"Level 15," K'Tag grunted to the computer. An image of a well-built Klingon warrior appeared. He had a bat'leth in his right hand, and a Klingon disrupter in his left.
"Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam" the warrior spouted out in a fit of rage.
"Today is a good day to die," K'Tag replied. K'Tag swung his bat'leth, knocking the disrupter from his challenger's hand. The warrior swung his bat'leth, and K'Tag met him half way. The two continued to battle for fourteen minutes.
"yay chavlu' 'e' bajnISlu," Victory must be earned, K'Tag grunted, being very cocky to his opponent and surroundings. As the last word was mumbled from his mouth the holo-warrior swung, causing K'Tag to fall onto his back. The warrior threw his bat'leth into the air for a second thrust.
"wej Heghchugh vay', SuvtaH Suvwl'." With that the warrior plunged his bat'leth into the midsection of K'Tag. As K'Tag stood, and his surroundings returned to the normal holodeck he was accustomed to, he felt both embarrassed and in pain.
<Program complete, K'Tag record 37 wins, 1 loss.>
K'Tag made his way to sickbay, were he was met by Lt. Alistair Scott Cherrin.
"What did you do?" The Doctor asked, as he began to repair the damage.
"I had a little mishap on the holodeck," K'Tag replied through his teeth.
"It isn't like you to have a problem on the holodeck with your holo-warriors, but I can tell you have more than just that on your mind. Perhaps you should consult Kassia."
"Thank you, but I don't need some counselor to tell me there is something wrong with the Klingon blood within my veins," K'Tag replied as he jumped up, and made his way to the door.
K'Tag sighed and walked back out onto the Promenade. As he walked he was stopped by Commander Garek Loran, Dandrane Cissaria Lanuedoc, and Captain Mallory.
"K'Tag, what's wrong?" asked Captain Mallory. She seemed very concerned for her chief tactical officer.
"Nothing, Captain," K'Tag attempted to smile, trying to reassure his captain.
"K'Tag, I can tell when something is bothering someone. Especially Klingons, they don't tend to hide their feelings particularly well."
"Captain, I don't feel as if I have been challenged to my full ability. Commodore Wallace and I got along very well, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I have never served under a female captain, and I'm somewhat nervous."
Captain Mallory smiled gently and replied, "K'Tag, you have nothing to worry about. I understand how you feel. I lost my family once also."
"Captain, what are you talking about?" K'Tag asked, knowing exactly what she was talking about.
Captain Mallory looked towards Commander Loran and Danni, "Thank you for the walk, but I need to sit down with K'Tag, I'll meet up with the two of you at 1600 hours. K'Tag would you accompany me to the Easy Inn for a drink?"
"Yes, Captain." As the two entered the bar, on the first floor of the promenade, they made their way to a table at the far end, of the establishment.
"I received the information this morning. I'm sorry." Captain Mallory spoke, as if she truly was sorry for everything that had happened only two days before.
"Captain, permission to speak freely."
"Yes, go ahead," Captain Mallory quickly replied.
"Before I begin, I want to reassure you this will not affect my ability to perform." Captain Mallory nodded her head up and down. "I have many fond memories of my childhood with my mother. On the other hand, my father was killed during the Klingon civil war in 2367. I knew from the age of eight how it felt to lose someone really close to me. I survived with only my mother, we were really close, and now to find out, she was killed for my father's actions, during his last days aboard the IKS Vor'Cha, that damned Klingon bird of prey, have really lowered my... my... "
"Please settle down, take a deep breath." Capt. Mallory tried to calm him, but K'Tag kept going.
"I lost both of my Klingon parents to Klingon hands, my own people killed my parents. I will seek revenge!"
"K'Tag, please calm down, I know what you're going through..."
"You cannot know what I suffer with," K'Tag said looking deeply into his new captain's eyes. She struggled inside, she wanted to tell K'Tag of her past, but couldn't find the courage to delve into her own life.
"I will be here for you, if you will be my friend," Capt. Mallory said trying to regain her own stability.
"wa' Dol nIvDaq matay'DI' maQap"
"Excuse me?" Captain Mallory didn't speak Klingon well enough to figure out what K'Tag was talking about.
"We succeed together in a greater whole."
They both smiled.