Introduction and disclaimer: The characters in this story are
either
the creations of those involved in the production of Star Trek over the
years or are the author’s interpretation of what characters created by
those involved in Star Trek might be like in a mirror universe. With
respect to a couple of characters there are similarities to those
created in a comic book story, but they are not the same people. For
the purpose of this story I’m assuming that while Spock did become the
Empire’s Commander-in-Chief he was overthrown by the Imperial Starfleet
shortly thereafter. For information on the comic book search for
“mirror universe saga” at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. No copyright
infringement is intended. Send comments to kady at earthlink dot
net.
No one was more surprised than Smiley by the Klingon who chose
to
fight alongside them. The aged Klingon commandeered a Bird-of-Prey
shortly after Terok Nor’s capture by the rebels and took it to the
station where he surrendered to make his offer. When asked why he said
it was to restore another’s honor.
A common enough reason for a Klingon to fight, but fight
alongside
Terrans? Kruge’s age made it all the more puzzling. O’Brien estimated
he had to be at least a century—old enough to remember when his own
people were the ones enslaved by the Terran Empire. If anything this
Klingon would wish to destroy the Terrans more than anyone. This was
one reason O’Brien was skeptical. Bashir trusted him even less.
“Whose honor?” O’Brien asked.
The Klingon hesitated before responding. “A Terran’s honor.
Someone
you seem to be very much like. If I fight alongside you I will have a
chance to fight a battle in his name.”
“I think I have an idea,” Dax broke in. “If it’s whom I think
it is
I knew him as Curzon,” she said. Kruge looked at her for a second. Dax
continued. “It’s David Marcus, isn’t it? You want to help him enter
Sto-vo-kor, don’t you?”
Kruge nodded. O’Brien was stunned. Bashir started to grab the
old
Klingon but Dax held him back. O’Brien looked at both Dax and Kruge.
“Perhaps one of you could explain,” he said.
“The official Alliance line is that Marcus betrayed his own
people
to us. It maintains this lie as an example of Terran lack of honor,”
Kruge replied. “Marcus was an honorable warrior. He deserved better
than to be dishonored by those he fought for.”
Dax continued. “Marcus helped the Klingons resist Terran
occupation,
that’s all. He never intended for them to turn around and conquer
Earth. He didn’t expect they’d even be able to.
“Marcus’ mother was executed by the Empire. They knew about
the
first crossover and how it affected Spock and some others. Carol Marcus
was one of those they won over because she realized how different
David’s father had turned out on the other side. When Spock was
overthrown David sought to carry on his vision of reform through an
underground movement. When the Klingons were conquered he worked with
them. He didn’t count on Cardassia’s involvement.”
“That was something no one had expected,” Tuvok said. “At the
time
Cardassia wasn’t considered as powerful as either the Terran or Klingon
empires. When Cardassia entered the war we did not realize they were
purchasing dilithium from an unknown race.”
The Ferengi, Smiley realized. Because of those shipments
Cardassia
made enough gains into Terran space to hook up with the Klingons.
“And once Cardassia hooked up with us it was a whole new war,”
Kruge
said. “Where Marcus was able to offer hand weapons and scout ships the
Cardassians supplied warships. It was a chance to turn the tables and
avenge our earlier defeat at the hands of the Terrans. Unfortunately
Marcus suffered the consequences.”
“And now you want to try to restore Marcus’ honor,” O’Brien
acknowledged.
Kruge nodded. “And earn him a chance to enter Sto-vo-kor as
the
warrior he was. The chance that he should have had in the first place.”
“What became of him?” one of the rebels asked.
“He couldn’t live with the knowledge of what he’d helped bring
about,” Dax said sadly. “He committed suicide.”
