In Honor's Name

Posted on Mon Mar 10th, 2025 @ 9:49pm by Commander Kevin Lance
Edited on on Mon Mar 10th, 2025 @ 9:51pm

918 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The days of our lives
Location: Amar VI
Timeline: Current

on:
{Great Hall, House of Har'lok}

Kevin shifted uncomfortably in the full regalia of a Klingon warrior. It was hot and chaffed in places. The paldrons were larger than thrusterball shoulder guards and the boots were ridiculously heavy. He wondered if knights in shining armor standing guard around their king on his throne felt like this.

The prosthetic that he wore on his head to simulate a cranial ridge didn't help matters either. It weighed on his skull and was giving him a headache.

It had been determined that he should attend the betrothal incognito as a representative of the Federation. The decision had been made without any input from Kevin and he suspected it was as much to report back to Shadow's organization as any need for the Federation's blessing.

The costuming and small holographic generator that darken his skin tone and gave a more realistic appearance to the cranial prosthesis was necessary to hide the Federation's involvement. A more overt presence, Gavrik explained, would complicate Rurik's inevitable decision.

Kevin had tried to argue that it would be better for him to watch from afar, preferably from the freighter but Gavrik wouldn't budge. Apparently, it was more honorable for Kevin to hide in plain sight.

So there he stood, at the back of the delegation from the House of Noggra, trying to look intimidating and inconspicuous at the same time.

Gavrik explained that today's audience would be an introduction of all of the potential suitors to the hand of Shan'nara. More like vultures circling the dying body of the House of Har'lok, Kevin thought cynically. Each of the potential suitors, some almost as old as Rurik himself, presented their case and, for lack of a better term, bride price to entice the aged Klingon. It was clear to Kevin that Rurik was little impressed by the other suitors, though he gave every appearance of honoring each house and considering their proposal.

By design, Lurkan's appeal was held until the end. Gavrik believed that waiting until the end would give the application greater weight and flush out all the competitors in the mad dash to be first.

Lurkan's speech was very eloquent, rasphing long on the strength, glory and honor of the House of Noggra. Kevin guaged the audience's reaction. Most of the competing Houses were resigned to the probability that they would not be selected but a few looked as thought they might cause trouble. Gavrk, Kevin noticed, took note of those Houses as well.

The elderly Rurik mumbled something to his steward. That Klingon turned to the assemblage and annonced, "There being no further suitors for the daughter of Har'lok, Lord Rurik will retire to contemplate upon the offers that have been presented."

As he was about to rap the end of his ceremonial staff when a Klingon at the back of the hall stepped forward. "A pretty words from the heir to the House of Noggra, but they fail to cover the stench of deceit!"

The murmur that arose within the great hall was a mixture of shock and anger. "Explain yourself, sir!" the steward demanded.

"I have evidence that Lurkan is not the blood of Noggra!" Garvik shifted uncomfortably as Kevin leaned foward and quietly asked, "Who is that?"

"I know not," Garvik confessed, "but he wears the livery of the House of Duras."

"Is there any truth to was he says?" Kevin continued as the Klingon presented himself to the steward as D'rown.

There was a pause as Garvik considered how much should be revealed to a stranger. "It is complicated," he finally said.

Of course, Kevin thought, nothing can ever be easy.

"Lurkan presents his suit as a full-blooded Klingon, of which there is doubt," the Duras agent accused, "but leaving that aside, his representation of an unbroken blood line from the ancestors of Noggra is the vilest falsehood!"

"You accuse me of lying?" Lurkan shouted hotly. Kevin noticed Garvik subtly stepping closer to the youth to be ready to protect...or restrain.

"I am willing to accept that you are wholely ignorant of the falsehoods you utter," D'rown of House of Duras sneered, "Your father cannot draw his lineage to the Blood of Noggra."

Lurkan bristled and Garvik tensed. It took Kevin a moment to realize that D'rown was calling Lurkan's father a bastard.

"What evidence do you have to support your accusation?" the steward demanded.

Garvik put a restraining hand on Lurkan, "He cannot prove that which is untrue. He will demonstrate his own dishonor in the attempt."

D'rown launched into a diatribe full of inuendo and conspiracies, a few of which came close to the truth of the Federation's involvement. Most of the audience appeared unswayed by the "evidence" but Lurkan was getting angrier by the minute.

"Be at ease," Gavrik soothed, "Rurik will satisfy himself of these falsehoods in time." Kevin fumed silently. He wanted to get this done as quickly as possible to get back to finding Mira.

"That may be true," Lurkan answered hotly, "but the disgrace that D'rown heaps upon my family must be answered now."

"Then let me stand in your stead," Garvik urged.

"No, it must be me," Lurkan resolved.

Garvik opened his mouth to object, then closed it again.

"These are foul lies," Lurkan shouted, "I demand satisfaction through the Judgment of Kahless!" A murmur rolled like a wave over

"I accept," D'rown replied with a sneer before the hall descended into pandemonium.

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

 

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