Food, poetry and a murder threat "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Klingons , Many , [NPC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Intel Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58204.11 1800

The mess hall was crowded with about 30 klingons. The room permeated with a rank odor, a combination of raw and fire-charred foods. It was dimly lit. A roar of conversation was deafening but all fell silent as the two human females entered.

The awkward silence was broken when one of the warriors stood up. "Welcome to our fine dining establishment" he said sarcastically as he took a bow. Some of the Klingons near by chuckled and murmured.

He shoved two warriors off the end of the bench next to him, several warriors near by stood up abruptly, but he continued, "please! sit here!" he said gesturing at the now vacant spots. "I enjoy watching humans eat our fine cuisine." Soft laughter spread about the mess hall. "And!" he exclaimed, patting a near-by Klingon's shoulder, "to soften your palettes, Lt. Bukah here can read to you some of the love poetry he has been writing lately!"

Bukah retorted with a sharp smack on the back, "Zarg you fool!"

The mess hall was in an uproar.

Northrop simply smiled and took her seat. "Well....Klingon poetry....this should prove interesting. Please...Lieutenant, whenever you're ready. Oh...and perhaps Mr. Zarg, you would do us all the pleasure of accompanying Bukah here?" She looked directly at Zarg....if he was going to be a idiot and offer Bukah's services...then he was going to help.

The mess hall again roared with laughter. Zarg laughed too, he crossed his arms and leaned toward Sam, "I would," he said with a chortle "But the last time I read Klingon Love Poetry she burned with desire for many days!" His eyes widened as he cracked a toothy smile.

His reply immediately brought a round of boos and laughter. Some of the Klingons threw pieces of food at him. Zarg laughted again loudly.

Sam chuckled as she placed her self at the seat besides Zarg. "I am always in for some good poetry reading and besides I am curious as to what kind of culinary delights are on offer here!"

"Yes...what is on the menu this evening? It's been a while since I've had fresh Gagh." Alyssa smiled and looked over at Carter.

One of the Klingons nearby stood up and shoved Zarg. He cursed at him in Klingon. "You consort with these humans? Your folly is foolishness."

The room quieted down. Suddenly Zarg mearly whipped his head back and returned a sneer. The angry Klingon stormed out of the mess hall.

Zarg turned to the room and held his arms up high, "We have guests! Bring out the bloodwine!"

The room returned to its previous ambiance of laughter and commotion. Bottles of bloodwine began to circulate. Zarg sat down at the head of the table. Alyssa and Sam sat on one side, next to them Bukah. Zarg gestured to the two Klingons across from them, two females, "This is Koresh and this is Nervash. With an exaggerated human-like gestures Zarg continued, "Oh! and I'm sorry, your names are?"

Alyssa was having more fun that she'd had in a long time. "Northrop....Alyssa Northrop," she said, drinking from her tankard of bloodwine. This was a fairly good vintage...though she'd had better. She didn't say that of course.

"Sam Carter," Sam answered calmly. She looked across the room, trying to remember the faces and the names.

"Ah yes, well, welcome aboard." Zarg took a large serving bowl from someone walking between the tables. He sloshed a large plate of Klingon bloodworms on their plates. He took the ladle and poured a dark red broth over the plates. He looked up the humans for approval.

Alyssa reguarded her plate for a moment. This particular dish was one she didn't have any previous experience with. Shrugging her shoulders, she picked up several of the worms and dropped them down into her mouth. A moment later, she nodded in approval.

Sam smiled brightly."Excellent," she exclaimed as she dug into the wriggly heap or worms. "Delicious,"she muttered as she took a big spoonfull of Gagh. Then she took a big sip of her bloodwine and burbed.

Zarg watched as the two women ate their meals when he was satisfied he yelled two words in Klingon which roughly translates to "Klingon blood flows through their veins."

The mess hall cheered.

Zarg smiled. "Most humans are very squimish!"

"Well...you get over being squimish when you spent enough time in a jungle. You get pretty hungry too." She smiled wide and then brushed some of her dark hair out of her eyes.

Sam whiped her mouth with her sleeve. "So now that we have eaten, how about that poetry?"

Zarg and Bukah laughed. Bukah, stood up and said, "I would but my mate would rip my throat from my neck." he said in jest. "No, I must bid you a good night." He turned and left.

The evening dragged on as everyone exchanged stories of battles.

Later as Sam was mingling, she spotted Bukah return and talk privately with Zarg for several minutes.

After Bukah left again, Zarg came to where Carter stood. "Please, follow me to my quarters, I have something to tell you of grave importance."

Zarg turned and walked out the doorway.

Sam followed him at least she tried the bloodwine had made her legs pretty heavy and she could bearly keep straight. But in the back of neck she felt a little tingling warning her. She had learned never to ignore it. Despite of the intoxication she managed to follow Zarg.

==Zarg's Quarters==

Zarg opened the door for Carter. He looked out into the corridor to see if anyone was there. Once Carter was inside, he spoke quietly, "Your life is in danger. Cowards seek to murder you and Durg. Its best if the captain doesn't know about this matter."

Sam blinked a few times. Rapidly she felt the intoxication deminish. "Murder me and durg why, what more can you tell. When and how and where is this going to happen?"

"That is all I know," he replied. "You have to go now, the walls have ears."

Sam nodded as she staggered to the door. Damn leggs.

"Carter," Zarg said. "Watch your back!."

tbc