Chapter 9

Boreth Capital City

Temple of Kahless, Supreme Clerics Hall

T'L'th was a large man and carried his robes of his office as if he owned the whole planet, which if one thought about it, he did in a sense he had dominion over the whole populace. He stood all of six feet four inches tall and though he was considered old for a Klingon male, he carried his age well. With his dark brown eyes he appeared to drill into the very soul of most Klingons. He guarded his emotions behind a polite mask of indifference when he sat in the chair of judgment.

The only ones that knew his true feelings while sitting in that chair were his wife, his father, and his daughter. But the one that knew him the best was surprisingly his daughter. He liked to think that was because he made her just like him. One of the reasons he had seen to her placement in the High Cleric's chair. Although many planet sides wondered why he had not chosen one of his two sons to sit in the chair.

The answer was simple neither of his sons wanted the chair and besides they were too hot headed to sit and listen to the petty petitions he was faced with each day. Borak was the mechanical minded one, where he could fix or repair anything set before him, he was really good at warfare and tactical practices. So, he was now a Captain of his own ship operating near the Alpha Quadrant backing up Federation ships when they asked for assistance.

Then there was Elriq. The youngest son and he was the true warrior. He had excelled in every area of the Klingon Academy. His expertise was in the art of deduction and leadership. The more regimented the situation the happier he was and exceeded every aspect of his training. This accomplishment was much to the chagrin of his brother Borak. Borak had held his father's hopes and favor. Holding his father's pride until Borak disappointed his father by his choices.

So, T'L'th held hope that the next child born would be his favor for the chair, and when he was told it was a female he moaned inwardly, she would not stand a chance with the Klingons on this planet unless he enhanced her abilities. So without his ba'nal's knowledge or permission he had additional DNA added to his daughter. What he had not realized was the clerics had taken it a step further and wondered what would happen if they put part of Molar's DNA mixed with Kahless' DNA in equal parts and then the enhancements with her mind were added.

He was to learn that M'lar was a twin and that Aisha had taken the embryo to implant in her before she took her assignment back on Earth. Upon her return to Boreth, he recalled fondly the night of her return and the passion exchanged between them culminated in her pregnancy with Elriq. He was excited he would have another fine son and perhaps he could take the chair of the High Cleric.

Unfortunately as time went on, Elriq proved to be another disappointment. He not only wanted to leave Boreth for exploration he wanted to work with the Federation on one of their long term projects in deep space. So, he turned his eye and trust upon his daughter M'lar who was so much like him she was an annoyance to his calm. It was bad enough she turned out to be a real beauty with an exceptional figure; she was also very intelligent.

Now T'L'th sat back and studied the huge Klingon Warrior Captain in front of him. "So K'Ter'r, you will have charge of my daughter who had been given an honorary status as an Admiral but will act as an Ambassador between you and the Federation. I expect you to treat her no differently than you would treat any other member of your crew. However, bear in mind that I will expect and hold you responsible for her safe keepimg."

The threat was implied if not said and now K'Ter'r knew he wanted to be transferred. "My Lord Supreme Cleric, may I ask for permission to be transferred to another detail? I find that I may not be equipped emotionally to be diplomatic enough with your daughter to so to speak sit on her if she needs it." It was the best he could do given he was a warrior and this was a battle that involved words and not fists.

He watched T'L'th for any sigh of his feelings about what he had just said and there was nothing to denote his feelings one way or another. M'lar had stood behind the alter and watched the exchanged between her father and the warrior selected to be her glorified babysitter. She noted the tensing of her father's jaw and saw he was amused.

"I don't expect you to literally sit on my daughter K'Ter'r, I expect you see to her safe keeping and your request to be transferred is denied. Nothing short of death will release you from this year in space."

The Supreme Cleric shifted his bulk in his chair to get a little more comfortable and to put more affect in his voice he said softly, "This I can assure you, that once you have completed this year with my daughter, then I shall grant you any duty your hearts desire."

Here he lifted the tone of his voice and put a soft tone to it as a form of persuasion. "I will even accept your retirement and settle you with a very nice pension. It is you I trust along with HmfiC of course will be on your ship as your second in command, although he is on my daughter's honor guard he is loyal to me."

K'Ter'r sighed softly, his feet hurt, this meeting was beginning to wear on his internal guts and he felt the pressure build and wondered if it would be sacrilegious if he ripped a really loud fart in this chamber and if he did, would the acoustics of this room cause it to echo around the room as the aroma also filled the room. This was the one thing that gave him the patience to hear out the Supreme Cleric. Shifting his weight he hoped he would not accidentally let it out and so the look on his face was nothing short of a grimace.

"Captain are you ill? You suddenly have a look that indicates that you might be in some distress." The Supreme Cleric highly suspected what the Captain's malaise was but wanted to make him squirm a little longer before dismissing him.

"No my Lord, it is that I've had some gastric distress of late and feel perhaps if you are done and can point me to the nearest facilities it will alleviate my distress." He curbed his grimace again as he felt his stomach roil with the gastric juices that were at war with the chocolate and serpent worm dinner he had earlier along with the Nintie drink he had taken for courage to see this enigma of a Klingon.

M'lar knew what was going on and chuckled, which caused her father to turn and glare at her. "As you seem to be interested in your new companion on your voyage M'lar why not present yourself to Captain K'Ter'r."

M'lar stepped forward dressed simply in a simple robe of grey material with her hair neatly combed and plaited down her back. The Captain and the Cleric eyed each other. "Captain K'Ter'r this is my daughter the High Cleric M'lar."

She nodded to the poor warrior now struggling not to explode from the pent up gas that was building. "You know Captain go on and just let it go. It will make it easier on you and we have air fresheners to eliminate the odor."

He smiled, maybe she was not going to be such a pain in his ass after all. Taking a huge breath he lifted his left leg and it did as he suspected, it was long and loud and it echoed around the room. Just as the odor, which was very heady was detected, the room was flooded with a rush of air wafting the odor away. "Better now?" she asked as she smiled and watched the relieved look come over his face.

"Yes, ma'am much. It is a pleasure to meet you. That was the truth it was at this point a great pleasure to see she would not be spouting the edict of Kahless the whole time and she had a sense of humor. His glance to the Supreme Cleric did not show he was as amused as she was. He still sat with a sterner look on his face.

"Sorry your Lord, now when do you expect my ship will be ready after the refit?" He lowered his gaze from T'L'th because he was glaring a hole through him. At this point it did not matter because he had relieved the pressure on his stomach and he felt a bit better about his assignment and charge.

T'L'th glared at his daughter for encouraging the Captain to relieve his gas in his chambers, turning his gaze back to K'Ter'r he asked softly. "Are you done now Captain?" He tilted his head and hid his humor at his daughter's brashness but then again she was very much like he was at that age.

"Yes my lord. Again, when may we expect to leave?" He stood with legs apart and feet locked to the floor and curbed his need to want to rock back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"Your ship has been taken for a total refit, we originally estimated a week but the condition of your ship was in such a state that the work crew estimates three weeks for a total refit."

K'Ter'r nodded, that would give him another two weeks planet side and away from his crew. "Thank you my lord, will there be anything else?" he folded his arms in a relaxed fashion over his chest.

"You are dismissed unless my daughter has any questions." He turned his gaze over to his daughter and she smiled.

"No father leave the poor Captain to his business you have attempted to bully him enough and I am not going to create a rift between us since we have to share tight quarters over the next year. Captain, I look forward to working with you and will report as ordered in two weeks times to the Havoq." She bowed her head walked down the steps and stood next to him.

K'Ter'r had not realized how short she was until she stood next to him; he looked down at the petite woman and nodded. "I too shall look forward to our next meeting and it will be a pleasure to work with you."

She lowered her voice and spoke confidentially. "I also have seasoned warriors that will be joining us on the ship which should prove interesting considering your crew are all so young and have not been battle proven. Unlike whom I shall bring with me and I am sure that they would love to hear you regale them with your war stories in the cantina." She winked at him and left the room with a waft her subtle perfume following her.

K'Ter'r was beginning to look forward to having her on his ship and hid his smile of approval as he was waved away by the Supreme Cleric. Bowing to him he turned smartly and followed the Admiral out of the door. Looking at her walk away he found it was like looking at one of his small children that he must have fathered at one time or another and he was already beginning to take on a fatherly attitude towards her.

M'lar had not gone far when a tall muscular looking she bitch fell in step behind her joined by a tall muscular warrior that looked like he had been through more than his share of battles. Next to him was a younger version of the older warrior and they all trailed behind her. "Well if nothing else it will be interesting to see what happens once she is on board. I just don't look forward to working with the Feddies." He muttered, hit his transporter pin and requested to be beamed up to the dry dock.

Space dock and refit station

Orbiting Boreth

The dark figure moved along the corridors watching the hustle and bustle of the new refits of the Klingon bird of prey Havoq. He studied the workers that were moving about in their dark grey overalls and carrying various pieces of equipment to be installed. Pulling out a digicam device he aimed it towards the activity and took digital images of what was happening. Hearing voices coming down the hallway he ducked into an air shaft and crawled to the next hallway where he watched what was going on from his vantage point.

Waiting for the personnel to pass he crawled out into the hallway, slipped off his black robe and tossed it down a dump chute. Standing in a pair of workers togs he walked along the hallway slowly looking for an exit. Hearing raucous laughter coming from the cantina he continued to the entrance where he studied the inside of the room. He noted there were three very young male students drinking and having a grand time slapping each other on the back and talking about their nights conquests. The problem was one was always trying to one up the other with his tales of his nights passion.

The stealthy figure felt his body rudely shoved aside. Reacting as most trained warriors; he turned to draw back a fist and met the ice-cold stare of one of the oldest and meanest looking warriors he had ever seen. "Move or go in, make up your mind but quit acting like a blockade to the room." His voice was rough and used to barking out orders. Except this time he did so softly before entering the room.

The figure nodded slowly, lowered his fist when he saw the stare go from the startled look on his face to his drawn back fist and immediately saw the old warrior was ready to knock him on his ass. With a softly uttered apology and knowing when the odds were against him, Dulomane dropped his fist, and stepped into the bar walking quickly to take a seat. The last thing he needed was to end up in the infirmary and not doing what he was paid to do. Dulomane tucked his chin and walked into the room taking a seat in the corner so he could sit and observe and vid the room.

When he entered the place, the laughter stopped and they watched the Captain of the ship walk to a table and sit with a soft grunt. The three men had not noticed the growing silence in the room; they were too caught up in their tales. Their laughter was painfully obvious and it appeared to annoy the newest arrival in the room. With a disgruntle stare at the loudest of the three K'Ter'r took a seat near the viewport.

As the realization that the room had grown strangely silent the three turned and the one boy that had been boasting the loudest suddenly slumped over his drink lowered his head and grew very quiet. "Is that he?" His buddy hissed watching the old warrior and then looking back to his friends quiet form with his chin nearly touching his chest. The slight nod was enough to give him an idea that it was in deed the one and the same warrior that had sent the braggart to the infirmary the last time.

"Yes, and don't annoy him he is stronger than he looks for an old man." He muttered lifted his mug downed his warnog and stood. "As a matter of fact, I don't court disaster twice, I am going back to the ship." The hapless crewman walked to the door. Dulomane was tempted to stay and study the old warrior instead he needed that crewman's identiclip. He needed to get on that ship. Sanding he followed the boy out of the door. Pacing him down the hallway until he saw him get to the outer airlock.

Rushing up behind him, his movements were quick and painless as he snapped the neck of the crew member and deftly shoved him down the disposal lock after stripping him of his work togs and identification. Feeling more secure in his position he walked to the entrance to the ship's hull and made access into the under belly of the interior of the ship. Giving himself a mental congratulatory slap on the back he walked to a ventilator shaft and crawled in. He would wait until shift change and begin his own sabotage on this ship.

His group was about to send a message to the cleric and his cronies that they were not about to roll over and just be killed off because they did not agree with the cleric, they believed in the secret teachings of Molar and they were just as determined that their religion would be the one that would prevail.

K'Ter'r watched the boy leave. Oddly enough the door block also stood and followed the braggart out of the room. The two friends of the braggart got up to follow K'Ter'r. They knew their friend had upset the Captain before and was no match for his bulk or muscle so they figured if the Captain started to fight with their friend they would jump in to help. Instead they watched him watching another that had just followed their friend into the airlock.

"Pa'taq!" He muttered as he watched the male Klingon break the boys neck. Turning to fix that cold gaze on the two friends he whispered, "You might as well join me we have a murderer to catch. That pa'taq just killed your friend for his identicard."

The two workers stepped cautiously forward and watched the animal that just killed their friend dump his near naked body into the disposal chute. K'Ter'r sighed softly, "You, go retrieve the body. Notify security and have them meet me on my ship. You come with me." He snagged the one nearest him and they watched as the one left to get security and retrieve their friend's body.

"Stay behind me, I don't want you hurt and this is my ship, I know it like the back of my hand." K'Ter'r sent the worker to walk past the intruder and instructed him the moment he got to the juncture at the end of the hall to turn and pause and pretend to be checking something to see if he follows and passes him. The young crewman nodded and swallowed hard, he was not sure if the old warrior was using him as the decoy so he might be the next one to die.

K'Ter'r stood back and watched the saboteur pause and study an air duct and waited for the work crewman walk past him. When he turned the corner he stood and waited to see if he would come back, when no one else came, he quickly ducked down pulled the covering to the air shaft and darted inside and secured the covering to the ductwork. "I got you, you little bastard." K'Ter'r muttered.

Looking to the opposite tube, he smiled, it had been a few years since he shimmed through a tube but he was still agile enough that he could fit into these tubes. Removing his jacket, he laid it neatly on the floor then went into the tube and smiled, it was as he remembered and he began his crawl through the tube to the juncture that would bring him up behind the dishonorable pa'taq that was on his ship without his permission.

Pausing he took a deep breath and then it hit him, the gas was building and again and he moaned inwardly, letting out the air he also let out the gas and this time, it was a long drawn out silent expulsion one he was sure would bring its own nebula when it finally surfaced. Holding his breath his eyes began to water, it was bad. Letting out the breath he tipped his head around the corner to see if the hiding dishonorable one smelt what he had just done and sure enough he watched as the young one's nose wrinkled and he turned slightly green.

The newly installed sensors picked up the compact area of an anonymous gaseous anomaly. A rush of air filled the tube setting up a windstorm of fifteen years of dirt and other particles that had not been cleaned from the tubes in that time. Closing his eyes, K'Ter'r moaned then rushed forward shooting out his hand to grab the unsuspecting saboteur by his neck and shoved him forward and through the shafts covering and rolling him out at the feet of the security team.

With a roar and a growl K'Ter'r followed him out and rolled to a standing position. "Arrest this pup, he killed the crew member's whose identicard he holds and threw him down the refuse chute like yesterday's garbage. He is not authorized to be on my ship and if you don't take him off . . . " He paused because he was angry. ". . . I will not leave enough for him to be identified by scanning his DNA."

The religious zealot cowered before the angry Klingon warrior who now towered over him. "You deserve to be shot out of a airlock and left to float in space." He growled and turned to take his jacket from the other crew member. Jerking his jacket from him he mumbled, "If you need to speak further with me, I will be in my quarters."

They watched the disgruntled Captain slide his jacket back on and saunter off down the hallway of his ship. The whole time he was muttering indistinguishable words that must surely be expletives about the lineage of the boy that was just captured. The security team roughly pulled the boy up and slammed him into the wall. "I think we should contact Turmoq's father Lanovaq? Then let him decide what to do with him for killing his eldest and only son?"

When he mentioned Lanovaq's name Shaloon son of Maquat actually turned far greener than the earlier gas eruption had caused him. "You mean that was Marquat, General of the Kahless guard? That was his son?"

K'Temoq nodded and smiled, "If you asked me you screwed up royally this time. Maquat is not going to be happy with you my dear boy. I would say your days of breathing are numbered." He watched the color leave the boys face. "I hope your reason for taking another's life was a good one, because you are about to die for it."

Shaloon sighed deeply, the act one of causing his guard to relax his hold, feeling the pressure relaxed he twisted reached for the Klingon security guards weapon, shouting, "For the glory of Molar I give up my life in the name of the true God!" He then turned the disrupter on himself and discharged a round hoping to feel his life leave him and face the great hall of Molar's benevolent ones.

A look of disbelief had covered his features when he felt himself falling face forward in an unbearable amount of pain. Like the misguided attempt, the stupidity of the male Klingon was complete when he fell into the arms of the guard standing in front of him. Chumak sighed. This one is really stupid. Come on lets take him to the holding cells and contact General Maquat." Instead the disrupter had been set on stun and he managed to stun himself into a state of unconsciousness.

With a look of amusement both Klingon guards chuckled hefted the stupid Shaloon over a shoulder and walked off down the hallway. "I don't think I want to be the one to tell the General his son was killed. I think I will let the Commander contact the General, I am sure he will want to come on the station to collect his son's body and to look his murderer in the eye."

K'Temoq agreed, "I think that would be a wise choice, he has been known to kill the messenger." He muttered carrying the stunned Shaloon down the hallway.