Demands of Honor Read Online Free PDF Page B

humans, to hide his true face, and to strike them from behind.
    A few moments later, the message changed. It now read,
The identity of the Klingon you seek is highly guarded. The Blade of the
Bat’leth
program has become a political orphan with most records of it purged. However, I have learned that the same Klingon was responsible for the mining operation on a planet in the Federation. Apparently, this was also a failure.
    That was it. No further information. Karel knew more than he had known before, but not much. He still did not know the identity of the bloodless Klingon who had stripped his brother of his true identity and put him in an impossible situation to start a battle with an honorable foe who should not have been an enemy.
    It did not surprise Karel that the same Klingon was responsible for the reprehensible operation on the planet to which they were now headed. A Klingon who would sacrifice a whole planet of brothers would not hesitate to send a few Klingons to live among humans and die pursuing a mad plan.
    Two failures …
    The Klingon leadership might tolerate dishonorable acts to further the empire’s power, but they would not tolerate failure—at least not for long. That meant that Karel might not have long to seek out his revenge. Until now, he had thought that the biggest obstacle he would face was the coming war with the Federation. If it began, his ability to take his revenge would be limited. For one, he might not survive long, and he would likely not see Qo’noS for some time. And he had no doubt that the Klingon he sought was walking the corridors of power there.
    Now, he realized that he would have to hurry.
    It would help to have Captain Koloth’s advice on this issue. It would also help for Koloth to know the truth about their destination and the planet’s recent history. However, there was no way to do that without telling Koloth everything. Everything about his brother, and everything about Karel’s own mission of revenge.
    The captain was honorable, but this was not his errand, not his fight. Koloth’s help in restoring the honor of the House of Gorkon was too much for Karel to ask. And Karel’s final vengeance might not be in the best interests of the ship. Even an honorable Klingon would differ with Karel in those circumstances.
    No, whatever Karel did, he would have to do it alone.

Chapter Three
    KRAITH SPACE STATION
    NEAR THE KLINGON-FEDERATION BORDER
    â€œU NACCEPTABLE, ” F OX SAID, standing and pounding the table. “That planet is not even on the list of disputed systems.”
    â€œYes, but we agreed to talk without conditions,” the Klingon ambassador said evenly.
    â€œThen I need to amend our agreement and make it clear that I will not discuss absurd, trifling points that are not worth either of our time.”
    Ambassador Morg looked at Fox in silence for a moment and shrugged. “Very well.”
    Fox took no satisfaction in the minor victory. He knew the negotiations had ended days ago. Since then, there had been plenty of talk, but it had been just words. In the past, he had believed that as long as two sideswere talking instead of fighting, there was hope. He still believed that was true.
Most of the time.
    But not this time. This was a dull charade where all parties knew the lie that stood between them but didn’t speak it. So the farce continued. They argued forcefully about trade routes, economic exchanges, borders and boundaries, but it was sound and fury signifying nothing.
    The only real thing to come out of these talks was the death of a talented and brave young man who had died in single combat with a Klingon diplomatic aide. Fronde’s death had won the respect of the Klingon ambassador and allowed them to continue substantial talks.
    Fox had believed they were making real progress; he still believed the Klingon ambassador had been sincere. However, making a brief visit back to Earth to report his