May Your Blood Scream Part 1

Posted on Mon Nov 6th, 2023 @ 10:40am by

2,406 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Campor III - Resupply
Location: Klingon Settlement.
Timeline: C5 2000 BACKPOST

It was nightfall in the settlement's social square; there were large bonfires with animals on spits cooking and tables with other food. The council members present overseeing festivities, they were breaking out large barrels of bloodwine. This was turning into quite the celebration.

Vorok met with Kas and Kendri at the clinic. Brok'tan nodded to the Fleet Officers, "Tonight will be glorious, We are celebrating surviving the fire! We've had little to celebrate of late!"

Brok'tan and Kas smiled at his old mentor, "I trust you have heightened security. Give up suspicious circumstances of the fighter's crash."

"Yes," Vorok assured him. I have people I trust implicitly guarding all key areas. I intend to guard you personally."

Kas nodded. "I doubt that's necessary, but I thank you."

“Why any guards at all?” Kendri asked. “Are we expecting trouble?”

"We're dealing with the thief and the saboteur," Vorok said. "I'm not taking any chances."

Kas nodded, "So you've had a chance to examine the fighter reage!?"

"There's signs of tampering with the fuselage," Vorok explained. "Our engineers will give the report to your ship."

“That’s unfortunate,” Kendri responded thoughtfully. She thought of the likely sabotage that happened at the Romulan settlement, though they had been currently cut off from the investigation. “We will be curious to see your findings. And offer any assistance.”

"Of course, that is for tomorrow." Vorok grinned, "We're keeping it quiet, for now. Tonight we eat, drink and remember that we are Klingon."

Kas laughed with Vorok, as T'Lura walked up and stood next to Kendri. "Most of us are Klingon and it's not uncommon for you to pique the curiosity of others. These celebrations have a certain energy and passion to them."

The Vulcan looked at Kendri with her cool demeanor, she held up a hypospray. "Commander I have taken the liberty of bringing you an anti-intoxicant, if you wish to partake of the bloodwine."

"They'll respect you more if you drink with us." Kas shrugged. "I've taken mine as instructed."

“Of course, go ahead, Doctor.” Kendri gulped a little at the thought of how much bloodwine she’d be expected to consume tonight.

T'Lura gave Kendri the injection, "You need not worry if you pace yourself. You will not be expected to pace the Klingons as an outsider. However, bloodwine is too potent for most species."

“I don’t think pacing myself will be a problem, Doctor,” Kendri said with a good-natured laugh. It would never be her beverage of choice. She had only learned to stomach bloodwine, because as a diplomatic officer bloodwine with Klingons had become a fairly regular occurrence in her Starfleet career.

T'Lura looked over the the Starfleet security officers who had just enter, "I have anti-intoxicants if either of you are going the participate in the Festivities tonight."

"I'll have some." Sava said. Now that the crisis was over she could relax, for a while at least - and was looking forward to really hanging out with these people. She held out her arm for the inoculation. "Remind me, how long should this last again?"

T'Lura administered the hypospray. "It will be effective throughout the evening. I will give you the same advice I gave to Commander Chalan. It is still wise to pace yourself. Bloodwine is potent. If you consume too much the anti-intoxicant will become less effective."

"Maybe like a half a dose?" Zeke asked holding his thumb and forefingers up as if showing a small amount. He lowered his voice, "I want to look like I can hold my own, but I also want to have a little fun." He smiled at the Vulcan doctor.

T'Lura raised an eyebrow at the garish security officer. Some might have interpreted her look as disapproval, but it would be illogical for her to have an opinion on how a junior officer spent his evening. "I urge you to be careful, Lieutenant Ligan. I will administer the half-dose as you requested. Remember that bloodwine is quite potent."

Zeke rubbed his hands together and looked at the loud gathering of Klingons with excitement. "I appreciate the concern, Doctor, but I think I'll be alright."

"Sava, are you ready to find some good trouble to get into?" he asked, slapping her on the back as if she were one of the guys.

"Ready as you are. I'd say I'm excited to let my hair down, if I had any." Sava smirked. "Maybe I'll meet a nice Klingon to chat up. And possibly take to dinner. We'll see." She said before melting into the crowd as easily as she possibly could.

"Maybe we should stick together for a while..." Zeke called out but Sava was gone.

"Your Security Officers seem to have the right idea," Vorok Laughed and clapped Kas' shoulder. He nodded to Zeke and said in Klingon in a low voice. "That rogue best stay away from my oldest daughter."

"Our Officers are honorable people, the types a father can trust. Still, I'll warn him we don't her to break him." Kas said with a smirk. the two men laughed.

For the first time that night, Sava accepted a mug of bloodwine from one of the servers milling around. Again she found herself wondering why and how these people seemed to be lugging casks of bloodwine everywhere they went - if only briefly. She and her team had earned this reward and she was going to savor every last bit of it. She mingled with the Klingons, talking and laughing between sips of the fiery brew.

Sar found himself surrounded by three Klingon warriors. Each looked haggard in their own way. "You dishonor us with your refusal to drink!" The tallest Klingon leaned forward, red-brown hair hanging to his shoulders. "Tonight we celebrate conquering the fire."

"The fire that threatened our...", a heavyset Klingon paused to hiccup before continuing. "Our entire way of life!" He stumbled

Sar watched calmly, tilting his head on its axis as he listened curiously. He could appreciate their passion, despite the fact that their saliva blasted him in the face. "It would be my honor to attempt to participate in this celebration. I must inform you that us Vulcans are not affected by alcohol in a typical manner."

"Bagh!" The tall warrior motioned to shoo Sar away from a nearby set of barrels where others took drinks. "Maybe it is best to save this for those who can savor and enjoy the flavors!" The third Klingon stood silently, staring down Sar with a pained grimace throughout the conversation.

"Excuse me", Sar said, noticing Zeke in the distance. He sensed that getting away from this trio might be prudent. Zeke wasn't too far, Sar making his way towards him in the distance. "Sir. Can I be of assistance? I have attempted to socialize with the locals", he said clinically.

"Assistance?" Zeke looked at the Vulcan as if he were joking. "Sar, this is a party, you don't assist. Let's get you a mug of bloodwine to carry around." Zeke grabbed a tin mug, gave it Sar, and put his arm around him as he walked him to a barrel of bloodwine. "No one is going to notice how much you drink, but you have to carry this around and act like you are having fun."

Sar walked stiffly, carrying the mug high near his chest as Shan's arm draped behind him and pushed. "I can indeed ingest this beverage with little effect. Perhaps it would allow me to blend in." He lowered the mug underneath the barrel's tap as it sat on a counter. It quickly began to fill. He took it and walked towards Shanir, quickly tasting it.

"Now you do not look like a qua'Hom", one of the Klingons shouted towards Sar, speaking the name of a helpless creature.

T'Lura approached the officers, "Greetings gentlemen, Ensign Sar, I have not had an opportunity to brief you on this gathering. If you are looking for social engagement, you will have an easier time talking to settlement medical staff, as they are often more open to interactions with outsiders."

"Alright, the medical staff," Zeke responded. "Sounds good. How about it, Sar?"

Sar looked to T'Lura, shifting his drink into his left hand so he could raise the split-fingered Vulcan salute to her. "Greetings. Your suggestion is noted. I shall make time to associate with attending medical personnel as well. The chance to interact with less personable Klingon attitudes does present a refreshing challenge for my ongoing social study. Embracing the diverse personalities of the Federation and its allies seems like the most logical course of action to take as a junior officer." He twisted his neck as he looked down in thought. "Perhaps you can introduce me to some of your associates. I would be remiss if I neglected the opportunity to meet them.".

"It would be prudent not to mention the lack of effects alcohol has on us, to the Klingons. I've found it is best not to point out our differences in social situations unless necessary. As far as sampling Klingon cuisine, many of them derive an odd pleasure from offworlders' negative reactions.' T'Lura explained. "So you need not be as reserved in your reaction if you are offered the Gagh and can consume it without trouble they will be impressed."

"Your advice is noted," Sar replied. "My studies thus far show sharing food is a powerful method of connection. I shall endeavor to try their food."

Lissa was already in the middle of a group of several Klingon medical staff, barely visible behind their tall and broad frames and body armor.

"And thanks to the assistance of the medical staff many warriors will live to fight another battle!!" A few of the Klingons raised their glasses and Lissa joined them. One of the female officers wrapped an arm around Lissa, playfully jostling her, the strength of the Klingon actually shook her quite forcefully. Lissa held a brave face and played along.

The Klingons who had teased Sar roared and shouted their approval for Lissa. They joined the crowd as the excitement built to a fever pitch. Although Sar did not feel complex feelings, he did find himself concern for Lissa's safety. He watched closely, grip tightening on the bloodwine. "Are Klingon parties always so... rowdy?" He looked to T'Lura.

"Indeed," T'Lura responded. "Even a casual dinner aboard a battle ship can be... rowdy as you call it."

Sar lifted his eyebrow with a curious look of acknowledgement. "I imagine such an environment would carry the potential to quickly turn into a dangerous situation for any casual observer." His glance studied the various guests. "

"...alright, thank you, boys. Catch you later." Sava grinned and playfully swatted the shoulder of one of the Klingons she was talking to before rejoining the group. "Goodness gracious. I haven't stopped being questioned since I last started talking to these people." She panted. Her mug of bloodwine was nearly empty when she held it out for a refill. "I suppose nobody here has ever seen a Kelpien before! I think I've been asked at least thrice to lift and throw someone just to see how strong I am. No, thank you..."

"Hey Sava," Alex commented. nice of you to join us. He gestured with his head to a barrel a couple a couple of meters away. "I think it's self serve," he said softly.

"Oh. Yes." Sava looked mildly embarrassed as she filled her mug with bloodwine. Why hadn't she thought of that? She could definitely see a few servers milling around, though. "Well then! Has anyone else had any other odd encounters so far?"

Sar moved with T'Lura in Sava's direction. "I have found my conversations with the local Klingons to be stimulating. Their thoughts do not seem to parallel mine, however." Sar turned back towards T'Lura.

"Hey guys," Lissa called out. "These are some of the people I worked with in the hospital when the wounded were coming in today." She pointed each one out by gesturing with her mug of bloodwine. "Ok'kaHt and Akril here are doctors," she commented pointing to a male and a female respectively. Ok'kaHt was taller than most human men, but short for a Klingon, his long hair was tied back neatly with a leather band. Akrril was around 2 centimeters taller than him, and she let her long curly hair flow freely and wild.

Lissa continued, "Bohk here, does a lot of things," she said gesturing to one of the taller males. "Triage, surgical assistant... security." She said the last part with a laugh indicating there might have been an incident earlier. "And T'elowa is one of the hospital administrators, and pretty handy on the medical floor as well." Lissa gestured to the woman who was standing closest to her. T'elowa's appearance was more clean cut than the other Klingons. Her hair was neatly braided, and she didn't wear the typical adornments on her garments. She was dressed in simple leather pants and a plain black shirt.

"Who do we have here?" Akril shouted over the crowd as more Starfleet officers approached.

Sar stood with T'Lura and observed. He lifted his hand in the direction of Ok'kaHt, Akril, T'elowa and Bohk and spread his fingers apart in the Vulcan salute. "Your work in preserving the health of your people may not garner the attention of that of the warriors... But it is highly honorable."

"What did you say, Vulcan? We are all Warriors and we will fight with our brethren, and patch their wounds when they are injured!" Ok'kaHt cried out.

Sar blinked calmly, unmoved by the Klingon's aggression. "Indeed. However it is not my opinion which should concern you. If you feel your service is honorable, then my opinions should not matter." The Vulcan withheld how he felt about the Klingon's defensive reaction. "Excuse me", he said as he stepped away from the group. He offered a nod to T'Lura as he moved towards the center of the room.

Akril talked in a low voice as she looked at the Vulcan, "It is unfortunate we were not on the ships today to fight with our brethren, but he is right. We all live to fight the next battle." She raised her cup, and the others around her did the same as they all took a drink together.

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