success.
"Captain Korris, this is Captain Picard."
"Yes, Captain."
"I am sorry to report that Kunivas's injuries are beyond our medical abilities. I suggest you return to sickbay."
Soriana noticed that when the two Klingon warriors entered sickbay, Worf entered with them. The lieutenant's thoughts were disjointed and conflicted, balancing emotional pulls against concern for duty.
The two warriors' minds included no such complexity. They were grieving, and Soriana felt nothing unusual or alien about the emotions she felt from them. It was the deep-felt loss of a close friend, and it felt entirely familiar to her. When they howled, she envied them. The raw emotion taken form was as pure an expression of loss as she had ever heard, an outward sign of their inward selves. It was terrible and beautiful.
"Mister Worf," Soriana called the lieutenant over to speak with the captain out of earshot of their guests. "Under the circumstances, sir, I recommend we limit their ship access and confine them to their deck."
"Circumstances?" Worf asked.
Picard explained, "The counselor believes them to be fugitives from the Klingons, and I'm inclined to agree. Nothing's been proven yet, but the restrictions would be a useful precaution."
"I'll see to it, sir," Worf confirmed.
*****
"Captain," La Forge announced, "that Klingon vessel is approaching us at warp five. Intersect one hour, sixteen minutes, thirty three seconds."
Picard acknowledged. "Open hailing frequencies, Lieutenant Yar."
"Hailing frequencies open."
"Klingon cruiser, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise."
The red, shadowy interior of a Klingon bridge appeared on the screen, framing the form of a prime Klingon warrior. "I am Commander K'Nera. What is your purpose in this area?"
"We came to investigate a battle," Picard answered. "We rescued three Klingon survivors."
The man's surprise showed clearly on his face. ""That is all that is left of the crew of the cruiser T'Acog?"
'"They were not off the cruiser," the captain clarified. "They were from the freighter Batris. The leader is Captain Korris."
This clearly excited the Klingon. "You have him on your ship? He is alive?"
"Yes"
"He is a criminal. A renegade, who with two others stole that freighter, and somehow destroyed the Klingon cruiser sent to bring them back." Without pause, he continued, "We expect the criminals to be delivered into our custody as soon as we are within transporter range."
As the screen returned to an exterior shot of the Klingon ship, Picard asked, "Counselor, no answer yet from the Defense Force?"
"They will have just received our message, sir. We would not yet have their reply even if one had been sent immediately."
"Lieutenant Yar, please inform our guests that they are being arrested. Let them know what to expect, and then follow the standard protocols."
"Yes, sir."
*****
The deck 22 recreation room was where Tasha found all three of the Klingons. Worf had changed into his exercise gi and was in the process of sparring with the two warriors unarmed; all three looked tired and bruised but surprisingly happy.
"They have come for us," Korris remarked as Yar approached them.
"What is the problem, sir?" Worf asked, automatically stepping between the first officer and the two Klingons.
"Those two are being taken into custody," she confirmed.
For a brief moment, Tasha could tell that Worf was considering saying or doing something to impede Tasha… but the moment passed, and Worf stepped out of her way.
"What is happening?" Lieutenant Konmel asked.
"You're being taken into Federation custody," Yar explained. "You will be transported into a secure cell. Your belongings will be held separately and returned to you upon your release." She continued her regular recitation. "You have no obligation to speak to anyone, but anything you say or do may be recorded and used as evidence against you. You have the right to representation before charges are brought against you. You have the right to medical care, nutrition, and a detention environment suitable to your particular biological needs. You have the right to request visitors and to speak with those who choose to visit you. You have the right to continue any ongoing educational, cultural, or religious practices that can be reasonably carried out while you are in custody." She finished, "do you have any questions?"
Korris spoke, but it was directed to Worf rather than her. "Does this mean we will be tried in the Federation?"
Worf looked to Yar, who nodded to him to answer. "No, I believe that the captain intends to turn you over to Klingon authorities."
"I see." Korris met Konmel's eyes, and the two of them launched themselves at Tasha.
Unfortunately for them, neither Starfleet officer had been unprepared for this reaction. Tasha deflected and ducked under Konmel's swings, as Worf stepped in to block and engage Korris. Each warrior was on the ground for only a moment when Tasha hit her comm badge. "Yar to transporter room. Energize with detention protocols."
*****
After unlocking the outer doors to the brig, Worf nodded to the two guards as he passed through the scanner. He pulled a chair out from the wall in front of the large metal door that led to Cell 1, and waved to the guard to retract it. It was customary to speak to prisoners with the forcefield in place; at all other times, the solid metal door acted as a failsafe in the event of a power failure.
Despite his nondescript grey jumpsuit replacing his armor, Captain Korris still looked every bit the warrior. He stalked to the door and stared at Worf, close enough that the forcefield occasionally rippled into translucence with a stray hair or heavy breath.
"They have civilized you," Korris intoned without preamble. "and it has forced you to be less than what you truly are." He thumped his chest. "No matter how you try, Worf, you can't kill it. The hunter is there. Will always be there."
"Yes," Worf said after a short silence. "But I have decided that what I feel… can be used in the service of something greater." He looked Korris up and down, glanced briefly at the cell across the hall where Konmel was held separately. "Honor means more than just fighting. It means taking on duties, and fulfilling them. Loyalty, Korris. Understanding what you are fighting for."
The captain shook his head. "Empty words, my brother. Shackles that you lay upon yourself, trying to hold back what lives inside." He grinned. "But it's too strong in you. You'll loose your bonds some day. Remember me, on that day."
Having no more words, Worf let the cell door close and latch behind him. He would not be late to his station.