Kahless - Michael Jan Friedman [6]
“The problem,” the lieutenant went on, “is of a different nature. You see, a scroll was unearthed alongside the road to Sto-Vo-Kor.”
Picard’s eyes narrowed. “The road the historical Kahless followed when he took his leave of the Klingon people. That was … what? Fifteen hundred years ago?”
“Even more,” Worf told him. “In any case, this scroll-supposedly written by Kahless himself-appears to discredit all the stories that concern him. It is as if Kahless himself has given the lie to his own history.”
The captain mulled the statement over. When he responded, his tone was sober and sympathetic.
“I see,” he said. “So, in effect, this scroll reduces Klingon faith to a series of tall tales. And the emperor-was
is
“To a charlatan,” the lieutenant remarked. “It was one thing for the modern Kahless to be revealed as a clone of the original. My people were so eager for a light to guide them, they were happy to embrace him despite all that.”
“However,” Picard went on, picking up the thread, “it is quite another thing for the historical Kahless to be nothing like the legend.”
“And if the scroll is authentic,” Worf added, “that is exactly the message it will convey.”
Below them, the volcano rumbled. The wind howled and moaned.
“Not a pretty picture,” the captain conceded. “Neither for Kahless himself nor for his people.”
“That is an understatement,” the Klingon replied. “A scandal like this one could shake the empire to its foundations. Klingons everywhere would be forced to reconsider the meaning of what it is to be Klingon.”
Picard’s brow furrowed. “We’re speaking of social upheavals?”
“Without a doubt,” Worf answered. “Kahless revived my people’s dedication to the ancient virtues. If he were to fall from grace …”
“I understand,” said the captain. His nostrils flared as he considered the implications. “For a while there, Kahless seemed to be all that kept Gowron in his council seat.
If that were to change, the entire diplomatic landscape might change with it. It could spell the end of the FederationKlingon alliance.”
“It could indeed,” the lieutenant admitted.
He saw Picard gaze at the volcano again. Down below, Kahless had reached its lowermost slopes, though it looked to have cost him the last of his strength. Still, according to the legends, he would make it to the lake somehow.
“So that is why you constructed this program,” the captain remarked out loud. “To play out the myths before your eyes. To test your faith in the face of this scroll’s revelations.”
Worf confirmed it. “Yes. Unfortunately, it has only served to deepen my doubts-to make me wonder if I have been fooling myself all along.”
Still gazing at Kahless, Picard took a breath and expelled it. “I suppose that brings me to the reason I barged in on you like this.” He turned to the Klingon again. “A subspace packet has arrived from the Klingon homeworld. It seems to be a transcript of some sort. I would have notified you via ship’s intercom….
“But you were concerned,” the Klingon acknowledged, about the possible political implications.”
“Yes,” the captain confirmed. “Anything from Qo’noSo makes me wary-perhaps unnecessarily so.” He paused.
“Any idea what it might be?”
Worf nodded. “I believe it contains the contents of the scroll,” he rumbled. “As I requested.”
was I see,” said Picard.
At that point, he didn’t ask anything of his officer.
Nonetheless, the Klingon sensed what the captain wanted.
“After I have read it,” he said, “I will make it available to Y.”
Picard inclined his head. “Thank you,” he replied.
“And please, continue what you were doing. I won’t disturb you any further.”
Worf grunted by way of acknowledgment and turned to watch Kahless begin his trek toward the lake. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the captain make his way through the clouds and exit from the holodeck.
The Klingon sighed. He would read what was written in the cursed scroll soon enough. For now, he would track the emperor’s progress from his place in the sky, and try again to stir in himself some feeling of piety.
The Heroic Age The chase was over,