Hell's Heart Read Free Page B

“Am I to die of thirst?”
    Picard quickly responded by turning to Riker. “The Riding Club?”
    Riker shook his head. “Someplace where we can talk.”
    â€œMy dining room, then.” He addressed Kahless. “We’ve prepared four heaping servings of gagh .”
    â€œMy favorite words,” the emperor said. “But what will you eat?”

Two
    I n actual years lived, Kahless was the youngest person in the room. The Klingon monks of the Boreth Monastery had created him from what they had presumed to be a drop of blood from Kahless the Unforgettable, the legendary leader of their people in ancient times. Mentally imprinted with his antecedent’s teachings, the cloned Kahless had encountered Worf and Picard. They had later realized his true origins—while also recognizing the potential value of his wisdom to the Klingon Empire.
    Worf had convinced Gowron, the Klingon chancellor at the time, to install the Kahless clone in the entirely ceremonial role of emperor. His genetically engineered nature was made known to all—and while not every Klingon respected the doppelganger, few could find fault with the idea of bringing the words of Kahless the Unforgettable back to the masses.
    Having grown tired of his duties, the clone had fled Qo’noS several years earlier. Events surrounding his disappearance had prompted a near-crisis politically between the Klingon Empire and the Federation until the Enterprise resolved it by discovering the runaway figurehead on Cygnet IV. In the end, Kahless had kept his title, but Picard had heard little of him since.
    Kahless’s fondness for Picard’s and Worf’s company had not waned since their parting, but the emperor’s appetites seemed to have grown along with the man. Picard waited until the emperor was served seconds before he dared to quiz Kahless. “Are you returning to advising the High Council?”
    â€œWhat, and give the endless talkers another chance to bore me to death?” Kahless loosed a guttural laugh. “No, my job there is done. Chancellor Martok does well enough saving the councillors from base ambitions and foolish ideas.”
    â€œAnd that connects to why we’re here,” Riker said. “Thenobles of the House of Kruge have invited Kahless to their centennial celebration as their special guest. As he was living on a Federation world, they asked us to deliver the invitation.”
    â€œAnd you, Picard, are to deliver me ,” Kahless said.
    â€œMy pleasure.” Picard looked to Riker. “Will you be joining us, Admiral?”
    â€œI’m preparing to attend the H’atorian Conference,” Riker said. “ Titan and I will head first to Starbase 222 to fetch Ambassador Rozhenko. Kahless, you remember Worf’s son? He’s been our ambassador to the Empire for several years now. He and I will stop at Qo’noS in advance of the summit.”
    â€œAh, yes,” Picard said. “I understand we’re expanding the Federation consulate building there. The old embassy was a bit . . . cramped.”
    â€œThe new design really fits in with the rebuilt First City,” Riker said. “It’s ostensibly an inspection tour, but the real goal is to meet with Martok about the conference and ensure we speak as one.”
    â€œAn accursed lot of running around,” Kahless grumbled. “I pity you both. A sad fate awaits successful warriors among your people.”
    Riker smiled wanly. “My wife says I should start a diplomatic taxi service. But appeasing the House of Kruge will go a long way toward getting the H’atorian Conference off on the right foot.”
    Picard knew of the meeting, still days off, and its importance. The Federation had many new member worlds beyond Klingon space and an interest in reaching them easily; but while the two powers had reciprocal transit agreements, the most direct routes led through a