The Klingons had sent word they would be beaming down a landing party and we had all filed out of the administration office and out into the plaza where I had first beamed down to the planet so many hours ago. The planet's sun was setting and was casting a beautiful golden light over the gardens that filled this place. As well a slight breeze had picked up wafting us with the floral scents of said gardens. Commander Foro was right, this place was breathtaking, it was just such a shame such beauty hid a deep ugliness.
I had been joined by Lieutenant Risi and my security detachment, who I was very glad to have at the moment. We stood parade ground straight in a loose rank as a show of strength. To my left stood Sala and the other Suliban representative Vaanek. True to their word, the administration of New Jerusalem had retrieved Vaanek from their holding facilities. I was appalled at his condition, it was clear the man had been badly beaten in prison to the extent he had to lean on Sala for support. Another of their crimes I would hold them to account for once this was all over. At least the anger in his eyes was undimmed and I knew this man and those like him would be crucial if it came to a fight with the Klingons.
The officials of new Jerusalem stood opposite us in a gaggle, their robes billowing in the breeze. They were flanked by eight armed Brotherhood members, who periodically turned their heads in our direction warily. I could also see faces dot the windows of the surrounding prefabs, citizens and their families staring at the strange proceedings. I wonder if they knew how critical the next few minutes would be for them? Silence filled the plaza, broken only by the periodic calls of exotic birds and the rhythmic flapping of the flag of the United Federation of Planets as it was caught by the breeze above us. It was as if the planet was holding its breath.
With a swirl of light and energy eight Klingons materialized less than a meter from where I had first set foot on this world. I heard a gasp from Sala and had to admit, I was surprised as well. What I had thought might have been an anomaly in the dress of their Captain instead appeared to be the new uniform standard for all Klingons. Gone were the bald heads and individual baroque armor they wore during T’kuvmas war, replaced instead by long hair and a uniform gold tunic with gray trousers. Only the bronze baldrics of the two lead Klingons gave any sign of rank or status. One of them was the Captain, I recognized him from our brief conversation earlier, Klaugh if my memory serves. Their holstered disruptors and bat’leths I recognized, however. Those are tools of war and violence I am intimately familiar with, my leg started to ache in sympathy with the memory.
Upon materializing they assumed defensive stances, though none made the mistake of drawing any weapons. I felt my security team instinctively tense beside me at this threat display. I trusted my crew to show the same self-control as the Klingons, as we could ill afford a firefight exposed out here and surrounded by people’s homes. The Brotherhood troops were less controlled, with all eight having swung up their phaser rifles to the high ready. Thankfully the Klingons did not regard them as a threat and stayed focused on my team and the approaches into the square. Finally, as if sensing the dangerous tension and seeking to diffuse it, the Klingon Captain stepped forward and spoke.
“Federation citizens.” His voice boomed through the open space, his deep bass echoing from the angular walls of the prefabs that surrounded us. “We have come in response to your leader's distress call to render…assistance.” As he spoke the last words, he looked directly at me and grinned. Administrator Rator spoke in response.
“Captain, by the grace of God, welcome to our colony. We apologize, but it seems you have been brought here in error.” They began to walk forward to meet the Klingon. “The distress call was sent in error by a frightened junior technician. We do not need aid at this time.” I saw a scowl form the Klingons Captain's face when this mystery junior technician was mentioned and I smiled inwardly. I’m sure it was a mirror of the one I had made when that excuse was presented to me. Apparently, we both shared a distaste for bullshit. Rator extended a hand to the Klingon Captain who looked like one might respond to being extended a dead fish.
“Well, Bolian, it would seem you need to train your subordinates better to prevent any other errors from happening. Since we are here however, I think this is an excellent opportunity to get to know our new neighbors. It would be prudent for your people to become familiar with the customs of the Klingon empire, as you are now a few million kellicam’s from our ever expanding border.” The threat was explicit, though to their credit Rator appeared unphased.
“That sounds lovely Captain, we are always pleased to make new friends among the stars.” I had to hold in my laugh, tell that to the Suliban. “Would you and your crew like to join us for introductions and refreshments inside?” Captain Klaugh looked directly at me before speaking again.
“We would be honored, assuming your Federation minders will allow it?” An interesting choice of attack, trying to drive a wedge between this colony and myself as a representative of the larger Federation. I wondered if they had some way of knowing the rift that already existed between us.
“Do as you please.” I replied coldly, “either way we will be present.” Klaugh grinned again at my reply and gestured toward the administration hall. With the colony’s officials leading the way the Klingons filed past us and into the building leaving my team to take up the rear with the Suliban. Before entering the building, I called a halt and pulled Sala and Vaanek aside.
“First things first, pleasure to meet you Vaanek and I apologize for your treatment here.” I extended my left hand for him to take as his right was currently wrapped around Sala for support. He took it and shook weakly, and I could tell the man needed a doctor. I continued.
“Secondly, this is going to be hard, things are going to be said in there that will assault your rights and freedoms and even personhood. Despite what everyone is saying, I still expect the Klingons to make a play to take your people. You don't have to attend, and I won't think less of you for that choice, but I feel it will help remind the colony that you are people if they see your faces in the room. It will really help me if you stay, but either way, I promise to do everything I can to stop this.”
“Thank you for everything.” Vaanek replied, his voice hoarse, “but I think we will stay.” I looked at Sala and she nodded.
“Thank you, both of you. Vaanek, I’ll have my ship's doctor see you as soon as possible alright?” He nodded. With that we formed back up with my escort and entered the building.
I was getting quite sick of evil things being discussed in beautiful surroundings by this point. The reception, if it could even be called that, was taking place in the same garden where I had sat with Pastor Stone and Administrator Rator discussing industrial replicators and security training just a few hours ago. I had deployed my team around the room to watch both the Brotherhood members and the Klingons in case any of them tried to do something stupid. Sala had found a chair for Vaanek under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Risi and was currently at my side as we watched the colony's officials mingle with the Klingons. The only saving grace was that the Klingons seemed as wary and felt as out of place as my crew did and only took food and drink from the offered bounty with great reluctance. Before long Rator called to me and motioned to join them at a table with Pastor stone and Captain Klaugh. I shared a glance with Sala and we both walked over to join them. Before I could sit, the Klingon Captain stood.
“So, Starfleet Captain, do you have a name? It's always good to know the names of one's enemies, it makes victory that much more personal.” Strangely he extended his hand to me.
“Captain Zh'kaarrin.” I replied and took his hand. Another first, shaking hands with a Klingon.
“Captain Zh'kaarrin.” He replied, mulling over my name like it had a flavor. “I know a great deal about your people. You were warriors like us once, taking whatever you wanted and forging your own path in the stars. I have even heard stories of how your people gave the haughty Vulcans a good fight before you were corrupted by the Humans and their Federation. It is a shame to see such a proud people reduced to this.” With his last words he pointed to my uniform. I wasn't rising to the bait.
“Despite my people's past, I am committed to the United Federation of Planets and its ideals of liberty, democracy and peace.” I pulled out a chair for Sala and sat myself next to her. Captain Klaugh returned to his seat and grabbed a handful of the fruit that had been arrayed on the table before shoving it into his mouth.
“How do you people eat such things?” He spoke while chewing. “Nothing living, no blood, nothing fighting back. Where is the texture, the flavor?” He finished chewing, belched and spoke again.
“You spoke of peace Captain, yet your Federation wages war against the Klingon Empire at this very moment. You are not so bold to meet us blade to blade, so you wage war with the cowards weapons of economics and ideas. You conquer whole worlds with your policies and trade treaties and your promise of representation while your victims smile as you pull down their flags and replace them with yours. You are devious enough to be Romulan. Do not speak to me of peace when your existence threatens the way of life of every Klingon.”
“Your point Captain?” I replied flatly.
“I lament that your once proud race is a victim of these cowards.” He shouted, banging his fist on the table. The fruit bowl jumped at the impact and this was mirrored by both Rator and Stone. “I would have proudly locked horns with the Andorian Imperial Guard in its prime! It would have been glorious. Now of course you have been muzzled by Humans and Vulcans. You are a lesson to warriors like us.” This affected me more than I was prepared for. I was descended from a long line of Imperial Guard soldiers, many of whom had died for Andoria. The Imperial Guard served in the FGF and still stood in defense of the home world. I would not let this stand.
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“We showed you our strength during the war, Captain.” I hissed “Many Andorians sent Klingons to that afterlife you’re always harping on about.”
“I’m sure they did, tell me Captain Zh'kaarrin, did you send many Klingons to Sto’vo’kor?” He leaned towards me across the table in challenge. This was also bait but I didn't care at this point.
“I fought in the war, yes.” It was a measured answer but also true. “I did what had to be done to safeguard the Federation and its people. A commitment I take very seriously to this day.” He laughed a roaring laugh in response.
“A coward's answer! Tell me of your battles Andorian! Show me you still have a warrior's soul under all that Starfleet frivolity. Did you fight in any of the great battles of the war? Were you there at T’kuvmas triumph, when all the great houses stood united under Khaless and burned your Federation fleet from the stars?” I had been at the Battle of the Binary Stars, First Officer under Captain Zu’hallat serving aboard the USS Kerala. An old Shepard class cruiser, our ship had been crippled late in the battle and we had been forced to abandon her. I had been the one to give that order, after Captain Zu’hallat had been killed. Our poor combat performance cost the lives of almost a third of the crew. That poor performance was at least partially my responsibility, since as First Officer battle readiness and drills fell under my purview. I carried that failure with me to this day. Avenging my friend and my crew had been a driving force for me for the rest of the war, until the battle of Starbase One. These were deeply painful memories, and my anger and being forced to relive them now got the better of me.
“The Battle of The Binary Stars was a regrettable loss of life for both our peoples, but I am not ashamed of what I or my crew did that day. I survived your treacherous attack and fought Klingons until the end of the war. I avenged our dead every day of that damn war and I would do so again if necessary.” He laughed again and I felt my face flush blue with anger. I may have failed, but I would not have my crew's memory disgraced.
“Brave words Captain Zh'kaarrin, that cowards uniform has clearly not dulled your warrior's spirit too much. Very well, I agree to speak with you.” He leaned forward and clapped me on the shoulder.
“What?” I sputtered, taken aback at his response. He pulled his hand back.
“I needed to know the mettle of my enemy, to see if everyone here was a spineless neSngech” At this he pointed to Rator and Stone. “Or if any of you had any fire in your bellies and it appears you do, Captain.” He leaned back and picked up an apple from the table, inspecting it like one would something they had just stepped in. “I still cannot believe you people eat this.”
“Captain, sir, as I was saying before, we are happy to be closer neighbors with the Klingon Empire.” Rator took the lull in conversation to interject. I had to give their diplomatic tact some credit. They continued. “We have successfully been trading with your Orion intermediaries for a few months now and there are many opportunities for our two peoples.” Klaugh continued to study the apple while Rator spoke, clearly disinterested.
“Your words would mean more to an Orion, Bolian. I am uninterested in commerce.” He threw the apple over his shoulder, and it bounced into the garden. “No, let us speak of the only reason any of us care about this unimportant rock. Them.” He pointed a finger at Sala who gasped at the threat.
“Whatever do you mean Captain?” Rator attempted to interject in a clear attempt to retain control over the conversation, but Klaugh cut him off.
“I am not an unreasonable man, nor am I foolish enough to not hear the unspoken question on everyone's lips. I serve my superiors in the Empire and have to answer to them. So, I offer a warrior's solution. We will take the Suliban off of your hands, Administrator and repatriate them to Ellec-vell, as stipulated in the terms of its annexation. You can return to your insignificant little lives beneath the notice of our great empire. I will allow you this opportunity but once. If you refuse, I will bring a fleet of starships and burn your little colony to ash. Either way, we will leave with the Suliban. To you Captain, I extend the opportunity to stop us, if you can.” The entire assembly hall went silent as everyone assembled absorbed Klaugh’s words. I knew what Klaugh actually meant. Repatriation was the official euphemism used by the Klingon government to justify rounding up the Suliban. Before anyone could speak, one the bald headed colonial attendants entered the room and rushed to Administrator Rator’s side and whispered in their ear before departing again. Rator glared at Klaugh.
“So, you mean to threaten us with your ships hiding across the border then?” Rator spat rage coloring their face. The colony had powerful planetary sensors to detect the approach of meteors and other dangerous phenomena that would not normally threaten a starship and their range was far greater than either of our ships. Klaugh had clearly known that and had stationed his ships near the edge of that detection range, ready to cross into it at a moment's notice to drive his point home.
“I mean to show you the true danger you are in, Administrator.” Klaugh growled at them. He turned to face me. “So, Captain, do you accept my challenge?” I rocketed out of my chair.
“To my dying breath Klaugh!” I bellowed.
“Good Captain, good. I will enjoy giving you a warrior's death. What of you, Bolian? Human? Do you possess the same courage as this woman?” Administrator Rator glanced at Pastor Stone before speaking.
“May we have some time to deliberate, Captain?” They asked. Before Klaugh could answer I rounded on them, closing the distance between us in my rage. I saw the rest of the room tense from the corner of my eye, but I was too angry to care.
“There is nothing to debate, they cannot take thirty thousand beings to slavery and death without a fight!” I was livid, inches from Rator’s face at this point.
“Captain please we are not soldiers, we have children here, think of what would happen were we to fight the Klingons, what they would do to our world. We have to think of our people first.” They couldn't look me in the eye, instead choosing to fidget with the cuffs of their robe. I didn't envy this choice, what happened here was going to cost lives, I simply wished they had the moral courage to understand that was necessary.
“Besides, the Klingons may be doing us a favor cleaning up this galactic trash.” Pastor Stone added from behind Rator. I heard Sala gasp. Roughly, I shoved past Rator to confront the pastor.
“Say that again. I remind you these are Federation citizens!” I jabbed her in the chest with my index finger to punctuate this, but she continued nonplussed.
“You’ve surely read history. These godless people interfered with Jonathan Archer's early missions and almost prevented the founding of the Federation. They are humanities enemies and always have been, despite what some Andorian in Paris might think.” That was the last straw! Clearly the colony had never intended to treat the Suliban fairly and were looking for an opportunity to rid themselves of them. This was exactly what the Admiralty had granted me the powers I was just about to invoke for. I had to stop the colony from committing a monumental crime.
“Security detail stand to!” I shouted and I heard the click of boots and the snap of phasers power cells building to full power as my team brought their rifles up and took up fighting stances. The room erupted into noise and the Brotherhood panicked, shouldering their phaser rifles but unable to decide if the threat came from my team or the Klingons. The Klingons at least seemed amused at all of this, no doubt entertained at the failure of Federation leadership on display, not even bothering to place their hands on their weapons. I slowly backed away from Pastor stone until I stood before both her and Rator, the better to inform them of what was about to happen.
“Administrator Rator, for failure to safeguard the lives of the Federation citizens in your charge and in accordance with KLICOM Directive Twelve, I am placing you and your ministers under arrest and assuming oversight of this colony until the current crisis has been resolved. Failure to comply will be met with force. You retain the right to file a grievance with the Federation council after the current crisis has been resolved. Do you understand?” I said the words verbatim, having refreshed my memory on the shuttle ride here. This was very serious, career ending possibly, but KLICOM had given us this authority to use, and I had never felt there was a more appropriate moment. Not waiting for their assent, I continued.
“Inform the Brotherhood they now report to me under paragraph four of the same directive. Do it now.” I unhooked my communicator and tossed it to Pastor Stone who carried out my instructions while glaring at me past the antenna flap. While she gave her orders I turned to Captain Klaugh.
“An excellent show Captain, though not enough to change the outcome. My ships will be here in a few hours, and these children playing at being soldiers,” he pointed to two Brotherhood troops. “Will be no more help than ten of your outdated starships. Do not stand before the wind Captain Zh’kaarrin, it will not respect you.”
“Get off my planet.” I replied, icily. He laughed, I was really starting to get sick of hearing him laugh.
“Die well, Captain Zh’kaarrin. Cho’echu!” He tapped a badge on his arm and he and the rest of his landing party dematerialized. I finally had a moment to breathe, but just one. The Brotherhood in this room were still a threat, and I could hear Sala crying softly behind me. Time to act.
“You, you’ve doomed us.” Rator had slumped to the floor during my confrontation with the Klingon Captain. “All we wanted was the Federation to take them away. I never wanted it to end like this.” This was a new development, but I had other more pressing matters to deal with.
“All members of the Brotherhood in front of me, two ranks! Move now!” I bellowed. My drill instructor's voice was getting quite the workout today. To their credit they only hesitated a moment before complying, no doubt motivated by my team's phaser rifles at their backs. “Pastor Stone, front and center.” I turned and pointed at her. She huffed and at first didn't comply until I put my hand on the grip of my phaser. “Smart choice.” I added as she walked towards me. Grabbing my communicator back from her, I turned to face the formed up troops.
“Pastor Stone's last order as your commander will be to transfer command to me.” I turned to her. “Do so now.” She rolled her eyes.
“I formally transfer command of all local security forces to the command of Captain Zh’kaarrin, as of this time.” Her tone was indignant, but I didn't need her approval, just her cooperation. I faced the ranks of troops again.
“Good, then the eight of you will serve as witness for that transfer of command. The order is already being given to units in the field, but I require an accurate headcount of the current strength. To accomplish that I want all members of the Brotherhood in the colony to be formed up in the square outside this building in 20 minutes in full battle dress. The eight of you are ordered to convey that to all members. Do you understand?” They nodded reluctantly, glancing between each other. I continued. “You have nineteen minutes now, move!” They ran out of the room in a loose gaggle, and I felt my shoulders droop now that I finally had a moment to breathe. There was a lot to do now, even more than before. Official records of me invoking Directive Twelve had to be made. I would have to communicate all of this with Cserr and hopefully convince her I was in the right. Plus, I would have to plan a ground defense now. I needed to delegate and some time to think. As I silently processed everything that had just happened, I became more aware that everyone in the room was looking at me.
“Alright, here's what we're going to do.” I said quietly. “Lieutenant Risi, you're going to carry out the inspection of the Brotherhood in my stead, but first get all of them in the Resolute’s brig.” I turned to face the assembled officials and swept my hand over them as I spoke. My voice started to pick up volume and intensity by this point. “Once that's completed, return here for a senior staff briefing. Sala, Vaanek, please inform your people of what's happening here and, as much as I hate to do this, ask for volunteers to help us. Also stop by our field hospital, take my shuttle outside.”
“We’re happy to help, Captain.” Vaanek spoke up from the chair he had not moved from for the duration of events.
“Good man, I should be able to come by and check in with you, but I’m not sure when that will be. Let me give you one of our communicators, so we can keep in touch.” I motioned to one of my security team who unhooked her communicator and tossed it to Sala.
“Alright, we have a lot to do, and maybe an hour to do it. I am counting on all of you.” I tried to look at as many members of my crew as I said this. It's an old motivational trick, to make sure everyone feels that they're important, though I had a sinking feeling that this time everyone would be. My security escort beamed out a few moments later along with the colony’s administration while Lieutenant Risi walked the Suliban out. I was suddenly alone in this beautiful garden far from home having just made one of the biggest decisions of my career. There would be time to second guess and lament my choices later, I simply had too much to do.
I reluctantly walked over to the terminal where Rator had been sitting when I had first met them and sat behind the desk, swiveling the screen to face me. I slouched, the overly plush chair providing no comfort in the face of what I had to do and pushed the screen on the desk back and forth absentmindedly to delay my responsibilities for even a moment longer. With a sigh of resignation I punched my command override codes into the computer terminal and the screen blinked to life. It showed the last open files that Rator had been viewing, though I found myself uninterested in the on screen ephemera of colonial bureaucracy. With a sigh I instead placed my communicator on the desk and began dictating the events that had led up to me invoking Directive Twelve. This testimony would form the basis of my report to Starfleet and very well likely would serve as the state's evidence for my subsequent court martial. I owed it to myself to give the best accounting to the record that would either vindicate my career in Starfleet or end it.