What Makes a Warrior?

Posted on Thu Aug 27th, 2026 @ 5:56pm by Lieutenant Colonel Ashok 'Ash', Son of Norath & Captain Taiga Aisaka & Commander Thomas Johnson

2,198 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Warriors of Two Banners
Location: Captain's Temporary Quarters, Starbase 43
Timeline: After: Home World Bound March 30th 2397

Ashok approached the Captain's temporary office on the Starbase, PADD in hand, which contained his current orders. He wasn't pleased with these orders, but he had to follow them. No only where they from Starfleet Command, but they were also from the Klingon High Council, which were a group of Klingon's he respected. Klingon's, regardless of the reason, would not be willing to take someone else's advice when it came to fighting an enemy. The Klingon way was simple and trusted throughout many generations. To be told a Starfleet Marine was to teach them how to handle a new enemy, it would be treated like an insult to the warriors and to the Klingon way of fighting as a whole. Ashok knew, these orders, would only push him into further trouble.

As he approached the door, he took a deep breath and straightened his Klingon sash, before tapping on the chime to announce his presence.

"Come in," Taiga's voice called. As the doors swished open, it revealed Taiga sitting on the long couch in the office. In her hand was a silver mug, likely filled with coffee. In her other hand a PADD which she lowered and placed on her knees. Across from her sat Commander Thomas Johnson. It was obvious that the both of them had been in conversation, opting to use the long spacious couch prioritizing comfort over protocol.

"Ah, Lieutenant Colonel. Do come in." Taiga spoke softly, her words coming out warm and welcoming.

"I'm sorry, Captain." Ash said firmly, before looking to the XO. "Commander." He gave the man a nod, just before looking back to the Captain. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I can come back, if you two are busy."

"Its fine," Thomas replied, "I just arrived myself. I will be heading to Earth, with Talia, and Nezuko and the kids... the word of my promotion isn't exactly hitting the way I thought it would so I figured a vacation would help ease the tensions." Thomas smiled. "Please join us."

Ashok walked over and took a seat, as he spoke to Thomas. "Congratulations, Sir, on your promotion. And, when you have the chance, thank your wife for me. When I was on the away team rescue, she took care of my daughter. I would have gone in person to thank her, but things have been a bit hectic since we got back and I haven't had a chance to."

"I would be happy to Col." Thomas agreed as he walked over to the replicator. "So... Raktajino?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Ashok replied, watching the XO leave to go to the replicator, before looking Taiga. "Captain... I got orders that will take me away from the Tokyo for a brief time." He said as he handed her the PADD. "The Klingon High Council and Starfleet Command have decided that the KDF could take what we learned during out fight with the Iconian Heralds and use it to improve their tactics against them. The decision was made to have me lead a team of Marines to Qo'noS to train them. A Klingon ship is on its way." He leaned back in the chair, hesitant to continue, before finally saying. "It's the IKS SuvwI' 'etlh. My father's old ship and now it's Captained by my brother Koll. A part of me suspects my father, the General, had someone's ear in order to get me to be a part of this. The fact that the SuvwI' 'etlh is involved only further proves it."

"Your demeanor suggests your disappoval of some sorts." Thomas walked over handing him his raktajino.

"I don't approve of my fathers involvement. There could be a number of Marines far better suited and that fact it came down to me, it feels like he's trying to position me to show the High Council I am worthy of being a Klingon Warrior despite not completing the KDF Academy. At worse, he is trying to show that despite my daughter not being full Klingon, she is still worthy of honor and her blood shouldn't taint our family." He took the Raktajino and nodded his head in thanks. "This is why I always hated Klingon politics. My daughter's existence shouldn't be a factor. Klingons have always valued honor and glory above all else. To shame her immediately for not being born full Klingon throws that all away." He took a sip of the drink.

"The last thing I want to do is get between a Klingon and his father, but perhaps this is a Klingons fathers way of telling his son, that he accepts your daughter, no matter if she's full Klingon or not. I there has been conflict it could be what we humans call an olive branch." Thomas replied.

Ashok looked to Thomas and nodded. "I think you're right, but not in the way you think. My father has never had an issue with Ciri, its the tradition that Klingons often look down at half Klingons. It was my brother who wasn't all to happy with my daughter's background when he found out. He made an attempt, but her being half Romulan and grown in a lab, is what never settled with him." He took another sip from his Raktajino, before adding. Your olive branch might have to do with that."

"Do you feel if you did depart with your brother, your life or your daughters life is in jeopardy?" Thomas inquired

Ashok looked at the XO quickly. "No, Sir. I know my brother has his objections, but I don't think he would ever do anything to harm my daughter. As far as me, We're Klingons. We were always in competition, but it has never gotten to the point where it has come close to one of us meeting death. In the end, regardless of why we fought, we always embraced and left our hostility in the place where the loser of the fight fell."

Taiga watched the interaction between her exec and marine CO. "You taking anyone with you?" She asked. "I imagine you'll want to take some of the marines to assist you with your training of the KDF."

The Klingon looked over to the Captain as he placed both hands on his large mug. "I have planned to ask my Marines who would be willing to join me on this training mission. Of course, I have several in mind, Captain. However, should they have plans or not have a desire to go, I won't push." He firmly, before stopping slightly. "I do have one thing I would like to ask of you both."

"When a Klingon comes and asks for a favor, thats no small thing." Thomas replied as he sat back down. "I do not see a problem, the Tokyo is getting repaired. It is up to the Captain however."

"Makes sense rather than sitting around here," Taiga stated. "Plus, it'll give our Marines the opportunity to learn too. The Klingons are known for their tactical abilities." It was true, the Klingon Empire and their legendary warriors were highly respected for their warrior abilities. A civilization based around honour and glory was always a good ally to have in a military conflict.

"I would like to add Lieutenant Commander Nyx Valentine to this team for the mission." Ashok asked, placing his mug on the table, as he continued. "I understand she is the Chief Medical Officer and the current Doctor who knows the most about the Captain and your baby. However, with the Tokyo currently being retrofit and the Medical team on the Starbase in top form, her former Marine Corpsmen experience and background would not only allow her to fit into the role quickly, allowing her to transfer her medical background in terms of deal with field medicine in regards to wounds and injuries due to Herald weaponry."

"The doctor?" He asked as he looked to the Captain. "Are you still under her care?"

"I don't see a problem with it. However, you are aware of her current status I presume?" Taiga asked. Truth be told, she wasn't sure if Nyx had informed anyone apart from herself and the Starbase medical staff regarding her pregnancy. After her experience with Riko, Taiga was becoming more wary of putting innocent lives in harms way, especially ones who had not yet had the chance to explore their own existence.

"I am aware." Ashok replied, tempted to reveal more about his encounter with Nyx, but he held back. "We aren't going into combat, just training. As you know, we'll be given an escort there and back. The SuvwI' 'etlh will remain in orbit, should something happen. I am not planning on all of us getting into a fight, but knowing my people, I know it can't always be avoided. We'll deal with those situations as they come." He took a sip of his Raktajino, before adding. "Doctor Valentine and I have an understanding when it came to her being pregnant, once before. I know it's still early and to be cautious, but I trust the Nyx... The Doctor is aware of her own limitations when it comes to her pregnancy."

"This is giving me serious deja-vu vibes," Taiga stated with a slight smirk. However her expression soon changed back to normality. "Well, if this is something that you've been ordered to do and you're happy to go through with it. I've got nothing to add." she looked Ashok up and down. "All I can really do is wish you the best of luck, and hope that you show the Klingons that Herald's shouldn't be underestimated on any battlefield."

"I'm being ordered to do it, Captain, but I am not happy to do it." Ashok replied quickly. He gripped onto his mug as he added. "My father has a hand in this and, to me, this feels less about preparing my people for combat with the Heralds and more about proving, to those whose ears he has on the High Council, that his Starfleet son is still worthy of being called a Warrior. Or it could just him strategically moving my brother and I together to force us to deal with our... issues." He looked down, finishing his Raktajino, before placing his empty mug on the table.

Taiga's gaze dropped to the floor, then she returned to look back up at Ashok. "If you wanted, I could always pull some strings to have your orders changed? However, you could look at it another way." she shuffled slightly on the sofa. "This could be the opportunity you need to prove to your family that you are the warrior that we all know you to be. Just because you wear a Starfleet Uniform doesn't make you less qualified, talented or braver than them. If anything, it shows that you have the courage to accept selflessness over selfishness."

Ashok looked back up to Taiga before giving her a nod. "I understand, Captain. It's just difficult to say no when I know, not only, did these orders come from Starfleet, but all the Klingon High Council. It's difficult, given how I grew up, to turn down orders from those who hold the most respect. Whether I show them my courage or not, their eyes have seen my name and my remember it. My father may have had a hand in it, but those eyes are now on me, so pulling away could bring dishonour to my family and House. They have already suffered downward glances at my dismissal from the Klingon Academy. If I turn down these orders down, it could be worse."

"I'm not going to pretend that I know how Klingon houses, honour and the council work." Taiga stated simply. "I don't have much experience with the Klingon culture, so I can't really offer you much advice on the matter." She took a deep breath. "However, what I can say is that if you need to do this. If its important to you and your family. Then its something you must do. Just promise me that you'll give them a good show of your abilities."

Ashok gave a smile, almost reaching ear to ear, as he replied firmly. "I don't intend to give them anything less, Captain." He replied before adding. "That's one of the reasons why I want Doctor Valentine with us. She will most likely be underestimated, but we both know she is a force that is to be reckoned with when necessary. They may not take her seriously, the first time, but they will if they try to provoke or intimidate her."

"Oh trust me, I know that feeling," Taiga chuckled. "You do what you need to do like I said. Take whomever you want with you, go show those Klingons Ashok." Taiga told him with a smile. She really wanted to see him succeed, especially when she knew that he was the best man for the job.


Posting by:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Colonel Ashok 'Ash', Son of Norath
Marine Commander
USS Tokyo

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