Chapter 5

Last Time:

Beckett nodded and Carol sat back.

"Very well, I'll send you the assignment list…and Beckett, my doors open if you want to talk."

It worried her slightly that she didn't get a sloppy salute or smart comment.

oOoOo

Earth – Starfleet Intelligence

"It must have been Culloven," stated one of the officers, a captain.

"We can't prove it," was the reply. "The orders came from Freeman."

"Yet, we can't prove it yet."

The rest of the room turned their attention to the senior officer, a Rear Admiral, who had been quietly reading from a pad.

"Culloven and Picard were always going to baulk at those orders. York was an idiot to do things that way."

"He's not untouchable, we could…"

He was cut off by the Rear Admiral shaking his head. "No, Culloven is to be left alone. Let him sniff out our targets. Besides, if he had not acted, we would be in a far worse situation than we are now. No, the good commodore is the hero of the hour." He laughed coldly, "Hell if we dragged him in, he might even survive the court of inquiry. We have got bigger fish to pursue. Let the commodore have the spotlight and the attention of Starfleet command. We will be finding out how these…wizards infiltrated us and if there are any more of them hidden away."

"But he may have lost us the three assets!" complained the captain, his expression showing his frustration.

The Rear Admiral shrugged, "There is no way we could have won the case. Not without cashing far too many chips, Alain. And despite what you might believe we have little control over the JAG office. If we did somehow win, the appeal would be running before we could take custody. As I said, York was foolishly arrogant to think otherwise. He is unsuited to this kind of work and is incapable of thinking about much less playing out the long game."

Such criticism, by this officer in this room was a career death sentence.

There was silence until another captain, who had been silent most of the evening cleared his throat. "Sir, what if they ally with the Klingons?"

"An unhappy thought but it can be countered. But not if we can charge in phasers blazing," explained the rear admiral. "And there are other avenues to consider. Such as the fact that we now hold most of the records from the station where Black and Potter were held. An operative managed to recover a hidden database from the ruins." He shook his head with a look of disgust, "They were not agents of Starfleet and intelligence didn't even know that they existed. So, finding most of their database intact is an unlooked forward boon. With it, we can entice Potter and Black to help us."

"Then we wait?"

The senior officer nodded, "Then we wait, although we will be keeping an eye on Misters Potter and Black."

oOoOo

Qo'noS

The Chancellor of the Klingon Empire studied the small delegation standing before him. Leaders of their houses, warriors, respected men if not members of the High Council. Most importantly they had supported him, rather than Duras and so he nodded to them, respectfully.

"Speak Larkan," ordered Gowron. He noted that the ever-reliable General Tanas stood beside Larkan.

Larkan stepped forward, his eyes on Gowron. "We come to speak for the good of the Empire."

Gowron gestured, acknowledging the archaic formal words.

Larkan gave a slight nod, "We have spoken with D'Mek and his senior officers and set things in motion. We have also spoken to the three humans."

Gowron controlled his expression, "While adoptions are not the business of the High Council, I am interested in how matters progressed."

Larkan smiled, his pointed teeth bared, "Sirius Black is a warrior. He has fought and tasted defeat and victory. He is the boy's guardian after the death of his parents."

"How did they die?" Gowron asked. It was a very Klingon question, and the answer would shape opinions.

"They were betrayed but died honourably, in battle so that their son might live," replied Larkan.

Gowron's eyes flashed as he leaned forward, "Ahh and Black?"

"He is a warrior. D'Mek and L'kor have both heard the full story. He is…worthy and he is a man of passion. He understands us and his own code is closer to ours than the Federations."

"Ah…well at least that explains the bond with D'Mek's people. They are good representatives of our ways."

"And the girl?"

"She and the boy are courting," Larkan explained. "They have fought together and that builds strong ties. She is an orphan and lacks any living relatives so L'kor has adopted her as well."

"An interesting situation," Gowron stated as he considered what he knew.

"Then you understand why we seek your guidance," replied Larkan.

Gowron sat back and considered. The Federation would not likely be pleased, not that he cared overly about their happiness. They were allies but they were also difficult to please with their rules and all so precious ethics. The Klingon way was better, honour and custom. Well, that and military might. "It was an honourable offer, from an honourable house. They came to us for help and protection, and they have fought and bled for the Empire. We shall shelter and train them. Get them established and capable of defending themselves and better our understanding of their powers. I can think of no better house to do this."

Larkan looked satisfied and pleased with the praise of his house. "We thank you for your words, Gowron, son of M'Rel."

Gowron smiled, Politics, even Klingon Politics was, to borrow a human expression, a dirty game. He should make more time to speak to Klingons like these. Honourable, decent and their word was their word. They didn't disseminate or speak only to gain an advantage. "When it is possible bring them to meet me. I would like to meet these humans that prefer the Klingon empire."

"There is something else," General Tanas said as he stepped forward.

"Go on," ordered Gowron.

He explained about the Bothas scrolls.

When he finished Gowron looked thoughtful. "You did well to bring this to me. So, our ancestors may once have shared these abilities. I think that there are many things that we need to know more about."

After the two Klingons had left, Gowron considered Larkan. He was a part of fleet intelligence. A good military mind who was loyal. His choice of an ally, General Tanas, who was equally loyal and respected was telling. He gestured, and a Klingon appeared. Vorrin was a loyal subordinate. An honourable man and cunning warrior who was his personal intelligence agent. "This may cause problems with the Federation and their intelligence people. Picard and this Culloven are both concerned about the more dishonourable humans making a move."

Vorrin waited, simply paying attention as Gowron spoke.

"I want you to look into who might be after these humans. They will soon be bloodbound to Klingon families and their abilities will be a boon to us…in these troubled times."

oOoOo

Sirius studied Harry and Emma thoughtfully before gesturing to the far wall of the room. He had drawn a small circle about the size of his hand. "Today we will be working on accuracy. You will be hitting that spot with colour colour-changing charm we practiced. Just that spot. Harry, you are up first."

Harry's first effort wasn't great. He had hit the target but had overpowered the spell.

Sirius grinned, "A bit overpowered there Harry. Emma your turn," he passed Emma his wand. Harry's wand worked for Emma, but she got better results when she used his wand.

Her coloured area was the right size but just off being fully in the target area.

"Nice Emma, okay so this time…"

oOoOo

L'kor corrected Emma's stance slightly.

"Better, your basic stance is good, but your feet need to be slightly wider. Balance is important for both hand to hand and when wielding weapons."

Emma nodded and L'kor continued. She demonstrated a punch and then had Emma do the same.

"That is better but do not overextend that will put you off balance. Try again."

Emma did and L'kor nodded. "Good, much better. Now swap your stance and we will do the same with your off hand…"

oOoOo

"This Harry is a d'k tahg, a Klingon warrior's blade. Like any weapon, it is only useful if you are skilled in its use. First, we will talk about footwork. Movement is in one of four directions. Forward, backward, and right or left. In combat, you should always be moving in some direction to protect yourself and make it more difficult to be struck. Never stand still, it makes you easier to hit."

Harry watched as his instructor, Cha'vak, went through a series of strikes.

oOoOo

USS Cerritos

Beckett grimaced as she lowered her padd. The detailed briefing she had received was…troubling.

"What do you think Ensign?"

Beckett Mariner had worked with Klingons before, and Jack Ransom knew that she had a good understanding of their culture. She also had a good understanding of black ops. Something that she would prefer to stay …unknown.

"Sir, this…hell, this is a mess."

Privately he agreed, "And your thoughts on the Klingons' actions?"

Beckett shrugged and then nodded, "It sounds like something that they would do. Black and Potter come from an Earth where their culture probably is in some ways closer to Klingon than the Federation. The Klingons saved them, which builds trust. As for the Klingons, well they fought side by side with them. You know how Klingons are Sir."

Commander Ransom leaned back and nodded, "I do. Well, our mission is to assist the admiral and the Klingons while the others unravel this. Somewhat against my better judgement," He smiled slightly taking some of the sting out of his words. "I am sticking to the plan of assigning you to the team as our liaisons. This is important Mariner, and it may be dangerous."

Beckett put a lot of crap on Ransom, but this was something where flippant just wouldn't fly. "Understood Sir."

"Excellent, there is a briefing at Thirteen hundred. We should be meeting with the Klingons on the station shortly afterwards. Make sure you have what you need for an extended away mission."

Beckett made her way back to her bunk thinking through the briefing material and considering the situation. Her team was solid and would get the job done but there were a lot of unknowns and with unknowns came risk.

"Hey, Mariner."

She turned her head to see Boimler gesturing down the corridor, "I had hoped to catch you about our away mission." He looked equal parts nervous and keen, typical of her fellow ensign.

"Well, we've got a few hours, I assume you just received orders."

Boimler nodded, holding up his padd. "I see that you are on the away mission."

Beckett grinned, "Well I do know a bit about working with Klingons."

"There is not a lot of information…"

Beckett cut him off with a wave, "It's…well it is a pretty serious one, Bioms. I can share a little bit with you. Just not here in the corridor. Let's find Tendi and Rutherford and we can exchange notes."

oOoOo

"Magic?" Boimler asked with an unhappy expression. "They can't be serious!"

Tendi frowned slightly as she read the notes from the Enterprise's science team. "It's biological energy…wow, that is pretty interesting. I'd like to experiment on…oh…oh no. This is terrible!"

Rutherford looked up in concern, "Tendi?"

"The Federation experimented on sentients! It was a Federation science outpost that the Klingons rescued them from," Tendi looked sick, dropping her Padd onto the table.

"A rogue science outpost," corrected Beckett. "That is what is being investigated. Along with what Romulan and Human, let's call them enhanced, were doing working together and attacking Starfleet and Klingon ships. Ransom was pretty clear that this could be dangerous."

"Well, it is Starfleet," added Boimler. "It is interesting that Black and Potter are from a hidden culture. Not the first time Starfleet has encountered that."

"Emma Kelly…she is an orphan. Her parents were killed in the attack on the Enterprise. No living relatives and she's been adopted by a Klingon family," Tendi read aloud. "Is that normal Mariner?"

Mariner shrugged, "I've heard of it and the Klingons I've met are pretty family-orientated. Family is important."

Rutherford was reading what looked like the engineering notes attached to the briefing. When he looked up he looked a bit annoyed, "Commander Billups will be busy installing these new shield units. I'm sorry I'm going to miss it. This exotic energy stuff is pretty interesting. Although the engineering team the Klingons have is pretty switched on."

"And these…enhanced, are still willing to work with us?" Boimler asked with a head shake. "After they got royally screwed over. So that is a good sign, right?"

Mariner shrugged, "From what is in the briefing they don't trust the Federation all that much, which is understandable."

Tendi sat up a bit straighter, "Well, we will have some time to make friends and help them understand their abilities."

"Speaking of abilities, I still haven't had a chance to meet our newest science officer. So spill Tendi," Mariner gestured to the Orion science specialist.

"T'Lyn…she's nice enough but she has been fairly busy getting up to speed on Starfleet regulations and working on bringing our scanner range up to her standards. Oh, I should mention that she was transferred off her last ship because she saved it using something other than pure logic!"

Boimler grinned, "So she is a Vulcan version of Mariner?"

oOoOo

After finally being allowed aboard the Klingon Starbase with Sirius and Emma, Harry had expected the new environment would be a nice change. Although he had found that the Klingon starbase was similar enough to a Klingon ship. But different enough and bigger so that he needed to ask directions (twice) to reach his assigned room.

He had received a few odd looks (no doubt a human in a Klingon uniform was an oddity) but nobody said anything. The room was spartan (no surprise there) but significantly larger than the one on the ship. The bunk was somewhat larger and he had a small utilitarian table and chair. The bathroom was however almost identical to the one he used before. Disappointing but he would live.

His few belongings were quickly packed away and he found himself sitting on his bunk without any idea what to do next

L'kor had been clear that he was not to go wandering and that there would be a briefing later. He and Emma had been literally sent to their rooms to unpack.

Before he realised it he was lying down and almost asleep.

Which was of course when the door chime sounded.

To his surprise, it was L'kor's father and two other Klingons. He had met his adopted mother's father briefly and found that the older Klingon reminded him of D'Mek, although slightly less gruff.

Larkan and the two arrivals, the elder L'kor's uncle (Kol) and the younger her cousin, Botar. Both were serving in the Klingon Defence Fleet. Which didn't surprise him as L'kor had said that she came from a military family. They were here to congratulate him on his blood adoption and to talk about his responsibilities. Harry was grateful that he had paid attention during his crash course in Klingon culture.

As a son of his new house, he had protection as well as responsibilities. He had been asked to speak of what he knew and so he had explained what he had been taught by his Klingon tutors.

He received the impression that they had been pleased or at least satisfied with the answers.

"The time will come when you can see the Klingon homeworld. But for now, your place is here. Kolana is a good officer and a member of a very traditional house. I expect she will see to your education if L'kor and Sirius need help," Larkan then pinned an emblem on Harry's chest. It was his adopted family's house symbol…now his as well.

"Act with honour, son of my house."

After several rounds of backslapping the three Klingons left, as they needed to meet with several female relatives, who Harry would meet later, before meeting with the station commander.

He was still awake when L'kor, Sirius and a subdued-looking Emma collected him for his meeting with Kolana. While they made their way through the station he asked what had happened.

"I met Erohl, L'kor's mother…she is a bit intense but she agreed with the adoption," Emma explained quietly. "I'll tell you all about it later."

Harry quickly explained his own meeting and agreed that they should talk later.

The Commander's office was large, far larger than anything possible on a ship. Several weapons were mounted on the wall and there were even several paintings and images of people alongside them.

Commander Kolana was tall and solidly built. She looked like a typical Klingon warrior except she was smiling, seemingly in amusement at their appearance.

"I am Commander Kolana, Welcome to Starbase Batar."

L'kor handled the introductions. As they were introduced Kolana studied each of them for a few moments.

"I greet you…and now we have much to discuss and I have many questions before the Starfleet people arrive."

What followed was a four-hour discussion about Harry, Emma, Sirius, magic, Romulans and L'kors research.

"I have read your engineering notes and D'Mek's reports but it does help to hear it first hand. I think our research capability on the station will accelerate your work, L'kor. Now, this Starfleet ship…the Cerritos. Are we convinced that they will be of assistance?" Kolana asked L'kor.

"We shall see," L'kor replied with a shrug. "They seem…trustworthy."

"The Admiral and her team will be closely working with the research crew. We can certainly keep an eye on them. Collins is involved with Starfleets research division, her team looks competent. It is the liaison team that sparks my interest. One name in particular, Ensign Mariner. When I ran their names through fleet intelligence I found that she is a former Starfleet Black Ops prodigy…well connected in Starfleet and yet she remains an ensign. I would be concerned that she was an intelligence operative but the people who know say that she was badly injured in a mission gone bad and she remained on regular fleet duty. Her being a part of this liaison team implies that they are sending people who can protect you. I'd suggest that Beckett at least is honourable."

L'kor and Sirius exchanged a look before Sirius replied, "We'll bear that in mind."

They didn't get that much of a break before the Starfleet team were scheduled to beam in.

oOoOo