Thanks for all your support and replies! The Devis security team showed the crew of the Meesha and the two Jedi to the guest house. It was really just a single large room with several beds. It was used when large numbers of guests showed up. And with a family as large as Ebony's, that happened often. "Can you tell me," Monou Biss said as he looked at the Jedi. "What that wast all about?" "Ebony's daughter, Ruby, is training as a Jedi healer," Kinna looked at the two on the beds. "And she was trying to heal our friend Joshua. When this is done, people who are powerful empaths can pick up what's happening. Metla is an empath. Heavy is too, evidently. I hate to think about what they saw. Something very bad happened to Joshua when he was a commando." Boom looked over at Shot who held both of Metla's hands with his left, while scratching behind her ear with the other. Then to Tek'mal who hovered over Heavy. "Who did he serve with, the Empire or the Alliance?" The Twi'Lek asked. "Neither," Kinna gave her a funny look. "Get ready for an amazing story you three. Monou here heard some of this last night," She then told them about Kirk. About the little he'd told them of his life on the other side of the universe, how he'd arrived and what he'd done since then. The three sat, shocked at what she'd told them. Tek'mal was sure that the Jedi was insane. But then her husband awoke. He looked up at her and took her hand. "What a ride." He told his wife. "Tek'mal my green skinned beauty, you would not believe the things I've seen through this Joshua's eyes," And for the next hour, Heavy and the now concious Metla told them of the horrible things they'd seen during Kirk's imprisonment by the Dominion and his brother." "When we were on Concord Dawn, the vision I had?" Metla said. "I was seeing through Joshua's eyes. His brother was evil. That's the only way you could describe him. Purest evil. Almost like that of a Sith. His brother Mackenzie was also obsessed with names. For some reason, he felt they held power." "The hate we felt from Joshua that day on Concord Dawn came from his watching his brother torture their uncle and eight other men. For eight months he was forced to watch," Metla shivered. Shot took her in his arms and held her tightly. "The fact that he could go through that and still manage to destroy the base is proof that this is the toughest man I will ever meet," Heavy said. "Impressive," Tek'mal said as she put her hand on her man's chest. Heavy seldom gave such praise of one outside their people. "He sounds like quite the warrior," But she then gave Heavy a sly look. "But what about his other exploits. The gentle conquests?" "No!" Heavy sputtered as he blushed. "I'd rather not talk about another man's loves." "Good," said Metla. "But I will!" She then told Kinna about the reason Joshua was there: the wife of the Klingon Emperor. "Tall, a warrior of great renown in her own right. A force of nature in the bed who would not take no for an answer." "But melee's shown us pictures of the Klingons," Kinna said. "Other than this girl Khindie, they're not the prettiest bunch." "True," Metla agreed. "But the Empress was half human. She was very beautiful." Jon entered and asked his guests if they felt up for dinner. The brothers hadn't eaten since the night before, so they agreed. Jedi healer Audra Veena entered the Devis household with Ruby and Ano and was introduced to everyone, one at a time. When she got to Joshua she stared into his eyes. After several minutes she turned to Ruby and hugged her. "You did a wonderful job Ruby!" The small woman said. "I could not have done as well." "Thanks to your training, Mistress Veena." "Well I have to get moving," The small Human woman nodded as she turned for the door. "I still have to check on the progress of one of our benefactors over at the space port." "Benefactors?" Magenta asked. "Yes," Jon said. "They dropped out of hyperspace a couple weeks ago in three ships, three frigates. Unlike any we've ever seen. They were having problems with one and asked to be allowed to land while they made their repairs. Well that night there was a pirate raid on the city. These men and women immediately took the fight to them. Half fought on the ground. The other half jumped into two of their ships and went after the three ships the pirates came in. In half an hour it was over. The pirate's ships are just so much debris in orbit right now, and of the one thousand that landed, only eleven lived to beg to be arrested." "Sound like fearsome fighters," Mulk said. "Are they Mandalorians?" "No, they're all one race," Jon told them. "They do seem to all be soldiers, though." "A very rough and tumble bunch," Veena added. "They drink a lot, and fight a lot amongst themselves, though they tell me it's all in fun. Just warriors being warriors," Joshua smiled at that. "But the one thing I can't abide is this vile drink called blood wine." Joshua looked down and shook his head, laughing. They all stared at him. "Is something funny?" veena asked. "They're Klingons," Kirk told her. "Yes, that's what they call themselves. Do you know them?" "Yes!" He nodded. "I'm the reason they're here," Joshua stared at Veena, intently. "Is Gond still their leader?" "Yes," She nodded. "Him and his wife Zanat." "Good," Joshua sagged in his chair, his joy obvious for all to see. "I'm going to see them." "No you are not!" Peenk shouted. "Look at you! You're still shaking from the encounter with Ruby. You are in no shape to meet them. And I don't want you getting in another fight like we had a week ago. You've killed enough bad guys. You need some peace. Now to bed, or I'll have Mulk drag you to the ship and lock you in the Rat's Nest." Okay, okay," Joshua muttered as he got up and weakly put his hand on Peenk's shoulder. As she led him out he turned his head to Mulk. "God! It's like we're already married." Everyone laughed as he was led from the room. "Who said anything about marriage, Josh?" Peenk could be heard saying outside in the hall. "You know that's never going to happen!" "Ha!" Joshua replied, loud enough so he could heard by all. "It's too late. I've set my mind on conquering you. You already own my heart, I will own your heart as well. Besides, I'll pester you until you give in, or kick me off your ship." "Don't tempt me!" She said, gruffly. "Oh, please," Joshua chuckled. "You know you'll never kick me off your ship." "And why not?" "Because you know how hard it is to find a good cabin boy." "So how does he know these Klingons?" Veena asked Mulk, grinning. "Well, he was his government's ambassador to the Klingon Empire at one time, believe it or not," Mulk told her. "Until he got their Empress pregnant," Mulk told her grinning. The short Human just shook her head and left, laughing. The Mazuran then turned to Melee. "Kid, I want you to keep an eye out for Josh. I have a feeling he's going to want to sneak out later and visit these Klingons." "You got it, Buir," Melee said with a grin. Magenta held Diamond, sadness in her eyes. Ruby stood beside her, running her hands over her red hair, smoothing it. "Grandmother?" Diamond stared her Grandmother in the eyes. "Why are you so sad?" "I'm not sad," The woman replied, forcing a smile on her lips. "With two Granddaughters like you, why would I be sad?" "Gran?" Ruby kissed Magenta on the top of her head. "We can feel it. Sadness radiates from you like light from a star. Lonliness too." Yeah," Magenta said quietly as she lowered her head. "I thought that I'd found a man I could spend the rest of my life with. But I now know that he has no love for me. I saw to that with my treatment of my own daughter, Emerald." "But Gran," Ruby kissed her again. "He does love you. But not in that way. Joshua was an owned man the second he set eyes on Aunt Peenk." "And I'm so happy for her," Magenta said, forcing a smile on her lips once again. "She's been so sad since Ree disappeared. It's just that I'm lonely too. There has been no one there for me since Bitty's father died taking Coruscant from the Empire. I'm almost afraid to get out of bed some days, because I know I have no one. And at night, I dread climbing into an empty bed. I miss having someone to hold me at night." "Ruby?" Diamond wiped away the tears that were falling down Magenta's cheeks. "Tell her." "Tell me what?" Mama Montal looked up into Ruby's large blue eyes. "It would seem," Ruby gently put her hands on her shoulders. "That after I healed Joshua, the Force gave me a vision of your future." "Mine? You saw something happy, I hope." "Very," The tall blonde said with a smile. "I saw Joshua on a ship. A ship unlike any I've ever seen. He was talking to a man and woman, showing them holos of his new family. When they got to you the man just stood there, speechless. I think he became an owned man. I then saw the two of you here with the entire family. You were both old, and all of your offspring were celebrating your life together." "Does that mean that I have two more after this little one?" she asked, running her hand over her abdomen, noticing for the first time that she was starting to show. "Two tall, handsome sons," Ruby said, placing her hand over Magenta's. "Is he one of Josh's people?" "I think so. They call each other cousin, so I guess they're related." "No," Magenta shook her head. "That's what these super soldiers call any of their own kind who isn't a direct relative like a sister or brother. And their name for themelves is the Family. They're like Correllians and Mandalorians when it comes to family. They also like big families for the most part." "Oh, don't tell Uncle Ulrich, but the woman I saw in the vision? She's going to own him. And give him six children." "Well!" Magenta smiled. "That is good news. My eldest son needs to be happy. And Min will be overjoyed. But why do you call being in love being owned?" "That's what Uncle Josh calls it. He says that when you're truly in love, that the other owns your heart and your soul." "I hope all Earthmen are like Josh." "Well actually, I'm a Martian, since I was born on Mars," Joshua said as he stepped around the corner with Melee and Mulk. "Snoop!" Joshua stood outside the hall of warriors that sat on the outskirts of the Soran city of Suur, a couple dozen tall Sorans standing nearby listening to the raucus noises emanating from the dimly lit structure. "It looks rather dark, Josh," Magenta said. "That's because," He nodded. "Klingons prefer a lower level of light." "Then they're good night fighters?" Melee asked. "Oh yeah!" Joshua chuckled. "They're good night fighters. They're also good day fighters." "Oh." "Klingons just love a good fight," He said with a smile. "And you're just going to go in there alone!" Magenta stared Joshua in the eye. "Have you lost your mind again, Josh? Melee's told me about these people! They're taller and stronger than humans. They can take much more punishment as well. And you want to face off against a room full of them. I'll never understand you." "Please!" Magenta put her hand on his shoulder, tears in her eyes. "Joshua, please! I don't want to raise another baby who's father died before they were born. You don't know how much that hurts." "Magenta, I will be fine!" Kirk told her as he placed his hand over hers. "This will be between Gond and myself. No warrior will dare step in unless one of us does something dishonorable." "So you trust him that much?" "Yes. Gond is my sworn brother. And his ships were the ones that found me after I escaped from Teros 6." "But they tried to kill you and the crew of Excalibur!" Magenta exclaimed. "What?" Joshua stared at her. "No they didn't! They were trying to rescue me!" "Say what?" Mulk asked, as all three stood in shock, staring at Joshua. "Excalibur showed up in orbit around Q'onos one day with an escort of two ships," Joshua began. "Captain Mackie said she had a representative of the president on board with instructions for me. When I beamed aboard, they beamed me straight to a cell and left at maximum speed. Martok sent Gond's battle group after them to rescue me. They considered what they did to be an act of war. I am a hero to the Klingons. I am also the head of the House of Kirk." "So you're not in any danger?" "No! I'll go in there, he'll insult me, I'll insult him. He'll then punch me. And that will be the start of it. We'll throw each other around the room for a while, then we'll have some blood wine," Kirk then grinned at the trio. "It'll be like old times." "You know what?" Magenta said as she stared at him for a moment. "You people are truly insane!" "Of course!" Joshua said winking. "We're warriors!" Joshua strode into the Hall of Warriors. Klingons were singing, drinking and fighting. But within seconds the room was deathly silent. "Why have you stopped?" A voice could be heard shouting from the back of the hall. "Gond!" A tall, badly scarred warrior shouted, a grin on his face as he slapped the Human on his shoulder. "You need to see who just walked in!" "Is it the Jedi doctor?" A warrior, clearly half human, strode from a back room. "Kirk!" "Kirk!" In moments he was standing toe to toe with Joshua, towering over him. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here, human, after the way you have dishonored yourself! This is a Hall of Warriors, not jiggolos. Because of you our peoples are at war. We who were once allies are killing each other, while the damned Romulans stand back and laugh. And it's your fault! Leave this place, or I will throw you out!" "Ha!" Joshua laughed as he held his arms out and spoke two words: "Try it!" "Turn up the lights for the human!" Gond shouted before swinging a powerful punch that connected with Kirks jaw. Joshua just smiled. Launching himself into the Klingon, they fought. Mulk, Melee, and Magenta stepped into the hall amidst the shouting and laughing Klingons. Magenta cried out when she saw Joshua flying backward across the room, Gond following in pursuit. "Mulk! Get in there and stop this!" "No," Mulk turned to her, as did several warriors. "This is between the two of them." "But what if his friends jump in?" "Mama?" Melee glanced around the room. "None of them would do that. That would be a dishonorable act." "True," A tall klingon woman leaned down to Magenta. "The girl is right. This is a fight between two old friends. We only wish to see two of our greatest warriors let off some steam as the Earthmen say." "Let off some steam?" Magenta asked, incredulous. The woman pointed at the two men. Magenta saw that as Joshua took a boot to the side, both men were grinning. "They are insane." Magenta said loudly. "Completely!" "Of course they are! They are men!" The woman then stared at Magenta hard. Bending over once more, she sniffed her. Standing upright again, she grinned. "It's just unfortunate that our peoples are now at war." "They're not at war," Melee cut in. "You sound rather certain!" The woman shot back at Melee. Mulk told the tall woman about the open lines of communication with the Federation. With a grin the woman jumped several meters out onto the floor and between the two fighters. Gond stared at her as if she was mad. "Wife! Why do you stop us?" "I was just talking with Joshua's friends and his mate. They say this Republic is talking to the Federation. There is no war." "What?" Gond stared at Kirk. "Is this true?" Joshua nodded, smiling. The men then embraced as two brothers. "Someone bring us Blood wine!" Gond shouted as he sat at one of the few unsmashed tables. "Now where's this mate of your's my old friend." Melee pointed at Gond and began to ask the Klingon woman a question, but was cut off. "Yes, that's a protective suit he's wearing," The woman told her. "So am I. Gond's mother is a Genaral, as my father is. That is one of the things that are uniting our peoples. There has been much interbreeding between us. One day, we will be one people. But that will not be in our lifetime." Magenta stood glaring down at Joshua. "What was that all about?" Magenta growled, pointing to the smashed funiture. "Hey," Joshua shrugged. "It can all be patched up quickly." "That's not what I'm talking about. I thought Ruby healed you?" "What?" Gond stared at his comrade. "Healed?" A look of sadness enveloped Joshua's face. "My brother, does this involve that which has haunted your warrior's soul since teros 6?" Joshua hung his head, saying nothing. Gond proceeded to tell Joshua about the meeting of the allied commanders on Mars. "When Martok got back to Q'onos," Gond began to explain. "He informed Kahless, and the heads of each great house what they'd learned. We all agreed that those men deserved to be honored no less than you. Their sacrifice saved the lives of hundreds of our commandos," The tall Klingon stood and reached across the table and took Kirk by the shoulder. Joshua stared up into the warriors eyes. "My brother, I sing for those warriors every night, as I sing for you. I sing for your men to reach Sto-vo-kor, there to live among the honored dead. And I sing that our dead gods heal your scarred half soul." "And I thank you, my brother." Joshua nodded as he returned the gesture. "He has been healed," Magenta placed her hand on Gond's shoulder. "No longer will he be tormented by the nightmares of the past." "I must say," Gond stood erect and stared in awe at Magenta. "Joshua, your young mate is as eloquent as she is beautiful." "Joshua William Augustus Patrick Kirk!" A woman's voice shouted out, silencing all in the hall. "Oooo," Gond's eyes widened slightly. "Or is that fiery golden haired beauty your mate?" "Yes," Magenta nodded. "She's his mate. I'm her mother," The tall man's eyes widened even further. "But I thought you were his mate?" Zanat asked, surprised. "I can smell Joshua's baby in you." Magenta started to reply when Peenk pushed them aside as she stepped next to Joshua and leaned over him. "Have you lost your mind? Ruby sets your head straight, and then you go out and do this?" "Ha!" Heavy, who had accompanied her with his brothers to make sure she was safe, stared about the room at the destruction. "Looks like we missed all the fun!" "What?" Peenk spun on him. "You think this is fun?" "There's nothing wrong with a dust up between two soldiers," The man replied, defiantly. "Not if they're friends." "Hey!" Metla said as Peenk turned to her. "Jedi do it too. We just call it training duels. Only, we're gentler on the furniture." "Come!" Heavy turned to Joshua. "It is time to sing for our dead brothers." "Sir?" Gond turned to the Mandalorian. "Are you referring to those who fell in the battle that happened south of the city?" "Yes. My two brothers, myself, and two Jedi are the only survivors of the forces of the Grand Army. We are here to sing for our dead," Heavy put his hand on Melee's shoulder. "And this girl, her sister, and brother are the children of the only survivor of the opposing force. They wish to sing for their father and his men." "Yes," Gond nodded. "The locals told us of the battle that happened here. Every day some of our people volunteer to sing to protect the valiant dead, from the rage of those who died without honor." "Then they need stop," Boom said as he stepped forward. "The only dishonorable acts that occured here, happened in orbit." "Sir?" Heavy stared at Gond for a moment before turning to Shot and Boom. "Would your people like to sing with us?" Boom asked. "Of course!" Gond clenched his fist over his heart. "You give us a great honor. I will meet you at the cemetary in an hour with my entire crew." The three nodded once more and left. The Klingon leader turned to Melee and asked her if she had a problem being there with men her father had fought. "No. These are good men. Just as my father was." "How did your father die?" Gond asked. "He," Melee lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "He died trying to protect the three of us from pirates." "Then don't cry young one," Gond said gently as he smiled down at the girl. "Your father has made the greatest, most important sacrifice a warrior can make. He died protecting the ones he loved," As one, all the Klingons stood at attention and clenched their fists over their hearts. "We shall sing for your father and his soldiers as well young warrior." With the sun rising, the crews of the Runner and Meesha left Ebony's home for the war cemetary. They were greeted by the sight of all the town's people standing atop the hills surrounding the valley where the dead were buried. Several holonews cameras flew overhead recording everything. The crowd parted for the group. Standing alone on the hill top was Gond, in full battle gear. "Welcome brothers and sisters. Let us lift our voices." Joshua cleared the summit and beheld a sight that stilled his heart. More than three thousand Klingon warriors, also in full battle gear stood ready to sing. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Is something wrong, Joshua?" Gond asked, concerned for his brother. "No!" Joshua laughed. "I was told your ships had been destroyed. I thought that the warriors in the hall were all that was left." "Ha!" The Klingon said as he stared at Kirk, puzzled. "When that Republic Navy freighter realized we were no threat, they hit us with their ion cannon, crippling our ships. I don't know why they would lie to you like that." "Solana did it to make me suffer while I sat around all day." "They locked you in your stateroom?" "They beamed me directly into a cell. But that is not important right now. It is time to sing for fallen warriors, my brother."