There's still a little ways to go on that line. One more scene to tie it up before we move on to the next arc.
Star Trek: Delta, Stars, & Anchor #1: "Esprit de Corps" (WIP)
- Thread starter McCovey Cove
- Start date
There's still a little ways to go on that line. One more scene to tie it up before we move on to the next arc.
Lance Corporal Kelley never saw the inside of a cell within the barracks brig facility. Since her arrival, Gunnery Sergeant Michaela Nickleman treated her as an honored guest. The only order she received was to remain in the NCO lounge and stay within sight of the guards. That part was simple, especially since they practically waited on her hand and foot. She detailed the story of what happened multiple times, as the guard rotated on and off shift.
Going over her story served her well. She needed to hone her personal testimony, regardless. Embellishment was unnecessary; the tale did all the work. During the third time through, she understood she had a strong case of self-defense when she saw the looks on the faces of all the guards who listened to her talk. Appreciating the response for what it told her: the judges or jury would eat out of her palm.
After her discussion with Captain Montes, she wondered if the fix was in. The captain seemed hell-bent on having her plead out, serve time, and lose her rank and other signs of her hard work just to satisfy someone else's sense of justice.
The notion infuriated her.
The final meal call would come in under an hour. She wondered if they'd place her in a cell for the night to rest. Perhaps they might put her up in the guest barracks across the courtyard. She needed to remain there so that the same captain would return in the morning and likely give her some kind of ultimatum.
So, it was a complete surprise when Captain Montes returned to the brig five minutes before mealtime. As soon as he arrived in the lounge, she got to her feet and stood at attention.
"As you were, please," Montes said. "I have some news for you, straight from the general." He stepped forward and handed his PADD to her.
She accepted it and read through the orders:
Her first observation came as a correction. "They got my rank wrong, sir. I'm not a full corporal, yet."
"You showed up on the selection list, today. Yours was the second name," Montes said. "Flip to the second page, your promotion orders from the G-1 are there."
"I see." Kelley flipped between the pages and reread both sets of orders. "'Exculpatory evidence?'" She asked. "What evidence?"
Montes smiled, not bothering to chastise her for the complete drop in protocol. "Gunner Buxani, from my office, got a hold of closed circuit recordings of the entire incident from the city police."
"Fuck those guys," Kelley spat.
He cleared his throat to stave off a chuckle. "Yes, er, well, uh, she has a good working relationship with them. We used that on your behalf to get their cooperation. It sounds like they treated you a little rough?"
She set the PADD down on the table in front of her and admitted in a hushed voice, "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Montes saw what Hardester warned him about. Her eyes grew cold when she spoke about the police. He frowned and made a mental note to have a side discussion with the DCI about it, later. "After watching you take apart those Klingons, I don't doubt that."
That observation earned him a small smirk on her lips.
He continued on. "General Ntini and Captain Golluv had little choice but to agree to the motion to dismiss. The general also wanted me to pass her compliments on comporting yourself in the best traditions of the Corps. She's going to enter a letter of commendation in your personnel file."
With a smile that touched her eyes, he noticed the chill disappeared. "That's… kind of the general. Please convey my thanks, sir?"
"It would be my pleasure," Montes told her with a smiling nod.
She glanced at the screen and inquired about a particular phrase in the orders. "'With the government's apologies,' though?"
"That's standard when we wrongfully charge a marine," he said. "However, I hope you will accept my apologies, marine to marine." He extended his hand out to her.
Her eyes dropped to his hand. With a bewildered expression, she glanced back at him.
"Um," he said with hesitation. "Something wrong?"
She shrugged. "Just never had an officer apologize to me, before."
Montes opened his mouth to reply, but the door slid open and seven people stepped inside. Three of them were Klingons. By the ranks exposed on their uniforms, he realized that the lead officer wearing a cape showed the insignia of a HoD; the equivalent to a marine colonel or a naval captain. The HoD's escorts also held lesser officer ranks of la' (lieutenant colonel) and lagh (major). He presumed they were both staff officers to the HoD.
The HoD entered along with multiple marine officers, including the brigade's deputy commanding officer, Colonel Harold C. "House" Wicasa. He wore his dirty blonde hair in the same high and tight fashion as most other marines. Like Ntini, he commanded respect with his large, muscular presence.
Upon sight of the colonel, Montes and Kelley snapped to attention. The scrape of chair legs sounded within the lounge against the hard flooring.
"At ease," Colonel Wicasa said. "This is HoD Qudh, la' Noct, and lagh Mimoth. They are all members of the House of Qudh. The same House that Corporal Kelley's aggressors belonged to. He wished to address the corporal directly."
Qudh took a menacing step forward and spoke without preamble. "I am Qudh, Son of K'vel. I lead the House of Qudh. A warrior of my House met his glorious end in combat, by your hand."
Kelley held his gaze, saying nothing in response. She recognized this as a ritual, one of great importance to any Klingon House.
Qudh continued. He raised his voice, as though he spoke to a great hall rather than the intimate confines of the lounge. "He was my kin! He chose his path in battle! To die fighting is the greatest honor a Klingon can achieve. Your actions, though in defense, were those of a true warrior. His death has been declared honorable, as it should be."
Noct stepped forward at that moment, carrying a d'k tahg. Two Klingon symbols adorned the hilt in metallic lettering. The officer held toward Kelley with the hilt facing her. Qudh held up his hand to steady the offer of the blade so he could speak further.
"Among my people, those who prove their strength and prowess in battle against a significantly larger force earn not just honor, but a title. A title that carries the respect of one of the major Houses of Qo'noS. Today, Corporal Kelley, the House of Qudh grants you the title of 'may'wl.' You have shown the heart of a warrior and the poise of a leader. I declare here and now, to all those who hear me: your name shall be spoken with respect in the halls of my House!"
"May'wl!," la' Noct repeated reverently, followed shortly by the lagh, Mimoth.
Qudh took the blade from Noct's open hand and presented it to Kelley. "You are not of our blood, may'wl, but you have re-proven that there are those in the Federation who bear watching."
Kelley accepted the blade, uttering Klingon words with the guttural syllables as though she spoke it all her life. Montes heard the translated version from his combadge: "I accept this honor, HoD Qudh, Son of K'val. I will carry this title with pride, knowing that it represents your personal esteem. I will not tarnish the reputation of your House. I declare this on my honor as a Starfleet Marine."
A rumbling chuckle emanated from Qudh's chest, and he showed off his teeth in a wide grin. "You speak well, may'wl." He drew his hand up in the Klingon salute, and the others followed suit. "Fight with honor. I wish you a glorious death."
With a final approving look, Qudh turned on his heels; the dark red cape carrying his House's icon fluttering under the rapid motion. Their departure had Colonel Wicasa and all the guards following close behind. After the entourage departed, the room's gravity eased as Kelly and Montes admired the blade's craftsmanship.
His curiosity got the better of him. "Is the translation correct? May'wl means-"
"'Battle Queen,' sir," Kelley said. She flipped the knife over and ran her fingers over the ideographic symbol. "That's what this says, here. On the other side is the icon of their House. If I show this to other Klingons, I might get a little respect. Or they might think I took it off the person who earned it. Either way, from now on they'll approach me carefully."
"It seems you've earned more than just your freedom, Corporal," Montes said with admiration in his tone. "I think the question of how the Klingons would react has been answered."
"I hope so," she said. As she spoke, she spun the blade by the hilt, getting used to the weight. "If that damned Liaison insists on coming after me, I might have to shove my title right up their ass." She tapped the blade to make her point.
Montes could not help the snort that erupted from him. "You sure paint some interesting pictures."
Kelley ignored his comment. "So, now I just go back to third platoon like nothing happened?"
He paused, took a deep breath, and pondered. "Or… you might consider another opportunity. One that might put yet another stripe on your collar pretty quick."
She turned her head toward him, giving him her full attention. "I'm listening."
"Well," Montes said, elongating the vowel as he spoke. "G-2 has an open billet for a junior NCO. We lost one to OCS a few months ago."
Kelley perked up at that. Working for the Intelligence section opened up many possibilities, up to and including becoming a commissioned officer. "What would I have to do?"
"Whatever I tell you to do. I need someone who's smart, thinks on their feet, and can handle themselves in shitty situations."
"Situations of my own making, sir, or ones you're concocting?"
He chuckled. "A little bit of column A, and-"
"-and a little bit of column B," they finished the axiom at the same time. She nodded and said, "Understood. I'm interested, but I'd need to square things with my platoon leader and my gunny."
Montes got to his feet. "We'll take care of that for you. The nice thing about working in G-2 is that when we tell people to mind their own business, they listen. Major Ch'avannel, our boss, is not one to be trifled with."
Kelley rose as he did. "Sir, I think you'll find I'm in the same category. Where do I sign up?"
He extended a hand to her as he had previously. This time, it was in welcome. "You just did. Welcome aboard, Corporal."
"Thank you, sir." She accepted his hand cordially and shook it once before they dropped their hands down.
She asked him, "Since all the charges against me have been dismissed, I wonder if I could get a favor?"
Montes tilted his head with curiosity. "What's that?"
"Can I get that saber back? It was a gift, and I'd hate to tell Gunny Hardester that I lost it already."
He grinned. "In all honesty, I'd hate to tell him that, too. We'll get it back, post-haste."
End of Chapter Three
Going over her story served her well. She needed to hone her personal testimony, regardless. Embellishment was unnecessary; the tale did all the work. During the third time through, she understood she had a strong case of self-defense when she saw the looks on the faces of all the guards who listened to her talk. Appreciating the response for what it told her: the judges or jury would eat out of her palm.
After her discussion with Captain Montes, she wondered if the fix was in. The captain seemed hell-bent on having her plead out, serve time, and lose her rank and other signs of her hard work just to satisfy someone else's sense of justice.
The notion infuriated her.
The final meal call would come in under an hour. She wondered if they'd place her in a cell for the night to rest. Perhaps they might put her up in the guest barracks across the courtyard. She needed to remain there so that the same captain would return in the morning and likely give her some kind of ultimatum.
So, it was a complete surprise when Captain Montes returned to the brig five minutes before mealtime. As soon as he arrived in the lounge, she got to her feet and stood at attention.
"As you were, please," Montes said. "I have some news for you, straight from the general." He stepped forward and handed his PADD to her.
She accepted it and read through the orders:
Her first observation came as a correction. "They got my rank wrong, sir. I'm not a full corporal, yet."
"You showed up on the selection list, today. Yours was the second name," Montes said. "Flip to the second page, your promotion orders from the G-1 are there."
"I see." Kelley flipped between the pages and reread both sets of orders. "'Exculpatory evidence?'" She asked. "What evidence?"
Montes smiled, not bothering to chastise her for the complete drop in protocol. "Gunner Buxani, from my office, got a hold of closed circuit recordings of the entire incident from the city police."
"Fuck those guys," Kelley spat.
He cleared his throat to stave off a chuckle. "Yes, er, well, uh, she has a good working relationship with them. We used that on your behalf to get their cooperation. It sounds like they treated you a little rough?"
She set the PADD down on the table in front of her and admitted in a hushed voice, "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Montes saw what Hardester warned him about. Her eyes grew cold when she spoke about the police. He frowned and made a mental note to have a side discussion with the DCI about it, later. "After watching you take apart those Klingons, I don't doubt that."
That observation earned him a small smirk on her lips.
He continued on. "General Ntini and Captain Golluv had little choice but to agree to the motion to dismiss. The general also wanted me to pass her compliments on comporting yourself in the best traditions of the Corps. She's going to enter a letter of commendation in your personnel file."
With a smile that touched her eyes, he noticed the chill disappeared. "That's… kind of the general. Please convey my thanks, sir?"
"It would be my pleasure," Montes told her with a smiling nod.
She glanced at the screen and inquired about a particular phrase in the orders. "'With the government's apologies,' though?"
"That's standard when we wrongfully charge a marine," he said. "However, I hope you will accept my apologies, marine to marine." He extended his hand out to her.
Her eyes dropped to his hand. With a bewildered expression, she glanced back at him.
"Um," he said with hesitation. "Something wrong?"
She shrugged. "Just never had an officer apologize to me, before."
Montes opened his mouth to reply, but the door slid open and seven people stepped inside. Three of them were Klingons. By the ranks exposed on their uniforms, he realized that the lead officer wearing a cape showed the insignia of a HoD; the equivalent to a marine colonel or a naval captain. The HoD's escorts also held lesser officer ranks of la' (lieutenant colonel) and lagh (major). He presumed they were both staff officers to the HoD.
The HoD entered along with multiple marine officers, including the brigade's deputy commanding officer, Colonel Harold C. "House" Wicasa. He wore his dirty blonde hair in the same high and tight fashion as most other marines. Like Ntini, he commanded respect with his large, muscular presence.
Upon sight of the colonel, Montes and Kelley snapped to attention. The scrape of chair legs sounded within the lounge against the hard flooring.
"At ease," Colonel Wicasa said. "This is HoD Qudh, la' Noct, and lagh Mimoth. They are all members of the House of Qudh. The same House that Corporal Kelley's aggressors belonged to. He wished to address the corporal directly."
Qudh took a menacing step forward and spoke without preamble. "I am Qudh, Son of K'vel. I lead the House of Qudh. A warrior of my House met his glorious end in combat, by your hand."
Kelley held his gaze, saying nothing in response. She recognized this as a ritual, one of great importance to any Klingon House.
Qudh continued. He raised his voice, as though he spoke to a great hall rather than the intimate confines of the lounge. "He was my kin! He chose his path in battle! To die fighting is the greatest honor a Klingon can achieve. Your actions, though in defense, were those of a true warrior. His death has been declared honorable, as it should be."
Noct stepped forward at that moment, carrying a d'k tahg. Two Klingon symbols adorned the hilt in metallic lettering. The officer held toward Kelley with the hilt facing her. Qudh held up his hand to steady the offer of the blade so he could speak further.
"Among my people, those who prove their strength and prowess in battle against a significantly larger force earn not just honor, but a title. A title that carries the respect of one of the major Houses of Qo'noS. Today, Corporal Kelley, the House of Qudh grants you the title of 'may'wl.' You have shown the heart of a warrior and the poise of a leader. I declare here and now, to all those who hear me: your name shall be spoken with respect in the halls of my House!"
"May'wl!," la' Noct repeated reverently, followed shortly by the lagh, Mimoth.
Qudh took the blade from Noct's open hand and presented it to Kelley. "You are not of our blood, may'wl, but you have re-proven that there are those in the Federation who bear watching."
Kelley accepted the blade, uttering Klingon words with the guttural syllables as though she spoke it all her life. Montes heard the translated version from his combadge: "I accept this honor, HoD Qudh, Son of K'val. I will carry this title with pride, knowing that it represents your personal esteem. I will not tarnish the reputation of your House. I declare this on my honor as a Starfleet Marine."
A rumbling chuckle emanated from Qudh's chest, and he showed off his teeth in a wide grin. "You speak well, may'wl." He drew his hand up in the Klingon salute, and the others followed suit. "Fight with honor. I wish you a glorious death."
With a final approving look, Qudh turned on his heels; the dark red cape carrying his House's icon fluttering under the rapid motion. Their departure had Colonel Wicasa and all the guards following close behind. After the entourage departed, the room's gravity eased as Kelly and Montes admired the blade's craftsmanship.
His curiosity got the better of him. "Is the translation correct? May'wl means-"
"'Battle Queen,' sir," Kelley said. She flipped the knife over and ran her fingers over the ideographic symbol. "That's what this says, here. On the other side is the icon of their House. If I show this to other Klingons, I might get a little respect. Or they might think I took it off the person who earned it. Either way, from now on they'll approach me carefully."
"It seems you've earned more than just your freedom, Corporal," Montes said with admiration in his tone. "I think the question of how the Klingons would react has been answered."
"I hope so," she said. As she spoke, she spun the blade by the hilt, getting used to the weight. "If that damned Liaison insists on coming after me, I might have to shove my title right up their ass." She tapped the blade to make her point.
Montes could not help the snort that erupted from him. "You sure paint some interesting pictures."
Kelley ignored his comment. "So, now I just go back to third platoon like nothing happened?"
He paused, took a deep breath, and pondered. "Or… you might consider another opportunity. One that might put yet another stripe on your collar pretty quick."
She turned her head toward him, giving him her full attention. "I'm listening."
"Well," Montes said, elongating the vowel as he spoke. "G-2 has an open billet for a junior NCO. We lost one to OCS a few months ago."
Kelley perked up at that. Working for the Intelligence section opened up many possibilities, up to and including becoming a commissioned officer. "What would I have to do?"
"Whatever I tell you to do. I need someone who's smart, thinks on their feet, and can handle themselves in shitty situations."
"Situations of my own making, sir, or ones you're concocting?"
He chuckled. "A little bit of column A, and-"
"-and a little bit of column B," they finished the axiom at the same time. She nodded and said, "Understood. I'm interested, but I'd need to square things with my platoon leader and my gunny."
Montes got to his feet. "We'll take care of that for you. The nice thing about working in G-2 is that when we tell people to mind their own business, they listen. Major Ch'avannel, our boss, is not one to be trifled with."
Kelley rose as he did. "Sir, I think you'll find I'm in the same category. Where do I sign up?"
He extended a hand to her as he had previously. This time, it was in welcome. "You just did. Welcome aboard, Corporal."
"Thank you, sir." She accepted his hand cordially and shook it once before they dropped their hands down.
She asked him, "Since all the charges against me have been dismissed, I wonder if I could get a favor?"
Montes tilted his head with curiosity. "What's that?"
"Can I get that saber back? It was a gift, and I'd hate to tell Gunny Hardester that I lost it already."
He grinned. "In all honesty, I'd hate to tell him that, too. We'll get it back, post-haste."
End of Chapter Three
Love the official klingon reaction. Someone foreshadowed it while all the others were wringing their hands about it.
Thanks!! rbs
Thanks!! rbs
Similar threads
