Third Annual BF betleH Tournament

Third Annual BF betleH Tournament (http://www.betleh.com/cgi-bin/b3/YaBB.pl)

Day 2 - Semi-Finals >> After morning rounds >> Of Blades and Orders
(Message started by: K`rahl on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 3:32pm)

Title: Of Blades and Orders
Post by K`rahl on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 3:32pm

K'rahl Son of Kur'rk
CO USS Lakota

&

MorloQ
CO IKS naQbaSwep
a Dropship of IKS meH'Haj

&

K'Trol Son of K'brd'Lok
Klingon Ambassador
SBB

K'rahl had decided to travel to XFY for the Tournament after both his Mate and his Father had already left Starbase Bravo. The Lakota was not ready for such a journey so he needed to arrange alternate travel.

Walking through the station he was aware of how few Klingon ships were available. Almost all Klingon vessels that had links with Bravo Fleet had already set out. He looked to his companions.

"We must request use of one of the vessels here." K'rahl said.

"The Hegh leng?" Kagh asked hopefully.

"Cousin is busy." K'jut said, referring to K'rap'Tor.

Ka'mar'Ka looked disappointed, he too had hoped to again pilot the Hegh leng.

"There are other craft here, K'Trol has access to a b'rel." K'rahl suggested.

"The meH''Iw is on patrol." K'jut interceded.

"Then we charter a civilian!" K'rahl announced.

His companions looked from one to another. A trip on a Federation Civilian transport was not something they looked forward to.

"Wait..." K'jut said, raising a hand.

Ahead of them three warriors wearing weHwI' insignia were entering a bar.

"What are they doing here?" he indicated the weHwI' just as the door closed behind them.

The others were not certain who they were but K'rahl took the tone of K'jut to indicate they were of some interest.

The four cousins walked towards the bar the three weHwI' had entered. As K'rahl opened the door the weHwI' were the most obvious thing he saw. For one they were the only other Klingons present, the size of the one on the left matched Kagh, the female who was stood on the right of the group had meH'Haj emblem on her uniform and in the centre of the group was MorloQ.

MorloQ saw K'rahl and his cousins enter the bar and grinned widely.

"Bloodwine for the 'ech and his cousins!" he shouted out.

His own companions turned to look at the newcomers and 'angHpu' scowled directly at Kagh. lI'lab grinned slightly, she found both K'jut and Ka'mar'Ka attractive. Both knew that given their affiliations with Ta'pez a fight was possible, though less likely with K'rahl being present.

"The meH'Haj is not here." K'rahl stated. It was clearly more than a statement, it was a challenge to the right of MorloQ and his colleagues to be present at all.

"The naQbaSwep is." MorloQ explained.

K'rahl glanced at K'jut.

"Collecting various items for the meH'Haj..." K'jut confirmed, lowering the Hoqra he had used to check this detail.

"You return to the meH'Haj soon?" K'rahl asked.

"Tomorrow morning." MorloQ was happy to confirm, there was nothing K'jut could not have discovered had he been ordered to do so.

"You will take me to XFY." Again it was a statement.

MorloQ maintained a measured expression. He could not refuse a direct command from K'rahl.

"Prepare your ship, how many can you carry with current load?"

MorloQ thought over the answer carefully, he could restrict how many K'brd'Loq warriors he carried but if he quoted fewer than K'rahl adjudged could use the space he would simply increase the figure. Truth was required.

"For the distance, I would say 6 or 7." MorloQ stated.

K'rahl nodded. "My group will be ready."

The four p'Dra'on turned and left the bar.

Walking through the base they soon entered Whitehall. K'rahl separated from his cousins and entered the Klingon Embassy alone. He breezed past the security and the Aides, they knew better to interfere with K'rahl. He walked straight to the Ambassador's door.

"Ah, K'rahl," K'Trol said as he entered.

"I have come to inform you I have decided to go to the Tournament after all." K'rahl said.

"You have decided?" K'Trol asked. "You decided before to go, then not to go. When will you decide again not to go?"

K'rahl heard the patient tone his Grandsire was using and he knew he was being talked down to. He never liked being talked down to, not by anyone, however K'Trol was one of the few he had to accept this from.

"And your command?" K'Trol asked.

"I will leave that for the XO to deal with..."

"No." K'Trol said simply.

"You are refusing me permission to go?" K'rahl could not keep the indignation from his voice.

"No, I am not refusing you permission to go." K'Trol said. "I am withdrawing you from the Officer Exchange Program. You are hear by relieved of command and returned to KDF duty. You may go to XFY for the duration of this Tourney and will then report to the K'brd'Lok Compound on Klach d'kel Brakt."

K'rahl was stunned and furious at the same time. "Withdrawn from the Officer Exchange? Relieved of command?" he bellowed.

K'Trol sprang forward and struck the larger, much younger, warrior in the throat. The blow was so firm and delivered so deftly that K'rahl instantly ceased breathing. For moments he gasped, unable to take in any air.

"You have been no use to the Federation since the murder of K'tarsh. If anything your usefulness has determined almost completely in your current role. You will do as I say or I shall strip you of your rank as well!"

K'rahl cared little of rank. Yet he knew that if he angered his Grandsire further his standing in the House itself could be jeopardized. This he could not risk.

"It will be as you command, My Lord!" he managed to say as his breath returned.

"I will be placing Milpang HoD in your place. I am sure the Federation will find him an acceptable replacement for you." K'Trol was clearly dismissing him.

K'rahl turned and left without a further word. He was furious but also powerless, a dangerous combination.

K'jut saw him approaching before the others did. He quickly indicated the mood of their leader to the others.

"K'jut, transfer all my personal staff and you three to my autonomous command in the KDF. Get everything we own off the Lakota!" He looked at them all. "You two go with him. Get everyone off as quickly as possible, leave those Klingons that are not directly mine." He continued to walk, away from his cousins, dismissing them from his presence.

"Autonomous command?" K'jut was stunned as much as the others.

++ The next morning ++

There was only enough room on the naQbaSwep for K'rahl, K'jut, Kagh, Ka'mar'Ka and four Shieldmaidens. The rest of the holding bay was occupied by crates, all unmarked.

"Those..." MorloQ indicated the crates, "are the personal property of My Lord."

K'rahl frowned. He might dislike MorloQ but the feelings he had for the one that held his leash were deeper than dislike.

"The vessel is yours, MorloQ. Unless any threat appears towards the Empire, My House or myself and my companions you know I will respect the correct protocol. Do not try me further."

MorloQ was satisfied with the slight he had been able to get away with, he had no wish to anger any of the p'Dra'on he now found himself to be ferrying to XFY.

"Very well, the rest of this area is yours to relax in as you will." There was barely enough room for the eight warriors to sit, it would be an uncomfortable journey.

++ After a very uncomfortable journey for the p'Dra'on party ++

=/\= "IKS naQbaSwep to XFY, this is MorloQ ne' requesting permission to dock. Transmitting identity codes, including passenger details." =/\=

tbc...

Title: Re: Of Blades and Orders
Post by MorloQ on Feb 23^rd, 2005, 4:50pm

MorloQ
CO IKS naQbaSwep
a Dropship of IKS meH'Haj

&

K'rahl Son of Kur'rk

=/\= "IKS naQbaSwep to XFY, this is MorloQ ne' requesting permission to dock. Transmitting identity codes, including passenger details." =/\=

MorloQ looked to his crew, "Our 'guests' did not complain..."

"Stubborn as we heard..." lI'lab said.

'angHopu' grinned a toothy grin. "That Kagh is dumb too."

=/\= "XFY Flight Control to IKS naQbaSwep. With respect, MorloQ ne', your Mothership is stationed a short distance away. Your passengers can be transported aboard the base or accompany you to IKS meH'Haj." =/\=

MorloQ grinned widely to lI'lab.

=/\= "Allow me to check the wishes of the 'ech," =/\= MorloQ said to Flight Control.

lI'lab stifled a laugh as she switched channels for her leader.

=/\= MorloQ to K'rahl, XFY Flight Control expressly deny docking. You may come with us to the meH'Haj or use transporters to the station." =/\=

++ IKS naQbaSwep Holding Bay ++

His entorage remained silent as K'rahl heard the message from MorloQ. Such disrespect was bound to anger him.

"They 'deny' me?" he bellowed.

The sound carried to the bridge of the small craft but MorloQ requested clarification of the order.

=/\= "Tell them to beam 8 aboard!" He ordered. =/\=

He looked at his companions but was too vexed to speak.

++ IKS naQbaSwep Bridge ++

MorloQ nodded to lI'lab who switched the chanel again.

=/\= "Control, the 'ech accepts your invitation to board. His party are ready." =/\=

He instantly started to adjust course for the meH'Haj, which he had spotted as he arrived.

=/\= "Your passengers are with us, MorloQ ne'. =/\= Flight Control said.

=/\= "My thanks, Control. IKS naQbaSwep out." =/\=

lI'lab cut the connection.

"You round!" MorloQ said to 'angHopu' as they approached the meH'Haj.

tbc...

Title: Re: Of Blades and Orders
Post by K`rahl on Feb 23^rd, 2005, 6:14pm

K'rahl, Son of Kur'rk
Third Lord of the House of K'brd'Lok

Arriving in a transporter room was undignified, to say the least. There were times when a Federation ship would never permit a Klingon shuttle within its bay, the opposite occurrence was also unlikely. Now they were allies, indeed until recently had K'rahl not held rank within the same Fleet as this base?

"Tournament decks?" K'rahl barked at the Transporter Operator.

"With respect 'ech," a Vulcan Lt said, "your weapons..."

K'rahl saw that arched eyebrow move and was tempted to strike the impertinent officer. Yet he restrained himself, not because the Vulcan had three other Security personnel with him, nor due to the presence of other Security both near the Transporter Controls or the exits. He restrained himself because he was now a guest on a Federation base. No longer an Officer in Bravo Fleet.

No longer an Officer in Bravo Fleet; it was an odd thought. He was here now as an Officer of a Foreign Government, granted an allied one but foreign nevertheless.

He nodded to the Lt and then to his warriors. All handed their hand weapons to the Security personnel, assorted blades of varying lengths and designs, four disrupters, four spears and a couple of painsticks.

As one of the Shieldmaidens started to unstrap her daq tahg the Vulcan held up a hand, "You may retain your ceremonial blades. However they must not be drawn."

The eight p'Dra'on exchanged glances. All retained a blade.

"Tournament decks?" K'rahl asked, the heat of his temper waning slightly but his voice still carrying an edge of violence.

"In a moment." the Vulcan said.

Another Security Officer stepped forward with a Tricorder and scanned the temples of the four Shieldmaidens. He stepped back and showed the readings to the Vulcan.

"Care to explain?" The Vulcan asked.

"Final solution during close combat with Borg." K'rahl replied simply.

"We cannot permit these four warriors aboard. They must be removed to a Klingon vessel."

He had no jurisdiction, the lack of power started to make his temper heat up again.

"The bIQ'tIQ'Iw will be nearby, My Lord." K'jut spoke clearly.

K'rahl nodded, his Father had used the b'rel to reach here.

"Understood, Lt." he said in an even tone, "They can await me on the bIQ'tIQ'Iw."

After a brief discussion between the Transporter Operator and the bIQ'tIQ'Iw the four Shieldmaidens, and all the assorted confiscated weapons, were transported from XFY.

"now, 'ech," the Vulcan smiled emotionlessly, "the Tournament decks."

He indicated the exit and escorted the four p'Dra'on warriors from the Transporter Room, the other three Security personnel falling into step behind them.

++

On the way to the Tournament decks the Vulcan had politely informed K'rahl of the current situation. Apparently the Vulcan found the Tournament 'most interesting'. K'rahl could not have been any happier to see the Vulcan leave when he walked towards the wall of blades.

He saw a weapon he did not recognise sat in the place that was marked with the name of his Mate. Paired with it was a blade he recognised without reading the name that had been placed there.

"Q'olavraH faces the Son of Michael!" K'rahl said to his comrades.

All three heard the tone of their Lord ease as he spoke the names of his Mate and his friend.

"This will be a match!" he announced and slapped Kagh on the shoulder.

They had all fought alongside Kieran O'Donnell. Kieran Sogh la', as he had been at the time, was a fine example of how a terang'an could fit within Klingon Society. K'rahl looked forward to drinking with his friend and commiserating with him after Q'olavraH defeated him.

"Who is not a Ferengi?" Kagh asked.

"I!" Ka'mar'Ka called out quicker than K'jut.

The four walked to the nearest bar they could find, for some pre-fight refreshment.

tbc...