Kahless - Michael Jan Friedman [29]
Treachery which will tear apart the Klingon Empire if left to run its course.”
Picard couldn’t help but be interested. “Treachery from what quarter?” he inquired evenly.
The emperor grunted. “I take no pleasure in saying this-but it is my duty as emperor.” He paused for effect.
“Apparently, the Klingon Defense Force is undertaking a military coup designed to unseat Gowron and the rest of the council.”
“How do you know this?” asked Worf.
“I know,” said Kahless, “because I saw two of the conspirators whispering in a dining hall in Tolar’tu, during the Festival of Muar’tek-and nearly every day since. Fortunately, I can still read lips as well as ever.”
Picard looked at him skeptically. “But the leaders of the Defense Force were handpicked by Council Leader Gowron. They have sworn to defend him with their very lives.”
Kahless’s eyes blazed. “That,” he told the human, his voice thick with revulsion, “is why they call it treachery.” He turned his head and spat. “Believe me when I say there’s a scheme against Gowron. And certainly, that would be bad enough. But the conspirators also mentioned Olahg’s scroll-said it had enabled them to get their rebellion under way.”
“How so?” asked Worf.
The clone made a gesture of dismissal. “The rebels are embracing it as evidence that I am not worth their respect. That Kahless the Unforgettable is not what he seems-and never was.”
Worf scowled. “And in many instances, you were all that kept the people from rising up against Gowron.”
“Exactly,” said the clone. “Without me to bolster him, Gowron is all too vulnerable. Mind you, he’s not my idea of a great leader, but he’s a damned sight better than the alternative.”
Picard agreed. Gowron, at least, was still an ally of the Federation. The next council leader might not be so inclined.
His eyes losing their focus, Kahless pounded his fist into his other hand. “I wanted to confront the conspirators right then and there. I wanted to stand on their conniving necks and watch their blood run out on the floor.” He sighed. “Then I realized I wouldn’t be tearing down the rebellion-only lopping off one of its limbs.”
“And that’s when you came to us?” the captain asked.
The clone shook his head. “First I went to Gowron, for all the good it did. He didn’t believe I’d uncovered a threat. He thought I was seeing these things because I wanted to-because I needed to feel important.
Picard didn’t want to say so, but he had some doubts himself. And so would Worf, the captain thought, if he knew the Klingon’s mind.
This business with the scroll was clearly making Kahless wary. More than likely, he was imagining things. Lots of people whisper in dining halls, but that doesn’t mean they plan to overthrow the government.
“You don’t believe me,” the clone said suddenly, noticing some nuance in Picard’s expression. He looked at Worf, then back to the captain again. “Neither of you.
You’re as incredulous as Gowron was.”
“Forgive me,” Picard replied, “but there’s no proo f”…I know what I’m talking about!” Kahless thundered.
“You want proop Come with me to the homeworld and I’ll give you proofl”
The captain didn’t think that would be a good idea. He said so. “It was a risk just coming to this colony world.
Returning with you to Qo’noSo would place FederationKlingon relations in considerable jeopardy.”
The clone’s nostrils flared. “They are in considerable jeopardy already, Picard, though you refuse to see it.
Knowing me as you do, how can you place so little trust in me? How can you ignore the possibility that I’m right-and that the Empire stands on the brink of revolution?”
Picard had to admit the Klingon had a point. With little or nothing in the way of facts at this juncture, he would be taking a risk either way. And if there was a conspiracy after all-and he ignored it-he would have to live with that oversight the rest of his days.
He turned to Worf. “What do you think, Lieutenant?”
The security officer didn’t like to be put on the spot like this. The captain knew that from experience. On the other hand, Worf had the firmest grasp of the