A Different Kind of Lesson

Stardate: 70320.1648
Subject: A Different Kind of Lesson
Author: N’Dura
Scene: Personal Quarters
Time: After “Off the Record” and “A Fair Exchange”

13H45 SFT

With the stink of the Cardassians still lingering in her nostrils, N’Dura headed for her quarters.

She entered her room, looking around to ensure that everything was as she left it.

Unfortunately, it was. Half unpacked, the room was not a welcome place for respite. The stuffed bear that the hybrid child had bestowed upon her looked forlorn on the mantle beside her batleth, its head drooping on its chest.

She was reminded of her evening workout with TC Blane. He had hinted at learning the Mok’bara.

N’Dura ran her fingers along the wood frame of her batleth. The Mok’bara was more than just a martial art. Originally, it provided exercise and techniques for warriors between battle. But it had evolved almost into a religion. It required a commitment and a dedication that went far beyond a martial art. On Boreth, the instruction of the Mok’bara was one to one. One teacher and one student until the student became the master.

She had defeated her instructor upon her 18th birthday. She remembered the day like it was yesterday. The sound of a Klingon hawk had distracted Linkasa for a mere split second, enough for N’Dura to send her flying into the muddy pond.

Linkasa stood slowly and as she pulled herself from the pond, muck and mid clinging to her white Mok’bara garments, she lay down her batleth and bowed to N’Dura. The master bowing to the student who had become the master. Then Linkasa picked up her batleth, turned and left.

N’Dura never saw her again. She had won… but she had also lost. N’Dura never felt so alone as that day.

Blane was human. How could he understand the long-term relationship necessary to learn the ways of the Mok’bara. Besides, the Mok’bara had evolved into more of an artform than a battle technique.

Perhaps the Arie child would be a more worthy student. She was young enough to be molded in the Klingon ways… and she seemed to prefer Klingon to her own culture…

“Computer, display personnel file of Lt. TC Blane.” N’Dura smiled as she scanned Thomas Cassius Blane’s file.

Perhaps she could teach the Lieutenant a different kind of lesson.

Her stomachs grumbled loudly reminding her that she had not eaten since yesterday. Time to grab some grubs.

Lt. Commander N’Dura
Chief of Security
USS Independence