I am greatly enjoying writing these lil' bits. I am also enjoying their adulation. Thanks to all that have commented.
Here's another.
Klingon Interlude
Part Three
Captain Dath’mar did not truly feel unsure as he tread for the first time upon the duranium deck of the shuttle hanger. More, as he eyed the small landing area and its trio of awaiting officers, he felt much as he did that first day of command three decades earlier. Untried. Unproven.
Dath’mar squashed his unease as he stepped away from the shuttle that had bore him here from Toq’hiGH. This was his ship now, and these his men. While unfamiliar to him, both would do as he bid them. He had nothing to prove…it had already been proven. He merely had to reassert his command prowess.
As he neared the three waiting Pang crewers and the shuttle behind him lifted to return to its base ship, Dath’mar measured the visage of the warriors he would command. First, this bay was in complete order. Nothing had been left out of place nor remained unstowed. The craft waiting on the deck were in good repair, and they were also clean.
His officers were two men and a woman. The eldest of them actually bore the lowest rank, a lieutenant first. Likely an engineer. Warriors who loved engines typically remained with them till they themselves were too old to hold a bat’leth. The woman was of the next highest grade, lieutenant commander. She bore the sleeveless variety of the feminine uniform, though she showed only half the traditional cleavage that one found on most Imperial ships. This one did not like to show off.
Finally was the man Dath’mar assumed was to be his first officer. That man bore enough rank to command his own small ship. In fact, a man of his standing could command this very ship, as old as she was… He was a full commander. Likely, he would be with the ship for only one tour. This man looked upon his approaching captain with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
“Captain Dath’mar, Son of Kurog!” The commander began, his voice deep and resinous. “I present to you your ship and your men. I am Kurvis, your First Officer. The woman is I’rell, your science officer and the old man…” This got a humorous sneer from the greyhair, “is Hekk, the engineer.”
Dath’mar halted, drawing himself up to his full height before them. He could see them studying the darkness of his uniform…see the question in their eyes as they smelled the ash mixed with the oil. His jaw protruded as he spoke to them. “I am Dath’mar, your new captain. This ship will serve her Empire in glory and honor. Our first task is to get her ready for our mission as soon as we are able.”
Kurvis accepted this with a stony nod.
“What time table do we look at, Captain?”
“Two days.”
This seemed to catch the first officer by surprise, but he said nothing of it.
“As you wish, Captain. We are prepared to give you the tour of the ship. All divisions stand ready for inspection.”
Dath’mar nodded himself, very satisfied with what he was finding aboard this vessel. He allowed his new key officers to guide him out of the shuttle bay and into the labyrinthine corridors of his ship. As he followed them, he plotted their future together. The feeling of uncertainty and unproven-ness left him. This was indeed what he was born to do. He’d found his way back to where he needed to be. He would reclaim what he’d lost when that mercenary ship attacked him ten years ago. Glory would be the easiest to reclaim. It usually was.
END
Topic: Dath'mar #3 (Read 4250 times)