Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50858533
Summary: Worf is at the Temple on Boreth, seeking to hone his warrior's spirit and gain wisdom. He undergoes a ritual and unexpectedly finds himself in the company of Captain Christopher Pike. What he learns in this meeting will forever change his perception of the legendary Starfleet officer.
The Warrior For Peace: Tale of Two Captains
By Marie Nomad
The Temple of Boreth is a legendary place that Worf has visited many times. He has experienced numerous visions; he even met Kahless—albeit a clone of him.
"Son of Mogh, what do you seek?" asked the Temple Keeper.
"I am seeking to temper my blade, to gain control over my emotions," Worf replied, taking a deep breath. "I have been a part of Starfleet and of the Klingon Empire. Yet, I feel lost. I have lost many friends and loved ones over the years. I was nearly killed on a mission and was overwhelmed. I almost killed an innocent. I have no desire to kill again. You speak of the Tum'Peh'Vit, the Journey of the Honorable Mind. I wish to undertake that journey."
"Ah, not many warriors take that journey. Most who come here focus on the physical rather than the spiritual. The journey is an exchange; years in this world for time in another. You shall speak with someone who has come before. There are many legendary Klingons, but none are known for 'peace.' However, there are other species who can guide you. You, of all people, should understand."
"I've been focused on my Klingon heritage to find my way. Yet, I need to explore other avenues," said Worf.
"Wisdom and knowledge take time, and they can take a toll on even the strongest bodies," the Temple Keeper replied.
"I've heard tales of species with short lifespans who have nonetheless lived honorably. I want to know what it takes."
"Then touch this crystal," the Temple Keeper guided Worf to a time crystal protruding from the ground.
Worf's breathing became shaky. These were the forbidden time crystals of Boreth. Those who touched them could go insane or become despondent. If one were not careful, a fate worse than death might await them. "The Crystals of Madness," he muttered.
"Crystals of Time," corrected the Temple Keeper. "Those unprepared could face a personal crisis. However, your frequent travels through time and parallel universes have prepared you for this trial."
"If you believe I'm ready, then I'll touch it." Worf reached out and touched the crystal.
Worf blinked and found himself no longer in the temple, but aboard a starship—none other than the original Starfleet vessel, the Enterprise. He looked around in awe. He had seen holodeck simulations of this ship but never stepped foot on it, not even when the Defiant had traveled back in time. His appearance had been too alien, posing a risk of timeline disruption.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Worf turned to see an older man sitting in the Captain's chair. It wasn't James T. Kirk. The man had distinguished grey hair and wore a uniform from the 23rd century, around the time of the Klingon War.
Worf instinctively went into attention and said, "Captain Pike." He had heard legends about this man, who had honorably sacrificed himself to save a group of cadets from a training vessel. There were countless stories about him, the most intriguing of which was that he had disappeared after his accident. Rumors circulated that he would return when Starfleet needed him most.
"I... forgive me, I'm confused; you're human."
"I know, right?" Pike smiled. "I don't understand how Time Crystals work either." He looked Worf up and down, and Worf resisted the urge to fidget. "I never thought I'd see a Klingon in a Starfleet uniform. The Klingons and the Federation being allies," Pike nodded.
"It is an honor to meet you, sir," Worf said, remaining at attention.
"At ease, I'm not going to judge you," Captain Pike chuckled. "I never thought I'd see a nervous Klingon."
Worf relaxed his posture but remained upright as a sign of respect. "I am not nervous, sir. It's just that you are a legend in Starfleet." Meeting this man made his heart pound. Was this a spirit, a vision his mind had created, or the actual Captain Pike? "I heard stories that you were taken to the future to recover."
"That? Nah, nothing like that," Captain Pike said, waving his hand. "I didn't time-travel. Let's go somewhere more casual."
Worf blinked, and suddenly he was in the captain's quarters, in the kitchen area. Pike poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Do you drink tea?"
"Yes, my previous captain loves tea; he drinks Earl Grey, hot," Worf accepted the tea. "Captain Pike—"
"Call me Chris. You don't have to be so formal."
"Chris, I am seeking to become a pacifist. I am going through the Tum'Peh'Vit to seek enlightenment."
"I know. Peace is not an easy thing. I sat out the Klingon War because I didn't believe in it," Captain Pike sat down in front of him. "I strive to achieve the best outcome with the least amount of bloodshed. It's not easy. You have to sacrifice yourself even more for your beliefs." Pike took a deep breath. "Did you know I visited the Temple of Boreth?"
"But how? Even Klingons need approval to visit the temple," Worf asked. The Klingons and the Federation were enemies for a long time, until the Treaty of Khitomer. The Treaty was signed years after Captain Pike disappeared.
"You see, the universe was in danger, and I needed a Time Crystal to save the timeline. I came here, to the temple, and touched the crystal. I saw my accident, my fate," Chris's face darkened as he spoke.
Worf's eyes widened slightly at the implication. Admiral Picard had spoken about how Q had given him glimpses of the future. While burdened with that fate, he at least had the option to change it. "You knew about the accident that paralyzed you?"
"Yes, I tried to avoid it, change my fate, but it turned out that if I don’t have the accident, there would be a war with the Romulans, and Spock would suffer my fate," Pike sighed. "I had to make a choice: me or millions of innocent people and Spock."
“I... do not understand. How could you handle the pressure of knowing your fate?” Worf asked. “If you were Klingon, you would have been granted an honorable death by Hegh’bat.”
“And if you were on a Klingon ship, you would have been given a Hegh’bat after that accident.”
Worf recalled the accident in the storage room. He lost function below his waist, and it wasn't even an honorable injury. He had been injured randomly without saving others. He wanted to die honorably. It was because of Riker and his love for his son that he decided to try experimental surgery, risking a dishonorable death. Had he gone through with it, how would the future have been different? How would the war with the Dominion and the Klingon Empire have changed? “I see.”
“Wisdom is complicated. Life is chaotic,” Chris mused. “Did you know that Spock took me to Talos IV after my accident? It’s off the Starfleet records. That’s what really happened to me.”
Worf had heard whispers about Talos IV, a place even the greedy Ferengi avoided. A Ferengi ship had tried to go there but returned, screaming about monsters. Starfleet had been tight-lipped about the records. Only the highest in command knew anything about Talos IV. “That’s a forbidden planet. The only place where the death penalty is still enforced if you go there.”
“Yeah, well, according to Spock, it’s a ‘logical’ thing to do.”
“Yet, it is full of emotion.”
Pike chuckled. "Ah, the enigma that is Spock. Logical and yet so deeply influenced by his human half. Talos IV is a unique place. Its inhabitants can create illusions so real they can sustain you, heal you, make you believe you are living any life you desire."
Worf furrowed his brow. "An illusion is a lie. It has no honor."
Pike leaned in closer. "What if an illusion brings you peace, allows you to live a life you couldn't otherwise live, gives you a chance to serve a purpose greater than yourself? Is that not a form of honor?"
Worf stared at him. “I have lived according to the Klingon Code of Honor, yet humans have their own sense of honor too. Are you still on Talos IV?”
“Maybe I am speaking to you, or maybe it’s your mind playing tricks. Or it could be time travel, and you are speaking to me in the past. I don’t know,” Pike shrugged. “Peace is harder than war. To resist the urge to fight takes more strength than to fight.”
“I see. I am a warrior, not a diplomat. I am not like you. Klingons are warriors; humans are more like peacemakers.”
“I've seen plenty of ‘warrior’ humans in my time. Many fought against Klingons in the Klingon War. I even had a doctor who was part of a fighting squad. We humans are capable of many emotions. I’m sure you can find a way to peace while embracing Klingon honor. You have a foot in both worlds, and that can be a great strength, just like Spock,” Pike smiled as he remembered his friend.
“I met Spock once while he was striving to unify Romulus and Vulcan. He was an interesting man. He had great integrity and dreams,” Worf commented.
“I bet. I heard you helped reform the Klingon Empire yourself. At least you got Klingons to think in different ways,” Pike chuckled. “You even introduced prune juice to them. That’s one way to get Klingons to be friends with the Federation.”
“It is a warrior’s drink, but I suppose I do make a difference with the Klingon Empire. I was honored to be an ambassador, but I admit, I can’t resist going back to Starfleet. The Klingons are my people, but Starfleet,” Worf paused as he thought of the different people he had served with and the times he had had. “I believe they are my family.”
“That’s Starfleet for you. They become family. Sure, we may bicker, but in the end, yes, we become a family,” Pike concluded.
Worf took a deep breath. “I appreciate this refreshing perspective. I have served under many captains. Some are questionable; others are more honorable. You are the most noble. It is an honor to meet you, Fleet Captain Christopher Pike, if you are real. You are a legend, especially among the crews of the Enterprise. Your name is revered even now. Your birthday is a holiday.”
“I’m sure you’re a legend yourself, Worf,” Pike reassured. “There are all sorts of stories about you in both Starfleet and the Klingon Empire.”
“Your words are generous.”
“And true. Just remember, peace is not an absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. People don’t stop growing, and I'm sure that one day you will be a warrior who adds strength to the Federation and honor to the Klingon Empire,” Pike said as Worf awoke.
Worf found himself back at the temple. His body was stiff, and he ached. His hands hurt slightly. He looked at his hair, which had turned white to mark the wisdom he had gained.
“I see you found your answer,” the monk said.
“I met Captain Pike,” Worf stated as he thought of the man he had met. “He said he came here and discovered his fate years before it happened.”
“Ah, we sing songs about the ‘Human Who Sacrificed His Body.’ We don’t say his name, but we know him,” the monk replied.
“He’s an honorable man and a good mentor,” Worf said as he stood up. “Thank you.” Worf walked out of the temple and into the freezing cold, ready for whatever his journey would throw at him.
The End
Summary: Worf is at the Temple on Boreth, seeking to hone his warrior's spirit and gain wisdom. He undergoes a ritual and unexpectedly finds himself in the company of Captain Christopher Pike. What he learns in this meeting will forever change his perception of the legendary Starfleet officer.
The Warrior For Peace: Tale of Two Captains
By Marie Nomad
The Temple of Boreth is a legendary place that Worf has visited many times. He has experienced numerous visions; he even met Kahless—albeit a clone of him.
"Son of Mogh, what do you seek?" asked the Temple Keeper.
"I am seeking to temper my blade, to gain control over my emotions," Worf replied, taking a deep breath. "I have been a part of Starfleet and of the Klingon Empire. Yet, I feel lost. I have lost many friends and loved ones over the years. I was nearly killed on a mission and was overwhelmed. I almost killed an innocent. I have no desire to kill again. You speak of the Tum'Peh'Vit, the Journey of the Honorable Mind. I wish to undertake that journey."
"Ah, not many warriors take that journey. Most who come here focus on the physical rather than the spiritual. The journey is an exchange; years in this world for time in another. You shall speak with someone who has come before. There are many legendary Klingons, but none are known for 'peace.' However, there are other species who can guide you. You, of all people, should understand."
"I've been focused on my Klingon heritage to find my way. Yet, I need to explore other avenues," said Worf.
"Wisdom and knowledge take time, and they can take a toll on even the strongest bodies," the Temple Keeper replied.
"I've heard tales of species with short lifespans who have nonetheless lived honorably. I want to know what it takes."
"Then touch this crystal," the Temple Keeper guided Worf to a time crystal protruding from the ground.
Worf's breathing became shaky. These were the forbidden time crystals of Boreth. Those who touched them could go insane or become despondent. If one were not careful, a fate worse than death might await them. "The Crystals of Madness," he muttered.
"Crystals of Time," corrected the Temple Keeper. "Those unprepared could face a personal crisis. However, your frequent travels through time and parallel universes have prepared you for this trial."
"If you believe I'm ready, then I'll touch it." Worf reached out and touched the crystal.
Worf blinked and found himself no longer in the temple, but aboard a starship—none other than the original Starfleet vessel, the Enterprise. He looked around in awe. He had seen holodeck simulations of this ship but never stepped foot on it, not even when the Defiant had traveled back in time. His appearance had been too alien, posing a risk of timeline disruption.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Worf turned to see an older man sitting in the Captain's chair. It wasn't James T. Kirk. The man had distinguished grey hair and wore a uniform from the 23rd century, around the time of the Klingon War.
Worf instinctively went into attention and said, "Captain Pike." He had heard legends about this man, who had honorably sacrificed himself to save a group of cadets from a training vessel. There were countless stories about him, the most intriguing of which was that he had disappeared after his accident. Rumors circulated that he would return when Starfleet needed him most.
"I... forgive me, I'm confused; you're human."
"I know, right?" Pike smiled. "I don't understand how Time Crystals work either." He looked Worf up and down, and Worf resisted the urge to fidget. "I never thought I'd see a Klingon in a Starfleet uniform. The Klingons and the Federation being allies," Pike nodded.
"It is an honor to meet you, sir," Worf said, remaining at attention.
"At ease, I'm not going to judge you," Captain Pike chuckled. "I never thought I'd see a nervous Klingon."
Worf relaxed his posture but remained upright as a sign of respect. "I am not nervous, sir. It's just that you are a legend in Starfleet." Meeting this man made his heart pound. Was this a spirit, a vision his mind had created, or the actual Captain Pike? "I heard stories that you were taken to the future to recover."
"That? Nah, nothing like that," Captain Pike said, waving his hand. "I didn't time-travel. Let's go somewhere more casual."
Worf blinked, and suddenly he was in the captain's quarters, in the kitchen area. Pike poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Do you drink tea?"
"Yes, my previous captain loves tea; he drinks Earl Grey, hot," Worf accepted the tea. "Captain Pike—"
"Call me Chris. You don't have to be so formal."
"Chris, I am seeking to become a pacifist. I am going through the Tum'Peh'Vit to seek enlightenment."
"I know. Peace is not an easy thing. I sat out the Klingon War because I didn't believe in it," Captain Pike sat down in front of him. "I strive to achieve the best outcome with the least amount of bloodshed. It's not easy. You have to sacrifice yourself even more for your beliefs." Pike took a deep breath. "Did you know I visited the Temple of Boreth?"
"But how? Even Klingons need approval to visit the temple," Worf asked. The Klingons and the Federation were enemies for a long time, until the Treaty of Khitomer. The Treaty was signed years after Captain Pike disappeared.
"You see, the universe was in danger, and I needed a Time Crystal to save the timeline. I came here, to the temple, and touched the crystal. I saw my accident, my fate," Chris's face darkened as he spoke.
Worf's eyes widened slightly at the implication. Admiral Picard had spoken about how Q had given him glimpses of the future. While burdened with that fate, he at least had the option to change it. "You knew about the accident that paralyzed you?"
"Yes, I tried to avoid it, change my fate, but it turned out that if I don’t have the accident, there would be a war with the Romulans, and Spock would suffer my fate," Pike sighed. "I had to make a choice: me or millions of innocent people and Spock."
“I... do not understand. How could you handle the pressure of knowing your fate?” Worf asked. “If you were Klingon, you would have been granted an honorable death by Hegh’bat.”
“And if you were on a Klingon ship, you would have been given a Hegh’bat after that accident.”
Worf recalled the accident in the storage room. He lost function below his waist, and it wasn't even an honorable injury. He had been injured randomly without saving others. He wanted to die honorably. It was because of Riker and his love for his son that he decided to try experimental surgery, risking a dishonorable death. Had he gone through with it, how would the future have been different? How would the war with the Dominion and the Klingon Empire have changed? “I see.”
“Wisdom is complicated. Life is chaotic,” Chris mused. “Did you know that Spock took me to Talos IV after my accident? It’s off the Starfleet records. That’s what really happened to me.”
Worf had heard whispers about Talos IV, a place even the greedy Ferengi avoided. A Ferengi ship had tried to go there but returned, screaming about monsters. Starfleet had been tight-lipped about the records. Only the highest in command knew anything about Talos IV. “That’s a forbidden planet. The only place where the death penalty is still enforced if you go there.”
“Yeah, well, according to Spock, it’s a ‘logical’ thing to do.”
“Yet, it is full of emotion.”
Pike chuckled. "Ah, the enigma that is Spock. Logical and yet so deeply influenced by his human half. Talos IV is a unique place. Its inhabitants can create illusions so real they can sustain you, heal you, make you believe you are living any life you desire."
Worf furrowed his brow. "An illusion is a lie. It has no honor."
Pike leaned in closer. "What if an illusion brings you peace, allows you to live a life you couldn't otherwise live, gives you a chance to serve a purpose greater than yourself? Is that not a form of honor?"
Worf stared at him. “I have lived according to the Klingon Code of Honor, yet humans have their own sense of honor too. Are you still on Talos IV?”
“Maybe I am speaking to you, or maybe it’s your mind playing tricks. Or it could be time travel, and you are speaking to me in the past. I don’t know,” Pike shrugged. “Peace is harder than war. To resist the urge to fight takes more strength than to fight.”
“I see. I am a warrior, not a diplomat. I am not like you. Klingons are warriors; humans are more like peacemakers.”
“I've seen plenty of ‘warrior’ humans in my time. Many fought against Klingons in the Klingon War. I even had a doctor who was part of a fighting squad. We humans are capable of many emotions. I’m sure you can find a way to peace while embracing Klingon honor. You have a foot in both worlds, and that can be a great strength, just like Spock,” Pike smiled as he remembered his friend.
“I met Spock once while he was striving to unify Romulus and Vulcan. He was an interesting man. He had great integrity and dreams,” Worf commented.
“I bet. I heard you helped reform the Klingon Empire yourself. At least you got Klingons to think in different ways,” Pike chuckled. “You even introduced prune juice to them. That’s one way to get Klingons to be friends with the Federation.”
“It is a warrior’s drink, but I suppose I do make a difference with the Klingon Empire. I was honored to be an ambassador, but I admit, I can’t resist going back to Starfleet. The Klingons are my people, but Starfleet,” Worf paused as he thought of the different people he had served with and the times he had had. “I believe they are my family.”
“That’s Starfleet for you. They become family. Sure, we may bicker, but in the end, yes, we become a family,” Pike concluded.
Worf took a deep breath. “I appreciate this refreshing perspective. I have served under many captains. Some are questionable; others are more honorable. You are the most noble. It is an honor to meet you, Fleet Captain Christopher Pike, if you are real. You are a legend, especially among the crews of the Enterprise. Your name is revered even now. Your birthday is a holiday.”
“I’m sure you’re a legend yourself, Worf,” Pike reassured. “There are all sorts of stories about you in both Starfleet and the Klingon Empire.”
“Your words are generous.”
“And true. Just remember, peace is not an absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. People don’t stop growing, and I'm sure that one day you will be a warrior who adds strength to the Federation and honor to the Klingon Empire,” Pike said as Worf awoke.
Worf found himself back at the temple. His body was stiff, and he ached. His hands hurt slightly. He looked at his hair, which had turned white to mark the wisdom he had gained.
“I see you found your answer,” the monk said.
“I met Captain Pike,” Worf stated as he thought of the man he had met. “He said he came here and discovered his fate years before it happened.”
“Ah, we sing songs about the ‘Human Who Sacrificed His Body.’ We don’t say his name, but we know him,” the monk replied.
“He’s an honorable man and a good mentor,” Worf said as he stood up. “Thank you.” Worf walked out of the temple and into the freezing cold, ready for whatever his journey would throw at him.
The End
