"Arrival of the Jachyoj" by Sogh T'Kang First officer - IKV Jachyoj http://come.to/tkang "We approach the space station my HoD." the pilot of the Bird of Prey stated. The teenaged Captain of the Jachyoj, HoD Aram, son of Duras, adjusted his grip on the arms of the command chair. "Put it on screen Angar. I wish to see this place of my banishment." Aram ordered bitterly. The bald headed Klingon reached across his console and activated the view screen. It flickered and then showed the massive squat shape of D'Alaan 27. "On screen my HoD." Angar stated. "So this is D'Alaan station." Aram witnessed. "It does indeed look impressive. But also very old. Scan the station and report what vessels are stationed there." With a grumble, Angar moved to another console and performed a quick scan of the space station. "There is only one Sabre Class starship docked at the station my HoD. I am also detecting a few small shuttle sized vessels, but they all seem to be inoperative. No power readings are emanating from their hulls." While Angar was briefing the HoD on what his sensors had detected, the elderly warrior priest, Krell, had walked onto the bridge and stood next to the HoD's command chair. Glancing over his shoulder, taking note of his long time friend and mentor, Aram asked, "What do you think of this place of damnation Krell? Is it as dark and foreboding as you were lead to believe?" The Lagh regarded the image on screen for a moment, pondering the question. "Begging the HoD's pardon, I believe I find this alien station to be quite beautiful and artistic. It has a majestic gracefulness to it's design. Much more refined than anything of say Cardassian design?" "It is definitely not Cardassian. On that we agree." Aram nodded. He then called out, "Angar, hail the station and let them know the Jachyoj has arrived. Our men are tired and we wish to dock and be shown to our stations." Angar grunted his understanding back to the Captain. While he communicated with the station personnel, Aram turned to Krell. "So what opinion do you hold of these Humans with which we are forced to work with Lagh Krell? I have only known the Federation as an opponent. A powerful adversary worthy of respect, but must admit to never having worked closely with their people." "Of course not my HoD. You are a young man. Only now have you reached out and left your mother's estate on the homeworld for the vastness of space." "You have not answered my question Krell. What thinks you of these humans in the Federation?" "I am reluctant to answer my HoD. Not because I haven't an opinion to share, but because I do. Though I wish not to influence Aram's opinion with the bitterment of my own." "More riddles Krell? Even in your political correctness you betray your feelings. Bitterment. This tells me you think not well of the humans in the Federation." "You see my HoD. Already thou hast formed an opinion of these people without even meeting them. Such rash decisions are not worthy of a true warrior who seeks to see the truth in all things. What if your sister and brother warriors were to all form their opinions as easily upon hearing thy name 'Duras'?; thy quest for righteousness would be defeated before it ever began." Aram nodded. "Still the lectures my friend. And still I learn from them. I shall keep an open mind upon meeting these humans, and form my own opinion." "The HoD is most wise." Krell bowed with a knowing smile. "We are to mate with docking port twelve HoD Aram." Angar stated interrupting the Captain's talk with the warrior priest. "Do as they say Angar. Our journey has been long and our men are weary. The sooner we dock with this station the sooner our people can disembark and let the others know the Klingons have arrived." "As you wish HoD." Angar acknowledged, taking the Jachyoj in to dock with Station D'Alaan 27. ***** T'Kang stood impatiently at airlock twelve waiting for the Jachyoj to arrive. He was uneasy about meeting his commanding officer. The bear-like warrior had just arrived at D'Alaan station two days earlier, and already Ra'wI Kruge was dead of unknown causes, presumably poisoned. When T'Kang learned that HoD K'sara had been replaced as commander of the Jachyoj, and that he'd be reporting to HoD Aram, son of Duras instead, the Klingon warrior felt uneasy. The Duras family name was well known through out the Empire as both a powerful one that carried much influence with the High Council, but also as a traitorous one because of the deceit Duras had spun on the Klingon people in covering up the Romulan dealings his family had initiated during the war. The added burden that Aram was barely more than a boy only made things that much worse. Could he command a bird of prey? Would the Klingons of D'Alaan station follow the son of a son of a traitor? And if they wouldn't, where would that leave T'Kang? These questions, these fears, and more circled T'Kang's mind as he paced across the airlock entrance. Finally, the portal hissed. The mammoth portal spiraled open with a billow of white steam. In a short moment, several figures could be seen walking out through the smoke. T'Kang immediately recognized the short, lean form of HoD Aram leading the precession. "HoD Aram. Welcome aboard D'Alaan station." T'Kang saluted with an arm across his chest. "I am Sogh T'Kang. Your First Officer." Aram came to a stop just before T'Kang. Krell and Angar were just behind him, along with several warriors from the Jachyoj behind them. Aram regarded the giant statured T'Kang. He was a thick, massive Klingon. Aram imagined he would be a formidable warrior in hand to hand combat. "You are T'Kang. I was told you would meet me when we arrived, but no one told me you would be so large." Aram admitted. T'Kang didn't respond to the comment, other than to motion with his hand. "I have arranged to have a barracks set up on Red Level Nine. If you would like, I can show you the way my HoD." "In good time T'Kang. This is Lagh Krell my trusted advisor." Aram introduced. Glancing at Krell he asked him, "What do you think of this man before me Krell?" The warrior priest kept a discerning eye on the Klingon T'Kang as he answered the HoD's query. "Methinks it would be better to call thee friend then to call thee foe my HoD." Aram seemed to nod at the elderly mans words. "That is a priest's pendant you have about your collar is it not?" T'Kang asked of Krell. The warrior priest nodded. "It is the eye of Kahless. Forged at the Temple of warriors." Krell replied. He then turned to Aram who continued to sum up his new first officer. "He knows of our old ways my HoD. His time with these humans hasn't tarnished his Klingon heart that beats within that mighty chest." "He is a Klingon. Time with his brothers or sisters or time away with the Federation will not change that. It is the hearts of the humans I am most concerned with." Aram stated with a note of concern. "You will take me to meet the human commander of this station. Captain Meqh I believe." The HoD's Klingon pronunciation of Captain Mec's name was distinct. T'Kang though of correcting the HoD, but thought better of it in light of first meeting with him. "The Captain is presently examining the station's main computer core. If you like I can take you to him." T'Kang stated. "Excellent." Aram stated. He then turned to Angar and Krell. "Why don't you see to it that the men are shown to this Red Level Nine T'Kang speaks of. I shall meet with the Federation Captain and establish our presence on board this space station in the heart of Klingon space." Aram's words were sharp and pointed, as if he viewed the space station as being under Klingon jurisdiction rather than Federation. "As you wish my HoD." Angar saluted. He then ordered the rest of the Jachyoj crew to follow him as they ventured out of the airlock and onto D'Alaan station. Lagh Krell paused momentarily. When the HoD noticed the priest lingering, he asked, "Is there something else Krell?" The wise old warrior priest parsed his lips in sage-like fashion. "Just remembering a proverb that seems appropriate my HoD. A wise warrior first surveys the battlefield and his enemy's strengths before rushing in to attack." Aram nodded. "I will keep that in mind Krell. You are dismissed." "By your leave my HoD." Krell nodded before walking off to join the others on D'Alaan station. Aram turned and faced T'Kang once again. "Come, show me to this Federation Captain T'Kang. It is time we were introduced." T'Kang nodded. "This way my HoD." The two men walked away from the airlock on route to find Captain Mec.