She does not catch on quickly

Posted on Wed Oct 25th, 2023 @ 1:50am by Commander (la') Tormek & Lieutenant (Sogh) Vep Ka of the Empire

2,137 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Lockdown
Location: XO Office
Timeline: MD 01

ON

VepKa had to follow a computer's directions to find the Executive Officer Office. A smooth of the skirt was all she needed before entering The XO domain. Knocking on a door frame as she did.

[I am VepKa.] Speaking in fleuent Klingon. [I have came to introduce and present the Captan's Slave.]

Commander Kuran's daily routine was a busy one. The details of operational management for the entire starbase ultimately fell to him which produced a multitude of daily administrative paperwork and personnel management which he'd come to find extremely tedious. Yet, this was his new duty for better or worse. To be an 'ambassador' to the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet despite all of the incompetence he'd seen throughout his short tenure.

A woman's voice and the corresponding Klingon language over the intercom interrupted him while he sat behind his desk at his console, tapping away at the Federation LCARS screen. "NuqneH?" he simply replied before tapping a control to open the door.

Vep Ka entered and saluted as it was respectful in the Empire.

"I am Vep Ka," She told her Superior Officer. "I have presented my self to My New Master, she seems... reluctant to accept the terms of my Service and is trying to break my Honor by instructing me to consider myself free while on this station." She spoke in an even tone. "I do not think my Owners on the council would approve of me acting in such fashion."

He looked upon an Orion who was now presenting herself to him. She, like most of her species, was attractive and provocative. But that was not what the Klingon Imperial Empire demanded now, and so he regarded her with dark and judicial eyes through his furrowed brow. "Sit," he commanded before searching through the multitude of PADDS on his desk to find this Orion's file. "Who do you speak of who showed you this disrespect?"

"My Master, the Captain." Vep Ka took the seat with slow practiced grace to cross her legs to the right under her at the ankle. "She wants be to regard myself as Free, I am the property of the High Council, bought and trained at their expense so there by Honor Bound to remain as a slave. "
Vep Ka explained slowly. "I am a gift on loan to the Station Representing the interests of the Klingon Empire." Noting his search. "Vep Ka of the empire is whom you look for Sir."

"Her Federation quick judgement did not take into account that Klingon Empress does still have Slave Laws and as an Orion I am bound to serve my Owner." Looking up so to make eye contact when The commander takes his attention from the PADDs in front of him. "She does not like the answer so she forces her judgement upon me as though I am wrong, this is still a Half Klingon occupied station you know."

Tomek grunted with private acknowledgement after listening to her story and valid complaint. "You speak of Captain Iz'mi, the Starfleet captain. I have found her to be very...misguided, thus far." He inhaled a deep breath then leaned back in his chair, his long fingers tenting in front of his chest before he exhaled. "You are correct, Vep Ka - Federation law does not supersede Klingon law! I will discuss this matter with her at the next opportunity." He regarded her sensual physique once more, for it was pleasant to observe.

"However, until I speak to her, I will claim ownership of you and you will serve me. I am the Empire's senior representative on this starbase and if the Federation will not show you your due respect for your position, then I am obligated to intervene. Now tell me, Vep Ka, what news do you bring from the High Council?"

"There is some things to be aware of." Vep Ka started. "The Romulans are not exactly in favor of this endeavor and there is heightened activity with their 'Mercinary partners." She explained. "The Ferengi brokers have been active and their profits are up. This all points towards trouble and I do believe that we will be seeing an increase in Pirate Distraction to make this project seem less stable than it is."

"Hmm..." he muttered to himself, stroking his robust fu manchu hairs. "The Romulan senate are known cowards who even the Federation cannot placate - they are untrustworthy baktag and their opinion matters little to me." He pondered the Orion's report further. "Their mercenary partners are nothing the Empire cannot handle, but...the Ferengi..." he slowly nodded to himself with just a hint of concern in his eyes. "That gremlin race wields more soft power than the High Council will ever acknowledge. They possess the capital to buy and sell information, people and warships throughout the quadrants to accomplish their goals."

Vep Ka sprang from her seat and was crouching ready on his desk.

"Do not insult My Owners so easily." She was drawing the hollow appearing hilt on her side while speaking. "No Master insults an Owner." the dual electrified blades extended.

The instant provocation from the Orion was met by a sudden surge of adrenaline from the Klingon commander. He pushed himself back in his chair when he saw her lunge at him, then rose to his full height. An audible click sounded when he swiftly pulled his d'k tahg from his belt and the blades of its hilt snapped open. He raised the weapon along with both of his hands in front of her, showing the slave his resolve to prosecute her if she continued. "I am your master, now!" he rebuked.

You insult my Owners and the Council. She growled in perfect Klingon. "They bear my purchase and housing with training as a Debt I take upon myself , You are my Master as a gift from them as I serve this House, station, Honoring the Empire is more in what you say behind the back than in front of the Counsil, would speak like this to their faces?"

The slightly right turn of her leg let the crouch keep even modesty demure and her nature in sight. Orions have been described as Ferocious, add Her learned Klingon Honor and this woman did not like being trifled with. "Choose honor carefully My Master. They honor you in bestowing a gift , you should respect more the one who gives as well as the given."

Tormek retained his combat stance, moving subtly to respond to the Orion's gestures while also mentally evaluating the words she just spoken. There was no time for this; no time for internal politics when much more was at stake now. "We are both aboard a Federation starbase and this petty quarrel will see you in an early grave," he threatened in his native tongue before speaking in a more measured tone. "The Empire does not exist out here within this starbase. Not yet. For now, I am the Empire's representative, and if you desire to stay alive within the following minutes, you will do what I say! Unless you desire an early path to the gates of Sto-vo-kor..."

"You are wrong." She slowly stood and looked him in the eyes. "The Empire is here..." She point to her heart. "As it should be with all Klingons; the Over bearing Federation travels with them this far out, so should a loyal heart beat for home that we risk all to build and protect." She gently dropped to the ground. "I am a slave and I know that the Empire is more than a council, if it is not out here it is because you did not bring it with you , Master." The staff retracted. "This is a joint venture, so the are warriors and therefore the Empire is out here. Even a lowly Slave Girl of the Empire knows that."

She gave a Proper bow to a Master from a Slave.

"Your Overconfidence shows underestimation of an opponant." She said. "In Klingon that says you have lost the battle by overestimating your prowess and not allowing for the surprise shifts Combat often bring with it. Warrior Master Tormek, were you not given the lesson that no battle is assured before the first blow thrown?'

A Predatory Cat grin grew.

"Orion Slavegirls are known to be ferocious, do not count a battle as won so quickly...Master."

Slowly, while keeping his dark brown eyes on the Orion woman, Tormek holstered his d'k tahg back into his belt then motioned for the woman before him to return to her feet. "It was you who challenged me," he clarified. "You should know better than to test my honor. Which you have. So you may report back of my fealty to your 'masters' and the High Council." He returned back to his chair then folded his arms across his chest. "You believe I have underestimated the Federation...why?"

"Have you not noted that all decisions are based on Federation Procedures?" Vep Ka brought up. Look at the problems because I m following Klingon Law rather than The Federation regulations?" SHe crossed her arms. "We are not joint managing here; the Federation Regs and Law are the operating Procedure in the computer and for personnel. They have the power here, all the universe should be Federation." She nodded. "They are conquering by passive manners. How many times has the Federation forced the influences upon other cultures as Federation being correct." She met the Commander's cold stare. "Which set of policies are enforced, we are backing the Federation here,"

He exhaled through his nose while continuing to regard the Orion's attractive features, but now slightly perturbed. "Your deductions are not wrong..." he admitted quietly to himself. "The Federation assimilates through 'pacifism'; through their words, not their warriors." He gesticulated to the bulkheads surrounding them within the starbase. "We are proof of that. Half-Starfleet-warriors who are representatives of our own government yet treated like second-class citizens..." A scowl wrinkled across Tormek's cranial ridges. "It is not right! Yet, it is the duty the High Council ordered me - us - to perform. I will not challenge their wisdom."

"I said you might be underestimated in how one views our role, we honor the duty the High Council has given us, but to really understand our portion of the Joint Venture is to support what the Federation decides, " Vep Ka explained.

"We are not equal, we are meant to reinforce Federation Policy. We are the muscle to do what the Federation would be seen as Unsavory for them but a Klingon tactic would be acceptable. We are here to make them look good. As they Govern the station and diplomacy"

The first officer stroked his goatee in thought. "What do you propose, then, Vep Ka of the Empire?" he queried. "To overthrow this station and claim it as our own? Or perhaps..." he twisted his long chin hairs around his index finger, "you will use your talents and infiltrate from within - court their highest officers and show them the one true path to victory is through Sto-vo-kor...?"

"Not be left behind." Vep Ka suggested. "We are here to explore and play peacekeepers, make sure all there is out here is not Federation, assure the Empire gets fair homage while expansion happens. We are serving the Empire to support these Federation Projects, The Empire interests must also be respected equally. Why should we just give all our efforts to only the Federation avail while we bleed the same as they do for this project?"

"...I understand." Tormek again tented his fingers in front of his chest. "It will be my success - ours - when we achieve true equality here. But in the meantime, you must assimilate yourself within this Federation starbase. As must I. You will help spread our philosophy to the non-Klingons, by any means necessary. Within several months, perhaps we will have full influence over this station. Understood?"

"Of course master." Vep Ka reply with a bow. "The Empire is all." She relayed. "I will serve it until I Die Honorably in Battle or Service. The way of the Warrior is immediacy, rushing headlong into whatever the challenge."*

Slightly raising his chin with acceptance, Tormek ordered the High Council's secretive representative to continue with her duties. "Good. You are dismissed, then. I have much work to do. Qapla', Vep Ka."

"Qapla Master. Mine is to serve." Vep Ka bow and left the Office.

OFF

--

CMDR Tormek
First Officer
Starbase Frontier

LT Vep Ka
KDF Intelligence Officer
Starbase Frontier

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