OOC Narrator Edit: Posting for A Magical Taco, who is having connection issues today.
As the senior officers all rose and started to leave, Capatain Campbell motioned to Lieutenant Kinchlirah. "Lieutenant Kinchlirah, if you would stay for a moment" he said with a level voice.
The Lieutenant stopped and turned toward the captain, stand at attention. The Chief was the last though the door, it closed behind her.
"Yes, Captain." the Lieutenant said looking at him.
Captain Campbell sized her up as he motioned towards her, "relax Lieutenant, take a seat." He motioned in her general direction.
Confused and not fully understanding what the captain wanted she only replied with "Sir?" as she remained standing.
The captain stood up and faced the Klingon, "Are you still up for a match, Lieutenant"
Lieutenant Kinchlirah took a deep breath, her displeasure was obvious, "If you wish, Captain. When would you like to proceed?"
"Why not, right now," he said as he walked around the large table that occupied part of his office, ready room and briefing room. He had not thought he was going to enjoy having both rooms merged in to one but those designers really did a nice job giving the split level room a feel of a wide open and inviting space. "We have a 12 hour trip ahead of us and plenty of time to get to work, that is if this crew is as good as I think it is."
"But right here, Sir?" The confusion was still seen in the lieutenant's eyes.
"Why not?" he said as the Captain stepped toward her and she stepped back instinctively, raising her hands to defend herself. But the captain didn't attack, instead he stepped right past her to a corner of the office where a table and two chairs were. A very simple box sat on the table. The Lieutenant recognized it immediately as she lowered her hands and continued to watch what the commander was doing.
It was Kal-toh, a game Commander Bonham had been teaching her, and as it turned out she was pretty good at it. Kal-toh was a Vulcan game of intense strategy that could be played solitarily or by multiple individuals. The object of kal-toh, is not about striving for balance but about finding the seeds of order even in the midst of profound chaos. Lieutenant Kinchlirah saw the game as a prefect game where mathematics and strategy are married in to one fluid system. The Captain sat at the table and removed the top of the box and began to prepare the game, he looked up her to see her still standing defensively, "Lieutenant, believe me when I tell you that I have a
great love for the martial arts and would be all to happy for the workout, but I'm told you do not enjoy a physical combat, have I been misinformed?" The Captain almost sounded hopeful.
Realizing that she had yet to fully drop her guard, she took a deep breath as she shook her head. "No sir, you have not been misinformed." She moved to take her seat, "I grew up in a household of six older brothers and sisters."
"Isn't that a bit larger than most Klingon households?" The Captain asked.
"Yes, it is unusually large by even Klingon standard. My childhood was surrounded by this constant struggle for superiority." She said as she watched him set up the game. "My childhood was always centered on being a warrior. Everyone expected it of me, trained me for it, demanded it of me. And I hated it. I have always had a drive and love for science and mathematics, not war." She paused as she looked around the walls of the briefing room. "When you look at me, you see a warrior" she said as eyes moved over the room slowly. "Yes I am large and yes, thanks to my brothers and sisters, I am capable. But when I look for a figure to act as a role model, it is not some Klingon warrior of yesterday. It is
Doctor Reyga to who I desire to be like. He had strive to break the break the profile of his race and prove that alone he was capable in his desired field. Not what others saw in him." She paused once more as her eyes moved back to the captain.
With a heavy sigh she then continued, "I am more than what you see, Sir. Personally I detest the profile that because I am Klingon, I am some drunken, loud mouth brute that enjoys combat and battle." The Lieutenant fell silent as she watched the final pieces being laid out. She realized that she was speaking out of turn. Something that Commander Bonham had warned to her about. In his warning he added, 'Be patient, Captain Campbell is a understanding man. I trust my life in his hands. And you will learn to do so also. If you give him a chance.'
The captain nodded "funny how things work out Lieutenant." He had already read her personnel profile. She was most likely one of the more intelligent beings on the ship. Her skills in both science and in engineering would have easily landed her a role in either Engineering or in one of his Science departments or as either of their heads. Commander Bonham was right, the language of exchange program was clear. She could serve in Security or as a tactical officer. A issue with language that he had planned on correcting at his first available time. But for now, she would remain as Chief Tactical Officer of the Thunderchild.
"How is that Captain?" She said plotting her first set of moves.
"In my family I was pushed into the sciences and I hated it, well maybe hate is a big strong, but it was not something I wished to pursue. I take it you know who may parents are?" She nodded as he paused for a moment then continued. "They were not very happy when I took up an interest in sports and even less so when I joined Starfleet."
She nodded, "Sir, for me. Hate is the right word. When you first suggested that I 'train' with you in combat. It was a great insult to me." She held up her hand and cut off his next statement, "I know you meant no offense by it. But it did nonetheless. I do not wish to be a warrior. I never have. When you look at me, I do not want you to see a warrior. I am a scientist by heart and by desire. This is what I would prefer you to see. But even your own all welcoming Federation doesn't see me any different...." she paused for a moment and then lowered her head, "Forgive me, Sir for speaking out of place." she was genially disappointed with her statement.
"Its okay" He said and taking note of her discomfort, Captain Campbell decided to change the subject. "Well, for today why don't I just show you what a real Kal-toh opponent is like, the Commander has never been all that good" he said, "just don't tell him I said as much".
The Lieutenant nodded as she looked back up. The Captain handed Lieutenant Kinchlirah a piece, "Ladies first." The Lieutenant grunted but did not object as she played her turn. Back and forth, playing more quickly than an average game. Kinchlirah was the first player to show an advance but the Captain responded quickly with several moves that put him in a strong position. "So, tell me about you and the Commander, Lieutenant."
The Klingon hesitated during her turn for a moment but recovered quickly. "Sir, the Commander and I do have a history but it ended a short time ago." There was much more but she held back from adding it. "Truthfully Sir, our relationship has been recorded with Starfleet Security. Beyond that, there is nothing else to talk about. It is over."
"That is a shame." Kinchlirah looked at the Captain, "Are you sure there are no embers left?" The Captain pressed without looking at her, laying his own piece.
"Sir?" The Klingon said as she thought of her next move while trying to hide her emotions. They were there and she couldn't deny them. She knew that there was still a deep routed love between her and Commander Bonham. She wondered if word had somehow slipped back to the Captain regarding their accidental encounter within the Jefferies tubes a few hours ago. Neither of them knew the other would be there. It was a prefect meeting if only they had allowed their emotions to get the better of them. Instead, they parted after a short uncomfortable silence. She didn't think that anyone had seen the meeting. Before that, they had made a point to avoid each other where the situation could appear suspect.
"It's your turn Lieutenant." the captain said placing his next piece. It had only been a few hours since he had learned how to play himself. Picking up games like this had always been easy for him. For some reason, he just knew where to place the pieces. It didn't matter the game, he just knew.
Lieutenant Kinchlirah made a quick move, hardly paying attention to the game, "Sir, as I said. There is nothing else to be spoken on the matter." In her heart she knew otherwise, but it was the way it had to be. It was the price for serving aboard a Starfleet ship. Here the rules were different than on a Klingon vessel. She never thought that she would find love let alone in a human after. But once more the galaxy had surprised her.
She thought that this assignment would open a door that would have otherwise never been opened aboard a Klingon vessel. Her dream was to prove herself and later be able to continue her education on Earth. Where one day she would become a master in her fields of study, among some of the best minds in the galaxy. All of whom had studied on Earth as well. Earth was well known for holding some of the best and brightest minds in the galaxy. It was a place she so desperately wanted to go and study at. However the political situation simply wasn't helping her move towards her over all goal. This was the reason why she volunteered for the officer exchange program. She need to serve aboard a Starfleet vessel to earn the trust of the Federation. This was the only way she could hopefully have an opportunity to study at some of the best institutions in the galaxy.
Then came Commander Bonham and those eyes that melted her heart. The passion that they shared was unrivaled by any other passion she had ever felt before and she doubted that she would ever feel again. He brought a new level of emotions to her world. He was an intelligent, compassionate and romantic man. The Captain looked at the Lieutenant and she met his eyes, Captain Campbell on the other hand was a hard man, she could tell he was a
fine warrior. It was this 'warrior' attitude that she hated most about him. There was more to life than war and being a warrior. Captain Campbell was so much like her father and brothers. Had she brought this man home, they would have taken her relationship much more seriously than one with Commander Bonham.
Captain Campbell's eyes left little room in his next words, "Lieutenant, I will not have
secret romances aboard my ship and I will not tolerate said relationship to distract anyone from their duties, and most importantly, Kinchlirah, I don't want to see it unless we are on shore leave. Am I clear?"
The thought of his accusation enraged Lieutenant Kinchlirah as her sight turned to a glare. 'How dare he' she thought as she fought back the urge to drive her blade through his throat. She might be only a mere scientist but she did have honor. She so much wanted to ignore the fact that she was Klingon and something else, but in moments like this she felt rage. There was no reason for anyone to suggest that she or Commander Bonham would lie about their relationship. If they choose to continue, they would do so in the open and damn what others thought.
She shared a love with the commander that she was willing to die for. It was painful enough attempting to ignore those powerful emotions. Her glare penetrated the captain deeply. Nothing of what he said after the accusation mattered to her. Without realizing it, she had gripped the hilt of her
d'k tahg. Her mind raced as she tried to fight back that urge to kill the man that just accused her of having a
secret relationship. Forcing herself, she released her grip on the hilt as she placed both of her hands on the edge of the table. She had always believed that idea let alone the act of lying was dishonorable. She said it had ended and that was it, it had ended. "There will be no
secret relationships" she said in a harsh tone. "On or off this ship" she continued coldly then added with a great degree of harshness, "Sir."
The Captain played another piece as he had noticed the Lieutenant's hand move to her weapon. Always the cool commander, he keep his face from showing it and was quite impressed when she place her hands back on the table. 'So she can be rattled but has control' he thought then added, 'good to know.' He wasn't quite sure what to make of her. He knew he had gotten under her skin which was why he questioned her honor in the way he did. She had claimed she did not wish to be seen as simply a Klingon Warrior. He wondered how far that went. In his opinion she seemed to be struggling with it. If she did not share the Klingon view of battle, he had to know how would she view their idea of honor. He hoped she had not lost that part of her heritage, it was his favorite part about the Klingons. The Lieutenant took her turn and the Captain smiled, "Kal-toh" he said playing the final piece.
"Sir?" Lieutenant Kinchlirah said confused. Looking down as he placed the final piece. The mass of rods sprung to life and lit up, she had lost, badly. Her anger faded as she returned her sight back to the captain. He was cool and collected despite the situation.
"You know, Lieutenant, you really should pay more attention" he said with a smile.
The Klingon stood and lowered her head at the defeat, "You would make for a fine Klingon" she said as she looked him in the eyes. She assumed his actions were to bait her and they did just that. In that moment she felt foolish for allowing her emotions to run away with her. Still the words had stung and it would not be soon forgotten. "Yes, a fine Klingon" she reaffirmed.
The Captain stood and bowed he head in return, "I tend to take that as quite a complement," he said without a hint of sarcasm.
Act One, Scene Two
