#pakled leader

[epicallyepicepilogue]

[thunderbirdxart]

Mirror Universe Captain Dayton from Star Trek: Lower Decks

She wasn't the competent captain she should have been in the Prime Universe, but in the MU Dayton was known as 'The Red Raider', 'Purger of the Pakleds' and 'Slayton' for her aggressive, bloody and unforgiving Second Contact follow-ups of worlds that didn't submit to the Empire.

Here, she's shown just having executed the Pakled leader, putting a stop to their raids on Empire worlds for their technology, while her ship, the ISS Solvang, carries out an orbital bombardment of Pakled Planet.

[mazamba]

D'Erika paled. This changed things.

Whatever allusions she had to seizing leadership for herself were gone. She had no way of taking down some...thing like Darth Kahn.

She would have to settle for second... and a second in command must always be useful.

"So long as you know what you're doing," she figured, "still, Borg aren't completely unbeatable. Fortunately for us, the Federation has enemies... a lot of enemies."

She pulled out a datachip and inserted it into a console. The largest screen in the room displayed planets, coordinates, and head-shots of various species.

"Ferengi, their entire culture is greed. Technically neutral, but if we need weapons, they'll sell quite literally anything to anyone. They don't respond to violence, but they will follow you if you offer them a market opportunity. We need to hurry though, I heard the Federation is trying to get them to join.

"Klingon, currently allies of the Federation BUT there are a lot of them that would kill to kick the war back up. They find honor in battle and will follow the strong. We are very close to their territory.

"Romulans, enemies of the Federation but soundly beaten into submission. They have a strictly controlled border referred to as the Neutral Zone. If we offer them a chance to stick it to the Federation, they will take it.

"Pakleds, dumb fuckers. No idea how they achieved space travel, BUT very strong. Do yourself a favor, send them your least favorite Inquisitor as a representative because they will not listen to anyone that isn't wearing a hat larger than themselves... that's not a metaphor. Their king's crown was six feet tall.

"Cardassians, technically allies of the Federation but they're not happy about it. They're fascist and racist, you'll need to kill their leaders and probably make an example of a lot of soldiers.

"Changelings, master infiltrators. The Federation fears them for their ability to mimic anything, regardless of mass. There are stories of them hiding as toys in children's bags, before killing entire ships with bombs.

"Jem'Hadar, a neutral short-lived warrior species. They don't live long, but they reproduce like tribbles. By five years old, they are adults. If they make it to thirteen, they are considered venerable elders. They would be useless, if it weren't for these guys.

"Last, but certainly not least, are the Gorn. The Gorn are a sentient plague, although the Federation insists on calling them allies. They reproduce fast and are nearly indestructible, the perfect killing machines. The Jem'Hedar would be ideal for breeding them, which they do by injecting microscopic eggs into other species. A hundred years ago, Captain Kirk of the Enterprise bested one of their best warriors in combat, ensuring their alliance with the Federation. Fortunately, they won't be much of a challenge to you. All you have to do is challenge their king to unarmed combat and kill him. The entire planet will follow you then."

Closed RP w/@mazamba

Ahsoka Tano was dead. Or at the very least, that's what the galaxy assumes after finding her lightsabers where her ship crashed. Killing all her men onboard, including herself. However, this was not completely true.

Ahsoka survived Order 66, an order from the Sith Lord, who was the chancellor of the once Galactic Republic. The order caused the Clone army to turn on their Jedi commanders and kill them all. Ahsoka, despite not being a Jedi anymore, was still considered one by the soldiers. Thankfully, she not only survived, but saved one of her Clone friends, Captain Rex.

The two faked their deaths and went their separate ways. To avoid the other from getting hurt.

Ahsoka left onboard a ship and found herself traveling beyond the Outer Rim, before finding herself being transported through a portal. One that caused her to find herself adrift on her ship. In a new galaxy that she was unfamiliar with and was in need of some help.

@mazamba

[estrogenizedquark]

You ever think that elves are just like, significantly mentally slower than humans and it literally takes them a thousand years to mentally develop? Because it seems like if a human lived for thousands of years with enhanced physical abilities they would be amazing at everything and absolutely no humans would question their judgement automatically. 

The only reason I can think that humans would be wary of elven counsel is if elves are actually just dumb irl and they can only compete with humans because they have magic and so many years to think about things. Hence why everyone respects Elrond but not most of the other elves: he doesn’t actually have the gift of foresight he’s just way smarter than the other elves bc he’s only half-elven and he passes off his millenia of analysis as foresight.

I’m arguing that the elves are actually just the Pakleds of middle earth.

Which explains why Arwen is like: I’m gonna reject immortality for this one guy and no one except Elrond sees how incredibly dumb that is. He also doesn’t want her around mortals bc he knows they’re so much smarter than her. 

And Elrond is just straight up encouraging elves to head to Valinor bc he knows human technology is advancing at a fast enough pace that the elves are gonna get steamrolled eventually

The dwarves also hate elves bc they know how stupid and arrogant the elves are given their thousands of years of interaction, whereas men haven’t interacted with them as much so they still kinda revere the elves. This also explains Thranduil as a person, and why everyone at the council of Elrond makes sure there’s only one elf with the fellowship so they can’t screw up the whole mission. 

Once men started gaining prominence Eru must’ve been like: Okay I’m gonna send Mithrandir and the boys to middle earth to make sure the elves don’t accidentally get themselves killed. Radagast makes sure the elves stay hidden, Allatar and Pallando are off monitoring humanity’s technological progress, Gandalf is monitoring the people living near the elves to make sure they don’t learn too much and attack them, and Saruman is supposed to counsel Human leaders and be their liaison with the elves but gets so fed up with both humans and the elves that he joins Sauron just to be rid of them.   (He’s just Hades being like: I’m surrounded by idiots)

[quasi-normalcy]

Why I think that Peanut Hamper is the secret queen of the Pakleds:

The plot for what became the TNG episode “Descent” was originally supposed to be that Lore became a cult leader for the Pakleds after they rescued him from the vacuum of space.

Mike McMahan appears to have wasted at least as many hours of his life reading background info on Memory Alpha as I have, and would therefore know this.

You know who else is a vindictive little supercomputer last seen floating in space in the vicinity of a Pakled ship? Peanut Hamper.

They spent so much of “No Small Parts” building up Peanut Hamper that I can’t imagine they’d just get rid of her after twenty minutes.

The writers of Lower Decks would NOT be able to resist the temptation to have a recurring villain named “Peanut Hamper”

[more--perfect]

16: a comforting memory

Lore was unaccustomed to comfort, and it had taken months and months for him to take ownership of his own space. In his lifetime, he had 'lived' in several places: Omicron Theta - on the colony where he was first built and activated - was where he spent the first eight months of his life before he was shut down. His 'bedroom' was a maintenance dock in Soong's lab that had been built to accommodate him standing up.

The Pakled ship - where he had spent four months after they rescued him - had no private quarters at all, and Lore often took to spending his time on the bridge with whoever was 'in charge' that day.

With the Borg, he stayed in the communal spaces that the XBs gathered. Aside from establishing his role as their leader, Lore appreciated the sense of comradery, although he knew it was not genuine.

Daystrom had been a nightmare. Not only had he not had his own space, he spent that majority of the time in pieces, conscious, strewn across various desks in a state of disarray, barely functional as cyberneticists attempted to illicit reactions from him.

But here, in his exile with Hugh, he had a room. A real space that was only his. He could go there whenever he wished, so long as nothing was required of him. He began and ended each day there. As he started to acquire belongings of his own, he could keep them there. He could even make it look like what he wanted. Over time, this became a safe place for him, and he even began to share it with others...if he trusted them enough.

[yellowcakeuf6]

I love the Pakleds, and I wish Lore had become their leader 😄

Lore dressed like the Pakleds who found him floating in Space.

I love Pakleds. These guys don't get enough attention. ...Probably because they're kind of problematic, as socially-primitive, emotionally-stunted autismos who everyone thinks are fat stupid potato men (even after they routinely prove they aren't).

Seriously. The Pakleds are an opportunity to do something really cool, to show that neurodivergent people are just as complex and capable as everyone else, they just do things at 30% angles from everyone else.

I hear Lower Decks did a thing with them? I don't know that show, so tell me.

[sparkspropaganda]

i know lore needed a fun bodysuit to go with being a cult leader but he looked sooooo cozy in that pakled outfit i would never take it off personally

[sshbpodcast]

Tales from the Holodeck: DS9 Fanfic: Jake’s Teleplay

In celebration of A Star to Steer Her By’s fourth anniversary, we did what pretty much all theaters are doing right now and put together a little Zoom reading. This time around, our latest fanfics in our “Tales from the Holodeck” series are all Deep Space Nine teleplays that you can listen to us cold read here (this one starts at 37:07), complete with really dodgy attempts at accents! Follow along with Jake’s teleplay below or read with your friends with your own dodgy accents!

[images © Paramount/CBS]

��Affairs of State”

By Jake

Random pick: Dax

SCENE 1 - INT. QUARKS BAR - LATE

The bar is nearly empty. QUARK is wiping down the bar top as a few Ferengi bartenders clear tables. MORN rises from a stupor and stumbles towards the exit. An older Klingon woman, G'RELL, sits, passed out, at a table with an empty bottle of blood wine still in her grasp. The only remaining activity in the bar is a raucous game of Tongo being played in the casino area.

Seated around the Tongo wheel are two drunk Ferengi, a Pakled, a Bajoran, and Lieutenant DAX. DAX is surrounded by stacks of Latinum, while the other competitors wield much smaller stacks; it's clearly been a good night for her.

FERENGI 1: See!? I told you she had a full consortium!

FERENGI 2: Then why didn't you evade?

FERENGI 1: Because I was following you, you fool!

DAX: It's alright, you'll get me on the next hand.

QUARK: (Approaching) Maybe, but not tonight. It's a half hour passed closing. Even Morn's gone home.

FERENGI 2: But I'm down nearly two hundred strips!

QUARK: And you can earn it back with double shifts for the next month. Now, let's break it up.

DAX: Same time next week, gentlemen?

The other gamblers mumble as they gather their meager stacks of Latinum, and begin to make their way to the exit. DAX stands and begins to count her  winnings.

QUARK: I'd be happy to bank that for you in my safe. For a small storage fee, of course.

DAX: That won't be necessary.

DAX notices the passed out G'RELL

DAX: What about her?

QUARK looks over, surprised. He hadn't noticed G'RELL.

QUARK: (Under his breath) Quietest Klingon I've ever seen. (Louder, approaching G'RELL) Miss? Miss? The bar's closed. You don't have to go to your quarters, but you-

G'RELL shoots up, as awake and sober as a Bajoran Vedek. In a single movement she withdraws a dagger with one hand, while pulling QUARK in with the other. In an instant she has the knife to QUARK's throat.

QUARK: (Continuing, Terrified) -can stay as long as you like.

DAX: (Assertively) Mev'yap!

G'RELL looks up at DAX.

G'RELL: And what are you going to do to stop me, girl?

DAX: Keep holding that knife to his throat and find out.

QUARK: (Trembling) Yeah, Dax, t-tell her what happened to the last Klingon who tried to attack me in my own bar!

DAX: Not now, Quark!

G'RELL smiles and slowly releases her grasp on QUARK. QUARK hurries away and cowers behind DAX.

G'RELL: So you really are Dax. It would seem your blood hasn't completely turned to water after all.

DAX: It seems you have me at a disadvantage.

G'RELL: In more ways than one, perhaps.

She gestures with her free hand. Two other Klingons emerge on the second floor of the bar, armed with Disruptors.

G'RELL: Relax. The legendary Dax has nothing to fear from me. They're only here for my protection.

She gestures again, and the men slink back into the shadows.

G'RELL: You can never be too careful when there's a price on your head.

DAX: Wanted for assaulting defenseless bartenders?

G'RELL: Nothing so... (Eyeing QUARK) Pathetic. No, I have the honor of being the enemy of the coward, Gowron.

QUARK: You and half the quadrant, lady!

G'RELL growls at QUARK and he retreats behind DAX.

G'RELL: (Sharply) The Ferengi will stay its tongue, or I will stay it for him. (To DAX) Gowron seeks to have me killed not for anything I've done, but for who I am. For I am the rightful leader of the Klingon people by right of birth.

QUARK lets out a guffaw.

QUARK: (Mockingly) And who are you, wife of Khaless, eater of planets?

G'RELL: (Ignoring Quark) I am G'Rell. (Pausing dramatically) Daughter of Dax.

FADE TO OPENING CREDITS.

SCENE 2 - INT. SISKO'S OFFICE

SISKO stands behind his desk looking out the window. Dax and the Klingon, G'RELL, are sitting in front of the desk.

SISKO: Well, Dax, is it true?

DAX: It's true that Curzon had a romantic relationship with a Klingon woman during the Khitomer negotiations. It would have been considered a scandal and could have derailed the entire conference if it had come out, so it was kept quiet, and the two never revealed the affair.

SISKO: (Turing to face G'RELL) And you claim to be the... fruit... of this union.

G'RELL: Yes. I was raised in secret, even from my father. There is no honor for a bastard girl in the Empire.

SISKO: I still don't see how this makes you "The rightful chancellor"?

DAX: If G'Rell is who she says she is-

G'RELL: (Angrily) Do you doubt me?!

SISKO raises his hand calmly, G'RELL backs down.

DAX: (Continuing) You see, the woman Curzon had the affair with was Azetbur, the Klingon high chancellor.

SISKO can't help but smile at this.

SISKO: The Klingon high chancellor?! Boy, Old Man, you sure can pick 'em. Woo!

G'RELL: Now you can see why the affair was kept secret.

SISKO: But I thought women weren't allowed to serve as chancellor.

DAX: They aren't... anymore. Azetbur's successor, K'mpec, pushed for conservative reforms to, in his words, "Return Qo'noS to its former glory."

G'RELL spits in disgust at the mention of K'mpec's name. It's a sore subject.

G'RELL: How quickly my people forget. The modern Empire itself was united by a female chancellor! The petaq who stand in the great hall today do so on the shoulders of women like my mother.

DAX: Of that there's no doubt. What I don't understand, G'Rell, is how that makes you the rightful chancellor. You said yourself that your birth was kept a secret. Without acknowledgement you're not even eligible to inherit property, let alone titles, even if a woman could serve as chancellor.

G'RELL: Normally that would be true, but my mother did, in fact, acknowledge me in her will, and named me as her sole heir. But after her death, K'mpec and his allies had most of her documents destroyed, and I was unable to press my claim. I resigned myself to the life of a houseless warrior; my honor would have to be earned without my family name. But I now believe that Gowron has discovered a remaining copy of her will.

SISKO: What makes you think that?

G'RELL: (Smiling wryly) The two assassins I gutted trying to sneak into my bedchamber! 

G'RELL lets out a boisterous belly laugh.

G'RELL: Leave it to a petaq like Gowron to hire someone else to do his dirty work, and incompetents at that!

DAX: Benjamin, if it's true that the will was suppressed and had named G'Rell as heir, then she should have been given chance to perform the Right of Succession. That would make K'mpec's succession illegal under Klingon law.

G'RELL: Even today, so many years later, I would still be in my rights to challenge Gowron for control of the council. I could start putting back together the Empire my mother built.

SISKO: Wouldn't a challenge involve fighting Gowron to the death?

G'RELL laughs at this.

G'RELL: I'm not so old I couldn't still tear that coward's spine out through his throat!

SISKO and DAX exchange glances. After a moment, G'RELL's demeanor changes; she looks at DAX, gravely.

G'RELL: As far as anyone in the empire is concerned, I'm just an old warrior. I have no house of my own. No allies. But, if my true parentage became known, I have no doubt that there would be many in the Empire who would rally to my cause. My mother's name is still spoken of with honor. The House of Gorkon, though fallen, is remembered as one that brought prosperity and glory to the Empire. (She pauses) That's why I need you, Dax. Gowron will surely dismiss the will as a forgery, and paint me as a foolish old woman. But the name Dax still rings out among my people. If you were to acknowledge me as Curzon's daughter, and vouch for the will's authenticity, the council would be honor bound to hear your word and consider my claim.

DAX considers this.

DAX: Curzon made a solemn oath not to reveal his relationship with your mother. Even in this life I will not dishonor her by betraying that oath.

G'RELL: (Forcefully) It is justified if it serves to reverse an even greater dishonor.

DAX: I won't debate the finer points of the Klingon code of honor with you, but there's another problem: I didn't even know you existed until a few hours ago. Azetbur never told Curzon that she was pregnant.

G'RELL: A simple DNA test will prove that I am Curzon and Azetbur's daughter. You need only consent to the test, and testify before the council that Curzon and my mother were in a consenting relationship.

SISKO: Somehow I don't think it'll be that easy.

G'RELL: Perhaps not, but, Dax, I ask you now, for the love you once bore my mother: help me restore my family name, and do honor to her memory. 

DAX takes a moment to consider it, but SISKO can see she's already made up her mind.

DAX: Benjamin-

SISKO: (Cutting her off) Leave granted. Now, you'd better see if you can find yourself a copy of that will.

DAX: I may have an idea on how to get one.

SCENE 3 - INT. QUARK'S BAR - DAY

FADE UP on a crowded midday Quark's. DAX is seated with G'RELL at a small table. DAX is in civilian clothes and studying a PADD while nursing a Raktajino. QUARK stands behind the bar while O'BRIEN and BASHIR are sipping Ales.

O'BRIEN: She doesn't look half Trill.

BASHIR: She definitely is, the DNA test proved it. I did detect evidence that she'd had some cosmetic work done, perhaps to cover spots.

O'BRIEN: Does she have... you know... the pouch?

BASHIR: Really, Chief?

O'BRIEN: I'm just curious is all! I still can't believe Dax was in a relationship with the Klingon high chancellor.

BASHIR: Knowing what we do about Curzon, does it really surprise you?

QUARK: (Barging into the conversation) She has no idea what she's getting herself into. These Klingons don't joke around. When I faced down a Klingon warrior in the Great Hall, it was me or him; life or death. I just don't think she has it in her.

O'BRIEN: Didn't you fall to your knees and beg for mercy?

QUARK: (Offended) Where'd you hear that?!

BASHIR: Rom  |  O'BRIEN: Rom

QUARK: (Under his breath) Worthless Ingrate. (To O'BRIEN and BASHIR) Well, for your information: I didn't "beg for mercy" ... I fully accepted my fate. But that's exactly my point; Dax is too proud to do the smart thing.

BASHIR: I don't know, Quark, she's gone toe-to-toe with Klingon warriors before.

QUARK: Yeah, but this is Gowron. Have you seen that guy’s eyes? Even when he was saying I won the challenge I thought he was going to kill me. No... mark my words... if those two walk into the council chambers, one of them isn't walking out. Maybe both.

O'BRIEN: Well aren't you the eternal optimist.

CUT TO:

DAX and G'RELL seated at a table.

DAX: (Reading from a PADD) It's true. It's all here: Azetbur named you as her heir.

DAX hands the PADD to G'RELL, who looks it over.

G'RELL: (Smiling gleefully) Tell me again how you got this?

DAX: You said it yourself: my name still carries some weight. Plus, it pays to have a friend in the Empire who owes you a favor.

G'RELL: So it does. Still, I'm surprised Gowron would even allow anyone to know the will exists, let alone see it.

DAX: Gowron overplayed his hand when he tried to have you killed. Not only did he tip you off that he had the will, but now you're in a position where you could challenge him for the leadership. His only hope is to claim the will is forged. He can't do that unless he acknowledges that there is a will.

G'RELL nods, accepting this plot glue.

G'RELL: Our transportation should be arriving shortly. The captain served both my mother and grandfather, and practically raised me as his own daughter. I trust him. (Holding up the PADD) He's already begun spreading this quietly among the great houses. By the time we arrive, K'mpec's treachery will be well known. With your testimony, Gowron will have no choice but to accept the will's authenticity.

DAX's smile fades slightly.

DAX: And then what?

G'RELL: (As if it were even a question) Then I'll challenge Gowron for the leadership, as is my birthright!

DAX: I don't know if it'll be so simple. Even if Gowron accepts you as Azetbur's heir, there's still the matter of K'mpec's reforms that prevent women from ruling over the council.

G'RELL: But the will proves that K'mpec's succession was illegal, and his reforms will have to be declared invalid.

DAX: And that's the bigger problem. You're talking about reversing law that has existed in the Empire for sixty years. Most of the people who were involved with K'mpec's succession-

G'RELL: (Cutting in) Coup.

DAX: (Continuing) -are long dead, but the impact they've had continues. The Empire is a very different place than it was during your mother's time, and you might find more resistance than you expect.

G'RELL appears slightly defeated by this reality.

G'RELL: (Changing the subject) Jadzia... I've been wanting to ask you  something... My mother told me that my father was the only man she ever loved. She never married. Did Curzon feel the same way?

DAX can't help but let out a slight chuckle. It's inappropriate and she knows it.

DAX: (abashedly) I'm sorry. Your mother was very special to Curzon, but he was a complicated man, and not without his faults.

G'RELL: I understand. Still, if he'd known about me, do you think-

DAX: Curzon said he never wanted children, Benjamin was probably the closest he ever got. But... seeing the woman you grew to be, I know he would have been proud of you.

ODO: (O.S.) Odo to Lieutenant Dax.

DAX Taps her comm badge

DAX: Go ahead Constable.

ODO: (O.S.) A Klingon Transport ship has just docked at upper pylon three. Evidently they're in a bit of a hurry and request that you proceed there immediately.

DAX: Understood. (To G'RELL) Sounds like our ride's here.

DAX and G'RELL stand and go to exit the bar. QUARK sees them leaving.

QUARK: (to himself) Qapla' ... You're gonna need it.

SCENE 4 - INT. KLINGON BRIDGE

The bridge of a standard Klingon starship. Dimly lit, with orange and red consoles glowing. Several Klingon officers are manning the various stations. At the center of the room, in the captain's chair, sits a Klingon man, KERLA.  KERLA is older than G'RELL, but is in excellent shape for his age. DAX and G'RELL enter from the hatch at the rear of the room. KERLA remains seated, facing forward. DAX and G'RELL approach him.

G'RELL: Jadzia, allow me to present captain-

DAX: (Cutting her off) Kerla.

KERLA is surprised to be recognized by DAX, and his stoic demeanor fades.

KERLA: (Curtly) Have we met?

DAX: Many times, in fact. I looked a bit different then. (Extending her hand) Jadzia Dax.

KERLA ignores the offered handshake and turns back towards the view screen. He raises his arm to give an order.

KERLA: (Commanding) Mahk-cha!

The sound of the warp drive engaging.

KERLA: (To no one in particular) I advised Azetbur against getting involved with an offworlder, just as I've advised this one against this fool's errand that's likely to get us all killed.

DAX: You always were wise council.

KERLA: I was chief advisor to two chancellors, now I captain this piece of forshak. Seems the current administration has no use for my wise council.

G'RELL: Did you do as I asked?

KERLA: Of course, girl. I have sent copies of your mother's will to leaders of all of the great houses.

G'RELL: And?

KERLA: Six houses, representing four squadrons, have agreed to back your claim. The rest are still supporting Gowron.

G'RELL: (Angrily) Petaq! (Calmer) No matter, once Dax gives testimony and exposes the truth the rest will come to my side.

DAX is clearly disturbed.

DAX: You're talking about civil war, I thought you were going to challenge Gowron for control.

G'RELL lets out a hearty laugh. 

G'RELL: You don't think Gowron would be foolish enough to meet me in single combat, do you? The only blades he's ever held were to cut his meals. No, Gowron is no warrior; he's a politician with the heart of a Romulan. He'll never accept my challenge. He'll let other Klingons to do the killing—and the dying—for him. 

KERLA: It'll be us who'll be doing the dying if your plan doesn't work.

DAX: He's right, G'Rell. There's a lot of people with a stake in keeping the status quo. You may not be able to gather as much support as you expect.

G'RELL: Nonsense. Every true Klingon with an ounce of honor will rally to my cause once the treachery is revealed.

KERLA: Honor in the Empire doesn't mean as much as it did in your mother's time.

SCENE 5 - INT. KLINGON HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS, QO'NOS

GOWRON is seated at center of the great hall in the Chancellor's throne. On his shoulders he wears the cloak of his office. Around him several Counselors are engaged in a heated argument.

COUNSELOR 1: If K'mpec deliberately tried to hide the will from the council, then his succession was illegitimate!

COUNSELOR 2: These accusations are nothing but rumors!

COUNSELOR 1 waves a PADD demonstratively.

COUNSELOR 1: The evidence is right here!

GOWRON: (Bursting) Silence!

All conversation immediately stops.

GOWRON: You all sound like gaggle of old women! This so-called will of Azetbur is not only an obvious forgery, even if it were not it would make no difference! Azetbur is dead, and her alleged daughter is just that: a daughter. And a daughter has no claim-

COUNSELOR 1: But that law was put in-

GOWRON glares at COUNSELOR 1, bears his teeth, and growls. The counselor backs down.

GOWRON: Now, I'll have no more pointless-

G'RELL: (O.S.) (Shouting) I name you usurper, Gowron!

G'RELL and DAX enter the hall from the far end. They are trailed by a number of Klingon warriors, including KERLA.

GOWRON: What is the meaning of this?!

G'RELL: I am G'Rell, daughter of Azetbur, rightful chancellor of the Klingon High Council. And you are in my seat.

The room is silent for a moment as everyone attempts to take in what had just transpired. After a time, GOWRON bursts out laughing.

GOWRON: Foolish woman. You have no grounds to challenge me. Leave now. While you can still walk.

G'RELL: I have evidence to support my claim.

G'RELL gestures towards DAX, who takes a step forward.

GOWRON: Who is this offworlder?

DAX: I am Jadzia, daughter of Kela. I am host to the Dax symbiont, which once had another host known to your people: Curzon.

GOWRON: The name Curzon Dax is indeed an honored one. You, however, are just a girl. Now, what of this evidence?

DAX: Curzon Dax was par'Mach'kai to Azetbur. G'Rell is their daughter. 

The crowd surrounding GOWRON begins murmuring loudly. This announcement is a scandal. After a moment, GOWRON raises his hand and the crowd falls silent once again.

GOWRON: Even if true, I fail to see how this changes anything. A half-breed bastard girl has no claim to this chair.

G'RELL: I am the legitimate heir to the House of Gorkon. I demand that my family's lands and titles be reinstated, and I lay claim to the chancellorship.

GOWRON smiles at this.

GOWRON: But how can there be a claim, if there's no claimant?

DAX is momentarily confused, but then realizes what GOWRON was saying. She turns to G'RELL in a panic. G'RELL makes eye contact with DAX, then coughs out a spurt of blood which splashes onto DAX's face. G'RELL falls to her knees, KERLA stands behind her having just buried a knife in her back. DAX lunges to catch G'RELL as she slumps forward. DAX cradles G'RELL, who is barely conscious. 

G'RELL: (disoriented) Father- Did I-

DAX: You did, daughter.

G'RELL smiles and dies.

GOWRON: Congratulations, Captain Kerla, on bringing this criminal to justice.

KERLA: I did what I did for the good of the Empire.

GOWRON: We all serve the Empire. And from now on you'll be serving it from the bridge of my flagship.

DAX continues to cradle G'RELL's body, tears in her eyes.

DAX: (quietly) Ke'chaw.

GOWRON: What was that, offworlder?

DAX lays G'RELL's body on the slate floor and stands, facing GOWRON.

DAX: (louder) Ke'chaw!

GOWRON: Are you challenging me?

DAX: Defend yourself!

GOWRON: On what grounds do you make this challenge?

DAX: I claim the right of vengeance. You have taken the life of my daughter, and now I will take yours.

DAX walks to the side of the chamber and removes a Bat'leth from a rack.  Several Klingons approach her as if to apprehend her, but GOWRON raises a hand. As DAX returns to the center of the room, GOWRON rises from his throne, dropping his cloak of office behind him. A nearby Klingon approaches and hands him a Bat'leth.

DAX and GOWRON meet near the center of the room. GOWRON takes a shouting lunge towards DAX, his Bat'leth meeting hers with a furious clanking of metal. DAX parries the blow and attempts to sweep his legs, but he leaps back, out of the way. GOWRON takes another swing towards DAX's midsection, but she dodges the blow. DAX swings her Bat'leth and catches GOWRON's right arm. He takes a step back, touches the blood dripping from his arm, and licks it from his finger.

GOWRON: The successor to Curzon lives up to his reputation. It's a shame you'll be the last Dax!

GOWRON rushes DAX again, taking a powerful swing at her chest. DAX ducks, and again attempts to sweep his legs, this time it works and GOWRON flips onto his back. He lets out a harrowing shout as he crashes onto the slate. DAX raises the Bat'leth over her head, and in a single powerful blow, brings the blade down onto his head, killing him.

The room remains silent. DAX falls to her knees, exhausted.

SCENE 6 - INT. DS9 OPS

KIRA and DAX are standing at the central ops console, KIRA is enthralled by the story DAX has just finished telling her. KIRA is sipping a cup of tea.

KIRA: So what did you say when they put the cloak over your back?

DAX: I didn't say anything, I was still in shock.

KIRA: You mean to tell me that you, Jadzia Dax, had just been named the Klingon High Chancellor and you didn't have anything to say?

DAX: It's customary that when the sitting chancellor falls to a challenger, the victor assumes his titles. But I don't think a room full of Klingon warriors were ready to accept me as their leader. I wouldn't have made it out of the chamber alive.

KIRA: Still, how many Trill can say they were, even for a moment, the head of the Klingon Empire?

SISKO steps out of his office, KIRA and DAX turn their attention to him. He gestures for DAX to come. She gets up.

CUT TO:

SCENE 7 - INT. SISKO'S OFFICE

DAX enters, and stands at attention, ready for a dressing-down.

SISKO: At ease, Lieutenant.

DAX relaxes, a bit. He gestures for her to sit, which she does.

SISKO: I just got off a call with not one, but three members of the Federation council, asking me why one of my officers was involved in a coup of the Klingon high council. If it were up to them you'd be spending the rest of this life in a penal colony. And I can't say I really disagree with them.

DAX: Benjamin, I-

SISKO raises his hand.

SISKO: But, Old Man, it seems the new High Chancellor has personally spoken out on your behalf, and Starfleet has decided not to pursue disciplinary action.

DAX: I'll have to send Chancellor Kor a message of thanks when I get the chance. I guess now I owe him a favor.

SISKO: I'd say so. How are you doing, otherwise?

DAX considers for a moment.

DAX: I'm... OK... I think... You know, Benjamin, in that moment, when I held G'Rell in my arms I couldn't think. I didn't think. Something just took over me. I've never felt anything like it. But in that moment, she was my daughter.

SISKO: Curzon always told me that he never wanted children.

DAX: He was telling the truth, but I know that would have liked to have known about her, and would have wanted to have been in her life. I'm just grateful that, in whatever small way, I was able to give her something of him.

THE END

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