“Our influence wanes with each passing moment!” shouts an elderly Klingon man. He tosses bloodwine against the wall of his dark study.
A single window colors the floor with a bluish square.
“Father,” the old man’s son says, reviewing a computer.
1/11
“Do not speak to me unless your words will win back our fortunes and influence within the Empire,” the old Klingon growls.
“We are bleeding out finances like a whimpering—tohzah upon the battlefield,” the son says.
The old man’s eyes widens. “How?”
2/11
“I will discover who has betrayed us,” the son says. “You have my word.”
“Or, Toh’Vu, I will have your tongue,” the old man says.
Toh’Vu nods and leaves.
The old man slaps a device on his arm. “Bring them in.”
The doors open. Two Orion women enter.
3/11
The Orions’ Tellarite handler extends a PADD to the old man.
“Longer, this time,” the old man says.
“It will be—costly,” the Tellarite says.
The old man tears the PADD from the Tellarite’s hand. He scans his thumb. “Now, be gone.”
The Tellarite takes the PADD and leaves.
4/11
Korok shakes his head, sitting in the cool dirt. “And that is when my brother discovered me.”
“Discovered?” Kahless asks. “This implies that you were—hiding.”
“I was no coward,” Korok says, staring into the sky. “They just could not see what I was doing—for our house.”
5/11
“A warrior does not strengthen his family in the darkened spaces of one’s home,” Kahless says.
“That proverb of yours,” Korok says. “Is what my father said to me right before—”
6/11
“A warrior does not strengthen his family in the darkened spaces of one’s home,” Korok’s father growls.
“But, father,” Korok says. “My every step, every world I searched for resources, every slave I bought—it was all for you—and our house!”
His father closes his eyes.
7/11
“Toh’Vu! Describe this petaQ’s ‘honorable’ efforts,” the father orders.
Toh’Vu steps forward. “Siphoning off the house’s savings for months, like a Romulan, to fund—fruitless mining operations, purchasing countless slaves, including—women.”
8/11
“If I am guilty of that particular indulgence, so is father,” Korok says.
Toh’Vu drops his head. The father stands from his chair.
“You,” he growls lowly. “Are my son no more. Go.”
Korok grips the family crest on his baldric.
9/11
“Toh’Vu,” the father says. “Tear our emblem from this—this stranger.”
Toh’Vu approaches Korok. Korok removes the crest, tossing it to the floor.
“You are a cancer upon this once great house, Gol!” Korok says. “An enfeebled old man with nothing but an unquenchable hunger.”
10/11
Gol, the father, takes out his dk’tahg and rushes Korok, stabbing him in the abdomen.
Korok lies on the floor, his eyes wide.
“Go,” Gol mutters. “Die like a rodent in the streets.”
Korok stands gingerly, gripping his wound and leaves.
11/11
END PART 2
“So—I uh—know I should hardly be surprised by people appearing in my quarters,” Pike begins. “Especially when your older self from an alternate future pays you a visit, but—why are you here again?”
Sisko grins.
1/14
Sisko swallows the ice cold water and sets the glass on Pike’s counter. “Well, I’m—not quite sure.”
“You’re not sure,” Pike repeats.
“I—exist outside—uh,” Sisko says, the hilarity of his statement preceding the words. “Time.”
“I’m—sorry,” Pike says.
2/14
Pike grabs the handle of the pan, flicking his wrist and tossing the steak strips, sliced onions and peppers. The harsh buzz of steam fills the kitchen.
“I—got a glimpse of my future once,” Pike says. “It’s not what I ever imagined for myself.”
“That’s an interesting question,” Michael replies.
Janeway notices her stiffening face and the dryness of her voice. “I can tell you that the question itself is an answer, isn’t it?”
A thin grin pulls apart Michael’s lips. “It is—actually.”
1/14
“I suppose I should attempt an answer first,” Janeway says.
Michael nods.
“So, my father—well, first you must imagine this—figure—the figure of immense gravitas and—authority,” Janeway says. “He was nothing less than—the incarnation of Starfleet service.”
2/14
“Ahhh, I know exactly what you mean,” Michael says. “Sarek was always—the immaculate Vulcan—at least that was his goal.”
“Oh, yes, you had the pleasure of being raised by two fathers,” Janeway says. “I’m interested in how they both shaped your command.”
3/14