The House of Jutarg was a small but noble House. Centuries ago it had even been considered a Great House. Now, since the diseases had riddled their house through the middle of the 23rd century, they had been relegated to the status of a vassal house, though a well armed one.

They held dominion over only two star systems, having been forced to give up the Cardassian colony that Gowron had bestowed upon them during the brief Klingon-Cardassian War of 2372 nearly a decade prior. Their main holding, and seat of power, Caligar, an old imperial system that was positioned a mere 15 light years from Ty’Gokor, had nearly 150 million inhabitants spread across a terrestrial world and a habitable moon. It was the last vestige of their once high status, when chancellors of the old days had partially entrusted them with the defense of the Empire’s military headquarters. The other system was the home of servile species of proto-Vulcans they had assisted Chancellor Mekag in subjugating 4 centuries before.

The House’s military assets did not rival any of the great houses, but they could defend themselves capably against any minor House while still sending out expeditions and joining larger KDF missions. One member sat by himself in his chambers in a corner of the large sprawling complex on Caligar and stared at a datapadd.

It read;

Crew Manifest and Duty Roster

Captain Kerak- 1

….

Lt. Mereg- 1

Ensign Klig- 2

Ensign Vord- 1

Warrior Lirja- 2

Warrior Krek- 2

Warrior Brork- 1

Warrior Naag- 2

Warrior Ba’Charg- 2

Warrior Hergan- 1

Servant Plej

Diplomat Klabb

Scientist B’ret(Orion)

*The number denotes what shift. In many Kingon ships, two 14 hour long duty shifts made up each day.

It was the blank space in the First Officer position that was nagging at him. He knew who he wanted to take with him on this year long secondment to the Starfleet 4th Fleet. But sadly that warrior had just died fighting a rival house days before.

Kerak, Son of Dang, was over 80 years old and his days of leading squadrons into battle against Romulans, Borg, Jem’Hadar and anyone else were likely behind him. But the leader of his house, and his brother in law Jutarg had asked him if he would put together a crew and take one of their old B’rel class ships and fulfill a commitment he had made to the High Council a few years ago. And Kerak was never one to refuse a mission from a superior. His conduct of and means of executing on those missions were often topics of lively debate behind closed doors. But still, he would never decline.

The House of Jutarg, though no longer a Great House, and no longer on the High Council, was still linked through a series of alliances with a small faction of the council that quietly opposed the succession of the Duras line to the chancellorship. And as such, they had to honour their military commitments until their faction felt the time was right to openly oppose the much maligned Toral amd his cronies. Since Kerak had served with Starfleet on exchange for 2 years as a tactical officer 3 decades ago, and served with them on other occasions Jutarg approached his brother-in-law to do this as a personal favour to him.

But the fact remained, he still needed a first officer.

Just then his door chimed. “Enter” he barked.

“So Uncle. You were planning on taking the Slivin on a year long assignment to serve with the Starfleet, and you didn’t think to ask me hmmm?” She walked over to his large Targalian Oak desk, brandished her dagh’tag and stabbed into the fibrous wood. It was a challenge, either let her come along, or pull the knife from his desk and fight her.

“Put your blade away child. If your mother promises not to disembowel me for it, yes, you can come alone.” Kerak clasped his hands his lap, having known Bamet her entire life(he did not fear her in the slightest(though in the future he would learn to).

“I graduated from the Academy 3 years ago. I have passed my Lt’s exam. I do not need mothers permission. I am an officer in Klingon Defense Force. If mother has her way I’ll spend the next few decades follow father around while they try to arrange a marriage for me with a man from a more powerful house. That is not the life for me uncle. I’m coming with you.”

Kerak bellowed with laughter from his seat. He started to open a comm channel to his sister Grella’s apartment.

“You may not need her permission, my niece. But I still do.” As the comm link connected Kerak thought to himself, maybe I dont need to find a First Officer after all.