The Rite of Challenge

[lekthor]

With in an hour both of his superior officers were there with weapons in hand. Up first was the first officer who he accused of failure and to recognize the failings of a Superior officer. They met in the battle circle before the Klingon High Council. The match was overseen by Kor Da'Har Master. Lekthor twirled the crimson, serrated blade with a haunting familiarity. He handled the blade with skilled hands and smiled. Once given the signals to begin their Bat' Leths collided in a resounding clang, flowed by another clang as the side of the bat' leth that he had blocked with fell to the floor. He blocked, dodged, parried the other mans Blade deftly. Knowing that he had the upper hand Lekthor let his guard down in his over confidence and was slashed across his midsection, the metallic Grey of his armored clothes took on a red hue as his blood flowed forth from the wound. Lekthor let out a loud roar, but not of pain. The sobering injury only served to affectively piss him off. He came down with his Bat' leth and cleaved the other Klingon's blade in half, followed be a sweeping leg trip. As Lekthor brought his own Bat' leth down for the killing blow he took a dagger in the leg, just above the knee. As Lekthor tore his Bat' Leth out of the First officer's chest was already being accosted by the Klingon Captain. He knocked Lekthors Bat' Leth from his hands and drove his Qis into Lekthor's side. Lekthor removed the former First Officers Qis from his leg and drove it into his Captains stomach. He then delivered a savage blow to his Captains head only to take a fierce blow to his jaw from his captain. He pushed the Captain off him and managed to take from his back his Mek'Leth. He gave it a twirl, he was skilled with it though no where near as skilled as he was with a Bat'Leth. The Captain being a fine Klingon warrior himself pulled the Qis out from his stomach and threw it at Lekthor which he dodged. The two met in the middle and went into a grapple. Lekthor took several knees to the injury on his side and took a knee for it. With his captains hands around his throat and air running out and with it his consciousness he cut he Captain's knee and stabbed him through his torso. Rising as the victor he was made Captain of his on vessel The Qaw'Rol. He was shaking a little from loss of blood and was taken away to be treated. His father, and Da'Har Master Kellik made his way over to his son and now Captain and congratulated him on his honorable victory.

[Hibarin Krim]

Hibarin watched the whole spectacle, having attended it in the hopes of seeing his target sealing a victory. It was a fascinating thing to watch, though it wasn’t anything his own people would do. At least, not in this fashion. His people were more underhanded than this, and the Klingons were quite open. It was, however, part of the reason Hibarin’s presence hadn’t been revealed. These Klingons didn’t bother checking his DNA, the way Starfleet might. Thus, he was able to hide unnoticed in the ranks, looking and acting very much like a real Klingon.

((OOC: It may be short, but there wasn't much for me to do.))

[lekthor]

About an hour maybe two later Hibarin and Te'lyor gets a summons to the medical facilities in the First City. Upon entering the room they see Lekthor literally being stitched together again.

"I have had time to go over your profiles. I want you two on my ship. I need a crew that will bring me honor, and are strong. I believe I have found that with in the two of you. Join my crew or not it is your decision, Lekthor son of Kellik does not beg."

His voice deep and gruff, and to the point. His face did hold what might have been a smirk, then again that could have been involuntary twitching as more stitches were applied. It was difficult to say

[Hibarin Krim]

Hibarin, or rather, "Ru'kal, son of Kohlorf" was quite delighted. Things were going exactly as planned. Now he just needed to keep up his act as a Klingon, and hope to get high enough a position - he had a chance of either First or Second Officer since Lek'thor had singled them both out - and spy upon this Klingon's operations, as well as that of the Klingon Empire, because it was all of interest to the Obsidian Order.

"I would be honoured to serve on your ship," he said in the deep gravelly tone of the Klingon he impersonated. Klingons were so straightforward...that was so unlike Hibarin that it amused him.

[lekthor]

"And honor there will be as we lay waste to the federation pahtks. Tell me Ru'kal, son of Kohlorf. Have you spilled your enemies blood? have you taken a life of another before? I just added two more to my own collection. Let there be no mistake we we be battling and more than likely to death! Are you ready to give your lives for the glory of the Empire!"

He face stays dead-pan and his voice almost passionless. He was a difficult one to read this Lek'thor. If he was as cunning as he was strong this could get interesting.

"And of yourself Te'lyor? Have you killed anyone? I will not abide cowardice on my ship! Which is why I ended the life of my former Captain. You both should know this, if you show even the faintest glimmer of fear, I'll cut you down myself! With that said I look forward to seeing you both on board the Qaw'Rol"

[Mira Tash]

Te'lyor strode into the medical center, and stood there stolidly, staring straight ahead. Lekthor had won. That pleased her. And it appeared she and another had been singled out. That also pleased her. "I have killed before." Te'lyor said gruffly. There was no need to sugarcoat the fact. It was the truth, and she didn't need to hide it. It was better to put the fact out there.

Lekthor was no coward, that was for certain. He spoke with no ceremony, and little passion. He would be a good one, not easily swayed by the winds of fancy.

[lekthor]

"Then Te'lyor, Ru'Kal meet me at the ship on one hour. There I will let you both know which one of you will be my first and second La'. Make sure all weapons systems are working smoothly along with our cloaking device. Further more I want every member of my crew armed with a disruptor and they can take their pick pf Bat'leth, Mek'leth, or Qis. Understood?"

He gave these commands with an air of finality. He spoke as if he did not want their obedience but expected. Then again if you were one of two noble Klingons left of your noble House that was descended from Kahless himself you would probably do the same. The Physician was getting ready to take a look at his wounds but was shooed away by Lek'thor.

[Mira Tash]

"What if they wish to carry all three?" Te'lyor asked. She, for one, was not going to give up all three of the weapons, nor carry just a disruptor. But then, the chance to be first (or even second) officer was good, better than good in fact.

[lekthor]

"Then they may carry all three. The Disrupter is not negotiable, only fool goes into combat with out being able to attack from far when it is required. You will find that I am going to change the Empire in great ways! The Federation and all enemies of the Empire will know my ship and crew and they will tremble in fear!"

Said Lek'thor in his typical unreadable and dispassionate manner. The fact that his voice was deep was all the more mystery to how he could keep so dispassionate.

[Hibarin Krim]

((OOC: Do me a favour and wait on me at times; sometimes I can't post as fast as you because I have real life things such as college)).

Sure enough, Hibarin had spilled blood, though not in the Klingon fashion. As for Ru'kal, he was a ruthless, powerful warrior, and the proud grin that spread across his features showed as much. His lack of emotion, though, struck Hibarin as odd. "I have killed many," he said. "And they will not be the last."

This was the chance of a lifetime. Not only would he have a position on this Klingon ship from which he could spy on the Empire, but he would be in a senior spot. First Officer or Second, it didn't matter to him which; either meant that he could as necessary gather intel.

"We will see to it that these orders are carried out," Hibarin said in his gruff, deep voice. "It will be an honour to serve with you." He was of few words, and he hoped Lek'thor liked that in an officer. He also stood close to Lek'thor and Te'lyor; to stand far away was an insult.

He knew there would be battle, and he would have to fight like a Klingon. His knowledge of Klingon fighting techniques would come in handy. Injury, however, might lead to him being found out; the changing of his organs and body had been somewhat unique to make him really seem like a Klingon and not a Cardassian. He could definitely take a beating; that much was for sure.

[lekthor]

"Then you may both meet me on the ship. One hour, I will be there. Since I am of yet unsure which one of you will be my first and second La' I want you both to inspect the ship. Make sure everything is working and the interior hull is operational. Ka'pla."

They could both tell a dismissal when they saw one. Thus far three things can be said of their Captain. One is very blunt and decisive, two he is an excellent fighter, and three he is a survivor.

(OOC: Sorry. I am just excited to be role playing on the Klingon boards again. I don't mean to leave you out. My apologies)

[Mira Tash]

Te'lyor bowed her head in a sign of respect rather strange, then turned and strode out deliberately, heading to the ship.

[lekthor]

Lek'thor watched her go. As time went on and the other departed as well the hour came nearer and nearer. Right on cue and as the hour came Lek'thor entered the ship. He then went and personally inspected the entire ship himself before entering the captains room. He was in his "ready room" for an hour before he summoned Ru'kal and Te'lyor.

"As you both know, you two will be my senior officers. on my vessel, chain of command will be reinforced. Neither of you are worthy of my honor or my blood but I accept your lives and promise you will have honor and the right to Stov'akor upon glorious death."

[Hibarin Krim]

((OOC: I'd feel the same about Cardassians, lol. Hope you don't mind the slight NPCing of Te'lyor, since it said nothing about what she did and I'm very certain that she'd obey those orders)).

Hibarin had made sure the orders were carried out, and he did it with exceptional swiftness, letting it be known that these first orders were to be obeyed, or else. He also checked, and double-checked, the ship's systems, and anything that was out of order he had their Engineers working on. He knew Te'lyor was doing the same, and made sure that he wasn't trying to do what she'd already done successfully. Soon, thanks to the work that the two of them had done, every warrior was armed with a disruptor and the weapon(s) of their choice, and the ship was in exceptional working condition. The crew was ready, and Hibarin had gathered that they approved of Lek'thor.

He arrived on cue at Lek'thor's "ready room," or the Klingon equivalent of thus. He wondered which position himself and the female would get, but he showed no sign of this excitement. Klingon interaction was interesting, though at times, he felt himself at a loss at what to say.

((OOC: gotta go but posting this now; lemme know if it's crummy))

[lekthor]

(OOC:You did fine man, looks good.)

"I have made up my mind, though I wish to hear your thoughts on why you both think you should be my first officer. The Captain always has to make the final crucial decision, but it is the toh' pah whom does not listen to the advice and council of his officers. Tell me why you would make a better first officer then the one sitting next to you."

He said with his typical dead pan face, his voice deep but dispassionate. He locked eyes with each of them in turn boring into the very fabric of their soul, is gaze was unnerving, and more than likely will only get more intense as the years and the war progresses. He would become a frightening man. He took a slow, deliberate drink of some blood wine. His eyes never blinking as he clasped his hands waiting for their answers. He was ready to listen and looked as if he would give what they had to say serious thought.