Episode 47: "The Klingon Way"

Pointy teeth, ridges on his forehead and an armour which felt as if he was trapped inside a metal crate. No, Captain McMillan couldn't say he was feeling at ease, looking like a Klingon. Doctor Talax had done an excellent job though, surgically altering him and most of the rest of the senior crew to look like Klingons. Of course, the true test of Talax's handiwork would be later on, when the crew would actually walk amongst real Klingons.

Lieutenant Desade and Ensign Debbydo had been kidnapped by Klingons. A quick check with the Klingon High Council told McMillan that they weren't responsible: it had to be a Klingon House that opposed the High Council. Rebels, so to speak. And they could be anyone. And anywhere.

Luckily, the Gibraltar crew found the warptrail of the ship that took their officers. They followed that ship – a Klingon Bird of Prey – to a planet nearby. McMillan had ordered the ship to use the planet as a shield to make sure their approach wouldn't be detected. So far, it didn't seem that the Klingons down on the planet knew they were there. However, they also couldn't just beam the missing officers out: there was too much interference.

So, it was decided to send out a team to recover the kidnapped officers. And that team would be surgically altered to look like Klingons. It'd be a mission where they'd get in, not attract any attention, get Desade and Debbydo, and get out. Hopefully it would be that simple.

As McMillan and his 'Klingon' crew stood on the deck of the Bird of Prey, he actually started to believe it *would* be that simple. There were no Klingons in sight. . . in fact, there was nobody. The ship seemed to be empty.

"Alright folks," McMillan stated as he moved onwards, "Remember who we're supposed to be. Let's get our 'prisoner' incarcerated, shall we?" 

The 'prisoner' was of course Ensign Johnson. The plan was to beam on board the ship with a prisoner, hand her over to whomever was in charge, so that Johnson could explain the plan to Debbydo and Desade. Then they had to wait until they were rescued: probably the most difficult thing Johnson had ever done. She was an action girl, after all.

After roaming the empty decks of this Bird of Prey for a while, the 'Klingons' and their 'prisoner' arrived at what seemed to be an Engineering room. There was one Klingon here. Now, McMillan realised, the game began.

"Q'apla!" McMillan shouted out, walking towards this mean looking Klingon. But then again, they were all mean looking. "Are you in charge of this ship?"

"I am now." The Klingon responded. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"I am Ro'Bob, of the Klingon ship Gib'tar." McMillan said with a grin on his face. "While we were on our home base, we found this prisoner." He pushed Johnson forward for effect. The look she gave him was a foul one, and for a moment McMillan wondered if she was even acting. "We heard you had experience with these Federation people?"

The Klingon's lips parted in a grin as well. "Indeed we do. We can put her with the others." He moved to escort Johnson to the brig, but he 'prisoner' wasn't going to allow someone else to touch her.

"Don't you dare touch me, Klingon." Johnson said with anger. "If you do, it will be the *last* thing you'll ever do."

"Silence, Trill scum." Commander Westland seemed to be enjoying her role a bit too much.

The doors opened, only to reveal Lieutenant Desade and Ensign Debbydo behind a red shimmering forcefield. The Klingon, apparently named 'Kor', turned the forcefield off, at which point Commander Braveheart led Johnson in. After the usual threats were exchanged, the shield was put back on, and the 'Klingons' went back into the main room.

At that point, Desade turned to Johnson. "Pretty smart Ensign... coming here without any backup?"

Johnson smiled. "No backup eh? Let me tell you something. Did you see the Klingons I came in with?"

…

In the main room, Kor quickly checked the settings, at which point Commander Braveheart turned to his Captain. "Sir. . . Ro'Bob of the Gib'tar?" he asked with a smile.

McMillan grinned too. "I never said I was original. . ."

Kor quickly returned, at which point McMillan started talking to him again. "So Kor, are you here alone on this ship?"

The only *real* Klingon on the ship began to laugh. "Oh, I won't be alone for long. My crew is out on an honourable mission. Once they come back. . ." He glanced at the others, changing the subject. "What do you think of the Federation?"

The way Kor spat out that last word, told the Gibraltar crew enough. "Kahless would be ashamed if he saw we had allied ourselves with those. . . P'takh." Westland bellowed.

"They are *not* honourable." Reimiyaki chimed in.

"One wonders how they win so many battles." McMillan added. "During the Dominion War they did pretty well, even though they fight without honour."

"Luck." Braveheart answered. "Sheer luck."

"Klingons do not *believe* in luck." McMillan said loudly, grinning. "It's their tactics. Scanning first, asking questions later. That is no way to wage war."

"Exactly!" Their little performance seemed to have convinced Kor. "Our people have lost their ways by allying themselves with the Federation. So it is up to us to make sure our people see how weak the Federation really is. To that end, I have sent my men off to gather intelligence. Federation ship deployment, their number of troops... the information we need to strike, and strike hard."

It was hard for the Gibraltar crewmembers not to look shocked, but somehow, they managed. "Sounds like an honourable mission." Westland spoke up. "We would like to join you."

"To what house should we pledge our loyalty?" Braveheart asked. An excellent question indeed: that way they knew exactly who their adversaries were. The Klingon High Council would also be pleased with this information.

"Why, the House of Kor of course!" Kor said as if it was obvious. "And the mission has only just started. The things we have planned. . . it will be glorious!"

"Good." McMillan said, his grin disappearing from his face. "You can tell it all to Starfleet Security. Commander Braveheart, Commander Westland. . . hold him. Lieutenant Weatherwax, free our crew please."

Kor was genuinely surprised when the two 'Klingons' grabbed him. "What in the name of Kahless is going on?"

"I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest to you, Kor." McMillan said, standing in front of the man. "My name is Captain RoBobby McMillan of the USS Gibraltar. We came here to rescue our crew." He nodded to the trio of Starfleet Officers who now walked out of the Brig. "And we stumbled upon a plan to attack the Federation. Thank you for that."

Kor spat at the Captain. "This changes nothing." he said defiantly. "The Klingon Empire *will* be restored to its former glory!"

As Kor was held tight by both Commanders, Ensign Johnson moved closer, jabbing McMillan in the side. "*Never* push me again, Sir."

"Noted." McMillan said with a smile. "Now, how about we go back to the Gibraltar? I for one could do without the teeth."

"As soon as I've downloaded their database in my matrix Sir." Lt. Weatherwax, the hologram, stated. It would be best to learn all these Klingons knew about whatever plan there was to attack the Federation. . . since McMillan had a feeling Kor would not be particularly helpful. . .

With all the necessary information downloaded, the crew beamed back. They had succeeded in their mission and had uncovered a plot against the Federation. Today, McMillan reflected, was indeed a good day. . . to live.