IKC FHew 7C6110
Allegiances 4 – Marie's Choice
by HoD Ro' Matlh & Soghla' Marie St. Helene
Post Details
The pickings were pitiful. NeQbat was about the only trader in this shanty town worth paying attention to, but today his merchandise was all rather pedestrian. Marie was sorting through a box of lights to find one for the FHew hold when a Klingon tapped her on the shoulder.
She was about to give the sorry interloper a piece of her mind when she noticed a particularly fine sash and the badge of House Matlh pinned to it. Her brain leapt to a conclusion and shut her mouth fast.
"Hello, Sogh. I don't believe we have actually met. I am CoQ, head of House Matlh."
Marie sketched a formal bow, all the while keeping her eyes on him.
"Walk with me," CoQ gestured and began to walk, assuming the woman would keep pace. As they walked through the market street CoQ spoke quietly but firmly. "I have been asking about you, and your past. You are a liar, a smuggler, a cheat and an all around devious and conniving Human."
As Marie was about to speak CoQ held up his hand, "Please don't interrupt or try to deny it. I speak this as a matter of fact, not criticism. I recognise these aspects are required in certain roles. Quartermaster for one, and Politician for another. I think we have a deal in common."
Marie smiled, allowing her eyes to sparkle. "You mistake me. I was not about to deny anything. I was going to thank you for the compliment."
CoQ would not have been in the position he was if such a comment fazed him. At least, he would not let it show if it did. "I also think that you are not comfortable as a Human on a Klingon ship, waiting for the knife blade while you sleep. Always checking for broken glass in your Rokeg Pie. It speaks volumes of your bravery and capacity that you have held the position of Sogh for so long. I respect that. It is because of that respect that I have come to offer you a deal."
How much did this Klingon know about her. Marie quickly decided he knew more than he was letting on. Clearly he had studied her record aboard the FHew but what of before that...? How good was House Matlh's intelligence network? From what she'd seen it wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as they thought it was. So...we're in a game of chess here. Not my forté but...let's see how this pans out.
"You have seen for yourself how poor the state of the ships in our fleet are. I intend to disband them, the FHew included. Ro' will not be pleased, but he will not be pleased until he and all his crew are a burnt cinder. You have no wish for that. Neither do I. I have a great deal of affection for my Uncle. Which is why I hit upon this idea."
"I will supply you with a batch of fuel which has been laced with a chemical that is undetectable by Klingon filters. Once it gets into the engines, however, it will damage them beyond repair. Nothing catastrophic, mind you, just enough so the entire engine assembly will need to be removed. This will take the FHew out of the picture without robbing Ro' of his honour or killing any of his crew."
"It will also mean that House Matlh will be obligated to find alternate employment for the crew. Indeed I believe an opening for Quarantine officer may be opening soon. Someone responsible for all materials going in and out of one of our major trade ports. I am sure a resourceful woman such as yourself can see the opportunity that could provide."
So...I can see the opportunities and I don't like them. A human quarantine officer and something gets through that shouldn't. Who's to blame? Who gets shafted? No, I think not....
"I apologise, but I do not know how to correctly address you," Marie said.
"Counsellor CoQ will suffice."
"Then, Counsellor CoQ , I must respectfully decline your offer. I can only assume that you mean the best for your House," Marie said and hoped sincerity did more than just tinge her voice, "but you would be well aware that, as a member of the FHew's crew, I would be acting dishonourably if I did what you have asked."
CoQ, to Marie's surprise, laughed aloud and slapped her on the back, "Ro' was right about you. You do understand Batlh [Honour]. If you had agreed to betray your ship, I would have cut you down where you stood. I heard of the risk you took getting the Ro' out of prison on that tiny backwater world. You do well, Sogh. You bring honour to my house. We will not speak of this again. Good day to you."
With that he moved off through the crowd as if nothing had happened.
So what the hell was all that about? Marie thought.
by HoD Ro' Matlh & Soghla' Marie St. Helene
Post Details
| Title | Marie's Choice | |
| Mission | Allegiances 4 | |
| Author(s) | HoD Ro' Matlh & Soghla' Marie St. Helene | |
| Posted | Mon Aug 15, 2011 @ 2:21am | |
| Location | NeQbat's Outfitters |
She was about to give the sorry interloper a piece of her mind when she noticed a particularly fine sash and the badge of House Matlh pinned to it. Her brain leapt to a conclusion and shut her mouth fast.
"Hello, Sogh. I don't believe we have actually met. I am CoQ, head of House Matlh."
Marie sketched a formal bow, all the while keeping her eyes on him.
"Walk with me," CoQ gestured and began to walk, assuming the woman would keep pace. As they walked through the market street CoQ spoke quietly but firmly. "I have been asking about you, and your past. You are a liar, a smuggler, a cheat and an all around devious and conniving Human."
As Marie was about to speak CoQ held up his hand, "Please don't interrupt or try to deny it. I speak this as a matter of fact, not criticism. I recognise these aspects are required in certain roles. Quartermaster for one, and Politician for another. I think we have a deal in common."
Marie smiled, allowing her eyes to sparkle. "You mistake me. I was not about to deny anything. I was going to thank you for the compliment."
CoQ would not have been in the position he was if such a comment fazed him. At least, he would not let it show if it did. "I also think that you are not comfortable as a Human on a Klingon ship, waiting for the knife blade while you sleep. Always checking for broken glass in your Rokeg Pie. It speaks volumes of your bravery and capacity that you have held the position of Sogh for so long. I respect that. It is because of that respect that I have come to offer you a deal."
How much did this Klingon know about her. Marie quickly decided he knew more than he was letting on. Clearly he had studied her record aboard the FHew but what of before that...? How good was House Matlh's intelligence network? From what she'd seen it wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as they thought it was. So...we're in a game of chess here. Not my forté but...let's see how this pans out.
"You have seen for yourself how poor the state of the ships in our fleet are. I intend to disband them, the FHew included. Ro' will not be pleased, but he will not be pleased until he and all his crew are a burnt cinder. You have no wish for that. Neither do I. I have a great deal of affection for my Uncle. Which is why I hit upon this idea."
"I will supply you with a batch of fuel which has been laced with a chemical that is undetectable by Klingon filters. Once it gets into the engines, however, it will damage them beyond repair. Nothing catastrophic, mind you, just enough so the entire engine assembly will need to be removed. This will take the FHew out of the picture without robbing Ro' of his honour or killing any of his crew."
"It will also mean that House Matlh will be obligated to find alternate employment for the crew. Indeed I believe an opening for Quarantine officer may be opening soon. Someone responsible for all materials going in and out of one of our major trade ports. I am sure a resourceful woman such as yourself can see the opportunity that could provide."
So...I can see the opportunities and I don't like them. A human quarantine officer and something gets through that shouldn't. Who's to blame? Who gets shafted? No, I think not....
"I apologise, but I do not know how to correctly address you," Marie said.
"Counsellor CoQ will suffice."
"Then, Counsellor CoQ , I must respectfully decline your offer. I can only assume that you mean the best for your House," Marie said and hoped sincerity did more than just tinge her voice, "but you would be well aware that, as a member of the FHew's crew, I would be acting dishonourably if I did what you have asked."
CoQ, to Marie's surprise, laughed aloud and slapped her on the back, "Ro' was right about you. You do understand Batlh [Honour]. If you had agreed to betray your ship, I would have cut you down where you stood. I heard of the risk you took getting the Ro' out of prison on that tiny backwater world. You do well, Sogh. You bring honour to my house. We will not speak of this again. Good day to you."
With that he moved off through the crowd as if nothing had happened.
So what the hell was all that about? Marie thought.