Get your own Free Home Page
DujIIj yIvog( Trust Your Instincts)by Ken Saxton “The Nin’taga system!?” The Captain clinched his fist so tight that a trickle of blood began oozing from his palm. This wasn’t the first time that Captain Mas’ich had expressed his anger and utter disgust verbally, however, it was the first time it had been this angrily since departing from Strikebase Vengeance. Any officer or marine who had not yet seen it personally was now silent, and in their own way, uneasy. “ Set course for the Nin’taga system…..now”, his sharp pointed teeth never seperating. “Yes, Captain”. It had only been weeks since departing and right when Mas’ich had his crew pulled up by the bootstraps he was being called to a meeting at the last place in the sector that he ever wanted to go. The meeting place itself was known for its tranquil beauty, grey and yellow micayah trees and rolling hills of red en’chula grass. Mas’ich would just assume have any meeting he was to attend to be held on the craggy molten rocks of Kri’stak, but his thoughts on the matter were futile and the Captain knew this as he grumbled to his quarters.
The Genestealer was orbiting the planet , as scheduled, while the Captain and his away team readied for transport. The Captain never traveled light for he had made more foes than friends over the years and emplored that his sides, as well as his back, be watched at all times. Accompanying the Captain would be Security Chief Morrok, Weapons control Sargeant M’teroH, and two Kelranni marines, Kor’nexl and Kri’gel’mH. While away, X.O. D’NtaH would assume control of the bird while G’Teran would be given his first opportunity to prove himself at the weapons control panel alone. Although no encounters were anticipated, Mas’ich ordered that the Genestealer was to remain cloaked for the duration of his stay.
Genestealer’s away team was beamed down to a private, grassy cul-de-sac just outside the camp. “All hands report”, Mas’ich growled. The crew complied. “DujIIj yIvog”, whispered the Captain but the crew was already at full alert. Suddenly, a sly smirk crossed over the Captains face. “Something amuses you Captain?”, implies M’teroH. “Yes my friend”, the Captain bellows, “The stench of the Kelranni make this God forsaken place a bit more palatable all of a sudden”. The team chuckled with laughter, even the Kelranni. “This way”. Morrok led the team to the hall. He knew this place like the back of his crinkled hand for he spent most of his training at this very facility. The crew walked with a confident swagger and bravado as they entered the town square. All civilians took a few steps back to admire these warriors as they passed, for their reputations, as part of the Genestealer crew, preceeded them. The Genestealer had developed a great reputation as one of the most sucessful ships of its kind, especially for its cunning and results during the Dominion War. Bottom line. Any Klingon marine would give a thousand bottles of bloodwine and a lifetimes worth of the bloodiest heart of targ to serve on the Genestealer. Mas’ich didn’t seem at all worried at the moment, besides, he was too busy basking in all the attention.
Mas’ich and his men entered the hall and took their seats at a designated table (the Kelranni stood behind the Captain). The room was a bustle with old friends reuniting, reliving old battle stories, and telling lies about all of the women they had conquered. Mas’ich would have none of it. Business was what he was called here for and business is how it would be. That was clearly understood by the crew as well. Abruptly, and without warning, a dark, hooded figure appeared across the table from the Captain. M’teroH slowly raised his powerful frame from his seat and flashed open his long tunic exposing the sheath which housed his d’k tahg as a warning. The Captain raised his right hand in front of M’teroH and the seargent complied by covering his weapon, yet he remained standing and at the ready. "Is there something I can do for you”, the Captain asked. “Prepare to die, Mas’ich”, hissed the hooded figure. The team remained calm for the moment but all eyes were on the neck of their Captains adversary. Mas’ich stood,”How so?” he argued back trying to recognize any little feature from beneath the hood of his tormentor. “By a slow, painful disembowelment using yolok worms to devour you piece by piece”.
It had never taken much in the past to get the Captains blood boiling and this obviously was not going to be any different. “I demand to know your plight against me or I will kill you here now as we stand!”, the Captain exploded. “Feeling uneasy are we”, demanded the hooded one. “Never”! exclaimed the Captain. Inside, however, the Captain was as uneasy as a targ on the butchers table. Were his worst fears coming to pass right here, right now? Just then the hooded one began loosening the hood and cloak that concealed his identity. Mas’ich quickly reached across the table and ripped the garment from the figure. “Son of a Romulan”, the Captain muttered. “Goss!”. The Captain pushed the Kelranni out of the way and circled the table to be eye to eye with his friend. They grabbed each other by the forearms in greeting nearly drawing blood from one another. Morrok and M'teroH looked at each other, then at the two Colonels. Each relaxed just a bit but still kept their guard up. Goss and Mas’ich had been at this a long time. Each surprising and fooling the other better than the time before. “Why are we meeting and why is it here?”, Asked the Captain. “You haven’t heard”, replied Goss. “A new wing to the training facility has just been completed and they are presenting it in your name”. Bellowing with laughter the Captain turned to his men and gestured them to the table where a feast of gaq, targ organs and bloodwine was presented. “Enjoy men”, resounded Mas’ich, “your Captain is being honored today”. Goss and Mas’ich sombered over to a nearby courtyard to begin reliving old battles and telling lies. Morrok and the Kelranni began feasting like they didn’t know where their next meal was coming from but M’teroH remained wary and would not partake in such pleasentries.
---- End