"Repairing the Frainar colonies"
 by Ensign T'Kang
 (Assistant) Chief Engineer - USS Intrepid


<< Note: T'Kang & Davis still don't know about Hannoyh or 
T'Kang's promotion, as they were left on the planet. >>


*** Frainar III ***

A thin film of sweat covered T'Kang's entire body.  The 
humid,  jungle-like environment on Frainar III made it difficult 
to work and breath.  Already the Klingon had discarded his 
Starfleet tunic, preferring to work bare chested on the many 
sub-generators and power stations on the colony.

Lieutenant Commander Davis approached to check on the 
Engineer's progress.  The Intrepid's First Officer had been 
given the assignment of getting the colony back up and 
running, with T'Kang's help, and had returned from a 
meeting with the local colonists.  They were a friendly group 
of settlers, all of which were quite grateful with the 
Federation after thwarting the evil Doctor Trunah's plans of 
splitting Frainar in two.   Steven brought two cold glasses of 
Gangii juice, a local fruit drink native to Frainar III.   He too 
was uncomfortable with the tropical climate of this planet, 
but couldn't help but notice that T'Kang seemed 
uncharacteristically miserable with it.  Even more so than his 
usual miserable self.  It caused the Executive Officer 
concern.

"Break time T'Kang."  Davis called out as he approached 
carrying the tall drinks.

The Klingon removed the large metallic access panel from 
the sub-generator unit and wielded it over his head placing it 
down to one side.  It was obvious that even for T'Kang, the 
cast iron panel was quite heavy.   Steven admired the alien 
texture of the Klingon's back.  The many folds and ridges 
reminded him of prehistoric animals from earth's past.  The 
folds of bone and skin forming a subtle type of armor along 
the Klingon's spinal column.  It's not too often humans got to 
see a bare chested Klingon.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, T'Kang reached out for the 
glass.  "Thank you." he grunted.   After accepting the drink, 
the Klingon proceeded to down the entire contents in a rapid 
series of gulps.  In his haste, some of the sticky fruit juice 
spilled out the corner of T'Kang's mouth.

Steven's eyes just grew wider at T'Kang's obvious thirst.  
With a slight smile, he handed the Engineer the second 
drink which, in all honestly, he had intended to consume 
himself.   The Klingon paused only momentarily to take in a 
breath before swapping his empty glass with the 
`Commander's full one, which he downed almost as quickly 
as the first.   "A little thirsty Mister T'Kang?"  Davis mused.

T'Kang wiped the over-spill from his mouth with a swipe of 
his hand.  "Yes."  He replied flatly placing his hands on his 
hips a moment and glancing at the generator he was 
working on.  "I have repaired six of the ten generators the 
colony uses to power their buildings.  These last few 
however require extensive maintenance.  It will likely take 
me time to fashion the parts needed to complete the 
repairs."

Davis nodded.  "You've done a great job T'Kang.  Just with 
the generators that are already on-line, the colonists are 
able to function again.  They have power to their homes.  Do 
you think you'll be able to fix the remaining ones with what 
we have here?"

T'Kang nodded.  "I believe so.  By borrowing parts from the 
compatible units, I can get most of these working.  The last 
one will take the most time as I fashion new components to 
replace those that have been removed or have worn out."  
T'Kang finished his sentence and appeared to go weak at 
the knees, loosing his balance slightly.  He reached out and 
steadied himself on the generator until.

David quickly grabbed the Klingon's arm as well to steady 
him.  It was an instinctive reaction.  "Are you all right?!"

Shaking off the incident, T'Kang swelled with a warrior's 
pride.  "Of course." he declared in a deep voice.

"You nearly fainted.  Are you sure?"  David asked.

"Klingon's do not faint `Commander."  T'Kang scolded with a 
frown.

"Really?"  Steven said skeptically.  Stepping forward he 
placed a hand on T'Kang's forehead.  "You are burning up 
my friend.  You've got a temperature going."

Pulling the First Officer's hand away from his face, T'Kang 
shook his head seriously, "You needn't concern yourself 
`Commander.  I am fine and have much work to do."

Steven didn't seem very convinced at T'Kang's brave 
attempt at down playing his condition.  He knew the Klingon 
had been exposed to a large dose of radiation when he 
helped to stop Doctor Trunah's planet killing machine.  "That 
may be so T'Kang, but you were exposed to radiation 
earlier.  You may be coming down with radiation sickness."

"Klingons do not get sick `Commander."  T'Kang frowned.

"Radiation affects all biological life forms T'Kang.  Do you 
feel nauseated?"  Steven asked.

"Klingons do not.."

".get nauseated.  Yes, yes of course."  Steven finished 
sarcastically.   "Just the same, I'm going to head for the 
shuttle craft and get the emergency med-kit.  There may be 
something in there I can give you just to be safe."

T'Kang's expression soured slightly.  He honestly didn't think 
there was any cause for concern.  "Do what you must 
`Commander.  I need to get back to my repairs." The Klingon 
Engineer stated stolidly.

Lieutenant Commander Davis regarded T'Kang for a 
moment as the Assistant Chief Engineer returned to his 
work.  For all of T'Kang's brash rudeness, the Engineer had 
proven himself to be a capable Engineer and a valuable 
asset to the crew of the Intrepid.  Steven was going to be 
certain that they didn't loose T'Kang to radiation poisoning, 
even if he did insist that Klingons don't get sick.  Turning, 
Davis headed back to the shuttle landing site to fetch the 
med kit.