Chapter 722

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs looked at the screen, it was showing the Kah'less in its slow tumble and facing them. The screen suddenly flared with the incoming fire and the ship lurched violently. It was so violent that everyone was thrown from their chairs on the bridge. The lights went out and circuits blew out in various places on the bridge.

The emergency lighting came on and Jacobs picked himself up. "What happened?"

Santini said, "Computers are rebooting, my standby instruments are showing that the Warp reactor is offline, the impulse reactor has scrammed, and something is wrong with the Starboard nacelle. It's not registering at all."

Some of the displays started coming back online. Maya said, "Verified. I'm looking at sensor logs now. The Klingons fired their weapon, it narrowly missed."

Leonaidas said, "That was a miss?"

Jacobs said to Bragg, "Get us out of the way. JJ, call the Excalibur. We'll need them."

Bragg said, "I'm trying. Helm is unresponsive. Going to manual." Bragg started working the manual thruster controls. "I need a sighting."

Jacobs looked at Grimm. Grimm said, "Sensors are offline."

Jacobs got up and walked to the port periscope. He lowered it into position and started searching. "There, I have it now."

Briggs noted the position of the periscope and started working the thrusters. Santini turned around and said, "Captain…"

Jacobs looked up from the scope. "Yes?"

"The Starboard nacelle, it's severely damaged."

Jacobs asked, "How long until repair?"

"I don't think it can be repaired. I'm looking at visuals. The nacelle has been slagged. The parts are all melted together somehow." Santini said.

Jacobs shook his head. "Let's get clear and find out what works. We are not done with the fight yet. Dom, the priorities are impulse drive then tractor beam.
"Aye aye, sir.

BRIDGE

IKV KAH'LESS

The screen flared with the flash of the weapon; Kroth was expecting to see a fireball with expanding debris. He saw that infernal ship slowly tumbling to the right. The right nacelle was scorched and deformed. But somehow that ship was still alive. "Reload!"

"We can't, that section is depressurized!"

Kroth flopped back in his seat, he had shot the best shot he could, and had missed. "How far into the atmosphere is the periapsis?"

The navigator said, "Thirty kalikams."

Kroth's heart sank. They are going to be in too deep.

COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER

USS EXCALIBUR

RENDEZVOUS POINT 1

Adama was leaning over the table when the turbolift opened and Commander Chu walked in with handcuffs being escorted by two Swordsmen. They escorted Chu up to the front of the table. Adama stood upright and said, "Admiral Adama, Fifth Fleet."

Chu stated, "Commander Chu. How dare you…."

Adama said, "I am in charge now, commander. First, I want…"

Chu angrily said, "We will not surrender."

Adama shook his head, "I am not going to ask you to surrender." Chu looked bewildered. "I am sending you back to the lone survivor of your fleet, a bird-of-prey. The ship has been, as you would put it, 'de-fanged'. You have no weapons on board and only navigation shields."

Chu asked suspiciously. "Why?"

"That ship has already witnessed our nuclear mine detonating in your command room. That was the large box that the commando team placed." The two Swordsmen smirked at that comment. "Your base is completely destroyed. Your fleet has been completely destroyed. There is one more act I wish you to witness. Your bird-of-prey is already recording this, but I want you over here to show you personally."

With that Adama nodded at Ressler, who activated a big screen. It showed the Kah'less slowly tumbling as it fell in towards the gas giant. "The current periapsis is thirty kilometers inside the atmosphere."

Chu looked at the screen. "The crew?"

"They refused to come off the ship. We have tried to talk them off, but they won't come. They won't even use their escape pods." Admiral Adama said.

Chu smirked, "The Klingon spirit. You have no idea…."

"Actually, I do. I find this the most honorable thing that I have witnessed from Klingons the past month. Part of why I want you to witness this is to honor them." The outside of the Kah'less started glowing as it entered the atmosphere.

Chu looked at the dying ship. It was not long until it was trailing a glowing streak behind it. Ressler widened out the view for a better look at the totality of the reentry. There was an explosion and more parts falling off. What a waste. Kroth was inept. They watched in silence until the glowing mass was obscured by the clouds of the gas giant. Adama said to Ressler, "Tell Captain Jackson to move us to observe when it emerges."

Chu looked at Adama. Adama said, "We estimate it will emerge in thirty-two minutes. This is more for me rather than you. I want to verify the Kah'less is completely destroyed. When the hulk emerges, we should only scan neutronium. Then we will tractor it more to circularize the orbit inside the atmosphere."

Chu asked, "What?"

"We are going to put that hunk of neutronium outside your reach."

"Why all this?"

Adama said, "We have totally destroyed your invasion force, we have destroyed the base that it was launched from, and lastly, we have destroyed the ship that led that whole battle action. Add to that, we now have a D7S and will fashion a defense against your stasis technology. I want you to take a message that can only be conveyed by a warrior and not over subspace:

"The Klingons have declared war dishonorably; they have fought dishonorably. They count on our cowardice and our lack of resolve." Adama stated. There was silence for a while as he thought. "Commander Chu, I believe that actions speak louder than words. You are a witness to our actions. I want you to think about that." Looking at the Swordsmen he said, "Get him out of here."

"Admiral!" Chu protested. Adama turned his back as the Swordsmen drug the Klingon out.

Ressler asked, "Why didn't you tell them 'or else'."

Adama said, "Because I want them to wonder what we will do. With enemies like this they need to fear you, then respect will follow later."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

ONE DAY LATER

"USS Wisconsin Captain's log, Stardate 7591.1. The Fifth Fleet is leaving the Klingon base. The operation was a complete success. We have sustained damage and casualties, however the order for the fleet to attack was in the principle of calculated risk. We have definitely inflicted much more damage to the Klingon Empire than what we ourselves have lost. That may not come as a comfort to the families of those that we lost, but then again it may comfort them somewhat to know that the sacrifices that the fleet endured were not in vain. We destroyed the Battleship Kah'less. The weapon that it had we still have no idea how it was fashioned or if the Klinons can fashion more, but assuming that weapon was unique we have managed to put it out of reach of the Klingons for what we think is forever. Over the last day the fleet has taken turns in applying tractor beams to modify the orbit of the neutronium device to where it is now spiraling down into the gas giant in this system. The device's orbit no longer comes out of the atmosphere, it is so far in the atmosphere as to not be able to get a tractor lock on it anymore. We can still sense the position indirectly, and have determined it is slowly spiraling down toward the core of the gas giant, lost forever.

"The other objective of capturing the D7S has been accomplished. The D7S is now being tractored at warp speed by the Excalibur, with a complement of Excalibur Security personnel onboard along with some of our engineering staff to assure life support. The D7S promises to be a treasure trove of information especially with what appears to be a fully functioning Stasis device. This device has been a serious concern by Starfleet and now we can determine countermeasures to the device.

"A bonus objective to this operation was the complete destruction of a base. The base was capable of in-field major overhauls of several ships along with support and supplies for many other ships. This base we believe has been the Black fleet base that has plagued this sector ever since the Organian Treaty was first signed. Another bonus was the complete destruction of the ships that were at the base for maintenance, save a Bird-of-Prey.

"Admiral Adama has released the Base Commander, Chu to the Bird of Prey and sent it back to the Klingon Council. In typical Admiral Adama fashion, he kept the message brief.

Jacobs paused for a while and looked around the bridge. All eyes were on him. "And finally, I want to say that I am extremely proud of this ship and crew. Over the last year we have been tested and have grown together. This action has proven to me that the Wisconsin is the best ship in the fleet and I am very proud to be part of this crew. Jacobs out."

Leonaidas nodded. "Thank you, Captain."

Jacobs smiled. He turned to Santini. "Have you determined our best speed yet?"

"Warp 4. Best I can give you with a slagged warp nacelle and damaged systems."

Lt Hornblower said, "That puts it 140 hrs until Starbase 5."

Jacobs nodded. "JJ, please let the Admiral know our best speed. Let's see if we are the slowest ship or if there is someone else."

KLINGON HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBER

QO'NOS

Chancellor Bogkor thrusted his D'k Tagh, a Klingon knife, up under Chu's sternum impaling the heart and slicing it in half. The move was practiced ever since childhood, and while it is not used that often in combat, it was used in ceremonial executions. Bogkor held Chu up with the knife as the two looked in each other's eyes while Chu died. In a quick move, Bogkor withdrew the knife and allowed Chu's body to fall to the floor. Chu was not afraid in the end and died with honor. "Your honor is restored Commander Chu." Bogkor motioned to a couple of orderlies to take the body away.

Torf was the first Council member to say anything. "The whole operation stinks of incompetence."

Another Council member added, "This operation was a complete disaster! How many resources did we lose that we could have used against the Cardassians?"

A third yelled, "We all voted for this! Now we must stand together."

Torf snapped, "A few of us did not want this action against the Federation, and we voted against it! It was the foolish leadership of Bogkor that drug us into this!"

Bogkor yelled at Torf, "Do you finally challenge me Torf?"

Torf shook his head. "No, that is for Kang to do." All murmurings ceased with the mention of Kang's name. Torf continued. "I have just received word that Kang has just beamed down and is on his way here."

Bogkor fought back fear. "We will adjourn and…"

Torf shook his head, "Kang has claimed a Dahar Master's right of honor. All will stay."

The room was silent. This had not been done in living memory. Shortly later, the doors opened and in strode Kang. And Kor was beside him. Behind the two were many more Klingons. All were Dahar Masters. In fact, it looked like all of the living Dahar masters. Bogkor thought to himself that Kang was playing exactly to tradition.

Kang and Kor walked to the center of the circle of the Klingon High Council. The Dahar Masters formed a second circle outside of the High Council. At the head was Chancellor Bogkor. Kang faced Bogkor finally. Bogkor said, "Are you here to pull off a coup?"

Kang said loudly, "I am here to answer the offense that Chancellor Bogkor has done to my family."

Bogkor sneered and said, "You are here for political reasons. Face it, you want to be Chancellor."

Kang looked squarely into Bogkor's eyes. "My motivation is Personal. You have insulted my family and I challenge you to restore my honor." He spoke with iron in his voice.

Bogkor said, "Then why do you need all these others here? Personal challenges are one-to-one. Are you scared of me, Kang?" He said with the best sneering smile he could do.

Kang said so sternly it was unnerving to Bogkor. "They are for the second challenge. I will levy that after I kill you. You did an operation against my Jup-qorDu. You knew that Captain Jacobs was my Jup-qorDu and yet performed an operation personally against him."

Bogkor tried to think. Kor surely has not told everything. Kang would have killed him. Maybe they could exploit that. "You claim a human as Jup-qorDu?"

Kang said firmly and without hesitation. "Captain Jacobs saved my wife's life and our unborn son at the risk of his own life." He could hear some scoffed at the notion. "Captain Jacobs' action was incredibly heroic and selfless. He did this knowing that he probably could die. To remind you all, my wife was dragged off a building and started to fall. He dove after her, saving her life."

"How could he have saved her life by falling also?" Bogkor sneered.

Kang turned and looked him in the eye. Bogkor instantly felt small. "He somehow contacted his ship and they transported him after he intercepted Mara." Kang looked at Mara. "It was an incredible feat to witness."

"Impossible! To get a transporter lock on a falling object." One council member said.

Kang kept his eyes on Bogkor. "I would think so too. It shows he has extreme confidence in his crew. It also shows he is not afraid to risk his life for the mission. Which one of you would perform such a feat?" Kang saw one Bogkor supporter breathe in as though to speak. "Choose your words carefully. If you say you would do as he, the Dahar Masters have authorized a test, repeating the circumstances." It was a nice trap. No one could idly say they would, but by keeping silent, they are also saying they did not trust Klingon technology, training, or themselves. Kang kept his eyes on Bogkor, "You all held your tongues well. For this act, how could I not honor him? To not honor him would be disgusting."

Bogkor said, "You can choose what filth you want as friends. I choose Klingons."

Kang nodded. "I will choose people of honor. I offer you this, you either take the test and assuming you live I will ritually kill myself. Or you battle me now. If you want to call Jacobs filth, you must earn that right."

Bogkor was trapped. He could not get out of this. He knew if he took the test Kang proposed, he would surely die. If Bogkor took the test at least he could also put the 'filth' label on Jacobs. But he wanted to live. At least he could have a chance of living by accepting the Challenge of Kang now. He could not avoid the challenge, there was no way to avoid it. Bogkor held out his hand to his side. One of his assistants walked up with his Bat'leth and placed it in his hand. "I want to fight you. How dare you challenge me."

Kang did not smile. He was all business. Kang reached behind him and drew out his Bat'leth. There was no declared 'start' of the fight. It had already begun. Bogkor stepped down from his throne and started moving to the left inside the standing Council members. Kang slowly circled also. Bogkor made a lunge with a sweeping motion of the Bat'leth which Kang deftly dodged. Kang swung his Bat'leth and hit Bogkor squarely in the back of his skull with his Bat'leth, but with the backside. It was like hitting his skull with a hammer. Bogkor fell and slid to a stop with his hand touching his wound. The blood was seeping out and his head throbbed with pain. Bogkor stood up knowing that he escaped death. "What's wrong Kang? Don't you know which side is the dangerous side?"

Kang rotated the Bat'leth and said, "I do not want the end to happen too quickly. Captain Jacobs endured much pain at your orders. Kor told me everything. Including how he warned you that Jacobs was Jup-qorDu for me. You made the choice knowing it would enrage me."

Bogkor said, "You will make a mistake and I will take full advantage of it." Bogkor made a lunge at Kang. Kang stepped to the side and took one of the tips of the Bat'leth and stabbed Bogkor in the lower left leg. Bogkor fell to the floor with a yelp and rolled back upright, limping.

Kang did not say a word. Bogkor tried a different tactic. "What about you and Kor? The two of you have had a long feud. You should have killed him. Is your Klingon blood growing thin?"

Kang waited for another lunge. Kang stepped to the other side and delivered a light blow to the left kneecap. The blade broke the skin and gouged inside the bone. The pain was intense and showed up on Bogkor's face. Right now, Bogkor's face also had pain plus rage in it. The time was not yet. "Kor apologized."

Bogkor let out a sarcastic laugh, "That is all it takes? A human apology? This human I truly underestimate. He has the power to make Klingons apologize like human weaklings."

Kor was about to say something but Kang held up a hand stopping him. "Chancellor, you have no idea. Kor is truly gifted in spreading the Word. I am not. To put it plainly, it was not Jacobs that changed Kor and I, it was the God of Jacobs that changed us." Bogkor made another lunge which Kang dodged then used a fist strike on Bogkor's face to bloody his lip.

"A human God? You make me laugh!" Bogkor took a painful swipe at Kang, but Kang spun out of the way and swung his own Bat'leth at the left hip, hitting him with the blunt side powerfully. It did not break the skin, but the impact was firmly on the bone, making Bogkor limp further in pain. The pain was now all along his left side. It was searing to put pressure on his left leg.

Kang managed a powerful swipe with the blunt side of the sword on Bogkor's chest. The strike was so powerful as to dent his chest armor, and even breaking a rib. The pain was searing inside Bogkor. Kang added, "What's wrong Bogkor? I thought you were rated as one of the best with the Bat'leth?" Kang was actually amazed that he hadn't even endured a touch by Bogkor. "I may be a Dahar Master, but I know you pride yourself on your prowess with the blade. Give up now and I will let you live. I will spare you in the name of the God of Jacobs."

Bogkor painfully turned and said, "I will never acknowledge a human God. You are weak, Kang. Your Klingon blood grows thin." Bogkor tried to do a lunging stab.

Kang dodging to the right of Bogkor, dropped his sword and grabbed Bogkor's Bat'leth at his right and in one swift motion, Kang drew Bogkor's hand into his gut, fixing it firmly. Kang spun to the right taking a step backwards breaking Bogkor's right elbow. The pain caused Bogkor to let go of the sword. Kang continued the spin flipping the sword around and smacked Bogkor in the back of the legs squarely with the sharp side of the Bat'leth. The strike went clear to the bone and broke both of his legs below the knees. Bogkor fell awkwardly to the ground and rolled writhing in pain. When he was face up, Kang placed a well-timed strike with the tip of the Bat'leth right in the heart of Bogkor, piercing his armor and going clear to the back. Bogkor's eyes went wide with astonishment and pain. Bogkor let out his last breath. Kang left the Bat'leth in Bogkor's chest, it was standing near vertical.

Kang turned and looked around the Council. He eyed each member. He finally stopped on the Moderator. The Moderator nodded solemnly, "Honor is served. This was in order. Kang, do you now claim the Chancellorship?"

Kang shook his head, "No, there is more business first." Kang looked around the High Council. "There is a cancer in this chamber. A cancer that has grown to the point that caused the Klingon Empire to commit many dishonorable acts. That cancer is the Black Fleet."

General Chang was in the council chamber as the military advisor to the Council. He could feel his blood turn cold at the mention of the Black Fleet. One of the council members said, "We got rid of that months ago!"

Kang turned. "It lives."

Kang looked at Kor. "Which is why I am here." The room was quiet before with whispers and people shifting their weight or moving around. It suddenly turned quiet as a tomb.

Kor looked at the Moderator. "I am here to add my voice to Kang's in this accusation."

The Moderator nodded and looked at the Dahar Masters. "That is in order. You will face the challenge with Kang as well." The Moderator thought to mention that the Dahar Masters were not to interfere, but stopped that thought quickly. If he voiced it one of the Dahar Masters would kill him for impugning their honor. Actually, they all would kill him. "You are not a witness but an accuser. Proceed."

Kor nodded. "I am here because I participated in some Black Fleet operations over the years. My most recent operation I did for the Chancellor was not a Black Fleet operation but was dishonorable nonetheless. One of its objectives was to place the Empire in a position that we would have to attack the Federation. That was done with full knowledge of some Council members."

"I admitted all this to Kang, asking for his forgiveness." Kor stated.

"Kang's forgiveness must come cheap." Klob said glibly.

Kor smiled sinisterly. He picked it out perfectly. "Would you like to try to ask his forgiveness?"

Klob's mouth slammed shut. Does he continue his smart-alec statement and openly admit he is Black Fleet? Or does he keep his mouth shut and leave the implication hanging? Klob said nothing.

Kor nodded. "Klob is Black Fleet!" The Council erupted in shouts. The Moderator quieted things down. Klob said, "You will pay for this!"

Kor smiled anticipatingly. "Perhaps, but I'm not done yet. Thalg is Black Fleet as well. Farg was too."

Farg's replacement, Kirsh, said loudly, "I have no knowledge of Farg's involvement in the Black Fleet!"

Kor nodded, "I am not accusing you. Do you join in the challenge against us or not?"

Kirsh was trapped. He borderlined on openly challenging Kor. But Kor truly did not know if Farg was Black Fleet or not. If he challenged, it was three vs Kang and Kor. He did not like those odds. Kirsh was not going to die over what his predecessor kept secret. "I do not."

General Chang looked around. So far Kor was batting a hundred percent. Would Kor name him? Chang never went on a Black Fleet op with Kor and as far Chang knew Kor had no knowledge of Chang's being part of the Black Fleet. Kor continued. "And Lukuth."

Kor added, "I am expanding my accusation to include the council members that authorized my mission against Captain Jacobs."

The Moderator said, "Are you sure? This will increase the number against you and Kang."

Kang said. "It is a matter of honor because it is all related. The Black fleet op against me at Maghreb, the Black fleet op at Organia, the op against my Jup-qorDu. All were designed to be part of dragging the Empire into a war with the Federation. The Federation is no threat to us! We were the ones that have done continual operations against the Federation testing them. It is disgusting to me that Klingon Honor means nothing in the galaxy."

Kor added, "The Klingon Empire was feared because of our might and our honor. We have been naturally distrustful of aliens for a millennium, but we never broke our honor. Aliens may not like us, but they knew that if they did not bother a Klingon, they would not incur Klingon wrath." Kor looked at the Dahar Masters. They nodded their agreement. "Now, we are known as the thugs of the galaxy. We are the bullies, the terror makers. This must stop." The chamber was quiet.

Kor looked at the Moderator. "Moderator, because we believe the events are tied, they must be accused together. We know it means more against us, but sobeit." The Moderator nodded agreement. Kor continued, "To be clear, I am not calling out the members that voted for war, but the ones who were manipulating behind the scenes because they were present when I received orders against Jacobs. The council members are Kron, Dib, Sarth, Lakh, Sern."

The Moderator said, "To be clear. You Kang and You Kor accuse Klob, Thalg, Kron, Lukuth, Dib, Sarth, Lakh, and Sern of dishonorable acts manipulating the Empire into dishonorable actions, to make it simple."

Kor nodded. The moderator continued, "Those named step forward, all others stand back. Kang and Kor take the center of the chamber."

The Moderator asked. "The severity of the charges raised demands this be to the death. This will last until one side is completely destroyed. Combat begins NOW!"

All pulled out their Bat'leths. The eight accused quickly moved to evenly circle Kang and Kor. Kang and Kor stood back-to-back and quickly looked around. The eight accused were smiling in anticipation of the quick battle. Suddenly Kang and Kor lunged sideways together and swung their Bat'leths at two of the members. It was Sern and Thalg. Thalg was quick to parry the attack from Kang but Sern wasn't quick and didn't match sword against sword well and Kor's sword slid down the side and skinned Sern on the right arm. It was painful, bloody but no real damage. That did not stop Sern from yelling in pain.

Several members did overhead swipes which were blocked by Kor and Kang holding their Bat'leths level. Kor yelled, "Left!" Kang and Kor pushed the crowd to the left then spun right swinging the Bat'leths. Kor swung low and kept his head low while Kang swung high, taking advantage of the two's height difference. Kor hit Lakh in the knees, cutting his right leg off and severely slicing his left knee severely. Lakh let out a yell and fell to the ground bleeding profusely and grabbing his left knee while rolling. Kang hit Kron squarely in the neck quickly decapitating him.

Kang reached down and grabbed the bloody leg of Lakh and tossed it into the group. It did not do much except dribble blood around. Kang knew the blood fever would hit the Klingon anatomy and excite them like a shark does in a feeding frenzy. Kor continued his spin around as he raised up and hit Thalg and Klob's Bat'leths squarely. Thalg said, "Kor, you treacherous scum. You will die for this!"

Kor took the brief moment and said, "Thalg, I was treacherous. Now I am free and am loyal to the Empire. Unlike you!"

Thalg roared just as Kor reached down with his left hand and drew his D'k Tagh knife and stabbed Thalg in the left side. He managed to get in to the lung. Kor quickly pulled his knife out and quickly sheathed it again. Kor somehow felt motion to his right, which should have been Kang and instinctively ducked. Kang's blade came across and hit Dib in the left arm, cutting it off and slicing into his left side. Dib dropped to a knee and his Bat'leth fell clattering on the floor.

Klob had a powerful swing coming in from Kang's left. Kang managed to unstick his Bat'leth from Dib and get the tip in the way just enough to absorb most of the blow. There was enough energy in the blow to hit Kang just below the shoulder, leaving a bleeding gash. Kang drew his D'k Tagh and stabbed Klob in Klob's temple, killing him instantly.

Kor stood up swinging to the right and caught Lukuth in the right hip. Lukuth yelped and spun away in pain. Sarth tried a stabbing motion with his Bat'leth, but Kor unexpectedly let go of his Bat'leth and grabbed Sarth's arm and pulled him forward. The added pull caused Sarth to get pulled off his feet and fall forward. Kor turned and dove for his Bat'leth in a rolling maneuver, picking it up and rolling to his feet.

Kang and Kor were now separated with Kang being in the middle of the melee and Kor to one side. Dib, Lakh, Sern were between Kang and Kor, Sarth was on the floor outside of Kang getting up with Lukuth now in Kang's face. Kang swung at Lukuth with the Bat'leth which Lukuth blocked. Kang then took his left foot and kicked up and sideways connecting with Lukuth's right thigh. The toe spike that came vertically out of the boot punctured and made a large hole in Lukuth's leg gushing blood.

Sern came at Kor with a large swing, which Kor caught with his Bat'leth but instead of blocking, he redirected the path and Sern's Bat'leth continued in its arc piercing Dib in the chest. Dib fell to his knees dying before he hit the floor. Lakh swung his sword but misjudged the arc and it contacted Kor at the end of the arc, slicing only a small portion of his right arm below the shoulder.

Kang saw Sarth getting up and Dib going down realizing now was the chance to re-link up with Kor. Kang did a tumble-roll and ended up standing next to Kor with his Bat'leth ready. Both were bleeding from their wounds but looking at the remaining members. "You are injured, brother." Kor said.

Kang had his characteristic stern look on his face. "As are you brother. We are down to four. Plans?"

"Kill them." Kor said.

"That sounds like a good plan." Kang said. He saw that Sarth had regrouped with Sern, the two in the best condition. Lukuth was limping toward them and Lakh was struggling to sit up. Blood loss will take him out shortly. Kang noted the pool of blood by Lakh was the largest and said simply, "Blood."

Kor saw what he was indicating. "Agreed."

Lukuth pulled out his D'k Tagh and threw it at Kor. Kor had noticed the gross movement and leaned out of the way. Kor moved left and managed to catch Lukuth with a swing. The two locked swords and Kor pushed Lukuth to the right. At the same time, Kang had engaged Sarth and Sern and was drawing them toward Lakh. Kang dropped to the ground and kicked savagely at Sarth's left knee hitting it squarely. The knee hyperextended and Sarth tried to limp to his right. But his boot slipped on the now-slippery floor causing him to fall into Sern.

Kang drew his knife and threw it at the now-sitting up Lakh, expertly hitting between the ribs. Kor kept pushing Lukuth and now that Lukuth was on slippery footing, Kor could push him back with relative ease. Lukuth was so focused on trying not to slide he did not see Kang's swing from the left, piercing his side.

Sarth and Sern were struggling to get their footing when Kang and Kor regrouped. Looking at each other, they took a combined overhead strike down at Sarth and Sern, breaking their collarbones and digging deeply into the chest. Both died instantly.

Kang and Kor took a step back and surveyed the carnage. The exhaustion was starting to set in and they knew they had to be careful not to slip. Each one grabbed their D'k Taghs from the respective bodies and wiped them clean. They looked at the Moderator.

The Moderator stood amazed. Dahar Masters were by definition exceptional, but to start off with four to one odds against you and surrounded, they not only prevailed but with minor wounds. "It is in order. Your challenge is complete."

Kor looked at Kang. Kang looked at the Dahar Masters. They all nodded in agreement. "Be it known, the honor of Kor is restored."

The Moderator asked. "Kang, why didn't you or any of the Dahar Masters, not kill Kor for being dishonorable? Did he beg for his life?"

Kang shook his head, "No. It is not unprecedented for a Dahar Master to end up without Honor. What impressed us is that he did not beg for his life, but rather begged for us to execute him. When I approached him with this plan, sure to end in death, he was glad to be part of it."

"But you could have died as well too."

Kang nodded. "Yes, but the truth about these dishonorable men would have gotten out. This was not about me. I was just the instrument chosen to restore the Empire to honor. This had to be done."

The Moderator said, "According to tradition, you can have the Chancellorship."

Kang said, "I am a Dahar Master. I am sworn to protect the honor of the Empire. I can best do that from my ship, not from a throne."

The Moderator nodded, "Then we will begin the Rite of Succession."

Kang nodded. He looked at Kor, who walked up to his side. The two of them walked out of the circle toward the doors to the hall. Kang looked at Torf. "Thank you. You are a faithful friend. Do well, Torf."

"And you Kang."

Kang looked at Mara, who looked like she could give birth any day. "It is good to see you, wife."

Mara looked back, "It is good to see you husband."

"Let's go home. We have a guest tonight. Mara, meet Kor."

Mara had got the message many days ago that Kang and Kor settled their feud. She also just witnessed the battle the two had shared. "Kor will be welcome at our house."