IKC FHew 7C6110
Allegiances 4 – Four virtues
by Soghla' Jared
Post Details
It was the late shift aboard the F'Hew - the deep hours of the night. Jared had always found it the most productive time of day. The warriors were either sleeping or on the bridge, and he had much of the ship to himself. He could tinker with sensors, run things on the computer, and tap the core for exotic particles. No one knew or cared.
He did need a break every now and then, however, and a drink of water. Leaving his current project humming away, he made his way down to the mess hall and grabbed one of the drink mugs - heading over to the water barrel and filling up. As he walked back out, he almost jumped with fright as one of the shadows exhaled soulfully.
He looked over at the figure in a darkened corner of the gloomy mess hall. It was clearly Klingon, and after a moment he managed to recognise May'Bel by silhouette and the boots he was resting on the table.
He nodded at the figure.
"May'Bel," he said in acknowledgement.
"Ancient," May'bel nodded in response. Oddly formal for May'Bel.
Something had been odd about May'Bel for a few days now as a matter of fact. He's been oddly subdued and withdrawn. Jared suddenly realised the warrior had a mug in his hand - and he could just catch a whiff of blood-wine. Drinking late at night - alone - was not May'Bel's style.
"Are you alright, May'Bel?" he asked, moving closer. "You seem a little... out of sorts."
The Klingon said nothing for a long pause. Eventually Jared began to suspect he wasn't going to answer. Unsure, he shrugged and began to move back towards the door.
"Four things Klingons esteem, Ancient. Four virtues we always proclaim. Strength. Duty. Sacrifice. Honour."
Jared nodded, unsure. He'd heard the four virtues represented in the klingon emblem many times.
"Sacrifices may be made no matter the cause," May'Bel went on. "And Strength may be used in many ways. But Duty and Honour... how does one weigh between those?"
The warrior took his boots of the table and leaned forward.
"You've lived longer than any of us, Ancient. You were old in my grandfather's time. You've known my people many long years. Tell me... which is greater - duty, or honour?"
Jared frowned.
"Well... both are strong virtues. Cornerstones of your society..."
"But if they're at odds, Ancient! What then? What if you can only choose one? Which of the two is the greater?"
It wasn't a question Jared had encountered before, but he could see May'Bel was in earnest. He considered for a long pause as May'Bel watched him expectantly.
"I know more songs about honour," he said finally.
May'Bel looked at him long and hard, and then slowly began to nod. He chuckled.
After a moment, he stood. Jared was pleased to see the smile slowly starting to return to his face. He tossed the mug aside, and clapped Jared appreciatively on the shoulder - almost knocking him over, and spilling his water. Then he strode purposefully out of the mess hall.
"Glad I could help!" Jared called after him. Getting no answer, he shrugged and headed back to the water barrel to refill his mug.
by Soghla' Jared
Post Details
| Title | Four virtues | |
| Mission | Allegiances 4 | |
| Author(s) | Soghla' Jared | |
| Posted | Mon Aug 22, 2011 @ 3:03pm | |
| Location | The Mess Hall | |
| Timeline | During the voyage out, following the freighter... |
He did need a break every now and then, however, and a drink of water. Leaving his current project humming away, he made his way down to the mess hall and grabbed one of the drink mugs - heading over to the water barrel and filling up. As he walked back out, he almost jumped with fright as one of the shadows exhaled soulfully.
He looked over at the figure in a darkened corner of the gloomy mess hall. It was clearly Klingon, and after a moment he managed to recognise May'Bel by silhouette and the boots he was resting on the table.
He nodded at the figure.
"May'Bel," he said in acknowledgement.
"Ancient," May'bel nodded in response. Oddly formal for May'Bel.
Something had been odd about May'Bel for a few days now as a matter of fact. He's been oddly subdued and withdrawn. Jared suddenly realised the warrior had a mug in his hand - and he could just catch a whiff of blood-wine. Drinking late at night - alone - was not May'Bel's style.
"Are you alright, May'Bel?" he asked, moving closer. "You seem a little... out of sorts."
The Klingon said nothing for a long pause. Eventually Jared began to suspect he wasn't going to answer. Unsure, he shrugged and began to move back towards the door.
"Four things Klingons esteem, Ancient. Four virtues we always proclaim. Strength. Duty. Sacrifice. Honour."
Jared nodded, unsure. He'd heard the four virtues represented in the klingon emblem many times.
"Sacrifices may be made no matter the cause," May'Bel went on. "And Strength may be used in many ways. But Duty and Honour... how does one weigh between those?"
The warrior took his boots of the table and leaned forward.
"You've lived longer than any of us, Ancient. You were old in my grandfather's time. You've known my people many long years. Tell me... which is greater - duty, or honour?"
Jared frowned.
"Well... both are strong virtues. Cornerstones of your society..."
"But if they're at odds, Ancient! What then? What if you can only choose one? Which of the two is the greater?"
It wasn't a question Jared had encountered before, but he could see May'Bel was in earnest. He considered for a long pause as May'Bel watched him expectantly.
"I know more songs about honour," he said finally.
May'Bel looked at him long and hard, and then slowly began to nod. He chuckled.
After a moment, he stood. Jared was pleased to see the smile slowly starting to return to his face. He tossed the mug aside, and clapped Jared appreciatively on the shoulder - almost knocking him over, and spilling his water. Then he strode purposefully out of the mess hall.
"Glad I could help!" Jared called after him. Getting no answer, he shrugged and headed back to the water barrel to refill his mug.