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CHAPTER 18
Supplemental
IKS Jev’Iw, Deck Five
In Orbit of Fu’puk II
The covert boarding party loitered outside the Mess Hall. Alexander would eventually come out in disgrace.
“I can’t believe your suggesting we abduct a KDF officer,” criticized Carrick.
Bin Nadal in Klingon garb rejoined, “Not abduct – offer him asylum.”
“You said it yourself,” offered Yitzhak, “he’s totally discredited. He has nothing to lose.”
The Destrier tactical officer still wasn’t convinced, “So we just walk up to him and say: Hi! We’re a secret Starfleet insurgency team. Wanna come with us?”
Karim wasn’t offended by her sarcasm. He stated deadpan, “Something like that.”
Before Kirce could come up with a retort, the trio fell silent. The Son of Worf exited the chamber with his head hung low. He didn’t make eye contact with them as he moved by in the cramped corridor.
The three Starfleet officers shared one last conference in an instant with body language. Ultimately, it was up to Karim. They all understood that.
As the defeated figure trudged along, the Independence XO called out, “Alexander.”
The KDF officer paused and turned back. He was obviously expecting more torment.
Bin Nadal spoke in Federation Standard, knowing that the former Earth resident would understand. “We need to talk.”
Alex’s brow crunched up, “Who are you?”
He hesitated for only a moment, “We’re a Starfleet reconnaissance team. We came to investigate your claims of Hacharan abuse…and we need your help.”
The Jev’Iw officer’s face held little surprise, but it had plenty of self-pity. He began to shake his head absently, “I can’t help you. I can’t even help myself.”
Shalev fatefully spoke out of turn, “Hey! We risked our own necks to get this far. And those people down there on the planet are still suffering. Your own problems haven’t changed that.”
“I did everything I could to save them!” spat Alexander, “All I got from my efforts was dishonor!” Tears of rage and disappointment ran down his cheeks.
Words evaded everyone for a moment, until Yitzhak offered in a calm, but stern voice, “Walking away from a bully is nothing to be ashamed of – even smart, but if you turn your back on the Hacharans, you truly will have lost your integrity.”
The Son of Worf examined the cold, hard deck for several seconds. A distant memory came to him at the exact right moment. He smirked slightly, “My mother always said Klingons had a lot of dumb ideas about honor.” He wiped away a tear and looked up with as much confidence as he could muster, “What do you want from me?”
“Access codes,” quickly responded Karim. He didn’t know resolved Alexander was about helping them, but he knew he had to seize the moment. “We need to get a copy of the Chain of Orders for this mission. Afterwards, you can join us and request asylum.”
The KDF officer nodded and swallowed. Something else suddenly came to him, “I’ll help you, but I have to talk to someone before we leave.”
*****
Supplemental
Go'hachar, Southern Continent
Fu’puk II
It was Faltyne’s watch. The team would be beamed up in less than one-half hour. He slowly and invisibly patrolled a few meters around the other three team members. The night proved to be no obstacle for his helmet’s light enhanced display. Though Andorian hearing wasn’t as good as human’s, he could feel slight vibrations in his antennae. Something was coming closer…a lot of somethings. He activated his tricorder. “Commander Bolden,” he said into his microphone, “over two dozen Hacharans are coming this way on foot.”
Velen was already hid as best as he could be in the underbrush. Hatora was propped up against a tree. His suit, unlike the unconscious science officer’s, was still operational.
Bolden stood, causing a mild movement of weeds. He consulted his own built-in device, “They’re too close to move Velen. At least the dark is on our side. It’s doubtful they’ll see him. Let’s just let them pass.”
The Illyrian got up with a grunt, “Commander, the Hacharans might very well have their own night vision technology or even thermal scanners.”
“Our suits should shield our thermal signatures,” Jonin informed the group, “as for night vision, we only have to worry about Velen.”
The Destrier first officer considered the information. There was nothing to be done. Attempting to hide the Denobulan further would only cause a ruckus for the Hacharans to investigate. He said over the comline, “noted.”
*****
Supplemental
IKS Jev’Iw, Engineering Section
In Orbit of Fu’puk II
Alexander strode through a jet of steam. By tradition, he should have been looking at the floor. Instead, he looked proud. He quickly found Yaava.
She met him and began, “What happened in the Mess Hall?”
“There’s no time for that, now,” he responded. “I’m leaving the ship…and I want you to come with me.”
Yaava desperately tried to keep up with current events, “What do you mean? Where are you going?”
The specific questions took him off guard. He searched for an answer, then said, “I don’t know…probably to the Federation.” He grabbed her arm, “But we have to leave now.”
She pulled away, “Alexander, I can’t just leave.”
The Son of Worf’s expression changed, “I…I don’t want to leave without you.”
“Then don’t,” she stated.
He shook his head, “I can’t. My career in the KDF is over. No one will respect me.” He looked into her eyes, “I don’t want to live with Klingons anymore.”
She stepped back, “I care for you, Alexander. ‘ach tlhIngan jIH”
His heart sank. He lingered for a moment in a desperate attempt to see if she’d change her mind. Her face was solid. His shoulder’s slumped and he walked away, leaving Yaava behind. She told him, “But I am Klingon.”
*****
Supplemental
USS Perseus, MainBridge
In Orbit of Fu’puk II
Captain Hobson walked to the center seat from his ready room. He stopped short of sitting down and looked at Mr. Miller. “How long?”
The lieutenant commander reported, “Assuming all orbiting vessels don’t deviate from their paths, a Klingon blind spot will occur on our current course in 22 minutes.”
“Any activity at the beam up sites?”
Miller responded, “I’m not detecting any Klingon bio-signatures at the infiltration team site.”
Hobson didn’t visibly react to the news.
The operation officer continued, “As for the duck-blind, the suits dampen life signs from a distance, but I am detecting the materials of four isolation suits.” He added with concern, “And there are several Hacharans nearing the site.”
The captain somberly nodded in understanding.
*****
Supplemental
IKS Jev’Iw, Deck Four
In Orbit of Fu’puk II
As the three mock Klingons neared the transporter room, Bin Nadal handed a padd to Alexander, who accompanied them. “We need be at these coordinates within 20 minutes to be beamed aboard the Perseus.”
He took the information, “It shouldn’t be a problem.”
The hatch to the transporter room screeched open. Without hesitation, the covert team took their places on the pad. Alexander plopped the information on the operator’s station and joined them. He ordered, “ghojol pa’”
Again annoyed, Ursva lowered her novel for a moment. She didn’t move to input the coordinates. Instead, she returned to her data padd and dismissingly stated, “News of your actions have already reached my ears -- your orders no longer do.”
For a brief moment, the four shared uneasy glances. It didn’t take long for word to spread. As far as the Klingons were concerned, Alexander was now a non-person.
END OF CHAPTER 18
. It serves to make them worthy characters and helps to make characters such as Worf, who has overcome much of his heritage/DNA, all the more compelling. stronger and outstanding.
