Blade of Honor "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Gowron , High Chancellor , [NPC]
Klingon Ambassador , Ambassador , [NPC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Worf , Klingon Captain , [NPC]

Stardate: 58208.01 2250

Worf materialized on the planet surface in a swirling flash of gold. Thunder echoed off in the distance as lightning streaked across the night sky.

His Bat'leth hung limply in his right hand as he surveyed the scene around him. He stood at the top of a rocky ledge looking out on a barren landscape. Gowron had sent up a small encampment a short ways from Worf's position.

Worf climbed down from the ledge. Once he reached the bottom he approached the encampment.

"Gowron," shouted Worf, speaking in Klingon, "It is Worf, Son of Mogh. I wish to speak with you."

Inside, Gowron had been pacing back and forth with his arms folded tightly across his chest. His Breen contacts were overdue.

A young Klingon lieutenant entered the tent and stood at attention.

"What is it now?" asked Gowron.

Commander Worf is here to see you Sir!"

"Worf?"

Gowron snarled and in a fit of rage kicked over a table and smashed a chair on a piece of equipment that was standing nearby.

The young officer did not flinch but remained at attention as Gowron regained his composure.

Gowron, the High Chancellor of the Klingon Empire, drew a deep breath as he surveyed the damage he had inflicted. Then he turned and drew his face close to the young officer's. "Is he alone?"

"Yes Sir."

Gowron peeled his eyes off him and focused them somewhere in the distance.

"Clean this mess up and bring me my bat'leth."

"Yes Sir," answered the young warrior.

With a snarl, Gowron turned and walked through the door of his tent and out into the encampment. His eyes were fixed on the small figure in the distance as he walked toward the force field gate. His posture was aggressive and his steps deliberate; dust swirled about his footfalls. His eyes were locked on Worf until he reached the gate. He and nodded to the sentry who dropped the force field. "Leave us," he said to the sentries who wasted no time and quickly disappeared.

A flash of lightning and bone jarring thunder rumbled as Gowron approached the unwelcome guest. Seeing Worf carrying a bat'leth he knew it was not a social call.

"Worf," he said with a contrived expression of pleasantness, "What brings you here," he asked with through a squint that conveyed his suspiciousness toward him.

"I have been informed that you have been in contact with the Breen," said Worf. "Is this true?"

The distant lighting cast shadows about Gowron's face as he took several steps around Worf, "What are you accusing me of Worf?"

"I have not accused you of anything," said Worf, "Yet..."

"The business of the High Council does not involve you," said Gowron, his eyes widening, "return to your post. Now."

"The High Council has not authorized you to make contact with our enemy," said Worf as another bolt of lightning sizzled across the dark sky.

"What are you doing Gowron?"

Gowron's nostrils flared, as he carefully chose his words. "I am preserving our way of life," he said slowly and deliberately.

"I fail to see how making unauthorized deals with our enemy preserves our way of life," said Worf.

"Our life," responded Gowron in a voice that was almost a shout, "is that of the warrior."

Then in a hissing voice, he continued, "This war has gone on too long with too little gained," said Gowron gesturing his vision with his hands, "Better Alliances can be forged. We are Klingons, Worf. Warriors!"

Gowron took two more steps and now stood directly behind Worf, "Warriors..." he repeated.

Worf turned around to once again face Gowron. "A true Klingon Warrior does not betray his allies. There is no honor in this Gowron."

Over Worf's shoulder, Gowron could see the young lieutenant approaching, bringing his bat'leth. Gowron smiled.

"Betrayal?" said Gowron with a condescending voice, "You dare speak to me of betrayal?"

"Your precious allies have betrayed us many times by turning in the face of combat and falling back." Gowron stalled his speech and shook his head, "No, that is betrayal. Worrying about strategy while we are out fighting. The Maquis no longer deserve our alliance. They can bow down and be our subjects, but they can no longer be our worthy allies."

Worf sadly shook his head, "You are a coward," said Worf, "and a traitor."

"You!" said Gowron with a raised voice, "...are the traitor saying such to the Chancellor of the High Council," said Gowron, "Are you willing to die to defend such words?"

"You stopped being chancellor the moment you made deals with our enemy. I challenge your right to lead the Klingon Empire."

Lightning filled the sky. Shadows shifted and the ground rumbled from the thunder.

"So Be It," said Gowron as he removed the cloak of the high council and handed it to the young warrior nearby.

Gowron held his hand out and the lieutenant placed Gowron's bat'leth in his hand.

"Die Worf."

Gowron slashed with a powerful overhead swing down onto Worf who raised his Bat'leth in defense. A loud clang sounded and echoed like a broken bell as the weapons locked over head.

The time for talking now done, Worf shoved hard against Gowron's bat'leth. The two warriors separated for a moment and circled about.

With speed as quick as the lightning above them Worf moved in on the attack swinging his bat'leth towards his foe.

Gowron's bared his teeth and snarled as his weapon intercepted Worf's blow and with his foot he kicked Worf back.

Now with some distance between them Gowron wielded his weapon, turning it in slow circles. He lunged at Worf who blocked the blow. Gowron spun around and jabbed at Worf with blow from below.

Worf jumped back barely out of the reach of Gowron's bat'leth. Seeing that Gowron had over extended himself Worf charged back in with a mighty overhand chop aimed at Gowron's head.

Gowron rolled to the ground to avoid Worf's bat'leth colliding with his head.

As Worf's swing carried through, Gowron quickly jumped to his feet. Both warriors parried an exchange of blows once again, and again came to face to face with each other. Weapons locked. Gowron snarled at Worf as rain now began to fall.

The steady rumble of thunder was like a harmony that accompanied the melodic thrashing sounds of metal on metal. Spastic lightning cast surrealistic shadows on the combatants as a dozen Klingon warriors now gathered around to watch the mortal combat.

Gowron pushed Worf back again. Gowron swung his weapon hard but missed his mark, hitting a scanner that stood near the gate of the encampment. Sparks showered and scattered as the device burned up from the blow.

Worf moved in again, swinging his weapon wide, but at the last second he lashed out with his leg, sweeping Gowron's legs out from under him. A gutteral growl escaped his throat as he moved in to press his attack.

****

Hunter's eyes focused on Worf as he materialized on the planet. He held a bat'leth high above his head which came slashing down on Gowron who moved quickly to the side. Gowron then kicked Worf off his balance, sending him to the ground with a thud. Both warriors scrambled to their feet.

Instinctively Hunter moved to intercept the fight but was restrained by the grasp of the Klingon Ambassador. "Leave them."

Hunter exchanged glances with the ambassador. The sound of bat'leth's clanging together recaptured Hunter's attention. He watched the fight pensively. He knew the ambassador was right. It was the way of the warrior.

Several feet away the young warrior holding the cloak of the Chancellor of the High Council turned. His fist pounded his chest and he bowed his head, "Ambassador!"

"What," said the Ambassador slowly, "is the meaning of this."

"Worf has challenged Gowron's authority."

"Good," said the Ambassador, "and if he fails, I will challenge him too."

The rain started falling hard and the skies grew even darker from the storm.

Jarvis calmly holstered her phaser. She had not known what to expect when they had beamed down, but now she had no cause for alarm. Those present were actively watching the battle. She took the time to observe Gowron's men. She was quite surprised to see many of them cheering for Worf. Perhaps Gowron was more alone in his plans than they had thought.

She turned her attention to the fight. The two warriors traded blows with the bat'leth again. Gowron took a swipe at Worf's legs, however, Worf jumped high enough to avoid the blade. Worf moved in again on Gowron, this time faking a high blow but swinging at Gowron's mid-section. Gowron brought his bat'leth down to defend himself but only partially blocked the blow as the tip of Worf's weapon sliced across Gowron's chest. The blow shattered Gowron's body armor and cut deep into his flesh.

Teilani winched a little as the thunder and lighting became harder and closer. The fight was reaching its high point. Why didn't Hunter intervene?

Gowron pressed his hand against his wound and then held it out. His blood dripped from his fingers. His lips curled with anger and hatered. He wrapped his blood soaked hand around his bat'leth and charged at Worf boldly with renewed aggression.

Surging forward with his blade held horizontally, he plowed into Worf, sending them both to the ground. Worf struggled to push Gowron off but Gowron pushed with all his might on the bat'leth whose blade was just inches from Worf's throat. Worf managed to roll Gowron on to his back and reversed the situation.

Now Gowron was facing the blade of Worf's bat'leth. It was just inches away. Gowron's own bat'leth lay at his side. It took all his might to hold Worf back, yet he reached for his weapon anyway. With only one hand he was failing to keep Worf's bat'leth from getting closer and closer to his own throat.

His fingers searched frantically for his bat'leth. He was unable to grab it. In a desperate move, Gowron instead pulled a dagger from his belt. It clicked open and Gowron pushed it into Worf's side as deep as it would go.

"My god!' Teilani exclaimed and wanted to take a step forwards. She was stopped by some klingons.

Gowron pushed Worf off of him and threw the dagger down as he picked up his bat'leth. The eyes of both warriors were ablaze from the scent of spilled Klingon blood dripping to the ground like the heavy rain drops which now started to fall.

Only the combatants were oblivious to the drops that pelted down, making everything soaking wet in the shivering cold rain.

The Ambassador casually adjusted the hood of his cloak as he watched. He knew it was only a matter of time. Even though Worf stood with his back to him, he could tell he was badly wounded. And Gowron, who had lost much blood from the slash across his chest now charged again with his bat'leth leading the way.

A blinding flash of lightning raced across the stormy skies.

Worf spun as Gowron charged. With too much momentum he could not stop to countermand Worf's reprisal. Worf turned as Gowron staggered past him. With his bat'leth he struck him in the back with all the strength he had.

Teilani closed her eyes. She had seen a lot of fighting and blood but this was somehow gruesome. The surroundings and the other klingons watching gave it an eerie look.

A peel of thunder rumbled loudly and save for the sound of rain, all was silent.

Gowron, who's charge now came to an abrupt stop because of his careless error, now stood motionlessly in front of the Ambassador. His bat'leth dropped to the ground.

Almost at the same time, both Gowron and the Ambassador looked down at the unmistakable point of Worf's bat'leth protruding from Gowron's shattered breast plate.

The Ambassador looked up as did Gowron. The Ambassador could not distinguish the look on Gowron's face. Was it the look of surprise? Did Gowron not expect this ending? Or was it the look of a Warrior who saw the gates of Stov'o'kor?

Gowron tried to suck in one last breath. It was impossible. The bat'leth had smashed several ribs and locked his rib cage. He wanted one last breath to say one last word. But in his surprise, he didn't even know what that word would be.

He reached out and grabbed the collar of the Ambassador's cloak and clenched it in his fist. His body began to shiver. Color faded from his vision into hues of blood.

Behind Gowron, Worf dropped to one knee.

Gowron released his grip on the Ambassador's collar and slumped to his knees. He weakly groped for his dagger but it was gone.

Worf took a firm grip on his bat'leth and yanked it from Gowron's back. But Gowron didn't feel it. He was already gone. His body slumped forward into the mud.

The Ambassador rolled Gowron's body over. His eyes were already open wide.

The Ambassador retrieved The Chancellor's cloak and placed it on Worf's shoulders. "Worf has sucessfully met the challenge and has true claim to lead the Klingon High Council," shouted the Ambassador.

Te rain was now pouring down on them as if trying to wash away the blood that had been spilled.

There was a moment of stunned silence, followed by a roar of agreement from the Klingons gathered in a circle. Worf stood up and looked around. The rain soaked cloak now weighing heavy on him. "No," he said, "I cannot accept. Let the High Counsel select the next Chancellor."

Teilani squeezed between crowd of klingons until she was inside the circle they had formed.

She paused but a moment and then hastened to the spot where Gowron lay motionless on the ground. She took her tricorder and ran it along his body. The chest wound itself was horrible to see. How someone could fight with it, she wondered.

She checked her tricorder, it told her what she already knew. She looked up to Hunter and shook her head.

"He is dead." she said plainly and stood up.

Closing her tricorder and tucking it into her blue overcoat, she stepped to the side as several Klingons knelt down by Gowron. They lifted up their heads and screamed the Klingon death warning.

When they were finished, the Ambassador put his hand on Worf's shoulder, "Then so be it. Go now Worf. Return to your duties."

Worf nodded. Taking a communicator from his belt he spoke a few short words in Klingon. Moments later Worf was beamed off the planet.

The Ambassador turned toward the Klingons and in a loud voice addressed the remaining warriors.

"Gowron victoriously fought many battles for the Empire." He looked around at his audience. "But he lost this one before it begun."

As he spoke he paced near Hunter and the landing party. "Those of you who can not support the Empire's decisions regarding their allies should remain here. The Empire has no room for such distractions. For the rest of you, return to your ships and fight with us until victory or death!"

As the Klingon warriors cheered and boo'd the Ambassador leaned toward Hunter and said softly, "We should go."

Hunter tapped his combadge, "Zion, beam us up."