Allegiances 4 – Marla's Choice
by HoD Ro' Matlh & Sogh Marla Varquis

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Title   Marla's Choice
Mission   Allegiances 4
Author(s)   HoD Ro' Matlh & Sogh Marla Varquis
Posted   Mon Aug 15, 2011 @ 2:22am
Location   Hos'a Bar'n'Grill
The bar was in full swing. This was a very popular place for Klingons to let their hair down. old enemies fought, old allies tussled, and a good time was had by all.

Marla was in there with the best of them, though she was loosing as many as she was winning, she was still having a ball. She turned to see who her next combatant was and stopped suddenly. Before her was a young Klingon, wearing House Matlh colours. She recognised CoQ, Head of House Matlh, instantly.

"You look well, Marla," he commented limbering up. "She we fight first or have you time to have a talk before I throw you down?"

Marla smiled, "It's up to you, CoQ. Which would you prefer?"

CoQ grinned and leapt forward. Marla caught the leap smoothly and there was a bone crunching clash of heads. Marla pulled back and drove her head forward again, with an answering crash. CoQ responded with a blow that made Marla's eyes blur momentarily. Then she made the final ploy with sharp tap that brought water to his eyes. Round one complete both combatants stepped back happily and grabbed up drinks.

CoQ ushered Marla to a table. Amidst the riotous noise around them they would not be overheard.

"How are you finding your posting on the FHew?"

"I am enjoying it more than I thought I would. When I first arrived, I was a half-breed with no friends, now I at least have one."

"I understand they were able to help you out with a personal tragedy recently."

"Ah, yes they did. My Father was murdered. They helped me get to him."

"Perhaps you can repay the favour? I have a proposition for you, but you must promise not to discuss it with anyone else."

Marla looked at him curiously.

"What could I do?"

"You must understand the respect I have for my Uncle Ro'. I would hate to see him embarrassed or otherwise compromised. However, House Matlh no longer has the resources, or willing, to patch up ships which are older than you or I. I intend to disband the three ships that are all that remain of our fleet. Ro' will not like that, and I do not wish to publicly remove him from his post as Captain. You can understand that?"

Marla nodded. "I understand."

"It occurs to me if there was a critical failure with that ancient cloak drive, something that put it permanently out of action without damaging the ship, then he would not be able to use it and would have to accept a post as chief military advisor to House Matlh."

Marla was starting to get speechless. That ship was the only home that most people could have, and that included her and Tell.

"As a show of Gratitude, I will arrange to buy your fathers property and place a junior member of House Matlh as steward over it until you can find yourself a husband to do that for you. Your home would be safe until you were ready for it. What do you say?"

Marla thought for a moment.

"What would happen to the Humans and other people of the ship?"

CoQ's smile broadened, "I see you have the same concern for the crew I do. That is good."

"Naturally House Matlh will retain any that wish to stay in our service. Much of the crew are still part of my family. The Humans can return to their worlds if they wish. I am hoping some of them may prove valuable allies. The first officer... Told, is it?"

"Her name is Tell."

"Yes, her. I believe she would make a capable ship's captain herself. Perhaps return to being a trader as she was before, but with her own crew? IN short it is up to them what they would wish to do, but they will be most welcome as mercenaries among the warriors of House Matlh."

Marla thought for a while. This would be a chance at a new start for her, a new home... But then she realized, her only true friends were on the FHew, and the only person she knew back home was her father, and now he was gone. She looked at CoQ, and shook her head.

"I would never have a home here any more. I am a half-breed, and always will be. I do not want to go through the same things my father did, and end up suffering the same fate as him. The only people who truly accept me are on that ship, and I don't want to lose them. I'm sorry, but I will not help you."

CoQ smiled openly, "Marla, if you had agreed to betray your ship and crew I would have killed you were you sat. We will not talk of this again. Let us celebrate our new understanding of each other. Round two, I think."