Investigation

Posted on Mon Oct 5th, 2026 @ 3:45pm by Captain Mikoto Misaka & Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori & Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt

3,386 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Preparations
Location: Security Office/Interrogation Room
Timeline: After: Honour Demands Truth

Lieutenant Kenneth Hunt entered security, taking a quick visual scan of the room. He was asked to join in the investigation regarding the command codes from Commander Lurath, which were used to bring down the shields. The young man asked himself whether he believed the Chief of Security possibly did this. Normally, he would have said no. But in all honesty, Kenneth really didn't know the man and the way Starfleet personnel had been conspiring with the Maquis. At this point anything was possible.

Dahar Master Rorek stood outside the security officer, his cane pressing against the Starfleet corridor floor, as he waiting patiently for his student. The old Klingon Warrior rested his body against his cane, allowing it to prompt him, to mask his slight weakness. He gave each officer who passed by a pleasant nod, while keeping in the back of his mind how firm he would be when he walked through those Security doors. The private relations of his students were about to be placed on the interrogation table and that didn't set well with him.

Tahlova walked down the corridor, heading to the Security Officer. She wore her official KDF Uniform as she kept a firm scowl on her face. The muscular Klingon woman's baldric said it all. Her medals and accomplishments, while they didn't mean anything to a Starfleet Officer, to others it proved her to be more than just a strong and capable Klingon Warrior. She was well trained and determined. A solid career which was now in question. As she approached her Dahar Master, she gave him a firm nod.

As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Rorek narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking in a low tone. "Do not dishonor your family name by being dishonest, Daughter of Losh. You have nothing to hide. Show them no shame because you warriors heart beats true."

Tahlova nodded firmly. "I will not leave anything to doubt, Dahar Master. Lurath and I did nothing wrong. We have nothing to hide."

"Good." Rorek said softly, before raising his head a bit, while he kept his eyes locked on hers. He smiled from ear to ear, bearing his teeth, as he placed his hand on the side of her face. "Good. Daughter of Qo'noS. You remain proud and vigilant. We will win this day and Lurath will be free from these lies. The true enemy shall be revealed and his blood will decorate the floor." He tapped the side of her face before turning to the door, hitting the chime to announce their presence and begin this Starfleet game.

After the doors opened, the Dahar Master and Tahlova, were led to the Interrogation room. It seemed small and clean. Far different from one that was utilized by a KDF Warrior. However, Rorek could understand the appeal of such a room for those raised with diplomacy and peacekeeping in mind. Such a small room could provide discomfort and uneasiness to someone who had no idea what to expect or felt the need to give into pressure.

Simply observing everyone in the room, Hunt had no intent on moving forward until the arrival of the first officer. He was simply here to assist with the investigation in the capacity of following the lead of Commander Illu.

Eila arrived at the Interrogation room after being informed that Tahlova had arrived. She stopped and nodded to Rorek.

"We appreciate your cooperation, Master." She said. "This shouldn't take too long."

Rorek sat down in a seat across from the Commander, positioning himself beside Tahlova, as a fellow Warrior would. As he crossed his arms over his chest, the Klingon offered a slight smile, as he replied in a firm tone. "You have placed one of my students in the brig, marking him as a traitor, while bringing another in to vouch for his loyalty. Both accusations are a great dishonor to their names and also to their Houses. As someone whose knows both their Houses, as well as a Klingon Warrior and former KDF Admiral, it is my duty to stand by those whose hearts I know to be loyal to their uniforms and true to their loyalties. Much, I imagine, you would do for one of your officers, Commander. Hopefully, the answers you are provided will allow you to see in them what I see." The Old Warrior shifted in his seat slightly before adding. "You may begin whenever you feel it is appropriate."

Tahlova also shifted in her seat. It was uncomfortable, just like the situation she was in, but she trusted the Dahar Master to help her through this and keep her private matters private. While she was a Klingon who would often wear her intentions on her sleeves, she knew the type of man Lurath was. He was private and kept to a small circle of those he trusted. She was more interested in protecting his privacy than her own. She gave Commander Illu and Lieutenant Hunt a firm look before nodding her head, agreeing with the Dahar Master.

With a nod to Rorek, Eila proceeded to approach the interrogation desk where Tahlova was sitting, assuming the empty seat across from the Dahar student.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Tahlova." Eila began. "Before we get too far into this, can I interest you in something to drink? Tea? Raktajino?"

The hospitality offer was genuine. Eila's years a counselling had taught her that patients were more inclined to speak if they felt comfortable, and an offering of refreshments usually worked as an icebreaker.

"If you are putting this into official records, Commander, shouldn't you use her KDF Rank of Lieutenant?" Dahar Master Rorek interjected firmly. Tahlova may have been here as one of his students, but she still held a KDF Rank. A rank that she had earned and would hold water to her answers. If this was all a part of their investigation, there was no need to do it any other way. "Had this incident happened in reverse, I am sure you would make the same request."

"Of course;" Eila nodded, taking the Dahar Master's suggestion into account as she turned back towards Tahlova. "Sorry about that: Do you prefer to be addressed by your KDF rank? Or by name?"

Tahlova shook her head in kind. Though it was a nice gesture, she would have preferred to get this over and done with. There was no need for any sort of formalities. Even though her Master insisted on it, Tahlova wanted to reveal what she could to help prove to everyone this was all a misunderstanding and they were after the wrong person. "No, Commander. That is not necessary. But... Thank you. And Lieutenant Tahlova is fine."

"Very well," Eila sighed. "Lieutenant, has anyone told you why you've been brought here yet?"

"Yes." Tahlova said firmly, glancing over to Master Rorek, before focusing back on the Commander. "My name has come up in regards to Lurath's... Lieutenant Commander Lurath's whereabouts during the Cardassian attack."

Eila nodded.

"To make a long story short; a major security breach originated from the Commander's quarters." Eila explained. "As you were the only other person besides the Commander present in that location, that unfortunately makes you a suspect. I'm sure I don't need to mention that a KDF officer sabotaging a Starfleet vessel would spark a wider geopolitical crisis that would potentially undermine the Khitomer Accords."

The Dahar Master threw back his head and let out a hearty chuckle. He was extremely amused at the comment. Equating this betrayal to the Khitomer Accords, something the Dahar Master lived through as a young warrior, made it difficult to hold back his laughter. When he finally settled down, he placed his hands on the table, locking his eyes with the Commander while he kept to his smile. "Commander, if you think the Khitomer Accords and the stealing of those weapons are the same, than I invite you to review your history. There is no Klingon conspiracy here. If there were, she would have been thrown into a brig just like Lurath." His tone quickly shifted as his smile faded. His eyes were fierce while his voice became deep. "I witnessed the accords, Commander, You simply studied them."

Tahlova looked to the Dahar Master and placed her hands on his arm, trying to calm him down. She kept firm, before looking back to Eila with the same serious look on her face. "If I am a suspect, why am I not in a brig? What evidence, other than I was in the same quarters, do you have that I am responsible? All you have is a theory and, the fact that Lurath is in the brig, only shows you suspect him more than you do me." She placed her hands on the table, standing up, as she added. "If I am not here to prove his innocents than put me in the Brig, because I can't provide you with proof, only of what happened in those quarters from my perspective."

"At this point, your perspective on what happened at the time of the breach is all we're after." Eila reassured Tahlova. "There's no need to throw anyone else in the brig right now. In fact, I'm trying to help get Commander Lurath out of the brig. Because believe it or not, restoring his honor is something we have in common."

Observing the back and forth interaction, Lieutenant Hunt normally wouldn't have spoken out of turn. But due to being the security officer in charge. It was his place, in his opinion, to get involved. "If I may interject. Currently, the Commander is in the brig based on vicinity, which technically if were going to be fair. You should be in the brig as well. Unless you have any information of use to would sway that decision?"

In her hand was a PADD that Eila had been using throughout. "Lieutenant, Dahar Master. I only have a few questions." She stated to them both. "If either of you feel that any of the questions are inappropriate or make you feel uncomfortable, you can call a recess. I will not be offended as I understand this is quite sudden for all of us."

"What you have, Lieutenant, is all conjecture." The Dahar Master countered. "You have no way of knowing which of the two were involved in this thievery of yours. Only that a console was used in Lurath's quarters, which your only two suspects were inside." He stood up slowly, as a grunt softly escaped, while gripping onto his cane. "Correct me if I am wrong, Lieutenant and Commander, but it would not be the first time computer records have been manipulated to say one thing to hide another. You mention the Khitomer Accords? Yes... if memory serves, the records were altered there as well. What you have is a piece of technology that can be manipulated, to say whatever one needs it to say, given the proper skills. Since, you have no hard evidence to prove either one of my students are involved, you have no reason to throw them into a brig because innocent until proven guilty and neither one of them have shown any sign that they would resist you if you have. Lurath is in the brig, not because you placed him there, because his honor and loyalty demanded it. He knew, using your own laws and protocols, he would be the only one on your list of suspects. That Klingon, that Starfleet Officer, trusted you all to find the truth and not use him as a scapegoat." He slammed the bottom of his cane on the ground, giving the two a fierce look, before breaking out into a cough.

Tahlova placed a hand on her Dahar Master's arm, as the cough began, like this wasn't the first time it happened. There was a struggle in his cough. However, the old Klingon hide as much as he could of his struggles, before tapping Tahlova's hand to reassure her. "Do you need anything, Master?"

"Only a fine bottle of Bloodwine and a hearty plate of live gagh, Tahlova." Rorek gave her a smile, gripping his cane firmly, as he sat back down in his seat again. "Now, begin your questioning." He gestured to Tahlova, leaning back in his chair, as he placed both hands on the top of his cane.

Eila nodded. "Just to clarify. Operations are currently checking the computer for tampering. However, this is just standard protocol. I trust you can understand we have procedures to follow regarding this sort of incident."

After a brief pause and glance down at the PADD Eila finally began. "Lieutenant. As stated before, you were located in Lieutenant Commander Lurath's quarters during the attack on this ship. Can you please verify that this information is correct?"

"Yes, I was." Tahlova replied. "We just completed with our session with the Dahar Master and wanted to relax. We walked together and decided to have something to eat and drink in Lurath's quarters, since it was the closest."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Eila said. "During your time in Lieutenant Commander Lurath's quarters, to your knowledge did anyone else enter his quarters?"

Tahlova shrugged in response. "I wouldn't know. When we were in the quarters we ate and drank. We spoke about each other's lives and how each of us were doing." She looked over to Rorek, who placed his hand on her shoulder, before giving her a slight nod. She returned her gaze to Elia's as she added. "Eventually, we became... intimate and fell asleep. When I woke, the ship was under attack. I tried to wake up, Lurath, but he was sound asleep."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Eila said. "During your time in the quarters. To your knowledge did either yourself or Lieutenant Commander Lurath access the ships computer, specifically the tactical systems?"

"No." She replied quickly. "After we ate, we sat on the couch, listened to an Klingon Opera we both liked when we were younger, and headed into his bedroom. Neither of us went anywhere near his computer the whole time we were there."

Eila noted that down on her PADD. "You mentioned that Lurath did not wake up when Red Alert was called and that you attempted to wake him. Bloodwine aside, do you have any reason, explanation as to why he remained unconscious? Was he showing any unusual behavior or symptoms that may have caused this state,"

"He is young and virile." The Dahar Master interjected. "Of course, he would be exhausted!" He shouted slightly with a big smile.

"No." Tahlova said quickly. "It's not that. I mean he... well... It wasn't that In the middle, Lurath seemed to be pushing himself, like he was trying to keep going. Pushing himself, until we finished. Then, he collapsed and looked at me with a smile, before closing his eyes and going to sleep."

Eila blinked a few times, she didn't need that image in her head. "Ok thank you." She said simply. "I must inform that we will be checking for any foreign substances that may have influenced the Lieutenant Commander. Its nothing against him, it is a protocol we need to follow."

She turned her PADD off and placed it down on the table face up. "I don't have any more official questions for you. I want to thank you for your co-operation. Off the record, I don't personally believe that Lurath would sabotage the ship and I am sure that Captain Misaka would also be of the same opinion." She stated. "However, we do have to follow procedures and protocols when it comes to these sort of things. You are both free to return to your usual activities. I will keep you informed should anything come up."

"What good is your protocol if you are checking him for substances after the fact?" Rorek said firmly as he stood up again. "By now, anything that was in his, or her, system could be long since gone." As he gripped onto his cane tightly, Tahlova stood up and held onto his arm. "You said before you were trying to help Lurath, but it seems like your initiative in your protocols is what may lead him to be charged with a crime he did not commit. A crime that will not only bring dishonor to his name, but family as well. A shame on their house and every member in it. I will not allow you to use that young warrior as your scapegoat because you failed to act quickly."

Tahlova held onto Rorek, trying to calm him down. "Master, please. This is not helping Lurath either."

"This one tries to use the Khitomer Accords as a crutch and the other threatens to throw you in the Brig?!" Rorek narrowed his eyes at the officers and spoke his next words in a soft, but deep tone. "I am beginning to think they have a problem with Klingon's being onboard their precious Starship."

She gripped onto Rorek's arm and shouted. "That's enough, Dahar Master!" Tahlova shouted, just before the Rorek began to cough heavily again. She helped him back to his seat and looked over to Eila and Kenneth. "Can one of you get him something to drink?"

"Of course," Eila said as she rose to her feet. She crossed the room to the small replicator which was built into the wall. There was a soft whir as the replicator hummed into life. Eila turned with a simple glass of water in her hand. "Here you go Dahar Master." she said as she held the glass out to him.

Rorek swiped the glass out of Eila's hand, before quickly covering his mouth. With Tahlova's help, he rose to his feet, looking down at the Commander with narrowed eyes and a firm look. "The only drink that goes past my lips, Commander, is Bloodwine." He growled softly while keeping his mouth covered. He shrugged his arm away from Tahlova's grasp before walking away and out the door of the interrogation room.

Tahlova reached down and picked up the glass, a concerned look her in eyes, before handing the glass to Eila. "The Dahar Master did not mean what he said. He, like all of us, are just concerned that Lurath will be dishonored by these accusations. He has been our teacher since we were young. Keeping an eye on us and moulding us into great warriors. Especially Lurath. Many made him feel like an outsider, because he was part Betazoid, but the Dahar Master always treated him like he was a Klingon Warrior. No different from anyone else. We all care for Lurath, even Goka, in his own way. We know he isn't responsible, because he would know what something like this would do to his family and honour. I know it looks like him, but it's not. I stake my own honor on it."

Eila nodded. "I can respect that Lieutenant." She told her softly. "I have noticed that then Dahar Master was covering his mouth upon leaving, not to mention the heavy cough. If he is unwell, I would advise that he take a visit to sickbay." She suggested. "There is no dishonour in receiving medical treatment if you are unwell." she stated.

"Regardless that type behaviour does not need to be tolerated," Hunt spoke up. "And it will not be tolerated. I've stood by observing and special treatment because of his position will not give him a pass."

"The Dahar Master is our guest Lieutenant." Eila reminded him sharply. "His frustration is understandable considering the current sutuation." She added. "Since we're done here. Ensure that the Lieutenant and the Dahar Master get back to their quarters."

Kenneth Hunt simply didn't understand the need to tip toe around the Dahar master in his opinion. But instead of arguing his point, he simply nodded to the Commander. "Yes ma'am."

Posting by:

Commander Eila Juutilainen 'Illu'
Executive Officer
USS Ermiana

Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ermiana

Lieutenant Tahlova
KDF Officer

Dahar Master Rorek
Klingon Dahar Master

 

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