Klingons Off the Starboard Bow (Part 2 of 2) [18+]

Posted on 20 Apr 2023 @ 5:20pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant Aria Rice & Ensign Mimi
Edited on on 20 Apr 2023 @ 5:21pm

5,116 words; about a 26 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: IKS Praxis - War Chamber
Timeline: MD 11, 0140 hrs

Previously, on Klingons Off the Starboard Bow (Part 1)...

"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."

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

War Chamber

Aria looked around as they entered the briefing room. It was imposing...the same low lighting, the darkness of the room with that yellowish glow...like flames. It reminded her of a cave. She walked in with Kuran, her head held high and her back straight. She knew she would not receive a warm welcome. And it didn't matter. What mattered was what she could do here.

The audible exuberance in the war chamber quickly simmered to an amalgamation of hushed whispers when the door opened. Once Kuran and Rice were both inside and the entrance closed behind them, the whispers turned to shocked silence while the gathered group of fifty veteran Klingon warriors watched their first officer accompany a tiny Human dressed in warrior armor. Scowls of outrage instantly graced many of their faces while the two of them walked through a slim parting of bodies toward the head of the room.

One officer, a large bald warrior possessing lucrative cranial ridges and a lengthy goatee, made his opprobrium known to all. "Kuran, what is this...?" he demanded. "A Human pretending to be a Klingon? Aboard our battlecruiser?!"

"A Human who is not pretending to be a Klingon," Aria countered as she looked at the warrior, lifting her chin a little. "But who wears the uniform to honour this ship." She looked at them all, meeting their eyes one at the time. "I am to serve as the First Officer, under HoD Kuran. And you will address your Captain with more respect."

"Like most humans, it has bark..." a female Klingon leaned forward for a closer look. Disgust wasn't the right word for Etisa's expression. It was more as if she expected the whole thing to be a sick joke. "...but no bite."

Aria looked at her, running her eyes over her for a moment. She had expected pushback. She just hadn't been sure what sort of reception she'd get. She weighed her words for a moment, to find a balance. Inviting a fight was stupid, not to mention a waste of time when there was a briefing. But silence was a sign of weakness, so she had to say something. She gave a small shrug, eyes on the Klingon. "You've not interested me enough to feel my bite," she said, watching Etisa. "I am here to serve HoD Kuran, and this ship. Unless anyone challenges my position, or his, I am here to learn."

"Enough," loudly projected Kuran who took his place at the far head of the chamber. He waited for Rice to join him at her side then curtly addressed the simmering questions he knew were waiting. "I bring word that Captain KehG was mortally wounded aboard the Federation vessel during personal combat. He is not expected to survive. Nor was he given an opportunity for the Hegh'bat by the Starfleet crew!" His long arms spread wide to unite those around him in solidarity for their captain's dishonorable demise.

Solemn and angered expressions quickly spread across the officer cadre's faces. Each one processed the news in their own way, with some seemingly uncaring while others discreetly lowered their eyes and chins to the deck plating. Others expressed visible yet silent anger across their features.

"Now I, as first officer, take my rightful place as captain of Praxis," Kuran declared, his eyes large and fulfilling.

Aria kept silent next to him, although she glanced at Kuran at the misrepresentation of facts. As far as she knew, KehG was expected to survive. She had all the confidence in the Galileo medical staff. However, if that was the narrative Kuran wanted to go with, so be it. And if a challenge was presented at a later point, well...Kuran could fight that one out the Klingon way.

"So this one is Federation compensation?" Etisa waved a hand in Aria's direction, starting to understand the situation. She gave a laugh, a throat sound as she shook her head. "We should ask for at least two more of her to equal a warrior..."

Kuran flexed his half-gloved hands with creaks resounding from the tight leather. He briefly shifted his eyes down to the Human next to him then confirmed the personnel transfer. "This," he gestured to the pale-skinned woman, "is Lieutenant Aria Rice; the science vessel's chief security and tactical officer. Her captain offered her to me as penance for their disrespect of Klingon tradition." A truth close enough to reality that it was hard to dispute. "I have accepted their atonement and appointed her to the position of first officer with the new rank of La' Hom. Her expertise in Starfleet operations and their tactical systems will be an...asset to our future operations in this sector." Before any additional indignation could ensue, Kuran continued his speech. "I also secured a base of operations for our vessel at a Federation starbase called Regula I. We have been assured temporary access and full stores resupply. Including bloodwine!" he grinned with victoriously bared teeth.

A small chorus of hushed words followed the new captain's revelations. Most of the Klingon officers looked to one another and discreetly voiced their differing opinions under their breath while presenting unflappable body language. Almost unnoticed in the mingling was the late arrival of Brin't'a to the meeting; the battlecruiser's security chief stepped inside the room as the door closed behind her then took up a position at the rear of the assembly. The tall warrior locked eyes with Kuran then ever-so-slightly lifted her chin. His discreet reply was a simple and subtle nod.

A junior officer's voice spoke up from the crowd during the moments of deliberation. "What else have you traded away in exchange for this," he gestured to Rice, "Federation 'hospitality'?" Grunts of agreement started to crescendo.

Narrowing his eyes, Commander Kuran realized he was now forced to reveal the final diplomatic concession he'd agreed to -- the most objectionable one. "I have agreed to spare the lives of all our Ferengi prisoners...until they are delivered to our closest penal colony."

Stunned expressions now spread across the officers' faces, then the room erupted into verbal protest within a matter of seconds.

Aria looked around at the shouting, her face calm. Yes, yet again she noted the chosen wording of her new Captain. Spare the lives until they had been delivered. This was going to be some...trip. "Enough!" she called out, through the shouting. Not angry, but loud. And she could be loud if she wanted to be. There was a brief lull, perhaps more of surprise. "Your HoD have told you what is happening, and you still argue against it? Do any one of you think you could do his job better, with more honour?"

The atmosphere took a sudden turn at that. The subtle movement of heads trying to get a glance of the other Klingons in the room, a slight ripple going through the crowd as eyes narrowed in a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as to whether someone would actually initiate the challenge that was implicit in the human's question.

"HIja!" Shouted a voice from the rear of the assembly. Heads suddenly snapped to the source of the sound and bodies slowly parted to allow the tall, familiar Klingon woman to make her way toward the front of the room. "But I do not challenge Kuran," Brin't'a clarified, her eyes locked on Rice, "instead...you; a Human who has no place on this battlecruiser and who has not earned your position!" Her mouth displayed a snarl of intense emotion while she walked closer. "I challenge you, Aria Rice."

Aria looked at her, running her eyes over her. Where was her phaser when she wanted it. Even so, Aria was aware she had no choice. To not accept the challenge was a sign of weakness. "I have earned my position, not on this deck, but on others, ships as great as yours," she said, her voice firm as she stepped forward. "But I know words will not convince you. You challenge me? Fine. I do not turn away a challenge." And may whatever forces there were in the universe protect her, because she was aware she'd have to be sly to win over a Klingon. Or get a draw. She'd take that, a nice let's just agree we both win, huh.

As the Klingon security chief continued to approach Rice, Kuran lifted his chin. Inside, he privately experienced trepidation and uncertainty. Should his new acquaintance fall to Brin't'a in personal combat mere hours after her arrival, he would be responsible for the Starfleet officer's death and never regain his honor from the crew. Most importantly, the deal he'd proudly negotiated with the Federation then announced to the crew would be upended, and KehG's death - along with his ascension to commanding officer - would become a fleeting glob fly in a jungle of hungry targs. Subtly, he pressed his large hand against Rice's back and semi-gently pushed her forward to meet her opponent.

Mak'Lar had watched the small human female from the moment she had entered the war chamber, he'd agreed with the others that she had no place amongst them but was certainly surprised when she accepted Brin't'a's challenge without a moment's hesitation. The woman was young unlike himself and the young were always too exuberant for their own good, the battle would be interesting but short.

There was a gleam in the eyes of Etisa as she pushed forward, wanting a better look. She shoved a junior crew member out of her way to get a better position, folding her arms. She wanted to see what this tiny human was made of.

Aria stepped forward, the nudge unnecessary. She had accepted what was going to happen. She shifted her stance, her eyes keenly trained on the Klingon security chief, for any movement...any tells. She hadn't pulled her weapon yet, and neither had Aria. But Aria would not throw the first punch. She needed to see how fast the Klingon warrior was. Because right now, Aria Rice had two things going for her...she was fast and she was small.

The amalgamation of warriors in the room quickly shifted their positions to form a tight circle around the two combatants. The battle arena was now defined; small and cramped due to the abundance of personnel, but sufficient enough for the duel. A bat'leth was pulled from the nearby weapons rack on the wall then tossed to Brin't'a who expertly caught the large and heavy bladed weapon with one hand. Another one was unceremoniously thrown to the floor in front of Rice with passive-aggressive acrimony. It clattered against the steel deck plating before sliding to her feet.

Aria looked at the bat'leth before she tutted, crouching down to pick it up. "That is no way to treat a weapon," she said, firmly, straightening up. It was a weapon she had trained with, because she actually cared about her job. Was it her first choice in a fight? No. But she knew how to use one.

Brin't'a swiftly swung her weapon around her body in a series of warmup swipes to pump blood into her strong muscles. Then she expertly twirled the bat'leth using her wrists before shifting its weight from one hand to another. "The more you talk, the longer I will let you suffer before you die," she taunted. The Klingon stepped forward and approached Rice just outside of her long arm's striking distance. Her feet began to move laterally as she methodically circled the smaller Human.

Aria moved as well, watching the Klingon closely. "I don't know, you seem to have a lot to prove," she said, lightly. One thing she had always been good at was talking while focused. Just as well when your mouth didn't have a pause button. "Challenging me, but not deeming me a worthy prey anyway...I don't know, seems you might be trying to gain their respect rather than knowing you already having it. There's a lot of anger there..." she shifted, slowly, knowing her core. "...and you might not be directing it in the most productive way."

The longer Rice kept stalling while Brin't'a maneuvered around her, the closer the Klingon subtly approached her optimal striking distance. It was a well-worn optical illusion and battle strategy utilized not only in personal combat, but also KDF battle doctrine. "The mere sight of you angers me," retorted Brin't'a, "...you are the smallest and weakest of your species....and you have no place aboard our battlecruiser!"

With her loud proclamation, the Klingon security chief suddenly closed the gap to the smaller woman while rising her bat'leth above her head. The ensuing overhead strike was powerful, and Brin't'a's blade whistled through the air as it zeroed in on Rice's cranium.

Aria lifted hers, but what she did which was more important was that she moved to the side. As the overhead strike went down, Aria's blade didn't block, but locked to ensure that the downward strike continued even if she was now no longer in danger of being cut by it. The moment the bat'leth hit the ground, Aria shifted, her elbow driving into the side of Brin't'a's head, just on her ear, as the downward force drove the other woman to bend down. She snatched her bat'leth back, the sound of blade scraping against blade before she kicked hard at the back of the Klingon's knee.

The piercing clink and subsequent grind of the bat'leths colliding drowned out the ensuing thuds when Rice struck her opponent on her head then leg. Brin't'a's temple absorbed the elbow strike with minimal discomfort and her knee barely buckled from the leg kick. She retaliated without hesitation, letting go of her weapon with one arm to forcefully backhand the Human.

Aria somehow managed to keep a hold of her weapon, even as the hit send her flying. She rolled, her ears ringing, but she got onto her feet. Her lip had split as she felt with her tongue to ensure her teeth were still there...and they were. She spat the blood to the ground, a sudden grin coming to her. She was still alive. Small victories. And it had reminded her of something. Klingon's heads were protected because while other organs had backup, the brain didn't. And while someone had once said Klingons had glass jaws and that is how you could knock one out, Aria was pretty sure she wasn't up to trying that. So. She had her weapon, her speed, and maybe her coordination provided she didn't just suffer a concussion. She shifted her weapon, showing it off the way that Brin't'a had done.

Brin't'a smirked in retaliation to Rice's grin. The blood dripping from the Human's mouth was provocative -- a sight she enjoyed to see, for many reasons. "Are you here to fight me...or to initiate a mating ritual??" She approached Rice again, this time swinging her bat'leth laterally toward the woman's midsection then following up the expected parry with a strong front kick to her chest.

Aria parried, but could see the follow up from the Klingon. She rode it, trusting her armour to take the brunt...even so, she felt her chest tighten with it. She let the force drive her back, onto the ground before she got up again. Brin't'a was brute force now, using her advantage of strength. And Aria was bruised from it, breathing hard with it as she swung the bat'leth. "Not sure I am your type," she said, her breath sounding raspy to her own ears.

Mak'Lar cheered with the others as Brin'ta sent the human woman sprawling to the floor. Despite his prime fighting days coming to an end it was always good to see two combatants in their primes fighting, the fight had already lasted longer than he'd expected.

"Stop playing with your food!" Etisa called out, a fist pushing in the air with the force of the words, but it wasn't entirely clear which combatant it was directed at.

Letting out a battle cry, the Klingon security chief charged the Starfleet officer-in-disguise. It was time to end this charade and Brin't'a had other matters to attend to...such as taking her rightful place as IKS Praxis' first officer. She positioned her weapon low then swiftly swiped upwards in an attempt to disembowel her opponent from her loins to her throat.

Aria threw herself back, her body arching with it. The blade cut just at her chin, a scratch more than anything. She kept back, her eyes on the Klingon as she came to a realisation...she was going to be killed by her unless she changed her tactics. Taking a deeper breath, Aria rolled her shoulders before she ran forward, keeping low, keeping silent...focused, her weapon in one hand. She twisted suddenly, almost a dancer's move, like a ballerina about to make a leap...instead she went low as she twisted around and swiped the bat'leth, her free hand now coming to grip it as she used it more like a sword to get the Klingon's body, just above the top of the boots, before the knees.

The Klingon lieutenant commander attempted a high block then grunted and stumbled following Rice's deception. The counter-attack had been a surprise combining audacity, speed and dexterity; qualities no Human should possess. Brin't'a's leg armor absorbed the blunt force of the blow yet the bat'leth was sharp enough to pierce the leather protecting her calf. It sliced through targ hide and into the side of her tibialis muscle. With a cry of rage, the Klingon warrior threw her fist down toward Rice's cheek.

Aria rolled out of her way, the shout of rage alerting her of Brin't'a's attack, coming up on her knees and then her feet. She swung the bat'leth, not with a cry but with silence. She aimed it at the Klingon's throat, more on instinct than anything else.

Brin't'a's own weapon swiftly rose and the two bat'leths collided less than a foot from the Klingon's head. Expertly, the warrior pushed her blade up until it locked with Rice's then twisted it down and away from their bodies until the tip grated across the deck plates. She took a hand off her weapon to grab the Human by the back of her hair, then headbutt her across the bridge of her nose with her reinforced cranium.

Aria groaned, her eyes closing automatically but all she saw were stars anyway. And a radiating pain from the bridge of her nose. She fought a wave of nausea before she opened her eyes, watching the Klingon. Aria was somewhat dazed, so she wouldn't be able to tell what she did next...it was instinct. She jerked her head sharply, away from the hand in her hair. Some of the extensions ripped off, plus some of her own hair, but she got away. She kept a stubborn hold of her weapon, tugging it hard, her blue eyes on the other woman and there was a bloody sneer on her face.

The mess of faux hair now in Brin't'a's hand pushed her more to anger than mockery. She threw the dark locks down on the floor with disgust then creased her brow tightly toward Rice. "Even your hair is fake!" She stepped back slightly, limping while pink blood dripped from her leg. Then, unexpectedly, tossed her bat'leth into the surrounding crowd and drew her d'k tahg. "I will now prepare you for your journey to Gre'thor..." She charged again, this time more nimble without her large and cumbersome weapon.

Aria gasped, but not at being charged at...it was at the comment. She shifted her hand on the bat'leth, holding it like a sword. She ran towards the Klingon warrior, eyes narrowed, and suddenly slid low, curving her body before swinging the bat'leth over her own body, a wide curve to catch the woman. She came to a stop a few feet behind Brin't'a, turning to face her back. "You did not just disrespect my hair..." she breathed, her voice rough.

Pink blood sprayed from the back of Brin't'a's armor. It had been cut open by Rice's sharp bladed weapon, the likes of which the Klingon woman had recklessly discarded. And now she grunted and stumbled once more. D'k tahg in hand, she slowly recovered then turned to face Rice, attempting to backhand her again with bladed surprise.

Aria jerked her head back, not far enough to avoid the knife that cut her cheek. She felt the sting and the blood, but she also just felt numb. Instead she brought the bat'leth up again, swinging it in a curve, her body low and her balance on point. She moved again, lightly and fast, a shuffle and a leap even as she swung the weapon again to the woman's throat.

A wounded Klingon was a dangerous Klingon. There was no true victory in life without an honorable death. So when Brin't'a recognized the Human's now-similar methods of attack, she swiftly brought her d'k tahg into a two-handed defensive posture to counter the larger weapon. The clang of colliding metal echoed and grated throughout the chamber. The Klingon warrior locked her knife's hilt into the bat'leth to gain control then gripped Rice's weapon with her off hand hand and ripped it free with superior strength. "Arrogant fool!" She spit a healthy dose of Klingon saliva into the Starfleet woman's face before headbutting her once again.

Aria stumbled back with the force of the headbutt, grimacing. She was without the bat'leth now and her nose was bleeding...but hopefully not broken.

Mak'Lar cheered loudly as he saw what he believe was the final moments of the battle, the human was good but Brin't'a was better.

Charging once again with new opportunity, Brin't'a slammed her body into the Human's then wrapped both of her arms tightly around the small creature's torso. She lifted the lighter woman up and into the air, squeezing her ribcage with increasing tightness that would soon break her opponent's fragile bones.

Aria gasped with pain, her eyes wide at the pressure that squeezed her body. She managed to take a breath, not a deep one, and the world swam in front of her. She was losing. She was losing her life. She moved her hands, grimacing before she placed them firmly on the side of Brin't'a's face...and her thumbs pushed into her eyes, hard.

"...aH.." exclaimed the Klingon who tightly closed her eyelids in futile response. She squeezed Rice's rib cage harder, feeling a soft pop on one side. But it wasn't enough to deter the assault on her tender optical organs. The Human's small and delicate fingers penetrated into Brin't'a's sockets. "AhhHH!" she repeated in pain before releasing her grip on the other woman and pushing her away to remove the fingers from her eyes.

Aria fell, gasping at the pain in her body. She drew the weapon from her belt, sucking in a breath before she ran at the Klingon. She could later blame having been a dancer for being able to push the pain of her body aside to complete the movement. She ran, did a rather simple jump...and her right hand moved, driving the knife into Brin't'a's throat.

A hushed silence percolated through the war chamber. Commander Kuran inhaled sharply through his nose when he saw the fatal blow achieved. He raised his chin high with confidence while murmuring and concerned glances spread across his fellow Klingon officers.

Brin't'a's dark brown eyes went wide when she felt herself being killed. It was a strange sensation; one not mired by pain or discomfort, but rather acceptance that her soul was on its next journey to Sto-Vo-Kor. She smiled at Rice with bloody teeth as she coughed up a gargled slop of pink blood on her chest. With her remaining breaths, she fell to her knees then toppled over on her side where she now remained motionless.

Etisa stared at the dead Klingon, at the blood spreading slowly across the deck. She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she ran her tongue slowly across her upper lip in thought. She lifted her foot, bringing it down hard on the deck, starting a stamping chorus, her fist joining in on the side, metallic table, the rhythm growing faster with appreciation of what she'd just witnessed.

Just as stunned Mak'Lar took in the sight of Brin't'a's corpse gradually spilling its blood onto the deck plating for a few moments before joining in the chorus of banging to celebrate Aria's victory, a victory he certainly did not expect.

The chorus of victory was often as sweet as the journey. For now, a new first officer had arisen within the storied ranks of Klingon warriors. A Human. The first of her kind. The audible cacophony quickly silenced as Kuran held up his large hand to quell his officers. "Is there anyone else who will challenge my new first officer?!" he demanded from them. Their eyes fleetingly exchanged glances then fell to the deck without further confrontation or objection. A small commotion ensued as several warriors stormed out of the room while scoffing at the unexpected turn of events. One of them was Torn, Brin't'a's compatriot and fellow colleague. On his way out of the war chamber, he looked back and gave Rice one final glance. If eyes could penetrate, he would have instantly killed her. Instead, he turned on his heels then stomped his feet as he departed from the facade.

Aria watched the now dead Klingon, taking a slow breath. She could feel the shock in her, the cold realisation she had taken a life and that she would pay for it, if not in body then in soul...but she decided to deal with it later. In private. So she exhaled and straightened as much as she could, looking at the Klingons who walked out, her face bloody and impassive. She finally looked over at Kuran, her face serious. "We lost a good Warrior today," she said, her voice quiet...she felt raw, every nerve exposed, but managed to suppress any real reaction to it. Keep performing, don't break until the dance is over. "She will be well received in Sto-vo-kor."

"She was a self-serving Ha'DIbaH who cared only for herself," corrected Kuran under his breath. The mere ritual of personal combat and battle prowess were often enough to mask a warrior's personal faults. The Human hadn't known Brin't'a as he had -- she was ignorant. However, there was a time and place for everything. Here and now, it was Rice's opportunity to celebrate her new achievement. And for his strategic plot to enter its next phase. He grunted then subtly conceded a small and rare pleasantry. "You both fought well. She will no doubt avoid Fek'lhr's wrath tonight." He scanned Rice's bloodied face before adding a final instruction. "When we are finished here, you will report to the medical bay. Your nose is crooked."

For a moment, Aria didn't hear him. She was busy processing things that were not in her body. Oh, her body had wide signals alright. Pain, discomfort, the way her breath caught every few breaths because of her ribs. But she didn't really focus on that, or the emotional shock of having killed someone in such a bloody was. Her focus was on who was left, the warriors who hadn't exited in disgust. The ones that had stayed on. Those would be her allies then, so she made sure to note their faces. Only then did the words sink in. Medical bay. She had no idea Klingons had that, she assumed they patched each other up and then drank. She gave a small nod at the comment of her nose. Broken. She wished she could say it was the first time, but couldn't. "Yes, I will," she said lightly, although it hurt to speak. She made herself stand straight though, as straight as she could. If she could dance on bloodied feet, she could stand for a little longer.

Two Klingon officers moved to secure the dead woman's body and remove it from the room. With one on each side grabbing a respective arm and leg, they shuffled the tall warrior's remains through the war chamber's exit and on toward the morgue. The door mechanically shut behind them and those who remained looked back to Kuran for guidance. He finally took his seat at the head of the large table then leaned back and tapped on his PADD. "Once again...this is La' Hom Rice; Ari'a, as she is called by the Humans. Now, she is Praxis' new first officer and chief of security..."

[OFF]

--

Commander Kuran
Acting Commanding Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Saalm]

Commander Torn
Chief Tactical Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Saalm]

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

Lieutenant Aria Rice
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

Ensign Mak'Lar
IKS Praxis
[NPC Mimi]

Ensign Etisa
IKS Praxis
[NPC Blake]

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