Klingons Off the Starboard Bow (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on 20 Apr 2023 @ 5:16pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Lieutenant Aria Rice

3,457 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A / IKS Praxis
Timeline: MD 10, 2329 hrs

[ON]

Lieutenant Aria Rice had, in her career, dealt with Vorta, pirates, smugglers, colonists, Cardassian spies, wannabe Borg and a host of other weird and wonderful things that a life in Starfleet brought with it. And it had prepared her for a lot of things that the Academy never taught.

And yet, she had felt a strange sense of something darker as she had stood in her quarters, considering her foreseeable future. She would be serving on a Klingon ship as the XO. Now that was a turn. She had let Stark, Verity and even Lily know. And then she had put red streaks in her hair and braided it away from her face. Somehow, that act had helped. She knew she would have things provided for her on the Klingon ship, so she changed out of her Starfleet uniform into her best boots, faux leather leggings and a bodice she knew she could hide things in. And she had. Her father's combadge, a knife she had been gifted on her last non-Gally posting and her trusted phaser.

She also had her bag with her with a few personal items. By personal, she meant a little bit of makeup and sanitary products. Because she wasn't entirely sure about Klingons and that sort.

Even so, beaming over to the ship was a moment for her to appreciate her own mind for a moment. She would have to learn quickly. But she could, she had done it in the past.

Several deep, penetrating thumps suddenly sounded on the door to Rice's quarters. Three consecutive poundings followed by a long two-second pause, then more poundings. As soundproof as Starfleet quarters were, the reverberations couldn't muffle brute force.

Aria turned, taking a deeper breath. "Enter," she said, heading to the door, meeting Kuran's eyes. "Captain," she said, giving him a nod of respect. She suspected she was being collected, but was surprised it was by Kuran himself.

"HoD," indeed corrected the tall warrior. "That is our word for 'captain' which you - must - address me as in front of the crew." His dark eyes narrowed while he briefly surveyed the interior of her quarters, annoyed by the smell and amenities the Humans called 'decorations'. "We must leave for my ship immediately. Are you prepared?"

"Yes, HoD," Aria said, suddenly glad she was good at mimicking sounds. Meant she got it right. She reached for her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. "Ready to go."

"Then proceed," was his simple reply. This was her starship and he would follow behind her to the transporter room. To keep an eye out for any Starfleet trickery which might unfold.

Aria nodded and led him with her. The corridor was relatively quiet, so either everyone was busy or people had realised the Klingons were there and had sensibly backed away. She kept her eyes forward as she got them to the transporter room, giving a nod to the transporter chief.

Inside Galileo's primary transporter room waited the Klingon tactical chief Torn. However, their compatriot, Brin't'a, was no where to be seen. With Rice alongside him, Commander Kuran glanced around the small chamber back to the entrance then to the Starfleet transporter operator. "Where is Brin't'a?" he questioned with forcefulness.

Commander Torn scowled then shook his bald head, his short ponytail swaying behind his cranium. "I am not responsible for her exploits. Probably...attempting to secure more Federation bloodwine."

The female Betazoid at the transporter looked at Torn before she looked down. "The Klingon known as Brin't'a is on her way from the mess," she told the Klingon, her eyes going to Aria for a moment before down again.

"She will be here shortly then," Aria said, her eyes on Torn. "I am surprised you did not join her. You appeared to be enjoying the bloodwine almost as much as you enjoyed the bloodsport." She was conversational, not aggressive with it. An observation, a query to understand Torn better. She was here to learn. Not many Starfleet officers got the chance to serve on a Klingon ship, it was a great learning opportunity.

"I found it disgusting," clarified Torn who didn't bother to look at the small woman while he spoke. His arms crossed over his large chest with indignance displayed in his eyes. "However, it has been several months since we depleted the last of our own bloodwine. Your Starfleet offering is better than nothing." It was probably the best compliment Rice was going to get.

The transporter room's door swished open and Brin't'a presence was suddenly seen in conjunction with the loud thumping of her books on the deck. Her brief observatory sweep across the room acknowledged the two other Klingons yet deliberately ignored the Human. "I am ready to leave this puny excuse for a starship," she declared, then stepped up onto the transporter pad to take her place.

Commanders Torn and Kuran held her eyes for a split second longer than usual before briefly glancing to each other then joining the tall Klingon woman on the platform beneath the bright lights. Kuran instructed to Rice, "Take your position next to me."

Aria walked to the transporter pad with a calm and grace she might not have felt deep in her heart. She let herself focus on the opportunity. After all, had William T. Riker not served on a Klingon ship once? Of course, she wasn't a legendary Starfleet officer. She was just her. So she'd have to survive and deal with this as just her. She rolled her shoulders to relax. "Yes, HoD," she said, looking at him. "I am looking forward to serving under you on your ship." It wasn't a lie, the little explorer in her gut was ever so excused. But her brain was aware of the situation. Kuran was not the Captain that the crew had signed up under. But it was his place to be there. Now he'd be challenged. And it was Aria's job to keep the other Klingons at bay. Which reminded her. "Did you keep any of the Ferengi whips around? I think it would look good hanging off my belt."

"You will not emulate any Ferengi baktag aboard my vessel. Do not ever ask that again," scolded the large commander. Rules needed to put in place. Boundaries. Starfleet was soft -- and by extension, so was Rice. She demonstrated warrior spirit at times, but would need re-education to achieve her full potential. "HIjol!" ordered Kuran, his people's vernacular for 'energize'.

The transporter Chief looked a little bit unsure, so Aria helped. "Energize," she said, giving a small nod. She would need to consider her options. She'd need weapons to protect herself, and her Captain. A Klingon whip would have been helpful, but she could do without.

Blue and white shimmers of transporter particles consumed the cadre's vision as they dematerialized on Galileo's transporter pads. Then within seconds, their anatomies were molecularly recombined and their vision returned with sparkles of bright red and orange. The four individuals rematerialized within IKS Praxis' transporter room, and just as quickly as they'd departed, they arrived at their home destination.

Commander Kuran took a deep breath while his eyes adjusted to the lower level of ambient lighting. Yellow running lights cast a softer and more mechanical glow across the copper-and-gray-toned bulkheads. The musky scent was a pleasant and powerful reminder of Klingon presence, as was the minimalist nature of the room. A sole Klingon warrior dressed in standard silver armor manned the operations console and appeared confused and surprised by the arrival of the special guest.

Aria looked at the Klingon, meeting the warrior's eyes confidently before she looked around. The lighting was new, but no darker than your average smuggler ship. She felt more confident at it, finding similarities to her own experiences in the past. It was how she could relate, by finding what was similar rather than what was different. A common ground.

"Where is...Captain KehG?" the transporter operator managed to asked after his initial shock at seeing a Human beaming aboard their vessel. Quickly, however, he started to initiate standard security protocols for such an event. His dark, thick fingers tapped diligently on his console. "I am summoning our prisoner transport guards to take this one to the brig with the rest of the Ferengi."

Kuran stepped off the small Klingon transporter platform and approached the enlisted man, his boots clicking on the metal deck. "There is no need. This is Sogh Rice...our new Starfleet exchange officer." His eyes brightened. "The captain was injured in personal combat aboard the Federation ship. He remains in their medical bay." The revelation was a disgusting and honor-less turn of events for any true warrior. "I have negotiated with the Starfleet captain." He turned and looked over his shoulder to Rice then back to his transporter chief. "Send notice to the crew: I am in command until Captain KehG returns. All officers will report to the war chamber within twenty minutes. Understood?!" Kuran's voice had turned forceful and authoritative, leaving no room for questions or interpretation.

The long-haired transporter operator glanced warily from Kuran to Rice, then to Torn and Brin't'a who were also departing the beaming pad. His dark eyes shifted between the bulkhead, his console, then back up to Kuran with subtle trepidation. "Understood," he replied to the commander, lifting his head high for a moment before returning his attention to his console to input the desired personnel commands.

Aria kept still, looking at the Klingon transporter operator. When Kuran walked, she followed. She considered it for a moment, her situation, where she was. "Do not compare me to a Ferengi," she said when she passed the Klingon. "If I was a prisoner, you'd need a bigger cage to hold me..." she smiled, baring her teeth with it, before heading out after Kuran.

The Human's verbal refutation elicited a look of surprise on the junior enlisted operator's features. He had not expected such a small creature to speak to him in such a manner. He didn't produce another word while the cadre passed him and departed into the main corridor. The mechanical door closed behind all four officers marking the beginning of Rice's tenure aboard her new command.


Corridors

Together, Kuran, Rice, Torn and Brin't'a walked at a swift pace toward the turbolift at the end of the long corridor. They passed multiple other Klingons along the way who all slowed to stare at the Human while ascertaining exactly how and why she was aboard their ship. Their looks were hard and penetrating -- the opposite of what one would expect aboard a Federation vessel.

"You did well with T'mec," commented Kuran to Rice while they waited for the intraship cab to arrive. "You must become Klingon to be accepted on a Klingon warship. Show strength at all times."

Aria looked at him before she nodded, taking a deeper breath. "I may not be able to be a Klingon," she said, her voice almost gentle as she watched him. "But I will respect your traditions, your ship and your command. And do my best to fit into it and be an asset to you." Biology couldn't be changed and there was no way she could be a Klingon in that sense. But she was here to learn as well. "With my HoD's guidance, of course," she bowed her head for a moment to him before she smiled.

Both Torn and Brin't'a chuckled at Rice's submissive gesture and placating words. The Human was obedient. Overly so, like a puppet, and seemingly soft as a doll. They were not convinced. Kuran tightened his thick brow then shook his head with disapproval. "You must not bow to me. Or anyone on this warship. Even in jest!" He sighed through his nose, realizing he had much work to do with her. "And do not smile as much. Ever. Unless we are celebrating a victory." The turbolift door groaned open and the three Klingons stepped inside.

"Understood," Aria said, lightly, looking at Torn and Brin't'a for a moment. "I take it that you do not have bees at home then?" They didn't on Luna either, but the old Earth saying of catching more bees with honey than vinegar might have been something that the Klingons could one day learn.

The lift descended several decks while its pulsing, yellow running lights cast intermittent shadows across all occupants. Bees? thought Kuran with confusion. "I do not understand your question." The turbolift came to a quick halt then its door re-opened and presented them with a new set of corridors ahead.

"I am still learning the Klingon sense of humour, HoD Kuran," Aria said as she looked ahead, but made no move before the others did. "I withdraw my...comment." She'd have to keep her mouth in check her. She confused most Federation members she encountered as it was, and once drove a Vulcan to just turn around and walk out of the room she was in. So here...mouth best shut unless she needed to do something.

The Klingons walked forward with purpose toward their respective destinations. At the first T junction, Torn and Brin't'a turned to the left and departed from Rice and Kuran's company without a word. The acting captain looked behind him to make sure his new XO was following close. "This is Deck 7, where your quarters are located." In front of them was a very long and straight corridor. "This is the structural spar between the command hull and the engineering hull. Forward weapons systems, the computer core and primary tactical sensors are ahead of us. Behind are the auxiliary systems; engineering, transporter bays, cargo rooms, shuttlebay, dining halls. Memorize our configuration so you do not lose your way."

She nodded, looking around for a moment. "Yes, HoD," she said, keeping it simple. She'd study when she had a moment, but her eyes noted small things, like a scratch or marking that could help her navigate until she had it all in her head.

Kuran's tall frame quickly walked along the grated deck, his long strides covering significant ground with each step toward the forward command hull. The turbolift could have taken them there faster but the new Starfleet exchange officer required an orientation. Together, the two of them walked for several minutes and traversed the full length of the battlecruiser's longitudinal beam. He slowed as he approached a series of small doors within the bulbous command hull. "Your quarters," he declared, stopping then standing next to the door to oversee her proper arrival and...comfort. "Your uniform is inside. You must change clothes quickly."

Aria walked in, looking around for a moment to take in the place. She turned to face him, giving a nod. "I'll come out when I have changed," she said, not putting a time on it. Quickly was relative. And she was not getting undressed with him there.

After the door groaned shut behind Rice, Kuran waited. For one minute. Then two. Then five. His patience was becoming tested and the meeting with his warship's senior officers to introduce his new position was fast approaching. He banged his fist on the door to her quarters just as he'd done aboard Galileo.

Aria ignored it as she did the last fastenings and pulled on the gloves. The Klingon uniform reminded her of armour and truthfully? It was what it was. Layers. Heavy. She could change her entire outfit at home within two minutes. This? So many fastenings. She straightened the plates on her shoulders. Her knife was within reach, hidden, but she also wore the weapons left out for her. Only then did she move to the door, letting it slide open. "I may be your XO, but you do not bang my door as if you are on fire," she said, her voice firm as she met his eyes.

Kuran was not prepared for the sight which greeted him upon the door's opening. Where there had once stood a slim, short and unimpressive Starfleet officer, now was a slim, short and honorably-garbed warrior. Rice's creamy skin tone couldn't be changed nor could her Human facial features. But the layers of Klingon armor now adorning her body made her look striking. Her black hair accentuated her black leather gloves, iron-toned torso plates, and silver shoulder guards. He looked her up and down, trying to remain stoic. His eyes betrayed him and lingered on her appearance for several seconds longer than usual. "I...apologize for my intrusion."

She gave a small nod, a slight frown coming to her. She had not expected the apology. "Accepted. Now I wish to meet the Senior Staff," she remained serious, even if usually she would have smiled. She was taking his advice to heart. And she was shortening her sentences too. "I trust I am wearing this correctly?" she asked, after a moment. "I do not want to bring dishonour to the ship by not being up to standard."

He looked over her appearance again. This time he recorded mental notes of various sags and looseness in the different segments of her armor. He stepped forward toward her chest then used both of his strong hands to grab her waist straps and tighten them. Then he touched her mid-rift's armor and jostled it from side to side before reaching behind the small of her back to also pull it tighter. He looked to her chest then to her shoulders which donned their distinctive plating. "Turn around."

Aria turned, her back straight as she looked ahead. She did not mind the help. Now she knew, she would take the time to make sure the uniform looked like this the next time she got dressed. "I was surprised you had something to fit me," she commented. She was not the size of a Klingon warrior after all.

"You are small, even for a Human. But we do have replicators," he replied while adjusting her upper body fittings to ensure her shoulder and torso plates were snug. Then he crouched and tightened the top of her boots which also displayed a touch of looseness. "Show me your d'k tahg."

Aria drew it, watching him before she tilted it down so it was at his eye-level. She let him inspect it visually, but made no offer to hand it over. Instinct, she supposed. Come back with your shield, or on it. "And your transporter got my measurements when I came over to visit. That makes sense."

Kuran's simple grunt of acknowledgement confirmed the Starfleet woman's deduction. "You will wear this weapon at all times. The hilt of the blade must be visible to everyone," he explained. "If you do not, you will appear unarmed and vulnerable. Do you understand?" The tall commander returned from his crouch back to his full height. "Some of my crew will challenge you. It is only natural. You must be prepared to meet that challenge...at any time or place." It was a sobering lecture. "Your d'k tahg will be your defense and your weapon of honor, when that time comes."

"I am expecting challenge. I am also expecting you to trust me to sort it out, my own way, by blade or by words," Aria said as she put it away, the way the Klingons wore it. Visible. "If I fall, I fall. It is the risk of being here. But if you try and protect me, not only will I be dead, you'll appear weak. But you know this, HoD." She knew she was just telling him what he knew, but she needed to say it. To show him she accepted it.

His chin tilted high as he listened to her declaration of strength; her preference to be treated as a Klingon warrior and not what she was...a Human Starfleet officer. Kuran respected her decision. Almost admired her, for it was a most honorable proposition. "Good," he simply replied, his dark brown eyes scanning her body and physical stature one final time before turning and moving to the door. "Now you are ready to be introduced to my officers."

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

Commander Kuran
Acting Commanding Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Saalm]

Commander Torn
Chief Tactical Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Saalm]

Lieutenant Commander Brin't'a
Chief Security Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Saalm]

Lieutenant Aria Rice
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

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