Klingon within the Starboard Bow

Posted on Fri Aug 4th, 2023 @ 10:04am by Captain Kagami Izumi & Commander Tormek

2,895 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Stronger Together
Location: Starbase Frontier - Captain's Quarters
Timeline: MD 07, 0800 hrs

[ON]

The thud of long, heavy and fast-paced armored boots thumped across the deck plating for several minutes while Commander Tormek attempted to find the entrance to his new captain's office chamber. The starbase, Frontier as it was called by the Humans, was convoluted in its design -- an obvious result of Federation engineers overriding Klingon design for their own pleasure. And a sign of tactical weakness, for should any crew member become lost in this sterile-scented maze, it would soon drive them mad. He'd been walking for almost ten minutes in circles around this particular hull section. Looking down at his PADD then back up to the markings on the doors, he concluded he was close. Tormek continued his journey.

Several minutes later, the chime within the captain's office sounded. Then again, and again as Tormek stood outside and rapidly tapped the button with wavering patience.

"OK I GET IT!" Kagami's voice shouted through the door. "COME IN ALREADY!".

The entrance hissed open, prefaced by annoyed language from the Human woman who was inside. Tormek quickly stepped through the now-parted doors. As they swished shut behind him, he briefly took in the view of the office and his new captain. "Captain Iz'mi," he announced himself. "I wish to discuss my new assignment. And...thank you for accepting my transfer."

Kagami looked up at the much larger Klingon. Getting this starbase was stressful for her. It seemed like as soon as she solved one problem another appeared. "Ah yes Commander..." she said to him as she rose to her feet and extended her arm to grip his, her hand cupped, not extended as if for a handshake.

He did not hesitate to embrace her arm with the traditional Klingon greeting. A stiff and mutual forearm clasp below the elbow was tradition, and he was beginning to believe she was a woman of culture. Perhaps one who truly respected Klingon values. "Qapla', HoD," he fully acknowledged in his native tongue.

Kagami nodded and released his arm. She then gestured for him to sit down as she returned to her own chair. "I've served with Klingon's before. One of my old Executive Officer's was actually part Klingon, so I got used to most of your customs," she explained to him simply. "So, lets skip the fluff. What do you need to know?"

He located the nearest chair opposite from her then awkwardly lowered himself into its padded bottom. Such uncomfortable seating. "Captain, the M'oQreH and I have been assigned to this station. My warriors stand ready to defended this sector of space." Then his dark brown eyes creased and his brow furrowed. "But I must know - what is our mission here? What true use does the Federation have for a Klingon warship aside from political appearances?"

The Captain sat back in her chair. "As you know, we are at the start of this region of neutral space. Its known as the 'Pytonia Passage'." She began to explain to him. "As you well know, what lies beyond this passage is unexplored space. Since this 'Passage' exists between our mutual space, and the Tholians. Our governments agreed to this joint endeavour."

She paused for a brief moment again. "Our mission here is simple. We work together to explore whats out there. Establish trade routes and work together to keep the Tholians in check. We will be a staging point for both Starfleet and Klingon Defence Force Vessels venturing through the passage." Kagami looked the Klingon commander dead in the eyes. "If we allow the Tholians to expand into the passage, then any chance of future expansion and colonisation will be lost on this side of the quadrant. We would be essentially 'trapped in' our own space with no where to go."

Listening to the Human captain's dissection of the situation, Tormek shook his head with disapproval. "Keeping the Tholians 'in check' is an impossible task," he declared with an aura of sincerity and experience. "They are a xenophobic species and their vessels are technologically superior." He briefly rubbed his gloved hands across the tops of his knees. "We must meet them with superior strength if this objective is to accomplished."

"And we can't do that alone. Thats why we are working together," Kagami replied. "I imagine that once they see us working together, they won't come knocking any time soon. Plus, this base is much more than just an outpost. Its the gateway to new worlds and new areas of space that neither of our people have seen before."

Tormek semi-scowled. The explanation was typical of Starfleet operations; their ultimate weakness. "The two vessels docked at this station are not enough to enforce this corridor," he declared. "Surely you, captain, know this?" His ridged features were becoming severe alongside an absence of patience.

"Oh I know," Kagami replied. "However, the presence of this base should be enough. Or at least Starfleet and the KDF thinks so. Would you like to request a ship with more disruptor cannons? Or would you like to step up to the challenge?"

Tormek suddenly stood from his uncomfortable chair to his feet and back to his full height. He approached the smaller Human captain's desk while now clenching his fists. "Do not question my honor, captain," he forcefully rebuked. "I will do my duty here as assigned by Starfleet and the Klingon Defense Force. But..." he turned his head to the side and scowled at the concept before revealing a hard truth. "Many in my government's leadership are not interested in these...joint relationships. I am their test case. The sacrificial targ, as your people say."

Kagami simply crossed her arms seemingly not phased by the behaviour of the Klingon. "I haven't questioned your honour." she said simply locking eyes with him. "Yes you are right, this is a bit of a test. So we're going to work our damn hardest to make this work."

"You should know better than anyone that Targs can bite. We have a capable people aboard this station. They assigned us both here for a reason, so trust me when I say this. We will not fuck this up! Plus, remember that I am the Captain here and you are assigned as First Officer. So Sit. Down. Now." Her voice turning much sharper and stricter.

His dark brown irises became wide at the manner of her speech. The cadence and the tone...a forwardness he'd never expected from a Starfleet officer. His first instinct was to challenge her, yet the small woman's demeanor appeared fortified. A pleasant surprise accompanied by her colorful language. He suppressed his instincts and did as he was commanded -- as he would have done in front of a Klingon captain. Tormek returned to the uncomfortable padded seat then held Izumi's eyes waiting for his next order.

"Right then," Kagami said. She passed him a PADD. "This is the duty roster that's been drafted. As XO not only are you I'm command of the Klingon aspects and personnel, but also you will be responsible for the Starfleet personnel too," she explained. "You'll also have command of the Bird of Prey for ship missions, you get to select your crew."

"I understand," he replied with simplicity, accepting the flimsy and thin silver device from the captain. He awkwardly tapped on its fine touch-screen controls with his large fingers, attempting to navigate the foreign LCARS interface. It was much easier to do on a large console than a small PADD. "I will need time to select my warriors aboard the M'oQreH. Especially if you wish for...Starfleet officers to become battle-ready aboard a Klingon warship." He then set the PADD down on his thigh after just a brief moment of skimming. "In the meantime, I must begin an inspection of this station's departments. To identify any deficient crew members who are not capable of their duties," he informed her.

"You select who you want. Bear in mind I have already done the same for the Kingfisher which is the Intrepid Class assigned here," Kagami explained as she passed him another PADD. "On here are the specifications of the ship and her crew roster. I think its best you know what each ship can do, there will be times that both ships will have to work and coordinate together on tasks," she told him.

The Klingon smirked at the captain then cast a dismissive glance at the new PADD she'd offered him. "I am fully aware of Starfleet's capabilities. We studied your starships and technology at the war academy," he revealed. "The Intrepid-class is no more than a glorified science vessel. Barely a match for a competent K't'inga commander. Certainly no threat to any of our heavy cruisers," he proudly declared.

'Glorified Science Vessel huh... Yeah, you really don't know what an Intrepid Class can do, do you?' Kagami thought for a brief moment. She had always been a fan of the Intrepid Class afterall, she commanded one for several years. "Yes, well, the Kingfisher may be a science vessel, but she does have some teeth as well. She will come in handy when we need her." She turned her attention to other matters.

"Apart from the standard duties of being an executive officer, please make it clear to everyone that Federation law will apply in all shared and Federation areas. What you guys do in your own areas is for you to work out. I would advise against 'fights to the death' however, only because it will be hard to replace good crew out here. However should it come to that, make sure its in your own juristicition and limited to Klingon officers only." Kagami told him. The last thing she wanted was for one of the Starfleet officers to find themselves in a bat'leth fight on the galleria.

Tormek frowned and shifted in his chair. "To fight and defend one's personal honor is not a violation of any law," he sternly refuted. "I will not accept these terms. If you apply your Federation judicial code to our joint operating areas, so too must you apply Klingon law! Or are my people not considered 'equals' to yours?"

Kagami sighed placing a hand on her forehead. "I knew we wouldn't see eye to eye on this," she said. She looked up at the Klingon. "Lets just say that I don't want this starbase to turn into a bloodbath when things go wrong. Defending your honour is one thing, but lets make a compromise." She paused for a moment. "Instead of fights to the death, if honour must be upheld, then how about all duels end when one opponant is rendered unable to continue?"

A brief moment of silence fell upon the room. "Therefore we won't lose capable people. Also, no one should be able to challenge either myself or you. We're in command for a reason, so it needs to stay like that." Kagami told him.

Considering the proposition in silence for a lengthy moment, Tormek stroked his goatee before speaking once more. "No," he declared upon reflection. "I cannot force my own people to abandon their traditions. Personal combat must be conducted according to our laws. To do otherwise..." he shook his head at the implications. "No Klingon would respect me anymore and my orders would become invalid to them. Surely you understand this?"

That wasn't really the answer that Kagami was looking for. "Fine." she said simply. "I knew I couldn't pursuade you, but it was worth a try," she told him with a shrug. "You may have combat, but only between Klingons. I will not allow Starfleet and KDF officers to engage in combat. You deal with the KDF officers and I'll seal with the Starfleet officers should it come to that. Also, I want you to understand that there will be some areas where combat will not be allowed. Surely you can understand the need for rules and regulations in certain areas?" she asked.

He tilted his chin up at the Earth captain. This new commanding officer appeared to be open to different mindsets and cultural methodology. Perhaps the rumors of the Federation's assimilation techniques weren't quite as true as the legends. "I accept this proposal."

"Good," Kagami said as she put the PADD she was holding aside. "Now, to the next thing. We currently only have a skeleton crew aboard. However we should be recieving new crew and replacements over the next few weeks. I have made several requests for officers, all of which have been put through to personnel management." She paused for a few moments. "However, I do not have the same connection with the Klingon Defence Force. Therefore I want you to take a look at the manifests, open positions and put in your own requests from the Defence Force."

She picked up another PADD that had been littering her desk. "We need a Chief Engineer, Chief of Operations, Chief Science Officer, Chief of Flight Control and various others. Not to mention Intelligence and Starfighter pilots. Can you submit our request to the Defence Force for more personnel. I want to try to have an even mix of Starfleet to Klingon personnel." She asked.

His facial features became stern for a moment. "I am not a recruitment officer." He was a warship captain within the finest navy in the galaxy - a youthful and prominent warrior; not an old, gray-haired warrior whose only usefulness was to coerce the youth farmers into joining the warrior caste. Begrudgingly, however, he slowly extended his hand to accept the PADD from her. "But perhaps I can...inquire into officers who are fit for these duties."

"Please do. Management of personnel does fall to the Executive Officer, even in the Klingon Defence Force does it not?" she questioned.

"Yes, management. But not recruitment. Warship captains select their own crews from the finest candidates available. However, for this," Tormek waved the thin PADD, "I will assist you. But only this one time."

Kagami nodded simply. "Now then, is there anything you wish to ask me? Or clear up with me? Its essential we are on the same page here if this is going to work. Now is the time to ask." She asked him a hint of firmness in her voice.

He thought long and hard about the question and remained silent for many moments while pondering the entirety of his new existence. "Where is the bloodwine stored and how often are new shipments delivered?" Without bloodwine, there would be a riot among his people. No replicated version of the cultural beverage would be tolerated for extended periods of time.

'Not what I was expecting... but how totally... Klingon...' Kagami thought with a surprised look on her face. "I believe that the designers of the station included a 'Bloodwine Hall' in the Klingon Residential section. I'm not sure just how much we have on board or how often we get shipments. That you'll have to check with station stores and operations. I imagine with the amount consumed, it'll be often." she told him.

Tormek leaned back, most pleased at this revelation of the Hall of Bloodwine. He hadn't observed it while studying the station's blueprints upon his arrival, but it was a great gesture to improve Federation-Klingon relations. "Operations. Lieutenant Commander Fletcher can oversee this then, yes?"

"At the moment Commander Fletcher is Strategic Operations. But he should be able to help. Since we have no Operations Officer just yet, he has been managing most of that too." Kagami explained. "However his role will be vastly different once we have everything fully operational."

Tomek's dark eyes were stoic as he indicated his preference and upheld the oversight duties his position now entailed. "I will make sure he is not negligent in any of his duties. Temporary or permanent." The padded chair he'd been sitting in for the last fifteen minutes was becoming unbearably uncomfortable. He rose from his seat to stretch his legs. "Is there anything else, captain? I must soon train for battle in the holodeck."

"Nothing that I can think of," Kagami said in response. "The holodecks aren't yet online though. However Deck 55 has a specific area for Klingon bat'leth and hand to hand combat training. I believe you call it a 'Sparring Hall'?" she suggested.

The Hall of Bloodwine and now the Sparring Hall. Starfleet seemed to be extending the warrior's path to Sto'vo'kor for its new 'allies'. As much as Tormek possessed his doubts surrounding this new experimental starbase, it didn't seem as undesirable as it once had several days ago. "The Warrior's Hall," he corrected. "I am...grateful for this accommodation. It will serve my people well. Perhaps yours too."

The Captain nodded. "Hopefully yes," she added. "Well, I'll let you get to it Commander. Dismissed."

The Klingon straightened his back then punched a closed fist firmly against the silver leather armor on his chest with a thud. "Qapla'." He then turned and walked out of the administrative chamber, his armored boots softly thumping across the padded deck plating.

[OFF]

--

Captain Kagami Izumi
Commanding Officer
Starbase Frontier

CMDR Tormek
First Officer
Starbase Frontier

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