Missing Parts - Part 2

Posted on Fri Jan 19th, 2024 @ 4:19am by Lieutenant Commander Lazarus Kord & Lieutenant Vok'Ka & Chief Warrant Officer Firax

2,137 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Blockade
Location: Starbase Frontier

[ON]

After their discussions and a plan concocted of just how to approach their Klingon comrades, Lazarus left Firax's office with a plan of action agreed upon by the two. He was to directly confront any Klingon he found out to be related to the acquisition or use of the known tools that were lost. Then, by means of either question or personal combat, he was to ascertain any information possible.

Firax watched as Lieutenant Commander Kord left his office. Lazarus would lead the way into the Klingon quartermaster department, while he would hit the Starfleet quartermaster department. The goal was to catch the staffs off guard, being that Lieutenant Commander Kord was the Chief Engineer of the station the Klingons had to comply, and Firax would be there to back him up shortly, after he stopped at the Klingon Commander of the Guard office and brought him along. Once their mission was done with the Klingons, Firax would lead the charge at the Starfleet quartermaster personnel. He got up from his desk and started toward the Commander of the Guard office. Let the action begin he thought with a smile.

Vok’Ka looked at the office he’d inherited with the position of Commander of the Guard. It was, like the rest of the station, Federation-themed. The chairs, the furnishings…all of it dripped “Federation”.

That would have to change, Vok’Ka grumbled to himself. He would have preferred to have simply stayed on board the M'oQreH, but that didn’t seem to be an option.

At least the banner of the Empire hung from the back wall of the office.

But that was the only Klingon element in the Federation room. It made Vok’Ka’s skin crawl and his nerves sing.

“I am a warrior…” Vok’Ka reminded himself quietly.

Warriors could endure, he reminded himself, most anything using discipline and perseverance.

With a deep breath, Vok’Ka began to plan how he would transform the office into a place that would reflect his Klingon heritage and his position as Commander. He imagined the walls lined with weapons of honor and the air filled with the scent of Klingon incense.

He envisioned a great Bat'leth, a symbol of Klingon strength and honor, placed prominently behind his desk on a stand.

On the walls, he'd hang banners depicting his house and the great house they were allied to in the Empire, their vibrant colors clashing against the subdued Federation palette. He would also install a sacred Klingon shrine where he could perform daily rituals and prayers.

The Federation's sterile lighting would be replaced with the warm and dim glow of Klingon fire pits, their flickering light casting long, dancing shadows across the room. He'd replace the carpet with a rough stone floor, reminiscent of the rugged terrains of Qo'noS, the Klingon homeworld.

He imagined his new office, a true reflection of his identity and his people. A place where he could feel at home, even in the heart of the Federation. With this vision in mind, Vok’Ka set to work, determined to make his new office a testament to his Klingon pride.

Vok’Ka was so immersed in his work that he almost missed the arrival of the newcomer.

Lieutenant Commander Kord's claw tacks on the corridor floor were muted as he approached the door for the Klingon Commander of the Guard. He had some manner of research into Lieutenant Vok'ka. He was, by all public Federation records, a true Klingon. He was proud, noble, and had reputable service to the Empire. It had been some time since the Gorn saw a true Klingon up close - not to say he had not recently, though these sightings were in passing. While most Klingons disregarded him, only a few glanced, and the Gorn never glanced back. That would have to change today.

The best approach, Lazarus decided, was the most direct one. He was not familiar with Klingon customs, only the beatings he received a lifetime ago from the slavers. While he had no true fear of Klingons, he witnessed both sides of their aura; Honorable and Vicious. He hoped this Commander of the Guard would be honorable. As the Gorn approached the entrance to the office for the Klingon, his tail gingerly swayed behind him as he examined the office. It was oddly ... lacking in what he expected.

"Lieutenant Vok'ka," the Chief Engineer called out moderately, his voice a mixture of clear words with a hint of guttural grunts and hisses. "I would have words with you, if you have time to spare in your reflections."

Vok’Ka turned and faced the newcomer. He was…unimpressed. He’d seen many a Gorn in his lifetime on Kayvok. Gorn raiders seemed to delight in attacking his father’s estate and Vok’Ka had been expected to lend a hand in the defense of the grounds.

“Speak…Gorn,” Vok’Ka said between clenched teeth. Vok’Ka did not attempt to hide his disdain for the reptile before him. He might tolerate Federation personnel but not Federation Gorn. That was asking too much of him.

The reptiles nostrils flared as he sensed the anger - though in truth he didn't need that sense, as he saw the anger in the Klingons expression. He had been right before. Memories flooded back from the Terran Empire; slavery, punishment, cruelty, and a lifetime worth of horrors and torture. Then the happier times; escape on the ISS Asha, his death and resurrection in this universe, the Federations generosity and absolute kindness on his recovery, the process on finding his happiness and home. His promotion and family came to mind, but through the happiness was always the pain.

Moving forwards into the room, the Gorns tail thumped the floor as he cautiously moved about five steps. He wasn't exactly inside the room, simply present, but his reptilian eyes never left those of the Klingons. He decided that the claws would need to be sharp for this one. There was no humanity to appreciate here or be tolerant of. Slowly his scaled lips raised slightly as his teeth became exposed as he began to speak.

"Klingons are misplacing-" at the word misplacing, he snarled it out "-materials from my department, Lieutenant Vok'Ka. I am sure you have an explanation for this accidental misplacement of items under my protection. or could assist me in looking into the issue and offer correction."

Vok’Ka heard the Gorn officer out. He knew that the Gorn officer was the Chief Engineer from reading the intel dossiers provided to him. He also knew that the Gorn was a Lieutenant Commander. Vok’Ka knew that being disrespectful in this case would bring dishonor to all the Klingons involved in this…experiment…between the Federation and the Empire.

“If you are insinuating that Klingons are stealing your Federation equipment, that is a serious accusation against the honor of every Klingon,” Vok’Ka growled.

Instinctively, Vok’ka moved his right hand onto the pommel of his sheathed d’k tahg. He was ready for violence…even welcomed it, given the opponent. There was just too much bad blood between Vok’Ka’s people and the Gorn in general.

“I would need hard evidence, not feeble words, that this is occurring,” Vok’Ka said through clenched teeth.

For the sake of respects, Lazarus had stood near the door to make the height difference not so apparent. Now, however, as he saw the Klingon reach his pommel, he stepped forward eagerly with heavy thuds and clacks of claws on the floor. He stopped only a few feet away from the Klingon, towering above him a full foot as he rose up in posture. He reached behind him, produced a pad, and slowly reached to hand it across. His eyes, pupils now slitted, burned with a fury hidden. His words were controlled, but seething. He was looking for an excuse - but he also knew his limitations.

"Chief Warrant Officer Firax and I have both noticed discrepancies in our inventories," growled the Gorn. He wouldn't back down from this. "I am not accusing your people of dishonor, I am providing facts of disappearing items. I am here to have your help in finding the truth."

His claws gripped the PADD tighter, though he would easily release it once it was released.

"If, however, I need to prove the merit of my accusation to gain your assistance," the Gorn said, hissing gently, "then I will eagerly do so."

Firax had been silently watching the exchange from the shadows between the Gorn engineer and Klingon security officer. Upon seeing the Klingon reach for the pommel of his d'k tahg he decided it was time to make his appearance. The almost eight-foot tall Nausicaan stepped forward, he was wearing the standard uniform of Starfleet security with his tegolar sword strapped to his back, "Gentle beings, am I interrupting something?" he inquired, trying to diffuse the situation, as protocol required, though he would have enjoyed watching the fight. "Oh, I see Lieutenant Commander Kord has provided you with some discrepancies that has been noted in inventory. We were hoping to get some cooperative help in investigating this matter, before the CO or XO found out." When he spoke, he had deliberately emphasized Lieutenant Commander Kord's rank, as well as the fact the CO and XO had yet to learn of this.

Vok’Ka bristled as he listened to the Gorn’s explanation. He saw the other’s deliberate posturing for what it was: an intimidation attempt. The appearance of the Nausican warrant officer was just a show of force. They would have the advantage here but Vok’Ka would fight hard and well…

“noH QapmeH wo’ Qaw’lu’chugh yay chavbe’lu’,
‘ej wo’ choqmeH may’ DoHlu’chugh lujbe’lu’.”

The old monk’s voice spoke clearly in Vok’Ka’s mind. He could clearly see Kruga, pacing back and forth in the temple, reciting this wisdom over and over again. Vok’Ka even felt the hard sting of the baton across his knuckles…

“Destroying an Empire to win a war is no victory.
And ending a battle to save an Empire is no defeat.”

Yes, Kruga…Vok’Ka thought.

Vok’Ka took a breath, removed his hand from the d’k tahg pommel and held it out expectantly to the Gorn.

“Allow me to view these discrepancies , “ Vok’Ka said plainly.

When the Gorn turned his head to look at the arriving Naussican, he almost growled. There was a tension here that needed to cut. That wouldn't happen now. He relented, however, remembering the voice of Commodore Paladin.

"New universe, new rules, we're not your enslavers," he had said.

There was a deep sigh and snort from the Gorn as his side eye looked down at the Klingon, then his full head turned so both eyes looked. He watched as the Klingon accepted the PADD. The Gorn then carefully stepped back.

"Thank you for your assistance," the Gorn said, with less seething and hissing than before.

Vok’Ka quickly scanned the contents of the PADD. He was aware that he was very much still under scrutiny here, both from the Federation and from the Klingon command. How he reacted here would determine many things in the future.

He reminded himself that above all else, honor was paramount. Warriors did not cheat and they faced their opponents. If Klingons were responsible for any of these missing items, they were dishonoring themselves and their chain of command. That wouldn’t stand.

“I will investigate this matter. If Klingons are involved, I will ensure they are dealt with,” Vok’Ka said, making it clear that there would be no discussion.

"As a representative of Starfleet Security, I am duty bound to work alongside you in this matter." replied Firax. "It is a condition agreed upon by both The Klingon Empire, Federation and Starfleet. Also, because this matter entails engineering parts, Commander Kord has the full right to accompany us during this investigation. Should Starfleet or civilians of the Federation be involved, they come under my jurisdiction. Klingon or Klingon subjects, your jurisdiction. Should the party or parties not fall under Klingon or Federation jurisdiction, well it depends on where we catch them." replied Firax with a smile that could scare even a Klingon.

"I'll make sure to follow any leads her recommended by you two," the Gorn said. "Since the Commander of the Guard is overseeing the Klingon issues, I believe we can return to our inquiry elsewhere."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Lazarus Kord
Chief Engineering Officer
Starbase Frontier

&

Chief Warrant Officer Firax
Security Officer, Starfleet
Starbase Frontier

&

Lieutenant Vok'Ka, Son of Mar'To
Commander of the Guard, Klingon Defense Forces
Starbase Frontier

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