THE WARLORD-A Thin Veneer: The Knife's Edge

by AlbertG

Summary: The continuation of 'A Thin Veneer'. the war between the Minbari and the Federation comes to a conclusion. But the Federation is there and there are forces that are not pleased with their presence. Cultural; differences clash and the tension increases. Pandora's box is opened. In the center is a fulcrum, one man James T. Kirk. The Warlord.

3. Chapter 3

A Thin Veneer: A knife's Edge-The Warlord

Chapter Three

Earth Alliance Sector

Courtor System

Becerra Alpha One

Admiral Bennet's face was a mask of controlled fury as he continued his discussion with his counterpart sitting in his office. The man's rage was not directed against Kerla and the Klingon was aware of this. But it surprised the Klingon that this Human could express anger like his own people.

"And that isn't the most concerning problem," Bennet continued. "The reason why the admiral sent us everything was because she feared what the Vorlons might do. The Vorlons here have shown hostilities against us because we exist, according to Medusan Ambassador Kolos. He's warned us that they are a future threat, one not to be ignored. Janeway was worried enough about them and the other threats to send us technological data a hundred twenty years or more in advance of our current capabilities. The Klingon captain did the same," he said as he slid a PADD over to the brigadier. "It contains his logs, records, thoughts, technology, and the state of the Empire in that future timeline."

Kerla grabbed the PADD and placed it in his pocket. It was a gift he would protect with his life.

"Those are the smaller issues," and both men looked dangerous. "There are more issues we need to address. The first is the Temporal cold war, which is affecting us. There is a war going on and we are being affected by it every day. That war is beyond our control, but there are other higher forces dealing with that. This same war exists in our reality. Janeway stressed that in her timeline, there have been significant alterations from the Earth-Romulan war to the history of the Federation, to physical changes in your people. none of us are who we originally were."

Kerla wanted to scream, but it would be a waste of time. All his people could do was to keep watch and hope they weren't all destroyed. The helplessness enraged him.

Bennett's voice turned slow and measured. "The reason why you are here, why I have all of these precautions is in this report, is here." He handed another PADD to the Klingon. Kerla read it and he paled, which Bennett didn't think was physically possible.

After a few minutes of hard reading, he looked up towards the admiral.: I understand," he rumbled. "You think they are here, among us."

"I have no proof. Only suspicions."

Kerla nodded. "That is enough."

"in that future timeline and universe, Starfleet command was compromised and gutted by those aliens. we know very little about them, but we do know this. They play the long game. We're talking a hundred years or more before they make their move. The aliens are not like the Trill, as some might believe. These are arthropod-like creatures. They enter through the mouth, burrow into the brain and take over the body. They have almost complete control according to the records. But they have incomplete memories of their hosts. And they have a small breathing gill that extends from the nape of the neck. We don't know the physiology of the creatures or how many kinds there are. Two kinds of aliens were seen. The smaller ones and one larger creature who consumed the host and wore the body like a shell. There is some speculation that it was a mother creature. That may not be true. The small one might grow into the creature that consumed its host. They weren't sure. A most of the creatures were small, although they were in their hosts for the same amount of time as the larger alien and showed no signs of growth. What we know is that they consume their hosts and play them like puppets until they burn out or die. We assume that they acquire new hosts to inhabit. If they are expelled, the host, if they've survived, has no recollection of being infected. Control is total according to the Klingon captain from the future. These aliens can run through a world of billions in less than ten years. They are chronic aggressors. The Imperixe's empire is vast. They've destroyed entire worlds in their universe. Their empire is vast, and I suspect they are infiltrating the Federation, and your people, and I believe they are here, among us. I also cannot rule out that either they are here in this sector of space, brought by us, or have discovered this sector on their own."

Kerla was deep in thought. This was an enemy that hid in the shadows and struck from behind.

"Before the war, the Federation was changing. We were becoming a strictly defensive force, focused primarily on exploration. Aggressive actions were discouraged. New weapons development was being frowned upon, or its research hindered. Dedicated combat training was slowly being phased out, as it was believed to give the wrong impression to the rest of the galaxy. Our peace-keeping armada was slowly being dismantled, at least until this war. Its focus was being re-oriented towards a purely exploratory based organization. Recently, the PAAP organizations has increased the pressure." The admiral paused, thinking over his comments. "This could be a social trend. The changes happening over the last ten years have been slow, almost unnoticeable to anyone not paying attention.

The Klingon smiled cautiously as he began to put things together. "This war has changed things not only for the Empire, but for Starfleet as well. Warships are being built, weapons being developed and improved, and technology being advanced because of it.

"Starfleet as a defensive only force is being shoved aside," he grumbled. Still steeped in thought, he rose from his chair and turned to the small synthesizer placed in the corner of the room and requested water. He retrieved his glass and sat back down, swirling the liquid in the glass.

"Do you know why we Klingons drink so much blood wine?" he asked the admiral. "It is to get the taste of our water burns our mouths. Too many chemicals and toxins. Ruined the taste. Admiral, we needed this war. we need to change our people. the Empire is slowly becoming an empty shell of itself. There is incompetence and corruption within and for those who have eyes to see, it has worsened over the last ten years. I have seen this, but have said nothing."

He now had Bennetts complete attention. "But since the war began, there has been growing dissatisfaction among some of the houses. They oppose working with the Federation." He nodded. "Understandable. Two houses refused to join the war and tried to convince the council to abandon it. They claim that the Klingon people must strike at the Federation while you are distracted. The Council is not convinced," he said. "All but one of the council members. Until recently, he was eager to prosecute the war with the Federation."

"So, there has been small changes in the Empire as well," Bennett said to a slowly nodding Kerla. "If what I suspect is true, then the war has caused this enemy to change their timetable. Both our people are becoming stronger by the day."

"Yes, but only if what you suspect is true." Kerla clenched his fists so hard, the fingernails drew blood. He was quiet for a few minutes. "We wouldn't have known, if not for the information from the ships from the future time line."

"We kept that information secret. My fears might be an unfounded conspiracy theory, but I intend to find out. We've sent ships to an area of space, mapped out by the Voyager database. It's twenty thousand light years away."

"Thirty years away from our territories," Kerla said. "It will give us time to determine if what we believe to be true, is true. But it is closer to this territory than it is to ours."

"Yes. This war may have brought this area of space to their attention. If they do exist, we have to be very careful not to tip our hand. Only a select few will know, and for them precautions will be made. These aliens are insidious. They infect, lower-ranking members such as transporter chiefs and medical staff. They work their way up the chains from there."

"We need to confirm their existence and then confirm if they are within our ranks." He swore softly. "This will be difficult. Cautious paranoia shall become our friend."

Bennett nodded. "One other thing," the Admiral growled. "General Chang."

Kerla blew pour a breath before he started to swear. "What has he done?"

Chi Draconis Star system- Minbar

USS Enterprise

"We do need a little time," Kirk told the Minbari present on the bridge. "Until that encounter with the Metrons, I wasn't sure if there was hope for the Human race. But those words helped me understand who and what we were and what we could be. Humanity is still half savage," he explained. "We are able to forgive, but we still remember, and we will not allow our complacency to destroy what we're trying to build," he told them as he glued himself to the viewscreen.

"At last count, twenty-eight plus million people died on the Regulus colony alone. Since this started, millions of Minbari, Ashen, Humans, members of the Federation and others have died. I intend to be the one to end this now. I know my purpose, my reason for being here," he said.

Admiral Kirk was now giving them his full attention. "I'm half-savage, and I acknowledged it and I choose not to let it rule me. Twenty-eight million plus and you glory in it. What does that make you? Does it make you half savage or the mindless primitive? One of your Minbari assassins, who traveled with the Concordat to the Alpha quadrant tried to blow up the Federation council in some foolish attempt at honor. The explosion would have gone sub-nuclear. Tens of thousands would have died. More death. more blood." His eyes flashed in righteous anger. "How much is enough?" he growled. "Let's not forget this was the third attempt, twice to kill me."

Coplann's eyes filled with even more anger. "You call yourselves half-civilized. And what will you do to the Ashen?" asked Coplann, as his curiosity got the better of him. To blurt out that question in such a blatant manner was unbecoming of him, but he couldn't help it. "You intend to kill them all. What is the difference between you and them, or my people?"

"Nothing, and everything," Kirk admitted. "Other than the fact that we can choose to kill or not to kill. Today. Our pride is everything, but we are more than the summation of our pride. We see our faults and choose not to remain slaves to them. We are optimistic, but are aware of our pessimism. We are aware of our dark halves, but we also know we need that part of us if we are to survive. We're not perfect, but we strive for perfection even though we don't know what it fully means, not yet. We, however, expect to understand what it means in the future, and we strive towards it." He glared at both Minbari now. "Your people have named me the Human Warlord. It is a name I would never choose for myself." He glared at them, more intently this time. "To you, I am the Minbari Slayer. You call me that because I stood against you. And prevailed. To your people, I am the face of the enemy. But none of you know what that name means. I do. I have seen the darkness inside me. I have seen myself," he said cryptically. I was exposed to my weakness, and my dark side. I have seen the civilized part of myself and I have seen the savage. If I must be the Warlord, then I acknowledge that name. it is better than being the savage I am capable of being," he said passionately.

Those words frightened the Minbari more than anything else he had said earlier. They believed him, as he allowed a piece of his soul to reveal itself to them.

As much as Coplann hated it, the fate of his people rested in the hands of this Human warrior. "I do not know if you Humans are inspired, or touched by madness," Coplann whispered. "Will you wipe the Minbari from the universe?"

Cadroni could see the anger in his fellow satai. But more importantly, he saw the almost pleading request coming from a warrior of the Grey Council, of the Minbari leadership. The Satai had broken and were desperately grasping for a glimmer of hope for their people. Such a display of weakness saddened Cadroni, but he truly understood how Coplann felt because those feelings were the same ones he felt.

"Will you implement your General Order of yours and remove my people from existence? What real guarantees do we have that you would honor your pledge not to kill us all?"

Kirk didn't hesitate to respond. "Starfleet Command gave me the authority to make the final decision," Kirk answered. "I admit I am a half-savage," he said as he went into lecture mode again. The Minbari chaffed a bit, but held their peace. "But I am an enlightened half-savage." Kirk glanced at both satais before his attention returned to the screen. "I keep my word, Satais. You came here and offered surrender. I've accepted on behalf of the Federation, provided that your people do their part. We are not the type to demand the deaths of all of your leaders, or ten percent of the Minbari population. We are not the monsters you pretend yourselves not to be. So much for being a matured, enlightened people on the road to becoming the first brand new, enlightened species."

Smarting at the embarrassing but truthful insult, he remained outwardly impassive. He was in no position to do otherwise. Coplann believed the man and what he had just said, but it wasn't enough. He still needed reassurance. "Admiral, you continually mention at every given opportunity, the twenty-eight million people my forces killed," Cadroni said impassively. "How can you not seek vengeance on our people?" He looked utterly confused. "We would not do the same." "

"You made that quite clear in your speech to Becerra Alpha One," Kirk countered. "A civilized society must maintain a balance between war and peace. We must honor that balance, or all of our high-sounding words mean nothing." He turned to his helmsman. "Time, lieutenant."

"Four minutes, sixteen seconds, mark," Valeris responded in classic Vulcan form.

"You labeled me a Warlord. You did not label me a mindless butcher. I'm a monster, but there are rules. And, that makes a difference."

"Wisdom is more important than high-sounding words," Coplann chided. "Do you believe that this suicidal strategy will end this?" the satai asked, although it wasn't a question. "And you call us arrogant," he sniffed. "The Ashen will cripple your fleet and we can do nothing but watch as you are wiped from the battlefield. You will have no one to blame but yourself." He glared at the Human admiral. His next words shocked even him. "I thought better of you."

For an instant, Kirk's piercing hazel-colored eyes snapped towards the Minbari leader and then just as quickly turned back to studying the screen.

"Satai Coplann, when you came aboard my ship, it was under the conditions that I would offer you the hospitality of the Federation until these negotiations were over. That hospitality included protection while you were on board my ship. I am assuming that our negotiations are still being held in good faith on both sides. Therefore, it wouldn't be…honorable for me to endanger the Minbari delegation on board my ship, would it?" Neither one of the Minbari said anything to refute his comments. Kirk smirked. "Satai, you presume too much about the Ashen and too little about the Federation."

Now it was Cadroni's turn to glare. What he saw in the Human's eyes wasn't hostility, but bemusement, and it caught him unawares.

We are so foolish, the elder Minbari thought bitterly. He and Coplann were true Minbari, continually underestimating this Human leader. Both still saw him using their own perspectives. Their natural prejudice against Humans and so-called lesser races continually worked against them. Their mindsets were too rigid to change. One would think that we would know better by now.

Cadroni's epiphany struck him so hard that he had to force himself not to take a step backwards in shock. This, he realized, was one of the weaknesses of his people. The Minbari were warriors, afraid of nothing, confident in their own power, strength, and understanding in the ways of war. But what his people failed to accept was that there were other ways to wage war, other strategies, other points of view that were just as effective and just as deadly.

For a thousand years, no other race had ever opposed the Minbari with such tenacity. The few that had tried failed and were punished for their insolence. It was only during the great war a thousand years ago, had the Shadows and their minions came close. However, in individual combat, the Minbari prevailed and had always prevailed against the forces arrayed against them.

His people weren't the only survivors of the last great war. There were a few other races, so few that they could count them all with both hands. Of those, only three had rediscovered space flight. During those terrible times, none of the young races were strong enough to fight against the Shadows/ But with the Vorlon's help, victory was achieved.

Those victories, along with the fact that the Minbari were the Vorlon's favorite, brought about a certain arrogance and over confidence, an overconfidence that followed them for the next millennium. His people reveled in their superiority.

And why shouldn't they? They were Minbari, the chosen ones!

But in light of all of that, their weakness was clearly shown when they fought against another power more than equal to theirs, a power not steeped in darkness, despite views by some to the contrary. All the Minbari power, the technology, and their rage wasn't enough to stem the tide of this… inevitable defeat. It wasn't that they weren't strong; it was that they weren't strong enough.

Everything was in flux. What was always known was no longer true, forcing him to question everything. He, like every other living Minbari, always assumed that being the Vorlon's favorite was the greatest of honors. Now, he couldn't help but believe that it was the greatest of curses.

For all the wisdom and understanding that his people claimed they possessed, they had also lost something. The Minbari had more than enough passion and rage to fight to the end. What they'd lost was compassion and the qualities of mercy that these Humans and their Federation evidently had in abundance. The Federation's General Order Twenty-Four was a brutal edict, almost Minbari-like, and begrudgingly, he saw its value. It was just that the rule was directed towards his people and it was a death sentence. On the surface, the order was very similar to the edict the Minbari planned for Earth. Unlike the Minbari plan, however, Cadroni acknowledged the modicum of mercy that lay behind it. They could choose to halt. The Minbari wouldn't have stopped unless they had discovered an excuse that would satisfy their lust for vengeance.

The Minbari ideals were simple. Those ideals foundation were steeped in revenge, the excuse being the death of Minbar's greatest leader in a generation, Dukhat. Every Human man, woman and child had to die as retribution for the loss of this one Minbari. Earth and all of its colonies were to follow shortly. It was the Minbari way. It established their importance as the most prominent of the younger races, one that required acknowledgement from all others. The Minbari were superior, and all others were required to understand this. Disrespecting that status would not be tolerated. Earth, being a young and arrogant race, acting above their station had to learn this lesson and by doing so, the other races were reminded once more of the same lesson. It was simple. It was the Minbari way.

The United Federation of Planets were power and demand the same respect. However, the UFOP had limits. They were trying not to be the mindless savage, no matter how much they wanted to be. General Order Twenty-Four was…flexible as the Minbari were not. It provided a way out for the Minbari people. it allowed mercy.

He still hated them.