Moonlit Shadows

This is a two parter story about Kero Elan. The first one, titled Moonlit Shadows is NSFW, so I am not going to post it here. Here is the link if you want to read it, but be warned that it doesn't leave much to imagination.

The second part will follow in the next posts and it is a collaborative effort between Katriel and I, who graciously lent me her creative juices. It's titled A Step From the Shadows.
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A Step From the Shadows

Chapter I
Hide and Seek


Kero sat staring blankly at her PADD. It must have been five minutes since she said, “Computer start recording.”

How long had it been since she last set foot in the bar? And who did she have to meet first out of all the people? The counselor, who happens to be a Betazoid of course. There is something about being next to someone who you know can read you. You start thinking of the things you don’t want them to know about as a by-product of thinking you better not think those things in their company.

Did Katriel pick up on anything?

When Aravissa went away to speak to the other officer a few tables ahead, Kero felt like her heart stopped beating. Now the attention was entirely on her. She made an attempt at a conversation with a Vulcan to try and sway that attention, which failed. Vulcans aren’t necessarily chatty. It just wasn’t working out. Kero left before unwelcome questions came her way.

And now she was left with a pre-debrief report to record. What would she say? Where would she start? Kero laid back on the bed and threw the PADD on top of it, resigned. The entire mission was a mess – heavy accusations about things she wasn’t even aware of were raised against her.

A tear ran down the left side of the Captain’s face, as she clenched her bed sheets into her fist. Images from her past flashed in front of her eyes… That passion, that care, which were quickly swallowed by fear and guilt. Above all, that feeling of betrayal. How could she not know? How did she not realise?

“Computer – Kero managed to finally utter with a broken voice – where is Commander Katriel Sedai?”

“Katriel Sedai is in her quarters.” The computer confirmed.

Kero motioned towards the communicator on her bedside table, but suddenly stopped, her hand hovering over the badge for moments that seemed like minutes. The half Klingon suddenly burst in tears and retreated in her own arms. She laid like that for the rest of the sleepless night.



Kero adjusted the top of her uniform. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, hoping she managed to hide those slightly darker hues under her sleep-deprived eyes with her make-up.

The doors hissed as she walked out of her room. A few steps to the left was the turbolift. While waiting somewhat impatiently, she brushed off her trousers. Hm... She could really murder for a Raktajino.

Finally the elevator doors hissed open. Kero looked back up and stepped in.

"Oh, hello counselor", she said after recognising Katriel Sedai's persona.

You've got to be kidding me.

Katriel barely glanced up at the shifting-open turbolift doors, just enough to identify Kero standing there, before looking back at whatever she was studying on her PADD.

"Hello, Captain," she replied in an even tone. "Going down, I take it?"

"Yes, I thought I'd have a drink at the bar." Replied Kero while trying to keep her cool.

There you go, she's not even paying attention to you, counselors don't just go around scanning minds.

Kero took a deep breath and silently stood in the turbolift waiting for her destination. Usually she would have at least cracked a joke, but she wasn't in that state of mind. She stared at the turbolift’s entrance and her mind started to wander to what happened in her last mission once more, almost forgetting where she was.

She blinked when the reality hit her once more – she was standing into a turbolift alone with a Betazoid. Her heart started to race in apprehension when she realised she had shed a shy tear. Kero shifted her body slightly and changed the direction of her gaze to try and hide the side of her face where the tear had fallen.

She won't be needing to read your mind if you don't act normal...

Whatever was on her PADD wasn't quite interesting enough to completely distract Katriel from the slightly deteriorating Captain that was sharing the turbolift with her.

It was a fairly frequent dilemma that passed her way, actually, having to choose whether or not to say something to someone in distress. Between struggling to respect others' right to privacy and share only what information they wanted to share, and ... well, her job and her innate desire to relieve other people's stresses, it was easily a decision she had to make on too regular a basis.

Katriel's lips pursed as Kero's posture shifted. It was too much this time.

"Captain, this may seem like a stupid question, but ... are you well?"

"Why are you asking?"

Wow, that was defensive. Loosen up.

Kero made an effort to at least look towards the counselor. She was caught despite her best efforts.

"It's just a fly in the eye."

Of course, Kero, there would be flies in a turbolift, with the advanced systems of a Starbase and all the medical technology we now have to make sure people don't get sick. Not.

Kero looked away, her lip quivered. She knew she gave it away right in that instant. An officer with her medical and scientific background wouldn't say something like that. Her mind was flailing.

She could give up the act or call onto her Klingon side and start to be aggressive like she always does to hide when she can't handle something... and then blame it all on being "half Klingon" and hating it.

Kero looked Katriel straight in the eyes.

"Tell me what to do Katriel. I don't know. And I am terrified."

The counselor considered Kero for an extended moment or two, the humming of the turbolift remained the only sound. Then she half-cleared her throat.

"I have ... or, well, had ... a tapestry in my office, once. It had an Andorian parable scripted onto it, a short tale of a young boy who meets the wise village elder."

Katriel's tone was measured patience as she went off on this seeming tangent.

"The boy asks the elder to tell him the saddest, most despairing story that ever existed. But the village elder simply replies that he cannot. 'I can only tell you the saddest story that I know,' the elder explained. 'For the most despairing tales are borne silently and alone by their players. They are never to hear the ear of another, and that is why they are truly sad.' "

She waited a moment and ventured a glance towards the half-Klingon Captain. "Does that help?"

Kero remained silent pondering on what Katriel had just said.

Maybe telling that tale would take the sadness away?

The turbolift doors hissed open. They had arrived at the bar. The Captain was somewhat worried about looking at the exit, just in case someone else was there and would have spotted her facial expression. She motioned towards the exit, looking at the pavement.

"Kat-Counselor. I am going to get a Raktajino. Were you fully booked up today?"

"My schedule is fairly light today, actually," her tone remained steady.

"Would you prefer to take some time and come by my office later today, or shall I accompany you to the lounge?"

She looked equally prepared for either response.

Kero stopped in her tracks. While she hadn't thought of it when she decided to go to the bar rather than using the replicator, now she was worried that in her current state of mind everyone would read her.

She felt extremely exposed.

The Captain was never one to ask for help. Her First Officer always reminded her of that. She stepped back into the turbolift.

"I think I'll just go grab one from my room. Maybe call me when you have some spare time? I'll come to the office."

"As an alternative," the counselor decided to venture the suggestion.

"Several of the common areas in the counseling wing have food and drink replicators available. There's one not far from my own office."

Sometimes it was worth pushing your luck.

That was a very attractive proposition for Kero, who felt she didn't have much fight left. Accepting it however meant that she'd have to face the source of her trouble. Her head told her to go with the counselor. Her heart told her to hide far and away. All the while she felt like someone had stabbed her in the stomach.

Do this before you change your mind.

Kero looked at Katriel briefly, before averting her gaze to look towards the wall behind the Betazoid. Since she came back to the Starbase she tried to avoid the counselor, to prevent her, or anyone, to figure anything out.

Now she hoped words weren't needed, because she didn't have the strength to utter, "I'll go with you."

"Glad to hear it, Captain." Katriel nodded a little and, after ensuring Kero was safely away from the turbo's entrance, she raised her voice.

"Medical deck C, please."

The turbolift doors swished shut and they were on their way again. A couple moments of electronic humming ensued in the absence of conversation.

"Please don't fret, Captain," she finally spoke, tapping her PADD in a gentle rhythm against her leg, the contents of which were long forgotten. "We don't have to talk about anything you really don't wish to discuss."
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Chapter II
The Fight Within


Kero sat in the counseling room with the warm drink in her hands. She looked at the lid, idly running the fingers around it. She had yet to take a sip from it. Many thoughts crossed her mind. The mission, her father, and also... Suddenly she felt like someone was pinching her throat and she had to fight hard to stay composed.

When did I became such a whiny p'taq?

Yet she hadn't said a word. She had no idea where to start. The counsellor had made her feel the safest she had felt in months when they were in the turbolift. Yet all the other feelings were intent on overpowering that.

The counselor had picked up a mug of tea from the same replicator, so she sat at a comfortable, non-confrontational angle and took a brief sip. When the silence had gone on for a bit, she decided to prompt.

"When did you get back to station, Captain? How have you passed the most recent days?"

Kero made herself more comfortable in her seat and wriggled a little so she could lay an arm on the back of the sofa, which allowed her to glance at the window if she desired. Her legs crossed and her other hand on top of her knee. The Captain preferred skirts usually but since she got back she only wore trousers.

She spent some time looking around while thinking what to say and admired the Andorian tapestry hanging behind Katriel’s desk. Katriel must really like their culture. Kero would ask about it one day, maybe at the bar, during some R&R. There was also another tapestry with what seemed to be a weaving of DS 13. All in all, the office looked very much like the Voyager's ready room.

"About... A week ago? I was on an assignment along the Klingon border." She smiled mildly.

"I actually picked up a couple of Andorians for that mission." She finally took a sip from her cup, which was still hot.

"I have been on leave since. I'm on leave for a while yet. I have spent most of the time in the holo deck really, and well, you saw me at the bar the other day."

The Captain took a deep breath.

"I've been meaning to write a report about the mission."

Tell her.

"It's just been really difficult because every time I start..."

I've got to tell her.

Kero's gaze blanked out for a moment.

“Anyway to answer your question, this is what I've been doing... Aside from acting like a spineless p'taq.”

And you are being so right now by drowning in it all, rather than trying to face it. Tell her.

Kero was angry. She appeared to be angry at herself, angry at someone else... Frustrated. She looked at Katriel to find some strength. She always counted on her own strength alone. She never needed anybody else, but she felt that her “strength” had somewhat betrayed her and didn't know what to do now.

“I was trying to find out some information about someone... And then...” She stopped and clenched her fist.

"This will sound stupid, but I need to ask you a favour Katriel." She paused. "And I'd like to drop the ranks for this because I am a little tired of the Starfleet structure. I want a break for a little bit."

Kero swallowed.

"Anyway the favour I wanted to ask was... I need to be believed. I tire of interrogations... About my father, whether I'm some Klingon agent... I was interrogated during my last mission."
Kero wasn't quite sure how to formulate the request. "I want to talk to you. I-I can't do this alone anymore. But if I hold back, I just need the strength, I am not trying to hide anything... Please believe that."

The half-Klingon's lips quivered.

Katriel's expression broke from its characteristic stillness transformed into a smile. "Kero. That is not a difficult favor at all. I'm here to listen and I'll believe you. And I know silence is not always about hiding things."

Kero felt relaxed by the assurance and her posture also relaxed as the result.

"Okay..." She started, "What do you know about my father, have you read my files?"

Katriel shook her head. "Only a brief skim. He was Klingon, that's the extent of my familiarity."

The Captain began to fidget with her cup. "He was sent in by Starfleet Intelligence as an undercover agent in the Klingon Empire." She paused for a moment. "He disappeared, long story short one of the theories was that he was a traitor."

Kero looked at the window. Outside, the stars were still and silent, some blinked, some were steady. Their tranquil aura was in starch contrast with how the half-Klingon felt within. “The problem is that I got all the attention because of that...” Kero’s tone of voice was subdued, another contrast with her usual loud and joyful attitude, “In my mission I went and tried to erm... Find out more about him.”

Katriel nodded a little. "Understandable." Silence ensued again. “Do you mind... how long ago did he vanish?” Katriel pursued.

“Not long after the war started.” Kero turned her eyes to the cup again without offering any more information.

“All right. Please, continue.” Prompted Katriel.

The half-Klingon obliged, reluctantly, “I... I found him, in a Klingon ship that was attacked by the Breen. Katriel, I have yet to report this properly to Starfleet...” Kero spoke quickly, before the counselor could react, “Although Intelligence questioned me thoroughly about it.”

“No one will be inquiring with me, if that is what your concern is.” Was the Betazoid’s response.

Kero’s eyes wandered again in a different direction, this time they were pointed at the floor. Feelings of betrayal and loss pervaded her. She wondered if the counselor could perceive them. Those feelings were not directed at her father however.

“I will write that report just as soon as I...”

Katriel waited, watching her quietly.

Kero’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why can I not rid myself of this?”

The Commander responded promptly, “It takes time.”

After a few moments the Captain decided to offer a better explanation, “Intelligence kept asking me about connections with the Klingon and the Orion Syndicate. I didn't understand why they asked me about the latter, at first. They kept digging and digging... – she continued – even brought some telepaths in the interrogation.”

The Captain paused and looked somewhat embarrassed, “You might have noticed I was... well... I was... trying to avoid you.”

The counselor responded, “... Perhaps a bit. But I'm used to that.”

Kero smiled. "I bet.” She took a sip from her cup, which was getting cold. “Eventually they named Shiala.” The half-Klingon placed the cup on the little table on the side of the sofa before continuing, “Shiala is... was... – she struggled – Shiala was...”

The Captain hit the sofa with her fist, “I am NOT going to cry again like a little child.”

Katriel pursed her lips. "Crying is not only for children, Kero."

Kero Elan looked at Katriel with a somewhat fiery expression, almost ready to throw at her that "Klingon pride" she always hid behind. “I am sorry, you don't need any of this.” She looked away.

Katriel almost exhaled a chuckle. "It's ... fine. I should apologize as well. I'm less accustomed to working with Klingons ... or partial Klingons. For humans, at least crying can be therapeutic.”

Kero paused for a moment. Actually she thought Katriel had done a great job so far. It was her demeanour that gave Kero the opportunity to share some of that burden. The counselor was not pushy but she guided. She wasn’t invasive but gentle and listened. That made Kero want to talk to her.

“Truth is I hate ‘being Klingon’." The Captain said, finally. “I don't know why I act as if I am all proud. It ruined my life – her voice began to break up – it ended Shiala's.” She exhaled heavily, really trying to hold back.

Katriel 's head tilted a bit. "It's natural, though, pride. All sentients exhibit it."

The Captain’s tone of voice assumed a shade of anger. "It's stupid, if you lose your lover because of it."

And I just admitted that she was my lover, good move…

Kero arced an eyebrow and looked at Katriel with resignation, "Not like you didn't figure that out already." After a moment she continued, “Can you ‘read’ everything people think?"

Katriel 's response was prompt. "No, definitely not. Unless they're specifically attempting to get me to hear it. I'm a fairly average example of Betazoid telepathy, but ... I grew up around mostly non-telepaths, so it's always been a practice of mine to try not to listen, when possible.”

“Good, at least you won't see all the kinky details when I think of Shiala.” Kero chuckled, surprisingly. Katriel's presence was just very reassuring.

The counselor smirked faintly. "As for pride and relationships... perhaps it can be a serious inhibitor, but I'm not certain you mean the same as what I think."

Kero shook her head, “No, it isn't what I mean. And, jokes aside, I am not sure I'd like you to see this. It's just too...” she swallowed again and tried to hide her watery eyes by looking at her shoes.

“I don't have to see.” The counselor countered, “But ... have you spoken to anyone about it before?”

The Captain remained silent and lost control of her tears.

Katriel glance ventured towards the tissue box that was sitting right there on the siding, next to a funny looking vase. "I see. How long ago was this?"

Kero’s mind was flailing again, trying to stay on top of it all and failing. She had lost control once more and she had no idea how to regain it.

“I lost her about four years ago.” The Captain barely managed to say, “She was ripped from my arms. Two men... they came out of nowhere.” The words came out with great difficulty in between the tears.

Katriel reached to nudge the tissue box just a little.

Kero was reluctant with the tissue, her pride was telling her she could regain control at any time. But eventually gave up and grabbed it.

“Take your time.” Said the counselor.

“I am a whiny kid. There you have it. I cannot control myself.” Retorted the half-Klingon. “Regardless... it's all my fault. She is not here because of me, I should have been the one to lie lifeless on that beach.”

“Why do you say that?” Inquired the Betazoid.

“Because I allowed my Klingon impulsiveness to act in a way that got her shot. They were on top of us. I... it's disgusting.”

Katriel was silent for a moment. "It is ... easy to assign ourselves blame for an incident after it has passed."

Kero found even breathing very difficult. She threw the tissue on the sofa. "I am sorry counselor, I am not worth your time." She added overwhelmed once again by that feeling of loss and betrayal.

The counselor set her mug atop the shelving, nicely out of the way, before she moved forward to carefully place a hand on Kero's arm, if she permitted it. "Nonsense. That's the first stupid thing you've said."

Kero completely swallowed her independence and pride and grabbed hold of the counselor's hand in search of support. “They tried to have their way.” She continued, “I... felt him and I cannot forgive myself for what I am going to say. I am ashamed.” Kero wept uncontrollably. “I found it somewhat... agreeable. But I swear to you, and I hope you can see this in my mind, I hated it.

Katriel sat next to the woman in distress, "I understand."

Kero felt very insecure – she was ashamed and really wanted reassurance from someone else that she wasn’t lying to herself, “Please tell me you can see it... I hated it... I did.”

Katriel's tone was firm. "Sexuality is a complicated matter, but one thing about it is very simple. What one's body finds agreeable is not necessarily the same as what the mind does, and it's what you say up here that matters.” Katriel pointed up to Kero's head.

The Captain said nothing as she heard Katriel's words echo in her head.

Katriel's tone was a little gentler. "Understand?"

Kero nodded slowly. “I find it very hard to forgive myself for it.” She paused. “And for what I did after.”

The counselor wasn’t going to let that destructive thought continue, “You must continue to try… To forgive yourself, I mean. What ... happened after?”

The Captain squeezed Katriel’s hand, as if lost in her own world and the only thing that kept her into the real one was Katriel. “When my mind had caught up with all that was going on, I reached out for his weapon and managed to grab it off him. I hadn't considered that Shiala had a weapon aimed at her head. All I could hear was her calling my name, and all I could smell was him.”

Katriel gently returned the hand-squeeze while the Captain talked. “I was so repulsed... I didn't want Shiala to keep feeling that way either. I shot the man who was on top of me.” Kero frowned. “I heard another shot straight after. Do you see? It's my fault. All of it.”

The counselor replied promptly, “It is not your fault. You could not have predicted what would occur. And even now, you cannot look back and say with any certainty that the results could have been any different.”

Kero managed to achieve a brief moment of stillness in her mind, trying to take in what Katriel had just said. “I was okay – she drew quotes in the air with her fingers – with this until Starfleet Intelligence brought it back up. They kept asking me what my relationship was, I didn't understand why they would want to know the details. I never told them about this incident though, so they thought I was hiding something.” The Captain looked slightly more in control. She turned her gaze to the counselor. "They told me she was an Orion Syndicate spy."

Katriel stared back at Kero sympathetically. "Do you believe that?"

Kero noded. "When I wouldn't budge, they showed me evidence of messages she sent, right from my own ship. It was quite the cover up on her part.”

“I'm sorry.” Said the counselor. “I'm sure that doesn't make any of it easier to bear.”

“I am proud and stupid and guillable.” The Captain ranted. “And a crybaby.”

Stop doing that to yourself Kero.

Katriel pursed her lips. "You are none of these things. But ... give it some time, to convince yourself."

“I just feel like I have this fight in me.”

Katriel tilted her head, sitting back a bit to eye her. "Because you already know how to move forward, I think. Just that it's difficult."

Kero gave the counselor a look of realisation.

Maybe I do have more control on this than I thought, after all.

“Would you help me, Katriel?”

“What would you like me to do?”

“Just remind me from time to time, that... perhaps it couldn't have happened differently. Because I seem to have enough energy to do myself in... but not to get out of this.”

Katriel inclined her head. "I can do that, certainly. But you have to promise me that you'll do the same, when you remember it."

Kero hesitated a little. "I will try."

"... I am doing it again, aren't I?" She said after a short pause.

"Time. It takes time." Katriel repeated. “And ... to be honest, I don't think it will ever fully go away.”

The Captain breathed in deeply again. “Katriel I know it's your job, it's what you do and all that. But I don't think I would have been able to be open about this with anyone else.”

The counselor smiled just a little. "I'm grateful that you would trust me with this, then. I know it's difficult to speak about."

“It feels like I started a long journey...” – Uttered the Captain in a hushed tone.

“They say... a journey of a thousand steps must start with one.” The counselor replied.

Kero grinned, “Andorians?”

Katriel smirked faintly. "Possibly? They do seem to say the wisest things."
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Chapter III
Of Things That Weren't


Katriel sat by her desk in silence, her chair turned so that she faced the wall, where a tapestry with an Andorian parable hung quietly. She contemplated it in silence, expression a little brooding, when her door chime went off.

"Hi, come in." She swung her chair back around to see Ensign Caissa entering, a couple PADDs in hand.

"Hello, sorry, Counselor, the Captain left a while ago, so I thought --"

"You're fine, Ensign," Katriel reassured. "I'm sorry I sprung those cancellations on you." As it turned out, the Betazoid *had* had a couple of morning appointments that she had decided were less important than capitalizing on Captain Elan's willingness to talk. So when the pair of them had swung into the counseling wing, Katriel had sent a quick telepathic note to Caissa to cancel her upcomings.

Just about everyone who worked in scheduling for Counselor Sedai had had that happen to them once or twice before, so the Ensign took it all in stride and hopefully Captain Elan was none the wiser.

"It's cool!" Caissa responded, cheerfully enough. "Hope it worked out. I have the Captain's records here for you, if you still want to take a look?" She stepped forward and offered the devices to Katriel.

This, too, was a custom. If Katriel brought any unscheduleds into her office, she usually wanted to see their records promptly thereafter.

"Definitely, thank you, Ensign. I really appreciate it." Katriel's tone was infused with gratitude as she relieved the Ensign of the items and powered one up.

"You want me to get you a new tea, too?" Caissa leaned forward on her tip toes to peer into the mug. It was still pretty full, but all the heat was gone.

"Oh, ah." She looked over at the mug, then shook her head. "No, I'll get one myself in a while, when I'm done here. Thank you, though."

Caissa nodded as she turned and slipped back out the doors, leaving Katriel to peruse the record materials in silence. It wasn't until about another half hour's worth of reading that Katriel read something that made her pause for a long time. She read it, and then read it again.

And then after a few minutes of consideration, she took an excerpt from the record and sent it to Captain Kero Elan, with a brief note.

"Found this embedded in your records, thought it was worth passing along.
- Katriel"


----


Kero was sat at the small table in her room. She stared loosely towards the closed door while her mind was replaying the conversation she had with the counsellor.

If Katriel hadn't gently pushed for that talk, Kero would have found a reason not to talk to her later. Yet deep down she wanted to unload the burden, and the counsellor was very apt at capitalising on that wish.

When the Commander reminded her about the replicators near her office in the attempt to avoid delay, Kero's emotions were already invested into the conversation. They were brought on the surface for everyone to see and at that stage she really only wanted the counsellor to see them.

"You have a message from Commander Katriel Sedai." Announced the computer suddenly.

Kero's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her gaze to her terminal. She stood up, tapped the console and then sat down in front of its screen.

"Found this embedded in your records, thought it was worth passing along.
- Katriel"


Kero was somewhat intrigued. She smiled a little, too, she had become accustomed to Katriel's way of communicating, privy of anything that would make you feel she's judging you.

The Captain began to read the records. It was a log and after reading the first few lines, she began to wonder how that log existed or when it appeared in her records.

I have been wanting to tell her this for a long time.

I was supposed to get in, get intel any way I could and then disappear. I did so for a while, until I came across Kero. I remember seeing her, radiant, in Risa. She looked gorgeous in her bikini.

I thought, "Oh, I am so going to enjoy getting info from that one..."


Kero felt like she was being punched in the stomach when she read that line. She wasn't sure if she wanted to read the rest, but if Katriel sent it there must have been a reason? Maybe she was trying to strip that romanticised version of Shiala she had in her mind, so she could move on.

Truth to be told it was Kero who charmed me. But I knew I couldn't just quit and say, "Hey I am not going to spy for you anymore, have a nice day." So I tried to cut all contact, made them think I was caught or something. I couldn't bear to betray her confidence. I did manage to get her to love me... but it was no trick. I was just as smitten.

Kero brought a hand in front of her mouth and looked away for a brief moment towards nowhere in particular, before carrying on with the read.

I don't know if she could ever forgive me for this. But I love her and if it ever came to it I'd rather die than betray her.

The message had ended but Kero couldn't have read any more anyway. Her vision was blurred by her tears. She felt devastated and relieved at the same time. She knew that, at least, she hadn't lost her love after all.

Kero spent a few minutes in silence reliving those happy moments she had shared with Shiala. She had buried all that somewhere in her mind. For the first time in a while those memories brought her joy and not painful feelings of betrayal.

Thank you, Katriel.
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PART II follows.
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Chapter IV
Extended Leave


"Come in."

The doors hissed open revealing a familiar silhouette. Kero looked up and smiled. "It's good to see you again Commander... Or should I say Acting Captain?"

Luthien Vausse stepped inside the half-klingon's quarters and shook her hand with both of hers. She held onto it for a short while before taking a step forward to embrace her Captain.

Kero didn't seem phased by this at all, even though it didn't happen often. The two were not only Captain and XO, but also friends. While such display would have not happened in public, it was the first time that so much had passed since last time they had seen each other.

The Captain stepped back after a short while and pointed at a chair with a wide motion of her left arm and hand.

Luthien obliged with a smile and sat down, crossing her legs and resting her arms on the armchairs. The XO had a toned figure, long blonde hair collected into a ponytail and the remnants of an ocular implant on her left eye. Her eyes were both completely black.

"How's..." Both women had started to talk at the same time. They stopped, looked at each other and bursted in a laugh.

"You first Captain." Added Luthien quickly.

"No, you first Commander. That's an order." Retorted Kero with a chuckle. "How's the Troi holding out?"

Luthien smirked faintly, "It misses the delicate touch of a half-Klingon."

Kero arched an eyebrow, "Are you trying to wind me up, Commander?" The Captain had a stern look.

"You can never fool me when you try to keep a straight face." The Commander responded.

The duo burst out laughing again. Kero stood up and walked towards the replicator. "Computer, one Raktajino." She then turned her inquisitive gaze to her First Officer.

"Just an orange juice, please."

The Captain waited for the second drink to materialise then moved back over to her chair, offering the juice to Luthien who picked it up promptly.

"I bet some of the newest recruits are relieved that their scary half-klingon Captain is on leave." Said Kero in jest.

Luthien took a look at her Captain for a few moments. Aside from the ridges on her forehead, Kero didn't really look like a Klingon, the ridges weren't very pronounced. The XO always thought Kero's mannerisms and posture were firm, yes, but graceful and not really threatening unless she had to be.

"Well, I don't know," the Commander began to say, "I think that an ex-Borg who can read people's minds is fairly scary to some." She grinned. "Your ship runs tight, Captain. You trained your crew well."

A moment of silence ensued.

"I just saw your request to extend your leave, is everything okay?"

Kero's response was quick, "Not at all, I just haven't taken a vacation for a while."

Luthien inclined her head. She could feel there was something the Captain wasn't telling her. For a moment she almost fell into the trap of trying to read her, but she stopped herself as soon as she realised. After having been in the collective it was even harder for her sometimes to keep her telepathic abilities in check – everything was shared during the time with the Borg and knowing what others thought was almost as natural as breathing. Having to respect all those boundaries and impositions was torture for Luthien at times. Maybe due to the connection with other telepaths in the collective, the Commander would have sworn she could feel emotions from other people who touched something just before she did sometimes. Perhaps it was really just a strong recollection of a feeling left over from the collective which got mixed in with her perceptions, but the yearning for that silent connection with other beings was very real.

The half-klingon noticed the silence and slightly leaned forward towards her First Officer, "You are not trying to figure out what I'm thinking are you?"

"Captain... No. But I know there is something you are not sharing." Luthien pressed on.

"One of the good things about being the Captain is that you don't have to explain anything to your crew." Kero's tone was firm.

"What about to a friend?" The Commander took a sip from her glass.

Kero sighed and looked away. A few long moments passed before she said anything. "There was more to Shiala than we thought." She started.

Luthien offered a faint smile, "I was under the impression that's why you loved her... But you are going to tell me that is not what you are talking about, aren't you?"

The half-Klingon lightly bit her lower lip, thing which was immediately spotted by her second in command as well as her fidgeting around the armchair with her fingers.

"She was undercover for the Orion Syndicate." Kero continued, "Starfleet believed the people who killed her were sent after her."

Vausse's head perched up slightly at the words. The temptation to try and find out what the Captain felt and try to offer sympathy was very strong, but she knew the Captain would have not appreciated the breach in privacy nor the sympathy. Kero never wanted to look weak.

The Commander took a deep breath. Kero had never told her what actually happened the night of the shooting, but her feelings about the event were so strong that some still came through even trying to block them out.

Despite the strong desire to find out, Luthien never inquired about that night.

"I'm sorry." She said eventually.

The Captain looked at her XO. "I saw a counsellor about it." She admitted.

Luthien tilted her head again. "How did that go?" Vausse began, "I mean, I don't want to know the confidential details of your counselling session..."

Kero smiled lightly, "It gave me a lot to think about." Luthien could almost feel some relief coming from the half-Klingon. "I'm due another appointment at some point."

The Commander smirked, "So this counsellor actually got you to talk and you are fine to see him again?"

"Don't push it" warned Kero in jest, "and it's a she. Commander Katriel Sedai… Who happens to be a Betazoid." The Captain had a grin on her face.

“You mean to tell me I fail at Betazoiding?” Luthien laughed.

The half-Klingon smirked. “Actually she didn’t get me to talk…” The smirk turned into a sigh. “You know when you try to avoid something so badly that you make it happen?”

The Commander nodded in response.

“That’s pretty much what happened. I was trying to avoid contact in every way possible. I must have met the Counsellor so many times before then, and before the last mission it never really bothered me. Suddenly it was as if her eyes were everywhere.” Kero finally took her first sip from her Raktajino cup. “Only that they weren’t. I was just…”

Luthien hazarded a whisper, “Speak to me Kero…”

The Captain repositioned herself in her chair with a flinch and brought a hand in front of her mouth, moving her gaze away from her First Officer. “Damn you Luthien.” The Commander’s eyes didn’t move however. “I was terrified…” Kero continued “Things happened the night Shiala died…”

The XO went against all of her Betazoid instincts, “I know you don’t want to talk about it. You don’t have to tell me.”

“Thank you.” Kero nodded. “Commander Sedai did find this though…” The half-Klingon stood up and walked over to her console. She grasped a PADD, tapped on it a few times, walked back to her chair and handed it over to Luthien while sitting back down. The device held the log from Shiala that was sent to the Captain by the Counsellor.

The First Officer tilted her head in her characteristic way. “Does this help at all?”

Kero shrugged. “Before that I had reason to hate her and move on.”

“And now you don’t?”

“Now I realise that trying to hate her when I couldn’t made me cling onto this even more.”

The Commander smiled gently.

“Look, how do you feel about a promotion?” Kero’s question was quite unexpected.

“I plan to dominate the world one day, but what does this mean for you?” Luthien responded.

“I am reconsidering my career in Starfleet.”

The XO’s eyes widened. “Kero… the Troi is your life…”

The Captain looked aimlessly towards the floor.

“Just make me a promise before you decide.” Continued Luthien, “Please do see that Counsellor again. Give yourself time for some soul searching. I will keep the ship intact in the mean time, that is my promise.”

“Okay you got a deal.” Kero smiled. “But you mention to anyone, imply or even think that I might be soft and I will kill you.”
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Foreword: This chapter was born out of a collaboration of Tabi and I. We are both guilty of writing this, so if you are going to hunt someone down, you gotta hunt us both.

Chapter V
Blood on the sand


Adam’s promotion should have been an inspiring sight. Yet, Kero’s thoughts were cynical, filled with delusion and a broken trust in a Starfleet that was all too happy to question her loyalty over and over. She decided to unleash her frustration in a fight simulation – a hologram of a fairly butch Orion male.

The holo program was on an all too familiar beach. The sand was hot, undisturbed. Only the wash of the sea, Kero’s laboured breathing and the smack of fist on flesh filled the still air. An electronic chirrup attempted to catch her attention from somewhere outside the reality of the paradise.

The Captain ignored it and continued fighting.

Lieutenant Commander Tabitha Caine poked at the entry button and sighed as the doors loudly whoosh-chunked open, “Y'really should lock these. Kero. You alright?”

Kero turned to Tabitha, "I could have sworn I did. What brings you here?" The Commander’s blonde locks were collected in a bun, still in her dress whites she lounged against the heavy doorway. Tall, well-built, relaxed, she waved a fistful of red and green bottles bound by plastic.

“Nothing much. Just passing by and I happened to see a very grumpy looking captain in the vicinity. You ain't seen her have you? She's about yea tall,” Tabi held out her hand at roughly Kero's height. “Gorgeous nut-brown skin, dreadlocks?”

Kero perked an eyebrow and almost got hit by the Orion, but evaded the punch at the last second. She kept on fighting with the hologram.

“I brought bloodwine.” said Tabitha, grinning crookedly.

The half Klingon rolled her eyes, “Fine, the bloodwine wins.”

Tabitha stepped inside and winced, partly against the glare of the holoprojection, mostly at the sight of Kero getting sucker punched by the Orion thug. She tapped the door closed behind her, while watching Kero lose balance and staggering backward to avoid falling.

The blonde teasingly held out one of the four-packs, “Here. Enjoy.”

Kero turned around and walked towards Tabitha. Her eyes widened when she realised the hologram was charging on and she had just turned her back to it. She attempted to grab one of the bottles with her hand, failing by a whisker as she evaded a blow. Kero was fast and agile, but she had her limits. Even she couldn’t drink and fight at the same time.

"Computer pause Orion three!"

Unless, of course, she was already drunk. Tabi had held the bottles safely out of the way, without moving or flinching, “Good plan,” the taller woman said, peeling a bloodwine away from the plastic and offering again.

“Are you tryin’ to distract me?” The half-Klingon grabbed the bottle, she was somewhat embarrassed that she had allowed herself to be caught off-guard. “Thanks anyway.”

Tabi’s scarring crinkled under the gold tracery on her cheek as she smiled again, “Hey. I knocked. I asked. Jeez, how much warning d'you want?” Looking around curiously, “Is this a Risa sim?”

Kero rolled her eyes slightly and smiled, “I don't know, you mentioned someone with beautiful dreadlocks, and I was trying to find 'em. That is distraction enough.” Her expression turned grim, “No it's... somewhere else, similar beaches."

The Commander nodded, “Yeh. I like it. Odd place for a combat sim though.”

The half-Klingon opened the bottle and drained half the bloodwine in one draught, “It reminds me of stuff.”

Tabi tilted her head, processing the holographic projection, adjusting her ocular to try and produce the illusion of reality. As the haze of light and energy resolved slowly, she gazed up at the cliff, slowly taking in the sheltered cove and blinding sands. A small sunshade lay some distance away near the lapping water. A single green fatboy frozen in mid strike gurned with a constipated expression. Patting him on the shoulder as she wandered by, she sipped her beer. “So, Orion punching instead of celebrating Adam's new pip.”

The dreadlocked woman slightly perched her shoulders, “Well if that half Klingon was as grumpy as you said, she'd probably not have been good company.”

“Fair point," Caine kicked at the sand, then flopped down with a thump and crossed her legs.

“Maybe you should go back to the party though,” Kero continued. “You are definitely better company.”

“Ehh. It devolved.” Tabi replied, “Brass showed up, things got all polite and awkward. Then they started comparing ship sizes. Shit, it's like being in a MACO shower.”

Kero smirked faintly and said nothing for a short while. She sighed, puzzling out her words, “Look... You know I like your company but... I just want to throw some punches.”

The blonde chuckled, “Against holos? They're fucking hopeless outside a decent CQB program.”

The Captain was silent once again. There should have been a joking retort somewhere at this point, but it never came. “Do you have a better alternative?” She said eventually crossing her arms and shifting her weight on one leg.

For a moment Tabitha watched the woman standing above her. Watched the lines of tension in her stance. Anger. Resentment. Grief? She rose to her feet, “Computer. Replicate CQB drill outfit Caine twelve.” As the requested clothing materialised, she began to undress without shame or hesitation.

Kero looked away but couldn’t resist a joke that time, “Okay, I don't strip on a first date. Not straight away at least.”

Tabi changed quickly, “Pff, you're pretty fucking sure of yourself, who said this was a date? Y'want something to punch?” Leather snapped against muscle as gloves were pulled tight. “Get a PSG and try me.”

“A shield?” The half Klingon frowned.

“Yeh. No shield, no dice. That's the deal.” The blonde’s voice was direct and utterly serious. Images of shattered bone, white in red wet flesh flickered through her ocular in mocking review. Shaking her head, brushing the unwanted scenes from her processors, Tabitha crouched down and dug a hole in the sand, burying her beer where it was cool and damp.

Kero mirrored the other woman placing her bottle of bloodwine on the sand, “Computer replicate PSG.” She said reluctantly.

“Computer, confirm specification High G PSG, Mark twelve, colonial ground assault.” Tabitha nodded once as the soothing tones gave affirmation and took up a side on stance, “You want to punch something?” She extended an arm and beckoned with her fingertips, “Bring it, bitch.”

Kero took a deep breath, she really was not in the mood for other people. The captain’s eyes narrowed in her characteristic way, “Talking of being ‘sure of oneself.’” She threw a left punch at Tabi, testing her reaction. The blonde raised her arm and effortlessly brushed aside the jab.

Damn! She was even stronger than she looked. After that realisation Kero tilted her head slightly looking at her adversary almost as if she were one of her science experiments. The blonde settled back into a passive ready pose, side on and balanced.

Kero feigned a hit with a right and followed through with another left. Tabi took a pace backwards to Kero's left, arching back as the punches whiffled past. “Stop playing.” She immediately resumed her stance.

The Captain's eyes narrowed again. She launched herself towards the soldier with a series of well placed punches and eventually a low kick to her knee. Tabi bunched up, taking the punches left and right, moving with them to ease the blows. As the kick came in, her leg raised and angled out for a level snap kick to Kero's belly.

The counter connected heavily and the half-Klingon was caught by surprise. Losing her balance, she fell to her right knee. Winded, she muttered, “Where do you get that strength?”

The blonde relaxed and extended a hand toward Kero, “Y'don't want the answer to that.”

“You come into my simulation and don't even have the courtesy to answer questions?” The Captain was joking. Mostly. She grabbed the blonde’s wrist and used the motion of the pull to try and throw her opponent to the sand over her shoulder. Tabitha was unprepared for it, but heavier than she looked. Kero felt she was pulling at a wall. She only managed to pull herself upright, face planting into Tabi's chest. It would have been a move to laugh at, but neither woman was amused.

“Y'want to talk? Or punch? Or break the rules and throw your opponent when you're off the mark for contact sparring?” Caine glowered slightly, displeased.

The Captain looked Tabi in the eye, the gold of the implants catching the sunlight and pushed away from her forcefully, growing increasingly uneasy with being unable to overcome her. The blonde stepped back, holding her hands up and aside, “Easy now.”

“Who mentioned rules? People who want to harm you don't give a damn.” Kero’s tone was derisive and defiant. She launched another barrage of punches, relying on speed over her opponent's brute strength.

The heavily built woman rolled with the blows, backing away pace by pace, blocking some, taking some. Watching her opponent from between raised forearms, she counted silently. Watching the rage build. Fury. Frustration. Sixth punch, she opened her guard and drew Kero in. Tangling Kero’s arm in the crook of her elbow, Tabitha stepped forward and past to slam the half Klingon to the ground. Taking that as a tap out, the blonde stepped back. Relaxed again, she extended her hand. This time an icy warning lay in her eye.

Kero, on the floor, flinched due to the pain caused by trying to resist the throw. She should have rolled with it and she knew it. She grabbed Tabi's wrist, no tricks this time, and pulled herself on her feet.

The Commander backed away, rolling her shoulders. A sharp metallic clunk made her grunt. The half-Klingon didn’t appear concerned with what had just happened, but her breathing was heavy.

“You leave yourself open,” Tabitha’s quiet tone was that of an instructor commenting, “Don't over extend into a retreating opponent.”

Kero was aware of that but she didn’t care. Her mind was set on hitting and overpowering, not on trying to fight a good fight. This wasn’t the rational Kero – it wasn’t the scientist nor the strategist, which was underlined by the fact that the person she was attempting to overpower was a Liberated drone, engineered for combat.

Kero bounced on the sand, balanced on the balls of her feet. Tilting her head first to the right then to the left, she adopted a defensive stance, pulling her fists and arms in front of her face. Tabi took the moment to study the Captain. The Klingon halfblood looked angry, but her gaze wasn’t focused. She’s not fighting me, Tabitha mused, I don’t think she even sees me. I am a ... she glanced at the locked Orion … substitute.

Without giving it much thought, Kero attempted to hit Tabi in the stomach with her right, keeping the other arm up in guard position. Tabitha’s feet slid over the sand as she moved, never pivoting as she twisted aside to her right. She grabbed the extended arm and almost casually hip checked Kero. This time the half-Klingon had seen it coming. She hooked the back of Tabi's leg with her own and pushed it backwards. Tabi’s knee gave out, toppling her.

The trick worked but the blonde still had a firm hold of Kero’s arm and nearly brought her down too. The Captain cut herself loose, breaking the hold at the cost of her own advantage and struggled to stay on her feet. Her gaze was getting even gloomier.

Caine flipped to her feet and danced back a few paces, half smiling. Her expression was cold otherwise. The smile did not reach her eye. “Better.”

Kero huffed and quite uncharacteristically retorted, “I didn't ask for a critique, you know?” She had always been very friendly with Tabi before.

“Then shut the fuck up and punch me,” the blonde snapped. “Stop playing.”

The woman in dreadlocks almost snarled and launched herself towards Tabi with a punch. She was met with a passive Caine, who took the blow to the chest without defence. Rocking back slightly against the blow, “Is that it? Again. Harder!”

Kero threw another punch, this time to her left, her eyes glazed, appearing to think of something else. Caine leaned into the blow, taking it to the chest again.

“Again,” she grunted. Kero, now decisively angered, swung a low kick against Tabi's right knee with a lot more force than before. The blonde stepped sideways, raising her leg above the blow and slamming her foot down beside Kero’s, in both a warning and demonstration that kicking low like that could have broken someone’s knee.

The Captain had both arms guarding her face and seemed callous. For someone who always claimed to treasure her friends, she didn’t think twice before potentially causing injury this time. After a small silent pause, she began another barrage of punches. Caine took a slow breath and stepped back a pace again under the flurry, rolling, blocking, ducking and weaving like a boxer but never going for a strike of her own.

Kero kept throwing her punches relentlessly, but with much less precision and significantly more frustration. "Why don't you hit me, you came here!" She yelled. Tabitha continued backing away, defensive and intent. She never actively blocked or replied, her breathing remained deep and steady, never saying a word.

The half-Klingon did not stop. Her punches were lunged at her opponent in quick succession one after the other, over and over. Some were blocked, some went through to no effect, all of this with more fury and less composure. Eventually she tried a thigh kick. The impact caused Caine to grunt and lose balance, nearly dropping to her knee, for an instant her defences dropped wide open. Kero swung a hit to the fallen soldier’s right shoulder with the edge of her open hand

"Just go down already!" Kero shouted.

Caine thumped backwards, spread-eagled in the sand.

A glimpse of rationality urged Kero to back off for a moment, awaiting Tabi's next move with her guard up. The blonde just lay there, her eye closing as she took a deep breath. “Again?”

“Why? You don't fight back.” Kero’s tone was infused with composed and intent anger. “Perhaps you think I am fragile?” She bounced on the sand a couple of times rolling her shoulders to release some of the tension that was accumulated through the numerous impacts of the blows.

Caine rolled to her feet, shaking herself and then locking eye contact. No challenge, just calm and relaxed. “Do you want me to?”

“I need to feel something Ta...” The words were uttered in a whisper.

Without warning, Tabi erupted forward, aiming a cross body blow to Kero's left shoulder, with a cruel one-two follow-up to her belly. Kero evaded the first hit, but distracted, never saw the other two blows and doubled over from the full strength attack. Tabi brought her knee up to smash into Kero's chest and simultaneously punch her elbow down between the klingon’s shoulder blades. The PSG shimmered under the assault, giving slightly under the violence but not failing.

Relaxing, Tabitha stepped back. Half turning she looked at Kero blankly. The half Klingon was once again on her knees, coughing and with a hand on her belly. The Commander extended a hand, precisely the same move as before.

Kero slapped the offered hand away and stood up somewhat unsteadily. She waited a moment to try and regain her breath before winding up a hook to Tabi's face. Caine ducked sideways, stepped in real close and brought her knee up hard between Kero's legs. Brutal. Efficient. Fast. Kero crumbled – she wanted a reaction, she got one all right. The blow left Kero curled in agony on the sand.

“I said no headshots. Clear?” The blonde turned and strode away to where she had buried the beers.

The Captain pushed herself up and struggled to say, “So you are quitting now?” She stood up again, never relenting or giving up. In between heavy breaths she ran the back of her hand along her forehead and lunged towards her adversary, attempting another attack – right, left and right again – towards Tabi's head.

The Commander turned back under the assault and let rip. Catching Kero’s left wrist in one hand she contemptuously flicked away the other blows with her forearm. Twisting the trapped wrist without mercy, feeling the fragile bones grind under her palm, Tabitha forced the Klingon face down on the sand and planted her knee on the woman's back. Kero was trapped in the lock, her arm a blaze of pain, the pressure of Tabitha’s full weight on her back driving the breath from her lungs in agonised pants. The sand was in her face, wrenching her head to the side and spitting sharp grit, she struggled to draw air.

Tabitha leaned over, maintaining the wristlock in a steel grip, “I said no fucking headshots.” She hissed in fury. Abruptly releasing Kero, the blonde rose and calmly continued to her drinks’ burial site.

Thoughts raced across Tabi’s mind. All the cues, reactions, all of it clicking slowly into place. A few words, Tabitha scraped at the sand, a few words. When she breaks the barrier herself. She picked out the bottles, listening to the coughing struggle to breathe behind her.

“I never had that luxury!” The Captain yelled, notes of grief and rage breaking through,” Turn around and face me.”

Caine returned to thud onto the sand next to Kero, then planted a bottle of bloodwine in the Klingon’s eye line as she lay there. “So talk.”

The Captain managed to get on her fours before pushing herself upright, sitting on the back of her heels, knees on the sand. Kero’s gaze misted, whether the tears were borne of memory or sand didn’t matter. Her voice was ragged, hoarse and shaky. “I see... I see two men. I see her blood.”

Tabi sat there beside Kero, knees drawn up under her chin as she looked across the beach, listening, letting the words flow.

The half Klingon continued, “I wanted some revenge, either beat someone senseless or just fade away like her. But it won't bring her back...”A pause. “This is where I lost her, shot in the head.”

“Why do you blame yourself?” The blonde asked softly.

Kero looked in front of her but also nowhere in particular. "How do you know?"

Tabitha stared out over the waves, the sunshade. “You need someone to hurt. You want to lash out. You want revenge? To ... do it over again? Do it differently, better. You say you lost her. That you lost her. So…” she paused to sip her beer and continued, still speaking quietly and calmly, “why do you blame yourself?”
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The next five chapters were originally a stand-alone story entitled, "Of Love and Honour." This happened a couple of years before "present time".

Chapter VI
Honourable conduct


“You saved me earlier today,” Lunos’s words echoed in the mess hall.

Sowl looked up, her burgundy lips leaving the mug filled with Bloodwine. “And that surprises you?”

“You got yourself shot while doing that. Isn’t Pathlat in charge of patching us back up mid battle?” Perused the white haired Klingon, “You usually are all out shooting―”

“The Nausicaan was a few feet further away.” The Captain interruped, looking back at her mug.

“Qa thlo’.” Silence ensued. Lunos had not touched her drink yet, and the hasty and somewhat needy reply seemed to echo even louder than her first statement in the empty mess hall.

A strange atmosphere had crept up in between the two. Untold thoughts mingled with the adrenaline and fire from the battle that had occurred not long before. There was awkwardness but at the same time a feeling of relief that nobody else was there, hearing that conversation and those unspoken words. The fight had ended, but another conflict seemed to still be in place.

Lunos’s thoughts galloped back to a few hours before, the cold but burning wound caused by the Breen’s rifle was still giving her the chills. The pain was shredding her to pieces and she couldn’t get back on her feet. Some blurry golden threads appeared before her eyes. Her Captain had come to the rescue and injected a hypospray of sorts and the pain was gone even though the wound was still there. Lunos stood back up, only to see her Captain being shot in her back and fall. The Tactical―and First―Officer had raged and shot back at the Breen and his comrades in kind, but was unable to repay the favour and had to let the Nausicaan do the patching up with Sowl.

“I tried to provide cover fire so that you could be saved” Said Lunos almost apologetically.

“Is that why you are troubled?” Sowl replied, “You fought well, we won the battle. You fought with honour.”

“But allowed the rest of the crew to see you lying on the floor.”

“It would have been an honourable death,” Sowl stretched a little on her chair, the pain at her back still vivid, her blonde dreadlocks falling behind her shoulders, “instead it was an honourable battle.” The Captain raised her gaze again to meet Lunos’s."Since when are you so soft? I hope you are not getting all mushy like all those Federation p’Taq.”

More silence, filled with more conflicting thoughts, floated in the room. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement amongst the crew that the war was a mistake, but they were fighting because they were loyal to the Empire. Lunos knew from previous conversations with her Captain that she would have taken advantage of any situation that could mend the rift between them and the Federation. Behind that tough mask, Sowl regarded the Federation as honourable in her heart. Lunos knew that. The Captain’s private chats with her First Officer weren't infrequent, but tension seemed to have built up between the two lately.

Lunos attempted to formulate an answer, but no sound left her lips. Sowl looked at her with a sly smirk and an almost unperceivable wink. The Captain stood from her chair only to sit again with her left thigh on the table, closer to her First Officer. The two looked at each other straight in the eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

Both Sowl and Lunos looked and acted in a much more feminine way than other Klingon women. Yet their charisma and presence made sure nobody in the crew even thought of challenging their commanders. The Captain was renowned for her deadly proficiency in the MoQ’bara and in the wielding of the Bat’leth. Sowl had often joked that if anybody ever got past her Bat’leth she would reward them with a “special treatment.” Lunos always chuckled thinking at how sure Sowl was about never having to administer that “treatment.” However recently, whenever the Captain made that statement, Lunos would get shivers―whether they were good or bad shivers, she couldn’t put a finger on it.

They had been with humans for a long time and knew each other from their days in Starfleet, but their loyalties led them to leave the Federation when the conflict exploded. That might be one of the reasons why they seemed much calmer than the other Klingon women. Sowl would still burst in anger every now and then, although her anger was channelled and usually justified. Lunos was cold and a silent, if deadly, warrior. She was one who would signify your quick death if you ever met her shade in the field of battle. When alone with her Captain though, she seemed to assume other colours.

Sowl slid her fingertips on the back of her First Officer’s hand. Lunos was still holding her mug, but those slender fingers gave her chills just like the Breen weapon did. The two still held the gaze for a long moment before Sowl decided to close the gap between the two. Lunos’s eyes rested momentarily on those burgundy lips, which roamed next to her ear.

“I value you over everyone else.” Sowl began. Lunos responded with a light sigh. “But I will not allow you to take a nap in the middle of a a fight.” Continued the Captain teasingly.

The First Officer tensed and was unsure of how to read the situation, her body was frozen and unable to take action. It didn't often happen that something was out of her control.

“Kabor to the Captain.” A male voice resounded in the empty mess hall. “We have a message from the High Council.”

Sowl rolled her eyes although Lunos couldn't see them as she was staring straight in front of her. “My ready room.” The Captain ordered through her comm while she stood up and somewhat unsteadily moved towards the mess hall’s exit. Lunos left her chair quickly and grasped her Captain’s left arm to help her for the first few steps. She knew Sowl was still in pain, but she also knew she was proud and wouldn't have accepted to be carried all the way to the ready room. As soon as the Captain was able to walk properly, and before the mess hall’s doors opened, the First Officer let go of the arm, allowing her commander to walk on her own.
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Chapter VII
The Challenge


Sowl stormed onto the Bridge, “Kabor, set a course for Deferi.”

The big muscular male Klingon nodded silently and entered the coordinates in the computer. The ship entered warp swiftly.

“How long until we get there?” The Captain asked impatiently.

“About four days.”

Sowl acknowledged with a slight movement of her head and then turned to her First Officer. “Lunos get the crew ready for a fight. They must be prepared for the Breen. I will be in my quarters.”

Still limping, the blonde Klingon woman walked towards the turbo lift, passing near the engineering station. Kless, the Chief Engineer, stepped closer to her Captain ready to help her to the turbolift. She could feel two blue eyes fixing on her and turned her head towards them. Lunos shook her head slowly and Kless returned to her duty. After a few moments however, the First Officer decided to leap into the turbolift just before the doors closed.

“What is it, Lunos?” Asked the Captain with some irritation caused by the pain.

“I’ll have Pathlat come to your quarters and have a look at you,” responded the other woman.

“Don’t be ridiculous! He saw me when we came back a few hours ago,” thundered Sowl. “I don’t need babysitting.”

“Sowl, you need to be at full strength for the mission ahead. We will face the Breen again and you need to be at your best to fight them. Not to mention the cold...”

The turbolift halted and the doors opened. The Captain gasped a little as she attempted to walk out and the ache became a little stronger.

“If you are going to start to tuck me in bed, I am going to find a new First Officer,” she stated before leaving.

“You wouldn’t want to be too weak for your Bat’leth sparring,” Lunos retorted.

Sowl stopped walking and slowly turned towards her subordinate with a fiery and intense gaze. “Oh?”

“Well, what would the crew think if they heard their Captain declined a match against her First Officer because she was too weak?”

Sowl smirked. She knew exactly what game Lunos was playing, but she also knew that her First Officer was right. The Breen are challenging opponents and she couldn’t allow herself to be at less than her best. “Fine, have someone bring some medication to my quarters. But it had better be a brief visit.”

“In three days then?” Lunos’ eyes were inspecting the body of the blonde.

“You had better not take back the challenge,” Sowl nodded. “What would the crew think if their First Officer declined a Bat’leth match because she thought she had no chance?” Still with a smirk on her face, the Captain turned around once more and headed to her quarters.
________________________________________

Sowl’s quarters didn’t have much decoration. Her Bat’leth hung on the wall with a small trophy underneath that she earned from a tournament on Qo’nos. Her name was inscribed on a gold plaque: Sowl of Xarath. Her House was a small one, but it was always loyal to the Empire. The trophy reminded her of her duty as a warrior and what she stood for as a Klingon. Yet... that war with the Federation...

On another wall two tajtiq were also hanging in the form of a cross. The blades were shining in the dim light of the room―Sowl took great care of them, like any Klingon warrior would.

The woman lay on her bed, her hands crossed behind her head. This was usually the time around which Pathlat came with his medication. She closed her eyes for a bit of rest waiting for the Nausicaan to pay her visit. She felt much better after the treatments of the last couple of days.

The door chimed as expected. “Yes, get in here.” Sowl responded, still with her eyes closed, “Just put the hypospray on the table, I have already exercised.”

The new arrival walked towards the Captain instead with sure-footed but almost silent steps. Sowl instinctively sat up on the bed and assumed a battle stance, ready to take down the intruder.

To her surprise, Lunos was standing right in front of her with the hypospray.

“What are you doing here?” Questioned the Commanding Officer.

Lunos grinned, “Well you kept saying you didn’t like to have Pathlat in your quarters every day...”

“What makes you think I want you in here?” Sowl’s toned body relaxed as she leant back on her hands.

“Just making sure you are fit enough for tomorrow.” Lunos smirked as she sat on the bed to the right side of her Captain, edging closer to administer the hypospray on her neck.

Sowl laughed. “Oh don’t you worry about that. You will be sore at the end of it and will regret having challenged me.” Lunos laughed as well in response to the remark.

As silence took over the two made eye contact like they had in the mess hall a few days back. Again, Lunos felt awkward, her unspoken thoughts were assaulting her mind. Her Captain’s gaze seemed intent and meaningful, but the Commander was overwhelmed with doubt and questions as to what it actually meant. Eventually she broke eye contact.

Sowl stretched her neck and closed her eyes briefly, trying to feel whether the pain was totally gone. After a few more moments of silence, Sowl opened her eyes again, reached Lunos’s hands and clasped them between hers, her intentions could not be mistaken this time.

“Lunos...” She said in a low cry, “I...”

Lunos shifted her body to the side and looked intently at those green eyes framed by the blonde dreadlocks. She run her finger over Sowl’s lips. The blonde frowned, but smiled soon after.

Lunos whispered, “Remember what you said about people getting past your Bat’leth?”

Curious, the other woman nodded slowly. “Yes?” she asked, also in a whisper.

“I am holding you to that,” Lunos smirked and stood up. Sowl followed her with her gaze while she walked towards the door. The First Officer glanced at her, defiant, “I wonder who will win tomorrow.”

With those words, Lunos walked away and disappeared behind the doors.
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Chapter VIII
Battles


The blade of the Bat’leth shined under the dim light of Sowl’s quarters. She polished and sharpened it in preparation of the match against Lunos. Sitting on her bed, she held her weapon with one hand while she ran a finger on the flat side of the blade. She was nervous about the upcoming fight and that didn’t happen often. Facing an opponent would raise her adrenaline in anticipation, it would ignite her bloodlust and the pride of the warrior she was, but she had not felt apprehension since the first days when she learned how to wield a Bat’leth.

Whilst looking at her blade her mind saw the eyes of her First Officer rather than her own, as her thoughts travelled back to the night before. It was almost as if she could still sense her. Sowl squeezed her eyes shut, covering them with her palm. The two Klingon women knew each other for years and had never got that close before. Neither were dominant over the other, aside for when rank mattered. However, their tactical discussions as of late seemed to be more personal each time. She wasn’t sure how seriously to take the night before; Lunos might have just wanted to repay Sowl’s tease in the mess hall.

In combat Lunos was cold and precise, a silent predator. Many had fallen at her hands, yet that wasn’t the cause of Sowl’s nervous sentiment. She didn’t fear her. She was honoured to fight alongside, and in this case against, such a warrior. The Captain was confident in her ability to wield a Bat’leth however and that might have been just the problem. What if she hurt her long-time friend and comrade? That worry was new to her yet she was well aware that Lunos could take care of herself.

Sowl inhaled deeply and stood up: It was time for that Bat’leth match. She walked to the exit of her room but, as the doors closed, a strong jolt shook the whole ship and the Captain was almost thrown against the bulkhead. The red alert sounded and Sowl quickly pressed her comm badge fastened to her wrist, “Bridge what’s going on?”

“An ambush! Two Breen ships just came out of nowhere Captain!” Responded Kabor.

“I’m on my way!” Sowl quickly made her way to the bridge with her Bat’leth in her hands.
________________________________________

“Shields at 40%,” alerted Kabor.

“Transfer power to those shields, quickly.” Ordered Lunos, “But make sure we keep full power to our Disruptors.” She finished while looking at Kless.

The Chief Engineer acknowledged with her head and quickly tapped her console with the intent to divert power from somewhere. The ship was in jeopardy, the torpedoes from two Breen ships were too much to take for her shields. The K’Mis was shaking under heavy fire.

“What’s going on with those shields?” Sowl urged.

“Just a few more seconds, I have almost...” The Engineer was interrupted by a violent jolt followed by a brief power outage.

“We have a hull breach!” screamed Kabor, “Our shields are down!”

“We are being hailed,” Lunos said quickly.

“On screen.” Growled Sowl.

“So that’s the might of the Warriors of the Empire?” A masked man in a war suit resembling those of mountain climbers appeared on screen, his metallic voice resounded through the Bridge. “Prepare to be boarded.”

“We will not surrender to you dogs!” Sowl spat angrily. “I don’t want to hear them anymore,” she yelled, “Cut the comm link and prepare for hand-to-hand combat!”

With the K’Mis’s shields disabled it wasn’t long before the whine of an incoming transport could be heard through the din, a Breen boarding party materialising on the Bridge. One of the aliens appeared behind Lunos who was standing near the tactical console. Without pause he immediately struck out at the Kingon’s kidney landing a punishing blow that bounced the dazed First Officer off the console and onto the metal grating.

Sowl readied her Bat’leth, but was unable to run to Lunos as another Breen had engaged her in combat. She skilfully swirled her blade, using it as an extension of her arm. The Breen kept stepping back trying avoid the weapon, but it was clear that he didn’t have the upper hand, seemingly realising that trying to engage this Klingon Captain in melee combat wasn’t a bright idea.

Kabor, Kless and other Bridge crew were exchanging fire with the rest of the boarding party, while Lunos was still alone with the Breen that attacked her from behind. She skillfully leapt back on her feet despite the pain at her kidney and drew two tajtiq from her boots. She blocked what would have been a damaging blow from the butt of her opponent’s rifle with her daggers and delivered a kick to his knee, forcing his leg to bend and throwing him off balance. The First Officer finished him off with a leg sweep that caused the Breen to land on his back and slit his throat with her blades.

“Lunos!” Kless’s voice came from her left and she quickly turned in response. A shot from a Breen’s rifle struck the First Officer right on her temple and she collapsed unconscious.
Sowl witnessed the scene and in a burst of rage she dealt a deadly blow to her opponent with the Bat’leth. He fell on the floor, lifeless, his blood tainting the Captain’s blade. The Breen weren’t doing too well with their boarding party and only two were left standing.

One of them tapped his comm badge, “We need more over here!”

“Yes sir, transpo...” the voice from the Breen’s comm badge was interrupted by an explosion. Instinctively, all people on the Bridge looked at the view screen to see what was happening. A Vesta Class Federation vessel had appeared and fired on one of the two Breen ships, disabling it. The two Breen that were left on the bridge were transported away.

“Fire on the disabled ship!” Sowl yelled.

Kabor quickly ran to the tactical console and fired the Disruptors with all the energy they had available. With their shields down the Breen ship exploded. The other hostile ship warped away quickly.

The Captain immediately ran to her First Officer and tapped her comm badge on her wrist. “Pathlat, medical emergency on the bridge. Lunos is down.” She knelt beside the prone warrior but didn’t move her in case something was broken. She lightly ran her thumb over her lip, while she cupped her cheek with the rest of her hand.

Pathlat materialised next to the two with a medical kit. He scanned the First Officer with a tricorder. “Sir... she is in a coma. I need to operate on her but...” he started.

“But what?” The response of the blonde Klingon was filled with anger and impatience.

“When we were boarded by the Breen they also transported away our medical supplies,” the Nausicaan concluded.

Sowl’s eyes opened wide. She stared at the battle medic for a few seconds, then she turned to Lunos once more.

“That is not the only thing they stole.” Kabor added, “We have reports of missing weaponry and food. It seems they needed to refill their supplies.”

Sowl regained composure―as much as one can deem a raging Klingon “composed”―”Hail the Federation vessel.”

“They are hailing us” responded Kabor “I am putting it on screen.”

A brunette with Klingon features appeared in the view screen. Her ridges were not very pronounced, like those of other Klingons, but they were still visible.

“Klingon vessel, I am Captain Kero Elan, of the Federation Starship Troi. Can we be of assistance?” Said the woman.

“I would have never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad to see you, Federation.” Began Sowl, “We have wounded, but our medical supplies have been robbed by the Breen”, The blonde didn’t even try to hide the rage from her voice.

Kero glanced at the Klingon on the floor, “I see. They were a raiding party then. We can supply you with medicine and help you with the wounded if you let us transport aboard.”

“No! They are just going to try to seize our vessel while our defenses are down!” Objected one of Sowl’s bridge crew.

“Enough, Rakat!” Responded another, who menacingly leapt towards the dissenter, “Let our Captain handle this.”

“Let it be, Terak.” Said Sowl. Rakat grumbled and walked back to his console, while Terak acknowledged the order and went back to his post.

Sowl’s eyes passed over at the two crewmen and then to Lunos, eventually resting on the viewscreen again. “Fine. Kabor make sure our guests are not alone.” She ordered reluctantly.

“Very well,” Kero nodded and the transmission was ended.

“I guess now we see how good an idea it was to put an ex-Federation p’TaQ in charge...” Rakat complained.

“Say that again.” Sowl looked at the rebel with piercing eyes.

“We don’t need the Federation dogs. We are warriors and we die in battle. You are proving to be a weak leader, accepting help from a half-breed who doesn’t even have the honour to side with her Empire.” He continued.

“If you want to die, then fight me to the death!” Sowl swung her Bat’leth at the other Klingon and he responded by parrying the first attack with his knives. The two danced around each other in a whirlwind of flashing blades, but it wasn’t long before the Captain’s weapon found its way to a deadly blow. The male Klingon grunted in pain and sagged further onto her blade. His lifeless body slid off the Bat’leth and hit the floor.

The turbolift’s door hissed open depositing a group of people wearing Federation uniforms onto the Bridge. Among them was Kero. She looked at the wounded and ordered her team with a gesture of her hand to tend to them, including Rakat, unaware of what had just happened. Terak stepped in front of one the Federation doctors, preventing him from advancing further.

“There’s nothing you can do for him.” He said in a growl.

The doctor glanced at Kero, confused, who nodded to indicate acceptance of what Terak had said. The Federation Captain’s gaze lingered on Terak for a while before turning to Sowl.
The blonde pointed at Lunos with a motion of her head. Kero removed the scanner from her medical tricorder and knelt, passing the device over the unmoving Klingon as she focused on the readings.

“She’s in a coma.” Asserted Pathlat, “But our sickbay equipment is damaged...”

“Indeed she is. We will need to beam her aboard our ship to operate on her, or the blood will form a clot in her brain. We can’t wait for the repair crew to fix your sickbay.” Kero looked at Sowl for permission.

“I won’t allow her to go to your ship alone,” said the Klingon Captain, “I’ll go as well.”

“I’ll stay here as a guarantee...” Responded Kero, “I will supervise the medical efforts.” The Federation Captain ventured a glance towards Terak again before ordering the transport of the two Klingon women directly to the Troi’s sickbay.

Once Kero finished to give out assignments to her away team and took care of the most urgent injuries she went to the mess hall and sat at a table, accompanied by Kabor and a security detachment, to have a very short break. A muscular male Klingon with grayish hair approached the woman at her table.

“May I sit here?” asked Terak.

Kero raised her gaze and followed him while he sat down, “Of course...” The suspicion in her voice was evident.

“Do you not recognise me?” Was that a hint of teasing in his voice?

“Should I?” she replied cautiously.

“I am Terak of House Elan.”
________________________________________

It was late and Lunos’s operation had ended. She had to stay in observation in the Troi’s sickbay at least for the night while the K’Mis was being repaired. It was clear that these Federation people did not intend to attack the Klingons, although Sowl wasn’t really surprised. She had been in Starfleet for years after all.

She was seated next to Lunos’s bio-bed and had not slept at all. She was holding her hand in between hers and caressing her cheek every now and then. The Chief Medical Officer of the Troi had successfully stopped the internal haemorrhaging, and according to her, Lunos was out of the coma but still too weak to regain consciousness. Her condition wasn’t stable yet and she was still at risk of dying.

Sowl’s eyes rested on those violet lips that she had wished to kiss just the night before. Whether those lips would ever grace her it was uncertain as was the future. She always took for granted that battle could divide them one day, yet it never was so real to her as it was in that room, next to that bio-bed. A million Bat’leth’s wounds didn’t hurt as much as seeing Lunos in that condition.

The Klingon Captain was severely lacking sleep. Accompanied only by the thoughts of loss, she collapsed next to her First Officer and sunk in restless slumber.
3 Likes
Chapter IX
Stories of the past


“You can go” ordered Terak. The two security guards standing next to Kero Elan nodded and left. He had two mugs filled with Bloodwine; he placed one in front of the Federation Captain and started to drink from the other.

“So... my daughter commands her own ship now.” He added, satisfied.

The woman stared at him without uttering a word, motionless.

“Don’t you like Bloodwine anymore? Did you soften up with the humans?” Smirked Terak.

“Why hasn’t Command heard from you since such a long time?” Kero managed to say eventually, “There have been all sort of speculations, death, capture...”

“...Treason?” Finished the male Klingon looking intently at his daughter. Amongst his grays you could still see the dark brown hair, just like that of Kero. His physique was still fairly imposing and strong.

Kero looked down at her mug, tilting her head, “Care to explain what you are doing here?” She didn’t want to be so harsh with him. Yet the shock and the surprise had struck her hard. She always defended her father; she insisted that if he wasn’t in touch with Starfleet Command anymore, there would have been a good reason. He couldn’t be a traitor. However, here he was, right in front of her, in absolutely no danger aboard a Klingon ship.

Terak breathed deeply and leaned back against his chair. He placed his mug on the table with his right hand but didn’t let go of its handle, while he rested his left elbow on the back of the chair, letting his other hand hang lazily.

“After one of my transmissions to Starfleet Command, I was discovered,” he began with a grave voice, “I was going to be killed right there and then, if Captain Sowl didn’t insist on bringing me before the High Council.”

Kero perked an eyebrow and decided to look up at her father.

“She made up a story about me working for her, pretending to be an informer for the Federation by feeding them false information.” Terak paused a moment to breathe deeply, “Yet some of that information had to be true and verifiable by Federation intelligence so that my credibility would remain solid... According to Sowl’s version of the facts, of course.”

“Why did you remain here? Why didn’t you try to reach the Federation?” Questioned hastily the half Klingon.

“That would cost Sowl her head.” Terak’s reply was prompt, “She saved my life, escaping and leaving her to her fate would have not been honourable.”
Kero nodded, “Why did she help you?”

Terak looked around him and leaned towards his daughter, almost as if the nature of what he was about to say was even more sensitive than what he had just explained, “I don’t think she really agrees with the war.” He picked up his mug again and finished the Bloodwine, “Kero, I can’t come back now.”

The Federation Captain nodded once more. She had a little smirk on her face, although her eyes were sad.

“But I promise you, if I see a chance to come back, I will. I am going to help put an end to this war. And I know I can do it on this ship.” Terak looked at his daughter firmly, “It turned out to be the best way, I can side with the Empire, while not betraying the Federation.”

“I guess you don’t want me to mention you in my reports?” Kero asked.

The Klingon shook his head, “8472 is around, they are inciting conflict between the Empire and the Federation and they shapeshift and swap faction all the time. I wouldn’t want this info to wind up in the High Council’s hands.”

Kero sighed in response.

“I can’t allow Sowl to die because of this, please understand.” Terak concluded.
________________________________________

It was another late night in sickbay for Sowl, alone with the bio-bed and the unconscious Lunos. Most of the damage to the K’Mis was repaired and the two Captains had returned to their ships with their respective crews and parted ways.

Suddenly something pressed lightly on Sowl’s shoulder, causing her to almost jolt out of her dozy state and turn around. The tall figure of her Chief Engineer was standing behind her, displaying concern in her eyes. The Captain of the K’Mis turned back to Lunos, an elbow on the bio-bed, the head resting against her hand.

Kless took a couple of steps back and sat on a chair, “I didn’t realise she was so important for you.”

Sowl didn’t speak; instead, she kept staring at her First Officer, visibly tired.

“I hear there is still a chance she could wake...” Started the Officer.

“Did we find the Breen ship that escaped us yet?” Interrupted Sowl.

“We found a matching warp signature on long range scanners. We should reach them in about a day.” Kless’s response was quick, but the Captain seemed to have slipped into her silence once more, “Is there anything I can do?”

Sowl slid her hands to those of Lunos and held them in hers; she looked at her eyes hoping they would open. The blonde was having trouble keeping her own open however.
Kless stood and grumbled, she moved towards the door of sickbay, but stopped in front of it. She turned around to look at her Captain, “You know, you can just kill yourself tired and stay here like a sorry p’TaQ...”

“Watch your mouth, Lieutenant.” Warned Sowl, still not turning around.

“...But I think she deserves better than that.” Finished Kless before taking the last steps to exit sickbay.

“We’ve known each other for years,” began Sowl eventually, “And while the thought had crossed my mind a few times in those years, it didn’t feel so real... to share more than a friendship with her.”

The Chief Engineer turned back and reached the chair she had sat on previously. She had almost no hair beside a white ponytail starting from the top of her head. She ran her fingers just on top of her ocular implant to get rid of a light itch before sitting down. When she was a Borg drone, her left eye got replaced by a cybernetic implant, and small trace of it was still left after her Klingon physiology had reasserted itself.

“When did this change?” She asked.

“I think it was a slow process. But it wasn’t until some days back that I realised I wanted her so badly...” Sowl replied, tiredness transpiring in her voice, “We served on the same Federation ship for quite a long time. We’d duel in the holodeck, always keeping fit for combat, you know. I think she was better with the Tajtiqs... still is.”

Kless smiled and allowed silence for some moments, “I didn’t think you could be so soft.”

Sowl sighed, “You tell this to the crew, I’ll rip your heart out.”

The ex-Borg inclined her head, “About Lunos?”

“No, about being soft.”

For a short moment the two Klingons forgot the gravity of the situation and chuckled.
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Chapter X
Payback


“Fire those damned torpedoes!” Yelled Sowl while holding onto her Bridge chair.

“Torpedo systems are offline!” Kless responded, “I’ll need to...”

“Do what you have to do, NOW!” The Captain readied her disruptor and grabbed her Bat’leth, which she always kept next to her chair, “What’s the condition of their shields?”

“They are down, the Breen ship’s having trouble too.” Terak replied.

“Excellent. Terak, Kabor and Kless get ready to board them. We’ll give them some payback.” The blonde Klingon had to shout, the noise from the jolts and continuous weapon fire from the ships’ confrontation were very loud. Sowl tapped the comm badge on her wrist, “Pathlat, how’s Sick Bay?”

“We have had some power fluctuations... ave some injured, getting them patched up and sendi... ack to work. Other than that we... fine” the Nausicaan’s voice was broken up by some interference in the comm system “Lunos is still...”

“Keep it up, nobody slacks on my ship. Sowl out.” The Captain nodded to Kless who promptly initiated transport on the Breen ship.

As they materialised on the Breen’s bridge, a crossfire of cryo-beams and rifles welcomed them aboard. The Klingon boarding party had to quickly find cover and returned fire.
Sowl quickly scanned the area to find what looked like the superior officer. He had some sort of decoration on his suit that seemed to indicate he was of higher rank. She moved swiftly from cover to cover to get to closer to his position, exchanging fire whenever she was attacked.

A sudden acute pain to her right shoulder accompanied by a thud took Sowl by surprise. A Breen had snuck up on her and had managed to hit her with the back of his rifle, causing her to fall on one knee. He quickly pointed the weapon at her to shoot her, but she swung a kick at him, causing the rifle to fly off somewhere.

The Breen was fast at unsheathing a knife and threw himself with force at the Klingon, who was still off-balance from the kick. He wound up on top of the blonde, locking her down on the floor with the intention to sink that knife into her throat.

The other officers were too busy with the rest of the Breen crew on the Bridge and couldn’t support Sowl. An attempt from Terak to launch himself at the alien who had knocked his Captain down was stopped by another Breen before he could even try. Kless and Kabor were pinned down by cover fire.

Sowl and the Breen struggled on the floor for moments that appeared to take an eternity. The knife was getting closer and closer to her throat, while she was trying to push it upwards by pressing against the alien with both arms. She was a proficient close combat fighter, but this opponent was strong.

“This is not the end of me, P’TaQ”, growled the Klingon who quickly released her right arm from the wrestle. Suddenly the Breen gasped, his grip on the knife loosened up and Sowl was able to push him aside, as he fell on the floor like a dead weight.

“You people forget important details, such as the Bat’leth on the floor next to you.” said the Klingon Captain to the dying Breen.

An unexpected burning sting to her leg forced Sowl to bend on her knee once more.

“And you forget you are surrounded and on an enemy ship” said the Breen commander with a pistol pointed at her. The Klingon slid her hand onto her belt only to realise her disruptor was lost somewhere. She had no way to defend herself.

She waited for the execution without breaking eye contact with the Breen.

Execution which never came, as the Breen Captain himself got shot right in his chest by a disruptor beam and dropped on the floor.

“Not just yet, you owe me a Bat’leth match still!” Said a familiar voice.

Sowl turned briskly to her right, to see a weak Lunos with a pistol in hand, while leaning on Pathlat with her arm.

More Klingons had boarded the Breen ship and the fight quickly turned to their favour, with just a few aliens left which were being taken care of quickly.

“Always showing off, boarding with just a few people” Lunos added with a smirk.

“I didn’t want the Breen to counter our move and overtake our ship, in case they decided to board us in the meantime. It seems they didn’t do that, hm?” Explained Sowl, “Anyway, what are you doing here?”

The First Officer attempted to gain some balance and tried to stand on her own, “Saving your ass!”
________________________________________

With the Breen ship apprehended and most of the supplies recovered, the K’Mis was able to see some peace and quiet for a while. A few weeks had passed, giving the crew time to recuperate from the battle.

Sowl was in the holodeck, fighting some holographic Klingons with her Bat’leth.

The sound of the holodeck’s door opening up caused the Captain to turn to the entrance for a moment, “Always keeping fit huh?” Lunos stepped into the room, but remained at a distance from her superior while she was still fighting. The blonde fended her last blow to the holographic opponent and then said, “Computer, pause program.”

“Hm-hm, I hope you are too.” Added the blonde, “We had a sparring to take care of, remember?”

“This is why I just came here.” The First Officer smirked and unsheathed her Tajtiqs from the boots.

The Captain assumed her usual battle stance with her Bat’leth, holding it as an extension of her arm. She looked cunningly at her subordinate, “Are you sure you’ll be fine? You know, after that bad beating by the Breen?”

“Hey, I saved your ass the moment I regained consciousness” Lunos retorted, “And you have no idea of what manner of threats I had to throw at Pathlat to let me leave the Sick Bay so that I could beam over. And right on time too, it seems.”

Sowl perked her right eyebrow and scrutinized her opponent. She shuffled sideways, slowly, waiting for the right moment to strike, “I had it perfectly under control.”

“Sure you did!” Said Lunos with a grin. She suddenly jumped forward, swinging her long knife at Sowl, who fended it off with her Bat’leth. The two engaged in and elegant, swift combat, where Lunos’s precise, stealthy moves were being met by the deadly dance her Captain’s blade.

They kept going for several minutes, when one got the upper hand, the other soon recovered and it was hard to tell who could win... Until Lunos left her guard open for too long while attempting to hit her opponent with an upswing, which was rendered useless by Sowl’s dodge, followed by a twirl of the Bat’leth that forced the First Officer to step back, losing balance and allowing Sowl to push her on the floor, the crescent-shaped blade terribly close to her throat. Her body locked on the floor by that of her Captain’s.

The blonde Klingon smirked, “So I guess I’ve won.”

Lunos sighed, without taking her eyes off her commander, despite having a blade dangerously close to her skin, “Maybe so.”

Sowl felt something poking the side of her waist, the end of a tajtiq was pressed against it. The First Officer grinned once more, “So... about that promise for those who would get past your Bat’leth…”

“You haven’t won!” responded the Captain quickly.

“Neither have you!”

“I could just press this Bat’leth against your throat now, and then you’d be dead” Continued the blonde.

Silence ensued for a short moment all the while the two Klingons kept looking at each other in the eyes.

“Or you could press your lips against mine...” Lunos said eventually.

Sowl slowly moved the Bat’leth away and laid it on the floor without breaking eye contact. Lunos allowed her knife to drop from her hand while the blonde leaned on her and met her lips. It was the kiss of someone who had awaited that moment for a very long time and who feared it’d never come.

The First Officer took a deep breath. “So... are you a traditionalist?” She said in hushed tones.

Sowl took some time before whispering, “I’m here with another woman, what do you think?”

Lunos hit her lightly, “That’s not what I mean...” The white haired Klingon run a finger on Sowl’s lips. “Will this matter beyond these walls?”

“It will.”

“Then tell me.”

The blonde gazed into the other woman’s eyes once more. “I love you, Lunos. You better not die on me again, because you are going to have to stick with me for a long while yet.”
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Chapter XI
A Matter of Loyalty


Kero paced up the ramp to the Starlight Cantina, the familiar sounds and smells of the bar filling the air and helping her feel at home – or at least as home as she ever felt on Deep Space Thirteen. She instantly recognised Lieutenant commander Tabitha Caine, she station’s Assistant Chief of Security and Lieutenant Erriss Torvath, the Assistant Chief of Operations in conversation at the bar. A more unique pair of individuals were not to be found anywhere in the fleet, both over six feet three inches and well over two hundred pounds. Kero moved to the bar next to the Klingon and watched their exchange with humoured interest.

“I'll try not to break anything.” Lieutenant Commander Caine looked ahead to the shelves of bottles, her hands wrapped around the glass of Ice-Water in front of her. Others may have found the cold uncomfortable. Tabi probably didn’t even notice.

“That would be appreciated.” Erriss replied in a droll tone, looking to her left and eyeing Tabi.

“Afternoon, Captain.” Tabi said, looking past her companion to Kero.

Erriss’s gaze followed and she scanned Kero from head to foot, not expecting to see her in such informal attire. “Captain.”

Kero nodded at the two to then tap the bar with her hand. "Raktajino.” She said before turning to the two other officers herself. “Hello you two." The Captain was wearing black training boots and skinny fit trousers. Along her waist was a belt with a knife fastened to on its left. Her training top left her midriff exposed and she wore fingerless gloves on her hands. The other two officers were in their uniform. “Nothing like a good run…” She added “And some good Orion punching…” Kero paused a moment to think at what she just said, “I wasn’t running from the Orion.” She smirked.

“I can agree with you on the first.” Erriss began. “I will leave the second to you and Commander Caine.”

Tabi bit her lip, obviously wanting to make a joke about all this, yet she decided to refrain from commenting due to the fact that she was on duty.

Lieutenant Torvath in the mean time was very happy to take a sip from the greatly improved Raktajino. The drink was so much more authentic since she brought the real thing from her colony. Swifty still needed to practice his art of Raktajino-making, but it was an improvement nonetheless.

The Captain ventured a glance towards the two other officers, “Anyway, sorry for interrupting, you two carry on.”

“There is nothing to interrupt.” The Klingon responded.

“Sad but very true.” Whether Tabi was joking it was hard to say. The ambiguity made Kero raise an eyebrow, without really thinking.

Erriss took another sip from her Raktajino before speaking again, “Captain, I would speak with you.”

Kero crossed her arms in front of her chest, slightly taken aback by the way she was approached, “You would speak to me, now, would you?”

“Ah, my turn.” Tabi said prompt before moving away from the other two, “I will leave you both to it.”

Lieutenant Torvath stared at the half-Klingon, impassive. “If you will hear me.” She added.

“You have my attention.” The Captain’s tone was somewhat detached.

“Perhaps somewhere less open would be prudent.” Erriss pursued.

Kero tilted her head, "Very well... conference room?"

The Klingon nodded and followed the Captain along the glass bridging the bar to the conference room. Kero sat down first and placed her cup of Raktajino on the table.

The Captain waited for Erriss to sit down as well. “Lieutenant?”

The Assistant Chief of Operations began to talk in Klingon, “The communication you received the other day… it may not be my place but as a sister I would pledge my service to you, if you require it.”

Kero frowned disapprovingly, “You are right, Lieutenant, it is not your place.”

Eris gritted her teeth slightly, the points of her front and canine teeth showing under her top lip.

“And I am not sure what that communication is about either,” the Captain continued, “or what I am going to do about it just yet. Why the interest?”

“We are Klingon. A communication from within the empire to a Klingon Federation officer asking to meet in neutral territory. Better to be surrounded by loyal sisters than… Others…”

Kero’s expression was still visibly displeased. “Lieutenant, you looked at my file, haven't you?”

“Yes. I have seen many.” Said Erriss, “Yours was of more… Interest than most.”

The Captain raised an eyebrow once more. "Then you know that I am not fully a Klingon, and I don't tend to consider other people 'sisters' just because they are Klingons.” Her tone of voice was somewhat harsh.

The Lieutenant’s own tone changed, her staunch Starfleet exterior diminished, “I see that with my own eyes, not from any file. You dishonour me with your indifference. You think perhaps you are alone in your struggle between one race and another, the politics, the traditions, the assumptions. When so many would reject you for what you are you reject me as I come with arms and heart open. As you say, we are not sisters.” She stood up, spitting the words through her gritted teeth, showing pure unrestrained Klingon “Good fortune on your mission, Captain.”

Kero rested her back against her chair as a way to stay composed and calm while allowing her tone of voice to soften. "Lieutenant, please sit... I am well aware that you have gone through the same issues..." She sighed. "Please accept my apologies."

The Klingon still stood, her tone still showing her irritation, “My 'issues' are not of your concern. I offer you allegiance, respect, I would gladly risk my life to aid you. Yet you reject me and what I hold to be important. That is not even the conduct of a Starfleet officer. Your mind is clouded, Captain.”

The half-Klingon sighed again. "I think you are stepping out of line there, Lieutenant. Your issues are none of my concern, yet you are asking something about a communication that does not really concern you, or anyone else really.” Her tone of voice was steady and controlled. She motioned with her right hand towards the chair in front of her and repeated, “Please have a sit and let's talk about this a moment."

Erriss nodded and finally sat back on her chair, “That is all I wish.” She drained her glass of Raktajino.

“I find it very startling that someone invested in the operations of the Starbase would come up to me and ask me something about an encrypted communication that is not directed to them.” The Captain began. “Regardless of whether you were involved in decrypting it, you have to understand this is unusual. So please think of this before you go judge people's fitness in their role as a Starfleet Officer.”

“Do you believe that an officer in my role who was human, Andorian, Ferengi would have done the same?” The Lieutenant challenged yet, “I do this only as a s.... a friend. If you do not consider us to be friends, speak and I will continue this no longer.”

Kero took a moment to look at the Klingon in front of her before speaking, “That is kind of the point, I guess. A human, Andorian or Ferengi wouldn't have done this. However...” She moved her gaze to her cup and after short contemplation she decided not to drink from it. “At the same time, none of them would have shown such a display of loyalty... for which I was not prepared.”

The Lieutenant visibly tempered her emotions gaining a disposition more normal to her, “We are what we are. I am of Starfleet, but that is only one part of me. It is only one part of you.” She paused and took a slightly deeper breath. “Permission... to speak freely.... ma'am.”

The Captain smirked. "Not like you have done anything else so far. Granted."

Erriss leaned forward and pointed a sharp-nailed finger at her superior. “You let those around you hold that part against you. You try to hide it behind your many great achievements. I do not pretend to be the kind of officer you are, but my greatest achievements have been undertaken with my Klingon pride, tradition and honour held aloft for all to see. I do not fear it for it makes me who I am.”

Kero’s expression was visibly thoughtful, “You are obviously a better Klingon than I am. Maybe another reason why I shy away from that side.” She took another controlled deep breath. "But I do recognise that I almost threw away a chance at an ally and a friend who sees me how I am...” The Captain allowed a few moments of silence before talking again with a note of reluctance in her voice. “Would you still consider talking about that communication?

“If it is what you wish, Captain.” The Klingon was also fairly calm now, realising she had overstepped her boundaries.

The Captain smiled. "Well I suppose you wanted to be there on Drozana? What was your plan?"

“If you intend to keep the meeting, I'm certain your contact would feel more at ease with her kin than with 'Starfleet'.” The Lieutenant explained, “Klingons meeting Klingons will attract no attention. Klingons meeting Starfleet officers will draw many unwanted eyes and ears. I do not wish to be central to proceedings. That is not my business. But I would feel… Uncomfortable if you were to go alone.”

Kero’s expression remained impassive. “I am not entirely sure who will be meeting me there. I have reason to believe it may be a trap. You could be in danger, if you come.”

“Of that I am well aware.” Erriss’s voice was firm and resolute.

The Captain found the back of the chair once more, picked up her Raktajino, now cold, and stared at it for a few moments. The Klingon stared at her, seemingly indifferent to human manners, passively awaiting a response.

“I am waiting for command to approve this mission.” Kero finally announced “If they do, I would welcome your help. Let's just not make it... a good day to die, hm?”

Erriss smiled her sickly Klingon grin, “It is always a good day to die, but perhaps for others rather than us....” She chuckled.

Kero smirked. "I better go change out of these training clothes." She stood up and smiled, "This is good 'jino."

The Lieutenant also stood and nodded her thanks, “Stay well, Captain.”

The Captain nodded in response and began to walk. After a few steps she stopped and turned around to look at the Klingon behind her, who also stopped when she noticed Kero’s move.

“Next time you tell me I am not Starfleet Officer material, I will break your nose." The Captain joked perhaps in a somewhat Klingon fashion.

Erriss smiled, her eyes bright, “I welcome it, it has been out of shape since the last time.” She replied in a typical Klingon boast.

Kero grinned while shaking her head and walked away.


Thanks to Vissa for helping me edit this and for RPing this with me.
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