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Chapter Notes: -----

There are many Klingon idioms used in this chapter, appearing in their genuine Klingon form. I provide literal translations within the chapter text, but I realize that the literal translations are meaningless to readers without further explanation for each phrase, which is provided in they order they appear in the chapter end notes. I apologize if you find it frustrating, needing to break the train of your reading to seek out an explanation in the end notes, before continuing onwards.

It's a stylistic choice that I've made, because I've put a lot of time into research for this story in order to portray Vulcan and Klingon culture in a way that aligns with what we know from canon. I realize that I could have written the chapter without using those idioms for the sake of immediate clarity, but I still opted to use them. Klingons have a way of perceiving the world that is at times very different from the way humans do. This is reflected in their language. Gorkon and Lorak are talking about things that they are very passionate about, and it seems appropriate that their form of speech becomes more fundamentally Klingon, expressed through the idiosyncracies of their perceptions and culture.

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Chapter 10: History Lessons



Sarek gazed out of one of the large windows in Grissom’s observation lounge, waiting for Gorkon’s arrival. He watched the barren surface of Nimbus III slide beneath the trusty science ship’s hull. From this orbital altitude he could pick out about half a dozen of the geographical sites that had been selected for the proposed atmospheric condenser project.



He turned his attention momentarily to a data PADD that had technical schematics and theoretical projections for the project’s long-term goals. Researchers at the Vulcan Science Academy had been able to lay out precise weekly timetables for the project -- expected increases in rainfall, bioproliferation growth rates, soil fertility and productivity increases from additional anaerobic bacteria -- for a ten year period after installation of the technology. The procedure wasn’t quick, by any means. By comparison to current theoretical terraforming models in submolecular biology the techniques used by the condensers were downright glacial in terms of producing results on a planetary scale, but then again those terraforming models were just that -- theory, unproven and as yet unachievable. With this project it would take almost an entire year before there would be significant measurable results of any kind on Nimbus III. But the technology was reliable, to the point that ecologists were able to accurately predict things like average rainfall increases by the project’s tenth year of operation.



With the aid of those timetable projections, Sarek was able to look out at the harsh topography of Nimbus III from orbit and see rich agricultural land and dense forests appearing along new oceanic coastlines rather than the endless sun-baked wastelands that existed now. So much good could be done for the people of Nimbus III, if only the Klingons and the Romulans would consent to the cooperative undertaking. The promise of a better future was there in front of them all, but the longer Sarek watched the planet’s surface moving under Grissom the more he could feel the possibility of that future slipping away from his grasp.



The data PADD shook slightly in his hand. His body was still weak, still reeling in the aftershock that came as a result of feeling death. Sarek’s insides felt all wobbly, like gelatin released from its constraining mold. A headache throbbed methodically behind his temples, the pulses of pain as predictable and regular as the electron distribution stream from a rotating neutron star. The physical side effects of k’war’ma’khon would subside eventually, and be gone entirely within 48 hours. Soon enough he would be of sound body and mind again. Sarek knew this to be true from past experience. After all, he had gone through this four times before: when he had experienced the deaths of his mother T’Rama, his father Skon, his first wife T’Rea, and his forefather Solkar. History had taught him what to expect as his body adapted to the loss of his connection with Spock.



Sarek set the PADD down on the conference table that stood behind him. In an attempt to stop the trembling of weak flesh, he clasped his hands tightly behind his back. His nostrils flared, and Sarek felt anger within him -- anger at himself for not having better control over his own body. The emotion washed over him like the rolling of a tide on the beach, possible only because the aftershock he was experiencing had temporarily weakened his emotional control as well. He ground his teeth together, seeking to regain a modicum of control over both body and mind. It was wrong, undignified, how easily a lifetime’s worth of discipline could be swept away by k’war’ma’khon. It was a bitter betrayal of Vulcan sensibilities by the flesh, one that was unacceptable to him, as it was unacceptable to all Vulcans.



–Ambassador Sarek.” The sound of Gorkon’s voice came from behind him. –I cannot express how relieved I am that you have recovered from your illness.”



Bile rose in Sarek’s throat. An illness. Yes, one might consider the effects of k’war’ma’khon in this instance to be symptoms of an illness, akin perhaps to a temporary version of Bendii Syndrome, since it drastically affected both body and mind. –In truth, Councilor, I am not yet myself.” He turned around slowly, his face set into an expression of stone.



–If you feel unable to continue our talks at this time, I can return later.”



Gorkon’s words were spoken with subtle hesitation. It was not hard for Sarek to deduce that Gorkon doubted the veracity of his own statement. It was more than apparent to him that Gorkon fully believed that were not going to be any more diplomatic meetings after tonight. For one reason or another, Gorkon felt that their time for diplomacy had run out.



–No, it is logical for us to speak now. I must inform you that I am no longer able to continue these negotiations due to personal circumstances.” Sarek moved away from the observation window, unable to continue looking at the planet. He could no longer stand the sight of the barren world, the world that he had been charged to help. Duty to his own world called now, and of course he would fulfill that duty…but that did not make his failure here any more palatable to him. He had been given a public charge, and now he could not fulfill that obligation to whatever end due to his son’s death. It disgusted him. –I will make sure that Ambassador Talbot is completely briefed on the project before my departure. You may continue negotiations with him.”



Gorkon grunted softly out of dissatisfaction. –I can continue nothing with that man.”



–St. John Talbot is fully qualified to conduct diplomatic negotiations on this scale, Councilor,” Sarek heard himself saying, even though he knew that it wasn’t true. Talbot didn’t believe in the project; it would never get past the drawing board with Talbot steering the Federation’s helm. The status quo on Nimbus III would remain unchanged.



–He is without honor. There is no trust, nor truth, in his heart.” The Klingon people would never be able to accept Talbot’s words. Gorkon knew it deep in his gut, from experience. Ambassador Talbot. Capt. Esteban. Fleet Adm. Morrow. Dishonest men: the Federation was filled with them. Relationships could not be built with dishonest men. Out of frustration Gorkon batted the data PADD from the conference table with one fell swoop of his hand. It hit the nearby wall, smashing into countless pieces upon impact. –Why can we not continue to speak, you and I?”



–As I said, there are circumstances of a private nature that demand my attention now.”



Gorkon moved around the table, closing the distance between himself and Sarek. There was a spark in his obsidian eyes, a spark that Sarek recognized as anger. –We are public servants, Sarek. As Shakespeare said in Anthony and Cleopatra, –Small to greater matters must give way.” There is no personal duty that exists that can outweigh the duty we hold to the state.”



Sarek turned away from Gorkon. He put a few steps between the two of them. –In this case my personal duty aligns with my duty to the state.” Staring blankly ahead of him at the bulkhead, Sarek was quiet for a few seconds. –My son has died this day, Councilor. My place right now is on Vulcan.”



Gorkon scratched at the back of his neck, unsure how to respond to this news. If this had been a Klingon vessel and a warrior had just died, he would have performed the Heghtay -- the traditional death ritual. He would have thrown his head back and let out a howl to open the heavens, to warn the inhabitants of Sto-vo-kor that another warrior was about to arrive. But he was not among his people; he did not know how Vulcans dealt with their dead. –My condolences,” he said awkwardly, trying to feel his way to more certain ground. –Do you have other children or grandchildren, ones that will carry on the honor and the deeds of your House in the days to come?”



Grandchildren. The word was a fleeting thought only, one which Sarek did not care to dwell on. No, there were no grandchildren of his blood, although there should have been. He had seen to it that Spock had been pair-bonded to T’Pring when they were both children, thus ensuring the continuation of the family line. But the pairing had not been fulfilled, and before Sarek had been able to make suitable arrangements for a replacement companion Spock had taken Jim as his mate: a selfish pairing which precluded the possibility of offspring.



Sarek’s thoughts turned to Sybok. Of his elder son, he knew nothing. Had known nothing of him for 46 years. He did not even know if his elder son still lived, for Vulcan priestesses had cut the ties of k’war’ma’khon between Sybok and the rest of his family in a t’kaul’ama ceremony after Sybok had rejected Surak’s teachings and chosen to become vrekasht -- an outcast of Vulcan society, sentenced to live forever after in exile from family, clan, and world. In the eyes of his people, his eldest born no longer carried the legacy of his clan and family’s bloodlines. Even his very existence was no longer acknowledged. It was as if his birth had never occurred. –No. Spock was my only heir.”



–Then I mourn with you. It is a dark day, a bitter day, to see the end of one’s House, to know that none shall send their prayers to tend to your soul in the afterlife.” Gorkon pressed his palms into the conference table, leaning his weight forward. –But you cannot allow your private loss to interfere with public interest,” he said urgently. –The present is too stormy to be tended idly, and we must rise to meet the occasion that piles itself high with difficulty, or else lose it all.”



–I have told you already,” Sarek said sharply, –my place is on Vulcan. Tradition has dictated it so.” A fire was suddenly alight in Sarek’s eyes. It grew quickly, a torrid and consuming flame. All at once he was impatient, frustrated, and angry at Gorkon for his lack of comprehension to the actual needs and for his overemphasis of the perceived needs of the present. And it showed, in his voice and in his body language -- in that moment Sarek was displaying passion equal to that possessed by any Klingon.



The unexpected appearance of emotions rearing their ugly head from a Vulcan startled Gorkon, to say the least. He pushed away from the conference table, the wind momentarily gone from his sails.



The emotions rushed through Sarek. They departed as quickly as they had come, only to be replaced by another emotion: embarrassment. Embarrassment at making such an obvious display of his emotions, of shamefully appearing in front of another when his emotional control was so poor. Control. He must remain in control.



Olozhika kel-nen-kov sha’sutenivaya, k’fai’ei etek namautau nezhak, is-tor utvau u’kakhartausu…[Logic is the cement of our civilization, with which we ascend from chaos, using reason as our guide.]



The words that formed the thesis of T’Plana-Hath’s best known lesson came automatically to his surface thoughts, calming the turmoil he was experiencing. He repeated the words of Surak’s teacher once again, allowing the matron of philosophy’s cornerstone concept to become a waking meditative mantra in his mind.



Olozhika kel-nen-kov sha’sutenivaya, k’fai’ei etek namautau nezhak, is-tor utvau u’kakhartausu…



Sarek pressed his hands together, steepling his fingers near his mouth. –Forgive my outburst. To paraphrase King Lear, I fear I am not in my perfect mind at present, and I ask that you forget what you have just witnessed.”



Gorkon shook his head. –I will not. Cannot. We have a tendency to forget the lessons of our past all too easily already. However…I will strive to not take offense at it.”



–Did you mean what you said earlier, about not idly tending to the stormy present? Do you truly attribute such weight to these negotiations between the two of us, that their cessation due to my withdrawal for reasons of tradition will have a profound impact on our two governments?” Sarek looked at Gorkon thoughtfully. The atmospheric condenser project was important for certain, but he could not see any wider implications for the project beyond the planetary scale of a single star system for either the Federation or the Klingon Empire.



–I never say anything that I do not mean, Ambassador,” Gorkon answered gravely, his voice low and deep. –And yes, I do believe that this is one of those moments when strict adherence to the dogmas of a quiet past interferes with our ability to sufficiently respond to the needs of our uncertain present.”



–And thereby enabling a reality wherein we ‘tradition ourselves to death,’ as you predicted this afternoon on Nimbus III?”



Gorkon nodded his head slowly.



Sarek pursed his lips in thought. –Logic dictates that we devise a solution that avoids this outcome. What plan of action would you propose?”



–We need more time, you and I, than you have available before your ship leaves Nimbus III.” The corners of Gorkon’s mouth twitched into a sardonic smile. –Logic dictates that I should accompany you back to Vulcan. Once you have dispatched with all of your personal matters, we may recommence our negotiations there.”



–What you ask for…it is difficult.”



–I would not ask if I did not feel it was important. You will find a way to make it happen, Sarek, for the fates of two civilizations hang in the balance of the choices we make here today.”



–It will take time to arrange.”



–Do not take too much time,” Gorkon said, looking Sarek directly in the eye. –vIHtaH gho.” [The hoop is moving.]



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–You want to do what?” Chancellor Lorak shouted through the subspace communication channel at Gorkon.



–I am going to travel to Vulcan with Ambassador Sarek,” Gorkon answered calmly.



–mevyap!” [Stop, (it is) enough; your words hurt my ears]



The Klingon High Chancellor held a hand up in the air, cutting off Gorkon’s line of speech. He could not believe what he had just heard. His advisor and friend had obviously taken leave of his faculties, because no sane man would propose such a thing at a time like this. Lorak exploded in a fit of fury, slamming a fist down onto his desk. –I forbid it.”



–latlh HIvje’Daq ‘Iw HIq bIr yIqang! [Pour the cold bloodwine into another glass!] I am not seeking your permission, Lorak. I am merely informing you of my decision. I intend to go; your desires are inconsequential to me.”



–Damn you to Fek’lhr’s care, Gorkon, and damn your grandiose visions of the future to Fek’lhr too. The undiscovered country that you dream of will never come. We are on the brink of war with the Federation. It is plain enough to me, not to mention to the rest of the High Council, that there can be no peace made with a band of intergalactic criminals. I have been a fool, allowing you to convince me that we could ignore 130 years worth of history when it comes to our dealings with the Federation. No more.”



Lorak paused, trying to find a way to explain reason to a man who apparently had none left. –In the morning I am issuing a recall directive to Kamarag in protest of the Federation’s latest act of military aggression, ordering him to withdraw from the peace conference and depart from Earth with his diplomatic attaché in all possible haste for our borders. If all goes according to General Chang’s plan, the first clash between our forces will occur by the end of the week. I will not run the risk of having you shamefully taken as a prisoner of war in the enemy’s territory while you are on a fool’s mission.”



–Chancellor, we gain nothing and risk much with a swift declaration of war. If you put the declaration proposal before the Council now, I will not support the motion.”



A deep growl of impatience and irritation escaped from Lorak’s chest. –Your name carries too much weight amongst our people to allow this kind of disloyalty. If you oppose the Council it will split the Empire and plunge us into civil war. And if we become divided now, now that the humans possess the ashes of Qui’Tu, we will all perish. This I will not allow to happen. The Empire will face the Federation as Kortar and Lunob faced the ancient gods: as a united force.”



Lorak leaned forward in his chair, a threatening presence even on a computer screen. –If you will not support me, I will unburden you of your family’s hereditary seat on the Council. Your ancestral lands on Qo’noS will be seized, your demesne holdings on all of our colony worlds will be abolished and redistributed to the rivals of your House, your goods and resources repossessed. The ships which your family has commissioned in the Defense Forces will be impounded, your fleet commanders replaced by new leaders not loyal to your House, and the warriors who serve under your banner will be scattered to the winds. I will see to it that your name and the names of your progeny for seven generations are cursed as blood traitors in all corners of the Empire. Everywhere you go it shall be decreed that feeble bodied women and fat men with long silver beards must spit at you when you pass them and that small children should set their pet targs upon you without fear of reprisal. You will no longer be seen as a man in the eyes of your fellow Klingons, only as a thing -- an ‘it’ creature incapable of earning glory and honor in its existence.”



Gorkon’s hands balled themselves into tight fists on his desk, but otherwise he managed to keep his temper in check. –Do Qui’Tu’s ashes frighten you so much that you will not permit me to explain my position before you seek to take away my sash? Is your position so weak that you can permit no debate?”



–tlhoS ngaQ lojmIt.” [The door is not yet locked.] The muscles around Lorak’s jaw tightened as Gorkon questioned his leadership abilities. –HIchuH!” [Throw your spear at me!]



–I do not oppose the war to come. The Federation has provided us with reasonable justification. When I say that I will not support the motion, I mean only that I will not support it as we are today.”



–You say that as though you think us weak and unprepared for the fight ahead.”



–Yes, Chancellor, that is exactly what I think.”



–chatlh chojat, ghorQon.” [You speak soup to me, Gorkon.] Lorak smiled smugly, flashing his teeth across the computer screen. –We are Klingons. We need nothing more than a good blade and our honor to lead us to victory.”



–We lack the knowledge we need to win the day. We need to know more about the new powers of the humans.”



–Did Kortar and Lunob need to know how the powers of the gods worked before they chose to fight them?” Lorak asked, mocking Gorkon now. At that moment his advisor sounded as cautious as a Terran. It was vile. –No, it was enough that the gods held those powers. Did Lunob wait to see if Kortar really had gained those same powers after he swallowed the ashes? No, it was enough that he had tried, and without hesitation or delay she made the decision to slay her own mate. We have all the facts that we need already. Honor is on our side, just as it was for Lunob.”



Gorkon shook his head. Every fiber of his being rebelled against the stance that Lorak was taking. –Honor without intelligence is a disaster. Honor could lose the war.”



The communication channel was filled with the sound of laughter as Lorak threw back his head in amusement. –You sound like General Chang.”



–ghe’torvo’ narghDI’ qa’pu’. cha’ DoSmey DIqIp.” [When spirits escape from Gre’thor. We hit two targets.] Gorkon remained as dour as ever. –If we declare war now, many will die. They will die gloriously, demonstrating how brave they are, as brave as Lunob for taking on a greater opponent, but they will die. I respect honor, bravery, and glory, Lorak, and I would respect the warriors that fell in that reality. But the point of this war is not to show how brave you are and how you can die in an appropriately Klingon fashion, face to the enemy. It’s easy to die. Anybody can die. The point of this war is to be victorious, to survive and become stronger. We cannot survive if we fight now, blind to our enemy’s abilities, because that blindness leads us to our deaths.”



Lorak looked away from the screen for a time. –What would you have me do, Gorkon?”



–Do not recall Kamarag from Earth. It is more advantageous for him to remain where he is, for the time being.”



–Advantageous? How?”



–Kamarag has already proved invaluable to us -- recall all the knowledge about the Excelsior project that he has been able to pass on to us since he arrived on Earth for the peace conference. Let him stay where he is, so that he may gather information about this new ability. How is it deployed -- from a planet at great distance, or does the intended target need to be within visual range on a warship? How many of these weapons already exist, and where are they kept? How long does it take the humans to manufacture them? Where are they manufactured? If we are to fight this war effectively, we must have answers to these questions.”



–And how will this information be passed along to us? The Federation allows Kamarag use of a communication channel in order to allow him to keep in contact with us during the peace process, but we must assume that it is monitored.”



–This is where my trip to Vulcan becomes a tactical advantage, Chancellor.”



–Oh yes?”



–The Federation knows we monitor our borders closely. They will expect quick action from us after what has happened in the Mutara Sector. They will anticipate a fight. But if Kamarag remains on Earth…if he goes back to the negotiating table…it will put the Federation at ease. They will relax when they see no aggressive moves from us. They will think we are still intent on peace. My trip to Vulcan will seem to confirm this for them. After all, a member of the High Council would not travel in the land of a people who were about to become his enemy.”



Lorak’s sharp teeth made another appearance as he smiled. He was beginning to see the mastery of his advisor’s plan. –Go on.”



–After Kamarag has the information we need, he can send it with his attaché for delivery to me on Vulcan. The Federation will not think twice about a travel request for Valkris, because to them it will simply seem as though Kamarag wishes to send his aide in order to confer with me about the peace negotiations.”



The more Lorak heard, the more his approval for this plan grew. He nodded, satisfied. –And the Federation will allow you to travel freely from their territory, because they will believe that you and Sarek have come to some kind of understanding about his little proposal and that you need to take word of that agreement back to me.”



–Thus enabling me to bring back the information we need to be victorious in the war to come.”



–I will delay the war declaration before the High Council. It shall be as you wish it.” Lorak bowed his head as a show of respect. –You serve the Empire well, my old friend. Qapla’!” [Success!]



The encrypted communication channel from Gorkon’s ship to Qo’noS closed.



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Chapter End Notes:

A/N1: Klingon idioms:

vIHtaH gho (The hoop is moving): An expression that states an activity or event of finite length has started. Used to encourage somebody to make a decision quickly, with the implication that one should be sure to do whatever is required before it is too late, before the opportunity passes, as the hoop cannot continue rolling forever.

latlh HIvje’Daq ‘Iw HIq bIr yIqang (Pour the cold bloodwine into another glass): This means something along the lines of "I don't believe you" or "That is irrelevant to me; maybe someone else will care." Klingons prefer their bloodwine warm, so to offer cold bloodwine is to offer something undesirable. Hence the order to pour it into another person's glass, because it is not wanted in your own.

Ha'quj nge' (Take away a sash): The equivalent of "wound one's pride." The sash represents a Klingon's heritage, and so if the sash is removed, so is one's ancestral identity, dignity, and self-esteem. Basically it is the greatest punishment one Klingon can meet out on another, short of Discommendation from the Empire.

tlhoS ngaQ lojmIt (The door is not yet locked): A door or gate is a symbol of escape, so a door that is locked means there is no escape or no way out of a situation. Essentially when a Klingon says that the door is locked, he means one of two things. (1) "The situation has an unavoidable outcome." (2) "The plan or commitment is firm and cannot be changed."

HIchuH (Throw your spear at me): A slang phrase, where the spear chuH represents a thought or idea; in essence, the idea is a mental weapon. So if person requests that you throw your spear at them, they are saying that they want you to explain yourself in a very precise manner.

chatlh chojat (You speak soup to me): Another slang expression, in this case meaning "You speak nonsense" or "Your words make no sense to me." Though even Klingons themselves are at a loss to explain how the word for soup, chatlh, came to be associated with the idea of nonsensicalness.

ghe’torvo’ narghDI’ qa’pu’. cha’ DoSmey DIqIp. (When spirits escape from Gre'thor. We hit two targets): Gorkon is actually using two separate expressions. The first (when spirits escape from Gre'thor) expresses the belief that something is impossible, as it is generally held that a spirit cannot leave Gre'thor once arriving there. The second (we hit two targets) expresses the thought that two individuals disagree on a subject. Basically what Gorkon is saying here is that he believes it is impossible for he and General Chang to agree on anything, even if what he and Chang are both advocating (gaining information on Genesis) appears to be the same goal. On the surface it may seem that way, but the purpose and motivations of Gorkon and Chang are very different.



A/N2: As in other chapters, I've drawn a great deal on outside sources to establish my understanding of Gorkon's character and his possible motivations, and I need to pay homage to some of my source material here.

At one point Gorkon speaks of "a stormy present", "the dogmas of a quiet past" being inadequate, and rising to the occasion of "difficulties piled high." These words and ideas were first used by Abraham Lincoln in an address to Congress in December 1862. You may read the closing remarks of that address as they appear in their original form here.

While speaking with Lorak, Gorkan says "Honor without intelligence is a disaster. Honor could lose the war." He later goes to discuss the point of the war, saying that the point is not to die, because "It's easy to die. Anybody can die." These words come from the historical novel The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara. It is set in the time of the US Civil War, and it is a favorite novel of mine. These particular words are spoken in the novel by Confederate general James Longstreet to a British observer during the opening day at the battle of Gettysburg.

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