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At the entrance to the High Command, three Klingons stood guard watching the elder general approach. One guard leveled his disruptor. Another spoke in Klingon, "This is not our decision." He raised his communicator, explained the situation and requested instruction. The word came back to allow him in.

The first guard lowered his weapon and waved General Lorgh in and returned to his cover. "jIyajbe' <I do not understand> Why does he carry the banner of the Empire? Traitorous pet'aq! We all know he's behind this rebellion!"

Together they watched General Lorgh enter the building and directed him to leave his bat'leth. One of them moved to scan him. "You have all my weapons, you piece of baktag! Put down your scanner."

The two Klingons glared at each other. "Perhaps you would like your bat'leth returned to you?"

General Lorgh's heart raced as he considered his response. It would not take much to kill these three and wave his troops forward, but three-to-one was risky. They might injure him in a way that would prevent him from continuing. "pujwI' HIvlu'chugh quvbe'lu'! <There is no honor in attacking the weak!> I have been summoned by the Chancellor herself! Do your scans!"

The scan completed, Lorgh continued along his path. Ever vigilant, the third Klingon guard followed behind him, disruptor in hand. They passed through the long, dark hall, turned left so as to not enter the council chambers, walked under an open archway and into the huge antechamber. There they saw Azetbur sitting in the Chancellor's chair accompanied by a half dozen of her loyal warriors. The table before them contained several interfaces with fleet positions. Behind them, overhanging from the ceiling, an exaggerated banner of the Empire governed the proceedings of the war room.

 

 

Chancellor Azetbur watched as General Lorgh was escorted into the room. As the escort turned and left the room, two warriors pulled out disruptors and aimed them at the traitor.

"Chancellor, I assure you this is not necessary," the general began. "I have been and will always be in the service of the Empire."

Azetbur thought it audacious that he would start with this position. "As long as the Empire works in your best interest isn't that right, General?" She raised her hands to the guards and lowered them. They responded by lowering their energy weapons.

 

Lorgh smiled. "I have made no deception about my desires for the Empire. Even now, I have come at your request, hoping to make a swift end to this conflict."

"Even as your house leads the rebellion?"

 

"My house? Is that what your spies tell you? The Klingons outside are not from my house. They have taken up arms in the cause of the Empire! They have asked me to relay a message."

Azetbur looked past Lorgh to the rough-hewn bust of Gorkon to the left of the entrance to the antechamber. "What message?"

"They demand you step down as Chancellor and call for the High Council to reconvene. They will select another in your stead."

 

"And if I refuse?"

 

"Then, they will break through and have you executed." General Lorgh watched to see if she would reveal any weakness, but she did not. For the first time, he began to doubt.

"Liked they killed my father?" Azetbur's slid her hands below the table to hide her nervousness. "At least I would be in good company!"

"Be reasonable!" the general exclaimed. "We need to return to the old ways! None of this talk of peace with the Federation."

Azetbur stared into the General's eyes and thought about all the manipulations Lorgh had to go through to get to this point. If he has the power to take leadership of the Empire from me, why talk? It did not make sense. "QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS <Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.>" At this, she signaled to have him removed.

The two armed guards raised their disruptors and approached the general. "taH pagh taHbe'. <To be or not to be.>", he stated as he turned to leave.

 

The irony was not lost on Azetbur. The first time she had dined with the Federation was the last time she dined with her father. She recalled General Chang had used that very phrase in considering what would become of the empire. In effect, that question still lingered on every warrior in the Empire.

 

Suddenly, it occurred to her that General Lorgh was not present during that dinner. He must have communicated with someone who did, perhaps Chang himself. Why would he make reference to this now? Then, it occurred to her that this was challenge. He was telling her that he had been involved in the murder of her father and was about to come for her as well.