Kall to Klarth

Posted on Thu Jan 27th, 2022 @ 3:52am by Captain Devin Hadenbeer & Lieutenant Commander Klarth

1,138 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Hadenbeer's quarters, Klarth's home on Qo'nos
Timeline: Prior to Launch

Devin ignored the music as it played throughout the ship. It was another one of her works, this time from her "dark" period. The piece was called "Despair" and after hearing it a composer at Oxford had privately messaged her and asked if she was all right and was getting counseling for whatever problems she was working through. In a way it had been flattering; music was supposed to strike an emotional chord.

In this case it was making crew members stare at her with some measure of trepidation. Perhaps it was because the thing on her face that was supposed to be a smile was less than convincing.

She reached her quarters and Marta hopped off the bed to greet her. Devin dropped the cane and scooped the cat up into her arms and for a moment everything was, well...she could fool herself that everything was all right. She gently lay the cat on the bed and sat on her desk, then put in a call to Quonos. Someone needed to hear the good news...

Maybe it was all the stress of working for what seemed like years to regain his honor. The missions he went on were dangerous. And a lesser man would have cracked under the pressure. But Klarth had proven to the Empire and himself that he was special. He was a warrior and he had earned back his honor and his family's honor and his place in Stovokor, some day, when his skills and luck weren't enough. The other thing that weighed on him these last few months, thought he would never admit this to himself, because it wasn't very Klingon, but maybe it was simply that he had been afraid to die. Or maybe regaining his honor was just something worth celebrating

Whatever the case, ever since regaining his honor Klarth had been on what a human would call a bender. Drinking blood wine and singing classic epic songs at every bar within 50 miles. He had just come home from his latest party and was about to pass out when he saw he had a call from an old friend. Computer accept call, "Oh Captain my Captain to what do I owe this great honor. I must have another drink..."

Devin smiled sardonically at the sight of Klarth's condition. She imagined the blood alcohol level in his system could have killed a couple human males his size. She said, "I bring glad tidings to the recently, ah, re-honored? Admiral Janeway has agreed to allow you to be reinstated into Starfleet. You should be receiving word soon. In the mean time You need to find the fastest transport you can and rendezvous with Lionheart while we are en route to our next mission."

She paused, then added, "Unless you have changed your mind. Oh, and in case you are wondering, S'Lace is back on board. She is a lieutenant junior grade now, and head nurse."

Klarth seemed to sober up a bit upon hearing S'Lace's name mentioned. He stared at the captain for a moment and smiled. Then he said "You certainly know how to sweeten the pot... Yes, I still want to rejoin Starfleet and serve under you once more on the Lionheart, but I will confess that S'Lace being on board again..." Klarth seemed to be at a rare loss for words. "Captain, do you think I'm crazy for trying to melt that Vulcan's cold heart? Like a Klingon she has the heart of a warrior, but she seemingly lacks the other half of a Klingon heart, the passion...or perhaps it is just well hidden. When we left the ship together I got but a hint of the passion lying under the surface, but it has stayed with me ever since and was certainly one of the things that got me through my ordeals...the thought of seeing her again with my honor returned and a chance to start again."

Klarth seemed to suddenly realize he had been rambling about romance to his commander and said "But of course I am also eager to renew my duties in sickbay. How has the Lionheart survived without me there to cure strange diseases every other week? And what is this mission the Lionheart is going on?"

"The mission is one I will not discuss over a non-secure line," Devin replied, "But be assured it will be...interesting. As for S'Lace."

Devin smiled wryly, "I am the last person you will want advice from when it comes to matters of the heart. S'Lace is aware of my efforts to bring you back; had there been reservations she would have voiced them."

The Captain grimaced, "She has never been one to be shy about that!"

Klarth gave a booming laugh at this and said, "well if I'm going to find a fast transport we better wrap this up, but I am reminded of one of those rock rolls songs you introduced me to

'Get me a ticket for an error plane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just a wrote me a letter…'

Devin had to smile at that. Her brother Hereward was a musical historian and constantly sending her songs from the mid to late twentieth century. Every ship had their own "twentieth century guy", as an old crew mate had pointed out and sometimes Devin thought she had become Lionheart's almost by default.

"I would threaten to sing some Klingon ballads," Devin replied, "But I am afraid the low notes would destroy my diaphragm and I am trying to avoid another visit to sickbay. I can give you Lionheart's heading and from there you can determine if you can get passage. In a pinch I can come get you and we will just have to make up the time by seeing just how fast Lionheart can run.

"And I thought you only avoided sickbay when I was there." Klarth joked... "I can't wait to see how fast the ship can go too....Captain, I expect a glorious adventure the sort of thing worthy of Klingon ballads or Human rock rolls."

"I shall do my best to meet your high standards," Devin replied. Her smile went from sardonic to something more sincere, "Honestly, Klarth, it will be good to have you back."

Klarth took a more serious tone and said "It will be good to be back...frankly it's good to have my life back." Klarth paused and then added. "And thank you Captain, for giving me a second chance."

Devin signed off a couple minutes later. She settled back into her chair and watched with a smile as Marta hopped onto the desk. She gently scratched the cat's head behind her ears and was rewarded with a loud purr...

 

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