Shadows- Ch 3

Shadows

By Triplover

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own this or the characters… Captain Soma is Quill’s character and I suppose I get to have the people I make up in this story but Star Trek… this is all yours!
A/N: Okay first of all… this takes place AFTER the Xindi threat has already been taken care of. Got it? Okay… also this was an idea both Quills and I came up with. I didn’t steal anyone else’s work! This is the both of ours. Got that? Good! Just clearing that part up! Now on with ‘our’ story!!!!
Summary: When a time traveler from the future takes a trip into the past the future is forever changed and one man is determined to get back what was lost… no matter what the cost.

A.N.:(and I have to give some credit where it’s due… none of this would have been written if it wasn’t for Quills since it was Quill’s idea in the first place and not to mention all the help there after!)

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Chapter Three

Another failure! Another dishonor heaped upon him and all because of Jonathan Archer. The very name had cursed his house. Stripped him of everything that made him Klingon. The human. The pathetic excuse for a petaq had stolen away his honor and his dignity. But he would not be denied a third time. Duras, son of Toral stood in front of the Klingon High Council, tall and without shame, as the Chancellor eyed him contemptuously.

“Why do you stand before us Duras?” The Chancellor deliberately ignoring Duras’ family title as was befit any Klingon with no honor. “We have already given you a second chance to regain your honor and still you could not defeat the human. Do you come before us seeking pity? Pity is for the weak, not a warrior.” The chancellor was a powerful man. His broad build, long silver hair and thick muscles would make even the most stalwart Klingon warrior tremble. But Duras did not waiver. He had nothing more to lose.

When Duras had gone after Archer and his ship he had been certain that he would defeat the human and regain his honor. With Archer and Enterprise far from Earth or Vulcan…victory had been assured.

Duras had been willing to do anything to destroy Enterprise…but his crew…his crew were not willing to make that sacrifice. They feared for their lives. Even if Enterprise had destroyed his ship at least then he would have died an honorable death. Then he would be received in sto’vo’kor. But even that small token had been denied him. Now there was nothing left but to kill the man that had left him as a Klingon without honor. He would have Archer’s life or die trying.

“Chancellor, I will not fail again. My crew were cowards, all of them. They feared the Expanse when I did not. I am willing to die if it means destroying Archer. All I ask is that you give the means….”

The chancellor cut Duras’ plea in mid sentence as he glared at him. “You blame your crew Duras? Their cowardice is a reflection of their captain! You Duras!”

Duras bit back a reply. This was his last chance. Without warships he would never have the means to hunt the human Archer down.

“Still…Archer is an enemy of the Empire,” said the chancellor. “His actions have caused us great embarrassment. His death would be welcome news.”

Duras looked into the eyes of the chancellor. A toothy grin formed on his lips.
“I pledge my life to his destruction Chancellor.”

The old chancellor looked down at Duras and shook his head. “So you have pledged, so shall it be,” said the chancellor sitting back in his high throne chair. “I will give you ships to hunt the human, but know this Duras…son of Toral…if you fail again…your honor will not be the only thing forfeit.”

Duras bristles internally, but showed no sign of weakness to the Chancellor. “It shall be done,” he said slapping his arm to his chest in salute. “k’pla!”

==

Duras walked down the dark corridors and out into the deserted courtyard of the High Council. The evening air was still and he glanced down the torch lined cobbled stone paths, his eyes scanning, searching intently for a familiar figure.

Hearing a snap behind him, he swung around, dagger pulled, ready for an attack.
There were those Klingons who took more than a dim view of a dishonored warrior.
Duras would carve their heart out if they dared attack him.

“Did they give you what you asked for?”

Duras started, at the sound of the female voice from the shadowy firelight.
Lowering his knife, he glared at the Klingon female that stood before him.

“Yes,” he grinned, his sharp teeth glaring through thin lips.

The Klingon woman smiled at Duras. She was much smaller than other Klingon females and she wasn’t wearing any body armor. She wore a gray cloak that covered her from head to foot. The only thing that suggested she was Klingon, were the cranial ridges, which Duras could see by the dim torchlight. But even that small tell disappeared as her form shimmered and transformed until the Klingon female before him was replaced a Sulibon.

Duras’ eyes opened wide

“He wishes to speak to you.”

Duras took a step back, a fearful reaction to the unknown. Straightening himself, he barked in a low tone. “You’re not Klingon! Who are you?”

The Sulibon woman smiled. “It isn’t important who I am,” she said. “All that matters is that I speak for he who can give you what you want most…Jonathan Archer.”

Duras folded his arms. “When you first approached me, you came to me as a Klingon,” said Duras. “Now you reveal your true form. I would know who I deal with!”

“I am Rihil,” the Sulibon told him. “That is all you need know…that…and my master wishes to speak with you…now.”

Duras hesitated. He did not trust the Sulibon. He barely trusted anyone for that matter,
but the offer made by the woman…Klingon or Sulibon…was far too tempting.

“Take me to him.”

The woman nodded. “Follow me.”

==

It had not taken long before Duras found himself aboard Rihal’s ship, if it was indeed hers. After seeing her transformation, he was less certain that his eyes could be trusted.
It was only the prize, Archer’s head that ushered the Klingon forward.

He looked around the darkened room suspiciously. Rihal had told him they were still orbiting Qu’nos. For that to be so, Duras knew the vessel was either well disguised or using some kind of cloaking technology.

Rihil, motioned him to follow as she stepped through an archway. As Duras, passed through the arch, two large doors closed behind him and a feint blue light flickered. The Klingon was momentarily startled, but quickly regained his stoic composure. He had done this before but each time it left him with a feeling of unease. He had asked Rihal what the room was for her answer hadn’t satisfied him. For your protection. More likely he thought it was some form of energy dampening field to neutralize any energy weapons he might be carrying.

Once the flickering light ceased, a second set of doors, opposite to the ones he had entered through, opened and Rihal once again motioned him to follow. Duras walked
past the opening as he followed the Suliban agent.

The room was empty, with exception of one circular platform in the center of the room. He had seen it before. Rihal’s “master” used it to communicate from wherever he might be hiding.

Duras approached the platform as Rihal remained behind him. He knew fear when he smelled it and she most definitely feared whatever used that platform.

Watching the low light, he noticed a shimmering image begin to form. A static crackle hissed as if the very air were being torn open. A dark mass began to form above the platform, coalescing into the shimmering shadowy image of a faceless humanoid.

“You have been successful?” said the black figure.

“Yes, I have been given command over a detachment of ships,” said Duras. “More than I will need.”

“You will need them in order to complete your task,” said the shimmering figure.

“You give him more credit than he deserves!” spat Duras.

“We have had dealings in the past,” said the shimmering figure angrily. “Others who serve us have made similar claims and yet he lives.”

Duras scowled at the image. “What of the Vulcan? Was he able to set his plan in motion?”

“All is proceeding as we have planned,” replied the figure. “He is aboard Enterprise…you will await the signal. You will not move against Archer or his ship until then. Do you understand?”

Duras gritted his teeth. He was no ones lap dog, but he would hold his tongue if it meant that Archer would be delivered into his hands. “I understand,” he said ingenuously. “I will await the signal…then I will cripple Enterprise and Archer…Archer will be mine.”

“As agreed,” replied the darkened image.

Chapter 4

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A handful of people have made comments

whoa. I loved this chapter. The Duras character was well written, and I assume he's the Klingon that lead the chase after Enterprise when they had to enter the Expanse. (I started watching season 3.)
Hmm, so I wonder if this Soma can be trusted. More questions have been raised, I wonder how deep the conspiracy goes.

Oooooooo! Duras! (Hisss! Boooo!) Suliban! This just keeps getting better and better, Triplover/Quills! Please, keep going (faster, faster)...!

:O :O :O :O

I can't believe it! Soma isn't Soma, he's that other guy! Dammit!

Well...whoever suggested that instead of Cutler being the bad guy it was Soma...pat yourself on the back!

Ooh, this is getting so good...more please!

SOON!!!!

Triplover, you better come up with the next chapter soon! I'm loving this!