Chapter Two – Meeting the neighbors

“Captain, we have reached the rendezvous coordinates.”

“Full stop. Anything on our sensors?”

“Not a thing,” Commander Enikal replied.

Tarin entered a few commands into her armrest controls. “Then we will just have to wait, but I bet they are already around here somewhere.”

She leaned back into her chair and rested her chin on her folded hands. “Conduct a full sensor sweep of the area. We don’t want our friends to think we are too passive while we wait.”

* * * * *

“Sensors register an energy surge! A ship is decloaking right in front of us!”

“On screen.” Tarin unfolded her hands and placed them on her chair’s armrests. The waiting hadn’t taken longer than a few minutes.

On the main viewer ripples of motion formed into a huge starship that was obviously Klingon in design.

“It’s the Negh’Var, just as advertised.” Commander Enikal reported.

“Analysis.”

Dar Enikal whistled softly. “She’s the biggest Klingon ship I have ever seen. Heavy disruptor armaments all around plus extra strong armor and shields. About her only shortcoming seems to be a weakness in missile weapons, but I guess she doesn’t really need them.”

Commander Westmore rose from the aft stations and took a step towards Commander Enikal’s side. “Captain, our intelligence suggests that the Negh’Var never travels alone. We can expect at least one or two cloaked battle cruisers in the vicinity or anywhere from three to six B’rel-class birds-of-prey.”

Captain Veal stood up and took a step forward. “Very well. Open hailing frequencies.”

“Open.”

“This is Captain Veal of the Federation starship Valkyrie, calling the Negh’Var. We are here to escort you to the conference on Akadon III.”

“Incoming transmission.”

“On main viewer.”

The image of the huge battle cruiser was replaced by the interior of what Tarin took to be a starship bridge. At first she wasn’t able to make out many details in the dim light, but then a figure she recognized from her mission briefings stepped into view.

“I am Gowron, Chancellor of the Klingon Empire. We will allow you to accompany us to the Akadon system.”

* * * * *

“I don’t like this,” Commander Tucker remarked while he tugged at the collar of his dress uniform.

“Relax, Ben,” Tarin replied. “I didn’t know you feel so uncomfortable in dress uniform.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

Before Ben Tucker could speak any further the transporter chief reported. “Captain, the Klingons are ready for transport.”

“Energize.”

The transporter platform lit up and the characteristic high-pitched hum of a transport in progress filled the room.

“Ma’am! The Klingons carry several bladed weapons with them.”

“Don’t worry, Chief. That’s probably just the stuff that usually goes with their uniforms. Continue with the transport.”

In a manner of seconds four Klingons materialized on the raised platform and Tarin took a step forward.

“Chancellor Gowron, I am Captain Veal. It is an honor to have you aboard our ship. Please allow me to introduce some of my officers.” As the leader of the Klingon Empire nodded she took a step to the side to give a good view of her small entourage.

“This is Commander Tucker, our chief engineer, Lieutenant O’Shea our operations manager and Commander Westmore, our strategic operations officer.”

“These are General Mek’toth and Captain Klag of the Negh’Var.” Gowron didn’t name the third Klingon in his company and Tarin shot Lieutenant O’Shea a glance that met with only puzzlement.

Paying closer attention to the man who stood behind Gowron, Tarin noticed a few unusual things about him.

First of all he wasn’t wearing the typical Klingon uniform like Gowron and the other two. While his high boots and trousers looked similar enough, his upper body was only covered by a vest that left his arms and chest bare. Nowhere on him was any house symbol or family crest, which struck Tarin as particularly odd.

Second, while all the other Klingons had d’ktahg daggers tucked into their belts the one standing behind them wore a mek’leth on his belt and carried a bat’leth with him. ‘He is carrying it around like a human soldier would carry a rifle to a parade.’

Captain Veal had no time to complete her study of the dark-haired man, for now the Chancellor and his company stepped from the transporter platform.

“If you would like to follow me, we could take a short tour of the Valkyrie before we have dinner.”

“Yes, let us see what the Federation call their strongest ship.” While Gowron’s voice betrayed none of his feelings, his eyes didn’t look friendly at all.

* * * * *

“Commander Enikal, the Negh’Var has signaled that they are ready to go to warp whenever we are.”

“Good. Helm, lay in a course for Akadon III, warp 6.” Dar Enikal took a few steps towards the main viewer that still showed the Klingon flagship sitting motionless right in front of the Valkyrie.

“Rishana, you have control of the probe launcher. You know what to do?”

“I knew you were going to ask this.”

Dar snorted. “This joke is getting awfully old, you know.”

“Okay, but I had to make a try,” the Betazoid helmsman replied. Matter-of-factly she continued: “Course for Akadon III laid in and standing by probe launcher.”

Dar didn’t bother looking at the tactical station when he gave his orders. “Lieutenant Alvarez, signal the Klingons. Tell them we are about to move out and relay our course to them.”

“Rishana, warp and probe launch on my mark in three… two… one… mark.”

As the Valkyrie and the Negh’Var shot forward and vanished in two bursts of light, a small probe launched from the Starfleet vessel and started emitting carefully timed tachyon bursts immediately, it’s launch hidden in the energy wake that accompanied the warp transit of the two large ships.

* * * * *

‘Good, Ben is sticking to the script. Short, to the point and not too technical.’ Tarin’s inward smile didn’t show on her face, as she wondered how difficult it must be for her fiancé not to go into excruciating details about the engines he had helped design.

“Fastest warp drive ever installed on a Galaxy-class starship….”

“Captain.” Tarin had to strain to even hear Commander Westmore’s whisper over the background sounds of the engine room. “Look.”

As she glanced in the direction his chin pointed, she saw the message flashing in the corner of several displays. It consisted of just a number and a letter: ‘3 B’.

“… regenerative shields and enhanced weapon systems….”

“Gentlemen,” Captain Veal turned towards the Klingons standing around the warp core, “I have just received word that dinner is served. If you would please come with me?”

* * * * *

“Why do you think the Klingons are suddenly so willing to talk to us about the Ramatis sector?” Captain Edward Blake stood facing the stars streaking by the USS Inari, but now he looked over his shoulder at the Vulcan sharing the small observation lounge with him.

 “It would appear logical that they believe they will be able to gain more from these talks now than at a later time.”

“But what do they expect to gain, and why now?” Captain Blake was frustrated not only by his own inability to fully understand the ramifications, but also by Ambassador Satek’s calmness. He turned away from the window and studied the Vulcan’s face. As always the Ambassador looked almost amused, not by Edward Blake or anything else specifically, but more by the whole world around him. While Captain Blake was never sure if that was really the case or not, it lent an air of nonchalance to the Vulcan that probably served him well in his diplomatic duties.

Captain Blake’s thoughts were interrupted by the Inari’s passenger. “I assume it has more to do with internal Klingon affairs than anything else. You are aware that Chancellor Gowron’s position on the High Council depends on his alliances with the more influential great houses?” Captain Blake nodded and the Ambassador went on: “Holding on to our worlds in the Ramatis sector has certainly served Gowron well, but now the Council is starting to make demands on him. For decades the Klingon Empire has not fought any major war against a foreign enemy, but fighting is what could be called a cultural imperative to the Klingons.”

“And the only worthwhile opponents are the Federation and the Romulans?”

“That is how it would appear to a Klingon, yes.” Ambassador Satek folded his hands over his richly embroidered robe. “One faction in the High Council wants to go to war with the Federation, while others want to strike at the Romulans, possibly in the hopes that such a move would draw the Federation in on their side of the war, allowing the Klingon Empire a decisive victory over the Romulans.”

“And Gowron has to satisfy the strongest faction if he wants to stay in power.” Edward Blake didn’t like the situation at all, but on the other hand diplomacy was perhaps not so far from space combat tactics at all. He started to pace up and down the small room. “If the next Klingon move will be war on the Romulans he will hand us our worlds back, so we will come to his aid when he needs it. If, on the other hand, the houses advocating war on the Federation look more influential, then he will hold on to the Ramatis sector and try to push us into making the first move in a war we can’t win.”

* * * * *

The conversation was going slow, but at least the Klingons had seemed to enjoy their steaks, especially after they had been introduced to the chili dip. Tarin hid a smile behind her cup of bloodwine as she remembered the look on Captain Klag’s face when he had watched Dar Enikal eat more of the hot dip than any two Klingons combined. It was obvious that he was unaware of the cartilaginous lining on Bolian’s tongues that made for a rather underdeveloped taste.

Klag appeared to be the most open of the small Klingon group and unlike the others had displayed a strong sense of humor. Here was a man who fit the ‘work hard and party even harder’ category like a glove. He had been driving the conversation so far, mainly talking about the differences between Federation and Klingon culture, but in the manner of someone who had a real interest in learning more about his hosts.

The Captain glanced at her other guests. Gowron looked contemptuous at each and everything he encountered, but that was probably the way he always looked. After a few polite remarks about the Valkyrie he had fallen silent and studied everyone around the table from narrowed eyes. It was difficult to read his expression, but at least he had found nothing negative to say so far, which Tarin considered a success.

His honor-guard - at least that was what Tarin thought of him - had stood the whole time behind the Klingon Chancellor, neither eating nor drinking. ‘He must be the most disciplined Klingon ever,’ Tarin thought. The man hadn’t shifted his position by even an inch for at least half an hour, but nothing else gave away anything about his personality.

General Mek’toth, now that was a man Captain Veal found easy to read. While he looked just as contemptuous as Gowron, there was a hardness in his eyes that clearly revealed how little he thought of his hosts. To Tarin he didn’t look like a warrior, but much more like a conqueror who surveyed what would soon be his and didn’t like what he saw - ‘Warlord’ was the word that came to her mind. It would be interesting to see if Commander Westmore could dig up some information on the General. On the other hand, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know the man a little better right now.

* * * * *

“So, Ambassador, it looks to me like these negotiations are almost useless. Whatever we say or do, the ultimate result will depend on Klingon politics, but not on our diplomacy.”

“While I can understand why it would appear that way to you, that is not the case, Captain.” Ambassador Satek rose and stepped to the window, looking out at the stars. It was a well-calculated gesture he made not so much for the benefit of Captain Blake, but simply to hone his skills. To deal with the Klingons would need all his diplomatic skills and there was no logic in passing up an opportunity to practice his trade.

“There are two facts to be taken into consideration,” he continued. “There is a small but vocal faction in the High Council that advocates a continuing alliance between the Klingon Empire and the Federation on the terms that have tied both sides together for the last decades.” He turned around, framed by a window full of stars, looking at his host. “Those Klingons believe it would be dishonorable to neglect the promise of alliance they made to the Federation. They gave their word and they intend to stand by it.”

Captain Blake considered this point for a moment, then nodded. “Makes sense I guess. What is the other fact you mentioned? The battle of Vulcan?”

“Yes.” The Vulcan diplomat crossed his hands behind his back and turned towards the window again. “It served as a catalyst to move things forward at a faster pace than anyone could have anticipated. Gowron has most likely used this Federation victory as a pretext to enter into negotiations with us before any faction in the High Council can gain enough strength to dictate Klingon policies to him, which could work in our favor.”

* * * * *

“So General, what do you think of the Valkyrie?”

“She is no Klingon ship,” he rumbled. “And the name has no honor.”

“Hey!” Ben was cut off by Tarin’s swift motion. “What makes you think that, General?” she casually asked.

“I have read about your myths and all a valkyrie does is collect the souls of the slain. The only true honor is in fighting and winning. A valkyrie does neither.”

“I see,” Tarin answered, trying again to sound as casual as before. “Maybe you should have read a little more General. It seems like you missed the most important aspect of the valkyrie myths.”

The Klingon growled, but from the corner of her eyes she noticed how Gowron shook his head and stopped the General’s reply. “And what is that, Captain?” the Chancellor coldly asked.

Tarin took a long gulp of bloodwine to buy some time. It was a good thing she had tried to get used to the taste and the anti-intoxicant Dr. Jascar had given her helped just as much. She set down the cup and looked at Gowron, but his expression remained undecipherable, so she turned to General Mek’toth.

“A Valkyrie does more than just collect the souls of the slain. When the day is over and the battle is done, a Valkyrie will determine who has fought courageously enough to be allowed to continue the battle in the next world.” She turned her head towards the Klingon Chancellor and looked Gowron in the eyes. “A Valkyrie is not a warrior, she is the judge of warriors. And only those who fight with the greatest valor and honor will pass the Valkyrie’s test.”

Gowron slowly nodded and leaned back into his chair. Obviously he was satisfied with Tarin’s answer, as was Captain Klag. The heavy-set man slammed his hand on the table. “WELL SPOKEN CAPTAIN!” His booming voice still rang in Tarin’s ears when the Klingon grabbed his empty cup and called out: “MORE WINE!”

* * * * *

“I am spent!” Tarin didn’t bother to even take off her shoes before she slumped down on the bed.

“At least it wasn’t as bad as I had expected.” Ben Tucker opened the collar of his dress uniform. “That Captain Klag sure is a nice chap to party with. If all Klingons were like him we wouldn’t have to bother about our alliance at all.”

Tarin sighed. “You are probably right. I am just glad it will take only three more days to reach Akadon. The sooner Ambassador Satek and his staff take over, the better.” She put her hands on her stomach. “Now, how can you deal with so much meat in your diet? That’s something else you and Klag have in common.”

Ben set down on the edge of the bed by her side and laid one hand on Tarin’s hands, while he gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead with the other. “You are just not used to it, that’s all.” Like many other Centaurans, his fiancée was accustomed to a diet that included lots of vegetables and fish, but no meat, at least not in the quantities she had eaten today. “I could ask Doctor Jascar if he has something that will ease your troubles if you like.”

“No,” Tarin whispered. “Stay. You are all I need.”

Ben leaned down to her and they shared a long kiss, but when he straightened he saw something in Tarin’s eyes he didn’t like – a hint of doubt, maybe even resignation. “What’s wrong?”

* * * * *

“Say, Kevas, is it true what I heard about you having been on the Eclipse?”

“Depends on what you heard,” the Bajoran technician replied. “I was on the Eclipse, that’s true.”

Another crewman joined the two at their table in the mess hall. “I guess what Mac wants to know is if you guys really ended the war and all that. Everyone has heard that Command hailed you as heroes and heaped a bunch of medals on you guys, but ye know how it is – we lower-deck guys always get just bits and pieces of what’s really going on.”

“Well guys, you better believe it. I don’t want to brag, but without us you’d all be toast by now.”

“Difficult to believe.” Crewman McDermott still had his doubts. “A Nova-class science ship and a crew of 80 ending the biggest war in Federation history, that’s hard to buy.”

“Yeah,” PO Molak added, “if it’s true the Captain must be a real genius.”

“She is, if you ask me,” Reto Kevas replied.  His voice showed how proud he was of his former ship and her CO when he continued. “She’s the one who discovered that the dimensional barriers were breaking down and she was the one who found out how to seal them again. And when she knew how to do it we just did it.”

“Captain Veal is the best CO I ever had and I would follow her to the gates of hell and beyond if she asked me to, and do you want to know why?”

Both man nodded and the Bajoran smiled. “Because she always knows what she is doing and – that’s the important part, so listen up – she never treated me like I was just an enlisted man. On the Eclipse we were a real team, because we all did what we could – nothing more, nothing less. That’s all the Captain ever asks for and if you do it, she will look out for you, no matter what.”

* * * * *

Tarin Veal sat up and carefully considered the question, but all she could come up with for an answer was the truth and she was glad about it. Trust had always been the most important part of her relationship with Ben Tucker and knowing that this hadn’t changed gave her the strength she needed to speak her mind.

“I just don’t know how to reconcile my duties as a Captain with our relationship.” She looked at him, pleading, asking for help and support. “I want to spend more time with you, but if I do, wouldn’t it mean neglecting my duties?”

Ben didn’t answer her – yet. He knew her well enough to know that she wasn’t finished, so he just sat there and listened as Tarin went on: “I was so happy that we could both be on the same ship, living door-to-door, but can we make this work? Won’t you be disappointed if I spend so much time just being the Captain, instead of being with you? But if I spend more time with you, how could I be the Captain this crew needs?”

Ben’s soft laughter startled her and she turned her head. He stopped laughing, but still looked amused.

“You are the most intelligent girl I have ever met and still you can be so silly sometimes.” Again he softly laughed. “We have spent more time together during the last three weeks than the last three years. That’s what I have dreamed about for ages.”

Slowly the smile vanished from his face and he looked a lot more serious when he went on. “When I try to get you away from your duties now and again it’s not for my benefit, it’s for yours. Maybe that’s wrong of me. Maybe I shouldn’t try to interfere with the way you work, but I would never ask anything of you that I thought you wouldn’t be willing to do.”

Prologue    Chapter 1    Chapter 2    Chapter 3

Chapter 4    Chapter 5    Chapter 6    Chapter 7