Welcome to Klingon 201 (Part 1)

Posted on Tue Sep 29th, 2026 @ 1:42am by 2nd Lieutenant Uni Miralen & Lieutenant Colonel Ashok 'Ash', Son of Norath & Lieutenant Commander Nyxala Valentine

2,326 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Warriors of Two Banners
Location: Temporary Marine CO Office on Starbase 43
Timeline: After: More Than Meets The Eye

Ashok sat at his desk, leaning back slightly, counting down the time it would take before his brother would arrive and this training mission would begin. There was a lot at play here, so it was going to be hard to make sure everyone involved came out for the better. Dealing with prideful Klingons who wont see the benefit of being taught. Marines who might do or say something unintentionally which would start a fight. Preventing that fight from turning into a fight against the Empire and the Federation. Most importantly, working his way around his families involvement and how his, not to mention his whole family, may be affected should things not work out well. There were a lot of moving pieces that could alter many things. Ash didn't have the patience for chess, but he would have to figure out a way to play the role of Marine Commander and Diplomat which was far more complex.

Finally, he tapped his combadge as he leaned back in his chair, releasing a deep breath before speaking in his usual deep voice. "Ashok to Valentine. Can you please come to the Marine Office on the Starbase?"

“On my way, sir.” Nyx replied, glancing at the discarded medical uniform on bed next to the one piece of luggage she was going to be taking with her. It held two spare uniforms, socks, practical underwear and another pair of combat boots. Spare uniforms, because the one she wore now was familiar to her, but it had been a long time since she’d worn it. She sealed the top button and glanced over herself in the mirror, smiling slightly at the gold oak leaf on each collar right above the Staff of Aesclepious that designated her medical profession. The last time she’d been in this uniform, it had only been the single silver bar of a First Lieutenant. A two toned whistle brought a flutter of wings before the familiar weight of Gigi to her shoulder and then across them as the drakeling curled around the base of her neck and she was off

Five minutes later she was at the door to the office she’d been summoned to, coming to a very familiar at ease position before she hit the chime, “Major Valentine reporting, sir.”

Ash stood up with a big smile. He looked her up and down, for a variety of reasons, before focusing on her face. His smile never wavering as he said. "You look great." He said before adding quickly. "And the Uniform isn't half bad either."

Nyx snorted with a laugh, “Thank you, sir,” The grin that infiltrated her face wasn’t the one she’d had on as she’d entered, but clearly this wasn’t some sort of official Colonel to Major business, “I still like the feel of it, makes me feel better about myself, but… Harder to distract people with this one, but it just feels right.”

"I'm happy the orders went through so quickly." Ashok said as he approached her, stopping only inches away. He held onto his smile, placing his hands over his chest, before instantly repositioning himself to place them behind his back. The feeling suddenly felt off, as he just placed them at his side, while clearing his throat. "That's good. It should have never been taken away from you in the first place so... I'm glad its back and you feel like yourself."

It was all that Nyx could do to not laugh at his discomfort, but that would have offended him and she didn’t want to do that. Instead, she stepped ward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug and went as far on her toes as she could to give him as lingering a kiss as she could before her balance betrayed her, “Thank you again for pulling the strings, Ash, I really appreciate it. Could show you how much?” She teased him half-heartedly, already knowing the answer.

A large amount of relief fell off him as she took him in his arms and raised herself to a kiss. Ashok immediately met her half way and kissed her lips, lingering for as long as she would, before pulling back with a smile. "Like I said. I'm only giving back to you what should have never been taken." He raised his hand up, brushing her hair aside, as he added. "I need you, Nyx at top form. I'm also trusting you to let me know if anything that concerns the twins might be an issue." He chuckled slightly before adding. "And, when things aren't so sensitive, I look forward to you showing me."

"I promise I won't do anything to put them at any undue risk." Nyx pursed her lips in thought for a moment, "Okay, let's put it this way, I won't do anything that is too stupid or out of reach. And mind you, I'm going to hold you to your word on the last! One of these days, you're going to get laid and like it, mister!" She chuckled, "But, that's for the future, so, why did you need me before we were ready to ship out?"

Ashok pulled back, keeping to his smile, before he began to speak again. "So, here's the situation. Everyone I want on board with the mission is onboard. However, one person is giving me uneasy vibes. 2nd Lieutenant Uni Miralen. Betazoid, like you, but more... in-tuned, I guess, with her abilities. She uses them to get a more accurate location when shooting from a distance. Effective, but dangerous. All that aside, she doesn't seem as onboard with the idea as I was expecting. Like it's something to kill time. Training the Klingons should be the utmost important despite my family involvement. I get it, believe me, but there is more to it then that. My family involvement makes things tricky on my side. We are going there on a ship that's in my family legacy. My name was brought up specifically by someone who knows my father and who sits on the High Council. It's hard not to avoid my family involvement, but that makes it dangerous. By putting us on that ship and using my family name, it places this team as extensions of that House. Whether we like it or not, we will be representing that house. Our actions will reflect that. There is a risk, should something not go our or their liking, my family House will be at fault. In the Klingon Empire, it doesn't matter who did what, the House will always suffer. My family will meet consequences despite the fact that we are sitting comfortably on a Federation Starship. I tried to do my best to get that across, but I don't think she understands."

"Drop her from the mission." Nyx stated instantly, shaking her head, "I don't know how she could reconcile using her abilities to be a sniper, but that aside, this is just as much a diplomatic mission as it is training operation. If she doesn't understand that any offense we give will affect your House? It's not worth it to bring her along. This isn't Betazed and isn't one of the Great Houses of Betazed." She shook her head again, "Doesn't matter, though... We absolutely have to be on our best behavior, not in a 'whatever happens, happens' mentality."

"You're probably right." Ash replied as he leaned against the table. "Smart option, with a situation like this, is to drop her, but I know she deserves a place. She was an instrumental part of getting the away team back safely. Putting her on overwatch was an key move to getting that job done." He crossed his arms over his chest, this time keeping them there, before looking over to Nyx. "I understand she doesn't get it because she doesn't understand the Klingon way of doing things. Outside perspective, our ways seem crazy and nonsense, so I get it. I don't want to exclude her over something like a misunderstanding due to her never learning anything about the Klingon way of doing things. I want to try and help her understand before outright dismissing all together."

"But by not learning the Klingon way will put her at a severe disadvantage if she goes." Nyx pointed out, "I didn't learn about Klingon culture just because of you, I was fully aware of it because there was always the chance we'd be going up against the Empire again." She hesitated before adding, "Plus for mission preparation and execution." She could always tell him she couldn't go into detail on the details if he asked, "But, I tell you what, if you want to bring her in for clarification, I'll give her a fair listen to see if I believe she can handle it, or at least if she makes you feel better about it. You know I'll give you my honest opinion on the matter."

"This whole missing is a slippery slope, Nyx. We need to be careful and I don't want it to go FUBAR on us. Not only because I want it to be a success, but because this could have serious repercussions on my family. Not just the ones back home, but for me and Cirilla." He hesitated slightly before adding. "For us... if we..." He stopped again, his words hanging in the air. "You know. Not trying to push you away or anything. My House, my family, could suffer a long time for a stupid mistake." He threw his hands out a bit, before shouting slightly. "Like you said... it's just as much of a diplomatic mission as it is a training operation. We're Marines, not diplomats! On the other side, Marines or not, we're Starfleet and diplomacy must always be considered. Especially with the relations between the Klingon Empire and Federation being so fragile. If a fight were to ever break out between the two... my loyalties would be split. They might even recall me back to Qo'noS, forcing me to fight against Starfleet on a Bird-of-Prey somewhere. It's a lot, Nyx." He placed his hands on the side of the table and put his head down in a deep sigh. "It's a lot."

A flare entered Nyx's eyes as he gave the example of what could happen if he and she were found to have a relationship. If that were the primary reason... But everything made sense of what he was saying, "Which means we can't afford to have you on the wrong side of that particular fight, so we will succeed." She stated as if by saying so meant they would, "I can... Help with the diplomacy side." She ground out, "I've had some experience with that sort of thing."

Ash stood up from the side of the table, looking up at her with a faint smile. He was still concerned, but he was comforted knowing she would be there to help. "Thanks, Nyx. You being there, mission-wise or not, is a big comfort." He took her hands in his and eased closer to her. "I know it's still early, with us. I hope I didn't scare you away with the whole if you and me thing. I'm not expecting anything. It goes where it goes."

"It goes where it goes, yes, but.." Nyx looked into his eyes, "Don't ever say that I would bring dishonor to you or your house and that's the reason why we can't be something. If I need to, I'll pass whatever test whoever wants to say that can throw at me to prove them wrong." She squeezed his hands tightly, then lessened her grip, "Don't sabotage us before we enter the battle." Her face softened with a slight smile, "We'll take it one thing at a time, until it works, or it doesn't."

"What?! No. Never." Ashok countered quickly. "We talked about this. If someone doesn't approve us, Klingon or no... then to hell with them." He stated firmly before smiling down to her. "We know how we feel. If they got something to say, they better be prepared for a fight, because we won't just bring them one. We'll bring hell itself with us." He gave her a smile before adding. "All I was saying was, if we find ourselves joined and a family, what happens here could affect Ciri and the twins. Yeah, they may not be mine by blood, but if they are a part of you then I will accept them as a part of me. Which makes them family and a part of the house we built for ourselves. And We, Nyx Valentine, protect our house."

"We protect our family." Nyx confirmed, "Now... Shall we deal with this Lieutenant of yours?"

Ashok looked to Nyx and leaned down giving her a kiss. He finally stepped back, tapping his combadge, while walking back around to his chair. "Lieutenant Miralen, please report to my temporary office on the double." He looked back to Nyx and let out a deep breath, adding softly to her. "I know your Betazoid senses aren't on point, but if you get the feeling she's going to be an issue or not getting it, let me know. I pair of outside eyes might be helpful."

“I don’t need my senses to be able to help you out with that,” Nyx gave a slight smile, reaching up to rub Gigi behind the horns gently, “I have taken a brief look at her file, along with the others you sent me, so I’m up to speed.” The smile faded into a neutral mien.

To be continued...

Posting by:

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

Lieutenant Commander Nyxala Valentine
Chief Medical Officer
USS Tokyo

2nd Lieutenant Uni Miralen
Marine
USS Tokyo

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