((Slivin, Captains Quarters))

After completing their final mission in the Shackleton Expanse and the Slivin was on its way back to Framheim station, Kerak was informed that there was a priority encrypted subspace comm coming in for him from Qo’nos.

“Route it to the terminal in my quarters.” He stretched and routed himself from his bed where he had been on the verge of falling asleep.

“Jutarg, how are things back home?” Kerak immediately recognized that something serious was going on by the look on his brother-in -law’s face. Though he was the leader of the House, Jutarg was always known for his upbeat ‘can do’ attitude, and almost ever present grin.

“Well, things are both good and bad for our House brother, currently my brother. I have a short, but highly sensitive mission for you and your crew to perform while you are en route back to Starbase 72. The House of D’ghor has quickly become a problem for us and our allies since Toral deemed fit to nullify his discommendation and return his families honour. Some even suspect that they may make a challenge for a seat on the High Council soon. There is one vacancy currently, and everyone knows that the old invalid Yu’tan will not live much longer and his House does not intend to try and hold it, as they know the Council seats these days are all bitterly contested and require at least some semblance of Military might.”

“Indeed… you are still planning to challenge for a seat I presume?” Kerak knew the answer, but since he hadn’t been in the loop with all the political machinations for the last few months, he wanted to confirm that that was still the case.

“Yes my brother. And the mission I am sending you on will help further that goal. I need you to go to the Murtaba system near our border with the Gorn Hegemony and somehow take out the new space station that D’ghor and their families allies are currently constructing. It is a direct threat to our holdings nearby, and if we can show the House’s that are loyal to us that we are capable of removing a threat of this nature, it will help solidify support for me becoming the only viable candidate from our faction for the Council spot. We have been able to avoid earning Toral and his associates ire the past few years, but now we must do the leg work to make sure that all of our efforts up until now have not been in vain. Can I count on you brother?” Jutarg asked with a grim and determined look on his face.

“Of course brother, the Slivin will destroy the station. Do we have any information and intel that could help us plan our assault?” Kerak asked.

“We will send you all that we have on the target as soon as this call ends… now tell me, how is my daughter failing as a member of your crew?”

“She is doing quite well in fact, I promoted her to Sogh’la and made her my Second Officer as a sign of her competence. She proved herself to be a capable and insightful officer and a courageous warrior during our recent missions here in the expanse. I remain hopeful that she is destined to be more than a permanent advisor on your staff until she ascends to lead our House one day.” Kerak smiled, genuinely pleased with the progress that his niece had made in the past few months.

“So, I should get you up to speed on the rest of the news. Our House was granted a moon that is rich in both tritanium and high grade deuterium recently due to the outsized role we played in the recent offensive against the Romulan Free State remnants in the Fugala sector. Toral himself thanked us for our loyalty and the sacrifices we made while being at the forefront of the vanguard for several of our recent successful offensives. We were also able to ink a deal with the House of Rakar to supply us with 2 squadrons of B’rels and 3 Vor’cha class cruisers. They have come to realize that they are far better off working with us as allies then constantly losing ships to us over their continually support of the House of Par’ghals ancient and baseless territorial claims over the Caligar system. The death of several of the more corrupt and honored members of their House’s leadership in recent battles has likely helped sway them to our side. When we regain our seat on the High Council we will hopefully help usher in a return to our core values as Klingons. Something that has eluded every leader of the empire for the past 100+ years.

Indeed it was true that every Chancellor from Gorkon onward has been beset with a corrupt administration and perverted incentives, from Azetbur, to Kaarg, to Km’pec, Gowron, Martok, and now Toral…Km’pec and Martok at least made efforts to correct some of it.

But Kerak had well founded faith in Jutargs claims that he would work towards the restoration of their species to their core values. The empire had lost its way, but not irrevocably so. There was still many who believed in honor courage and the old ways.