USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202107.23 Introduction: . The Penumbra had left the Lampros system deep in the Breen Confederacy to return to the Alpha Quadrant to relay what they did manage to learn about the Breen (as little as that may have been). . They were also using this as an opportunity to pass by Vulcan in order to perform the long-delayed wedding of LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris and LtCmdr. Bevin MacArdry! . The flight back to Vulcan took a couple of days, but it was uneventful and now the ship was safely in orbit of Vulcan. Tabby's father, Konar of House Tibris, had already beamed aboard and they had received word that Bevin's oldest brother, Cianan MacArdry, was en route and due to arrive at any time. . As part of the preparations for the wedding, there were a few ritualized challenges that both Bevin and Tabby must complete. While the challenges were mostly honorary at this point (it was unlikely that either would be "refused" by one another's families) they were "required" before the wedding could go forward. . * Note: this Narrative includes some pre-sim commentary regarding the arrival and introduction of Konar that took place in the Eight-Forward Lounge earlier in the day. * Eight Forward: Arrival of Konar . A tall, grey-haired Klingon dressed in robes of a decidedly Vulcan style, entered the Eight Forward Lounge. He stood a good hand's width taller than six feet, and was broad shouldered. He glanced around and called out, "nuqneH, Penumbrians!" . LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris was in the Lounge waiting for him. At the sound of the older Klingon's voice he spun around and exclaimed, "Father! Hello." . The older Klingon responded, "It is agreeable to see you again, my son," followed by a smirking smile acknowledging that what he'd said was decidedly Vulcan-sounding and not very Klingon-like. . Tabby approached and said, "It has been a while. I am sorry, Father." (edited)
. "Bah!" the older Klingon spat out. "It's only been a few years. But ...," he studied the pale-skinned half-Klingon carefully, then said, "I see you have an extra pip or two on your collar. I am sure there have been many glorious battles in which you gained honor for our House." . "Yes, Father," Tabby beamed at him, "I am a Lieutenant Commander now, a senior officer. I have taken many battles and one such battle I suffered a minor hearing injury and ...," . "Hmm," the older Klingon scowled, "only LIEUTENANT Commander then ... well, I suppose it will do ... for now." . Tabby frowned, "Father! I worked hard for this." He stopped a moment and then said, "I have more news. I found myself a woman, like how mother was." . "Hmph," the older man glowered, "there is none like your mother." . "But," Tabby said, then paused, lowering his gaze and voice slightly and adding, "She's not a Klingon. Or a Romulan. She's of ... some distant race." Bevin is of a race called Deryni, though her family, her Clan, had language, customs, and mannerisms closely similar to Earth's Scottish Highlands. . The older Klingon gave a dismissive wave, "If you have chosen her, then perhaps she will be good enough ... for you." He gave his son a smirk and a wink. . Tabby blushed slightly, "Fa-Father! You're so embarrassing, Old Man." . The elder Klingon explained, "I only mean that it took quite a woman to take on this old boar!" He gave a wide grin and slapped Tabby on the back, nearly knocking him over. . "Oof!" Tabby grunted as he stumbled under the assault. Introducing the Bride . LtCmdr. Bevin MacArdry had entered the lounge during this exchange, carrying a basket with five ornate candles in it. She spoke in her Scottish Brogue, "Hay ais a grait wairryir, sair, aind haes haed mich Hanir aikkrewd tae hais naim." She stepped up and bowed slightly to the older Klingon, giving him a show of respect of her own people.
. The older man scowled, glancing at Tabby and then back to the fiery-haired female as he asked, "What ... did she ... say?" . Tabby grinned at Bevin and said, "Love, this is my father, Konar." . Bevin spoke again, "Sair, tais guid tae be maitin ye ait laist. Taibby ainsirs verra weel tae, bayin tha main tha I'd be draimin o spaindin me laife wi." . Konar, the elder Klingon, scowled again and turned to Tabby. "Is this the way she speaks all the time?" . Tabby smiled back at him and answered, "I sometimes have a hard time translating her strange language. I think she said 'He is a great warrior, sir, and he's had much honor accrued to his name.'" . Bevin just nodded to confirm the translation. . Tabby translated the second statement Bevin had made, "'Sir, 'tis good to be meeting you at last. Tabby understands the ... buying the main ... that I'd be dreaming of spending me life with.'" He turned to Bevin and asked, "Right?" . Bevin smiled back at him and said, "Clawse, mo Croidhe, verra clawse." . Tabby smirked, translating again, "'Close, my love, very close.' Meaning, I got it wrong." . Bevin continued smiling, "Bit nae tae fair awff, me dairlin." An Old Acquaintance . About that time Cmdr. Relok entered the lounge. He stiffened at seeing the older Klingon and spoke in Klingon, "nuqneH, batlh! Greetings, Honored One!" and gave a slight bow. . Konar turned and eyed the Vulcan a moment, then recognition passed over his features. "Relok! Ah, it has been some time since I've seen you as well. I'd heard Tabeshk was serving with you." . Tabby said, "Yes, Father, he's one of the many officers I serve with. Along with another Vulcan, a female named T'Lin, also a proud warrior in her own right." Language Barrier? . Konar still scowled every time Bevin spoke. Tabby looked at him and said, "Yes, she does speak like this all the time. You get used to it."
. Konar shook his head and said, "I suppose I will have to learn to decipher her strange speech impediment if she is to be a daughter of our House." . Relok's eyebrow shot up at the term "speech impediment" and his thoughts rang out to the telepaths in the room (Bevin and Tabby), ~Here it comes!~ . Tabby turned to Bevin and said out loud, "Love ... no! Don't get upset, he didn't mean anything bad by it." . But Bevin just laughed! "Raivaired Aildir, ye shaeld hair me whole clain whain we gait aintae ain airgewmint, tha's naethin!" . Tabby frowned, "Hon, even I couldn't understand that!" . But Konar blinked at her then said, "Did she just call me ... Revered Elder? Ha!" his laugh rang out like a bellow. . Tabby grinned, "Aye, that she did." He paused then caught himself, "Whoops, let it slip! 'Aye' means 'yes' in her dialect. When you spend waaay too much time with someone who speaks differently, it begins to rub off on you." . Relok smirked, his thoughts saying, ~Konar is smarter than he looks.~ He walked away across the lounge. . "So," Konar began, "what is the fiery-haired woman's name, or should I just call her Fiery and be done with it?" . Tabby answered, "Bevin ... Bevin MacArdry. Isn't she lovely?" . "Lovely?" Konar snapped. "Since when does beauty play into marriage? Is she fire-blooded, fierce, and dependable? That is what she brings to your House, my son!" Then he smiled and added, "But ... having a little beauty does add a little something, eh?" He slapped Tabby's back again. . Bevin's face started a slow crawl from normal to bright red to match her hair. She stepped away and sat down the basket of candles for later. . "Oof!" Tabby winced again at the big Klingon's meaty blows. "Yes, she is fiery, fierce, and dependable. She's saved my life more times than I can count, even when I tell her to get to safety!"
. Konar responded, "Then she'll probably do well enough until you get to Sto-vo-kor, eh?" He grunted then turned and said, "Now, how about you find us some gagh and we have lunch, eh?" . "Eeww! Yuck!" Tabby answered. "Father, not those things again!" . Konar grinned at him. He knew Tabby hated the disgusting worms. But Bevin returned with a huge punchbowl filled with the wriggling worms for her soon-to-be father-in-law. Though she provided him gagh for lunch, she couldn't wait until he tasted the new way she'd roasted that suckling targ-like creature they'd beamed up from Lampros Three! Meeting the Commodore . Sometime later, the Commodore entered the lounge to find the trio (and Relok) still relaxing there. Konar looked up as the man approached and growled, "nuqneH?" . Cdre. Zak Taylor responded, "I do know how that translates, Mr. Tibris." . Relok commented, "I seem to recall that on occasion you have responded to a greeting with the phrase 'Whaddya want?', Commodore." . Tabby tried to explain, "He said 'greetings', Captain." . Relok turned to Tabby and said, "And I shouldn't need to explain to you, Tabby, that the literal translation of the Klingon 'nuqneH' actually is 'Why are you bothering me?' or something very similar." He went on, "It is often used as an informal 'greeting', though, so I accept it as such." . Tabby laughed, "My father's a lot more restrained that that, Relok, you know that." . Konar just quietly smirked as they digested what he'd said, and what it had meant. Anticipating Bloodsport . After a few more minutes, LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke joined them. As he approached, Tabby gestured to him and said, "Den might enjoy Konar's Dojo on Vulcan." . Den gave a slight nod, "That is true, I might."
. But Konar, having heard the plans that Bevin's brother, Cianan, had for them, said, "If there will be a targ hunt, I will be present! Especially if there is the possibility of Tabeshk being gored and gutted! I wouldn't miss that!" . Tabby just rolled his eyes at his father. "To be fair, Old Man," he said, "You're more likely to be gored and gutted than I am!" . "Ah, I may be old," Konar said, "but I am cunning! And smart enough to let YOU attack the targ first!" . Tabby scowled. "Father, I'm half-Romulan. I'd find its weaknesses before injury. You'd just charge right in blindly wailing!" . Konar scowled back at his son. "Sometimes you are just a bit too much like your mother." . Den smiled at the exchange and then said, "I changed my mind. I believe I will be participating in Master Konar's Targ hunt." . Konar eyed the Chief of Security and Tactical Operations and said, "If I understand Mr. Hawke correctly, he might be interested in the wedding since there will be pain administered and possibly bloodshed!" . Tabby laughed, then groaned as he realized what his father had referred to. "I forgot people are going to beat the crap out of me with foam swords! Ugh!" . "Foam?" Konar barked out. "Where did you get THAT ridiculous idea? Padded perhaps, but they will be ma'Stakas! Hardened wood and stone, just wrapped in cloth and leather!" . Tabby gawked. "Relok said it'd be foam!" He turned and glared at the Vulcan. "I should have known he was full of it." . "I beg your pardon, Tabby," Relok responded. "I clearly explained there would be padded weapons. You assumed that meant foam." He smirked. . Tabby giggled and replied, "I beg YOUR pardon, Relok, but I didn't ask the peanut gallery!" . The Commodore glanced around and then asked, "We're not ... really ... going to try to injure Tabby are we?" . Konar responded to Zak, "Of course, we are, Commodore! That is the whole point!"
. "Oh crap," Tabby groaned. "Khal'Gon is going to RUIN me! Oh, no!" . Relok added, "I believe we are supposed to strike Bevin as well, correct? Perhaps to knock her unconscious and steal her from Tabby?" . "The HELL you are!" Tabby snapped. "Touch her and you're going to end up on the floor, Relok!" . Konar patted Tabby's shoulder. "Do not worry, my son. If you are a strong warrior you will vanquish your enemies and secure your bride. Otherwise ... well, there wouldn't be a wedding then!" . Zak stammered, "But ... but ... it's just for show, right?" . Konar grunted, "It may be ritualized, Commodore, but ... we Klingons don't play around when it comes to fighting! Do we, Tabeshk?" . "No, sir, we do not," Tabby acquiesced. "Let the bloodshed commence!" Identifying the Tawi'Yan . Then Tabby turned to Konar, "Father, Khal'Gon's another hybrid, like me, but ... this time ... Nausicaan and Klingon. He's going to wipe the floor with me and you and I know it!" . Konar flinched and made a face. "Half Nausicaan? How disgusting!" . "Father!" Tabby glared at the older man. "He's my Tawi'Yan and you WILL respect him. Have I made myself clear, Old Man?" The Klingon term, Tawi'Yan, meant "Sword Bearer", something like the Best Man. . Konar made a sound in his throat, "Hmph ... well, if your mother could tolerate an old boar like me, I suppose I can tolerate a ... Nausicaan as Tawi'Yan." . Tabby relaxed, "Thank you, Father." . Just then a man entered wearing full kilt, plaid, sporran and sark, a sgian dubh sticking out from one gartered stocking within the pampootie clad feet ("pampooties" are raw-hide shoes similar to moccasins). A large penannular brooch held up the plaid and a golden torc circled his neck. He spoke in a thick Scottish Brogue similar to Bevin's, "Beannachtaí, gach duine." . Zak glanced up at the man in the kilt. "So, you must be Bevin's brother. Welcome to the Penumbra."
. Tabby also turned to the strangely dressed man. "And here I thought it couldn't get any weirder. Greetings aboard the Penumbra." Then he mumbled, "I wonder if the Ambassador Android will be present? He's like an uncle to me." More "Speech Impediments" . Then another strange accent rang out across the lounge as a grinning Marine strode in. "I heared they's gonna be a waidden! I's excited!" . Tabby gave an eyeroll and said, "And that would be Homer Kyle, another crew member I work with, Father." . Konar scowled at Homer and asked, "And he too has a speech impediment?" . Tabby answered, "Yes, Father, he's the one that actually does!" He smiled, then added, "He and Al Thums." Then he turned to Zak and pleaded, "Oh, Captain, PLEASE keep Al locked in his room so he doesn't ruin my wedding with his clumsiness. Please, for everything that is honorable." Ens. Al Thums had a reputation for being "cursed" that had already spread around the ship. . Zak smirked at him and answered, "I think Bevin assigned Al to run a full diagnostic of the waste reclamation facilities." . Tabby sighed with relief and then added, "If Al is to be involved, handcuff his feet and arms so he doesn't touch ANYTHING." The Head of Clan MacArdry . By this time the man in the kilt had closed the distance and spoke to the Commodore, "Tapadh leibh gu dearbh, thaink ye sae mich Cawmmidair." He turned towards Konar and continued, "an tae tha faithir o me saistir's chawice o hasbinds, graitins, an may we ailways fight alangsaide aich ithir ainstaid o aigainst aur sane tae be kain." . Tabby said, "Thank you, Cianan." . But Konar just grimaced, trying to make sense out of what Cianan had said. Eventually he just grunted and said, "Yes, yes, greetings to you as well. I have heard you are the leader of your house, Clan MacArdry?"
. Cianan responded, "Aye, I be tha Laird o ait ivvir saince me faithir paissed an due tae a fawlty shuittil. I waes tha Tanist afair tha." . Den tapped his commbadge and muttered, "I thought I had that Universal Translator working right." . About that time a man strode in wearing just an ordinary business suit, only with an ornate medal instead of a tie. Tabby noticed him and shouted out, "Uncle Adam!" and ran over to give him a hug. . The Android Ambassador smiled and embraced Tabby, then nodded across at Konar. "Greetings, Konar. You are looking well." . Tabby finally released the Android and cleared his throat. "Um, welcome to the Penumbra." Holodeck Hunt: Gathering at the Gate . * Note: This is the beginning of the actual sim. * . A while later, the various guests and crew members that were interested had gathered in the Holodeck. LtCmdr. Bevin MacArdry, Chief Engineer of the Penumbra and bride-to-be of the upcoming wedding ceremony, had temporarily removed the wall between Holodeck One and Holodeck Two in order to provide more interior space for a targ hunt. . This hunt was Cianan MacArdry's idea. Cianan was Bevin's oldest brother and served as the leader of Clan MacArdry since their father had passed on. The hunt would serve as the "Speerin" for LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris, who was Bevin's fiancée. A Speerin was a Deryni (and Scottish) tradition in which the groom proves his worthiness to the father of the bride (or, in this case, to her oldest brother). . Though the hunt was being done in the Holodeck, Bevin had raised the safety protocols such that they were set to be just short of "fatal injury". This was to provide the highest level of realism to the hunt that was possible without risking death. Anything less would have been dishonorable to the Klingon side of the family!
. Just inside the Holodeck door, Konar, Tabby's father, hefted a boar spear and growled fiercely as he said, "There will be blood spilled!" . Khal'Gon stepped into the Holodeck as well and hefted a boar spear. Khal'Gon was a half-Klingon, half-Nausicaan Marine that Tabby had selected as his Tawi'Yan, his Sword Bearer, a position like the "Best Man". As usual, he towered over everyone else being an inch over seven feet in height. . Beside them, the Vulcan, Cmdr. Relok, lifted his own spear, trying to remember just how to use one. It had been a LONG time. Relok grew up in cloud forest jungles in the tropical mountains of the southern continent of Vulcan and was a Sentinel of the Order of the Sehlat, and as such he'd trained with many different weapons in environments much like the one being simulated in the Holodeck. Only it had been several decades since he'd been an active Sentinel! . LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke joined them, now dressed in normal off-duty clothing that he wouldn't mind if it was destroyed in a targ hunt. Den was the Chief of Security and Tactical Operations, so was no stranger to a variety of weapons and training scenarios. He'd also spent a good part of his life as a member of the Borg collective and had many memories shared by other Borg in the collective that would likely mirror this scenario. . Bevin's brother, Cianan, entered with an armload of extra boar spears for anyone who needed one. He handed one to Tabby and propped the rest against a "tree" near the holodeck entrance. . The Android Ambassador entered and glanced around, clutching one of the boar spears indifferently in one hand as he remarked, "Very nicely rendered. It even feels and smells like Q'onos." . Dr. Shadow K'Trevala entered with an extra, full medkit, since he had read up on how much damage a rampaging targ could do to a person. Choosing Weapons . Eyeing the boar spears, Den asked, "Are we particularly required to use spears?"
. Cdre. Zak Taylor glanced at Den and said, "I certainly hope not! I'm gonna use a phase rifle." . Khal'Gon grinned at Den and said, "I would use my bare hands if it did not offend the honor of House Tibris." . Cianan spoke up then, his strong Brogue almost indecipherable. "Nay, jist me aind Taibby, fer me tae see iffin he haes ainuff cawrije ain haim tae faice ane o thaim wi jist a spair." He'd explained that only he and Tabby were required to use the spears, and that this was so that he could see that Tabby had "enough courage in him to face one of them with just a spear." . Tabby turned to his Best Man, "Khal'Gon, we plan on getting dirty here, so ... do whatever suits you. Bite that targ's face off! All the more bloodshed!" He turned to his future brother-in-law. "Oh, come on, Cianan, let others have some fun too! Yeah, you want to see my skill, but it can't hurt to let Khal'Gon rip a targ's face off! That'll be funny!" . Khal'Gon looked at the spear in his hand, then grinned and tossed the spear to the ground, following up by stripping off his shirt and any protective gear he may have been wearing. "Today is a good day for bloodshed!" he declared. . Relok glanced at Den and Zak and said, "I think the primary hunters, Tabby, Khal'Gon, Bevin, and Konar are required to use spears. We others are doing it just for effect. We could use someone with ranged weapons for backup. Sometimes these targ don't realize when their mortally wounded." . Den explained, "I was more asking about another weapon, such as a Yan." He pressed a couple of buttons on the Holodeck controls and a pair of Klingon straight swords materialized. He lifted one and brandished it a moment. . Adam Android glanced at the spear in his hand and then returned it to the tree where the others were as he said, "Perhaps I might best serve with a rifle as well. Though, I can access specific training routines for utilizing a spear just as easily."
. Cianan clarified, "Way hae tae yase thaim, fer ivvryane ailse, ait's awpchinal." Interested Observers . About that time Col. Travis Patterson and SgtMaj. Derek Hines entered the Holodeck. Patterson held up both hands and shook his head at Tabby's questioning look. "I'm here to watch." . Hines held a tin cup of "sludge" in one hand just as they all heard grunting from the forest up ahead. He grinned and said, "Sounds like the hunt is on." He gestured with his cup down the trail and then lifted it to take a sip. . Koran gestured for Tabby to take the lead, since he was the groom and the focus of the Speerin. He said, "I will avenge you if he kills you, my son!" He gave him a broad grin. . Bevin stepped up beside Tabby, then glanced over at her future father-in-law and said, "Way'd gae taegaithir thain, Raivaired Aildir, fer I'd nae waint tae be wi'aut haim." . With that, Tabby led off, crouching low and advancing slowly, spear in hand. The grunting noises seemed to indicate there might be several targ up ahead rooting for food. . Khal'Gon grinned toothily and squatted to gather two handfuls of mud, coating his hands and then rubbing the smelly ooze across his face and chest. He pounded once on his broad chest, partly to knock the remaining mud off, and said, "Bring me glory!" He then followed behind Tabby at a half-crouch, totally unarmed, his arms at his sides like some wrestler ready to tackle someone. . Patterson watched the direction the hunting party took towards the grunting, and checked his WAR rifle, just for his own protection, and slipped in to the back of the hunting party. . There was a distinct waft of air in the hunting party's faces, and the stench of swamp mud and targ feces! The Android wrinkled his nose and muttered, "I should have disabled my olfactory receptors."
. Both Bevin and Cianan smiled, glancing at each other, and moved on, paying the stench no attention. . Hines chuckled at that, emptied his cup of "sludge" and tossed it aside, joining Patterson at the rear of the group. Eight Forward Lounge: Not Into Hunting . Lt. Katarina Hawke had elected not to join in the hunt. She knew she was no hunter and didn't have much interest in it. Instead, she relaxed with a grilled chicken cob salad in the Eight Forward lounge. She smiled to herself at the thought of those engaged in the hunt. . A moment later, LtCmdr. Jason Carter entered the lounge, bored since the ship was docked at a station in orbit of Vulcan and there was nothing to do at Helm. He collected a bowl of clam chowder and a glass of some kind of fizzy drink, then turned and noticed Kat. He headed over and asked, "Is this seat taken, Doctor?" Without waiting for an answer he added, "Not one for a hunt either, Kat?" . Kat was still musing to herself. She figured that outside of the Klingons, who were used to hunting, Kat wondered if her brother or Patterson would claim the prize of the hunt. She could actually imagine Den gloating if he won. . Finally, Kat noticed someone speaking to her. She looked up and smiled, "No, not at all." Whether that was in answer to whether she minded if he sat with her, or whether she was a hunter, she didn't clarify. Then she said, "I'm surprised you're not at the hunt." . Carter just shrugged and sat down with his meal. "Never really been much of a hunter. I've been on ships my whole life." . Kat took a bite of her salad, chewed thoughtfully, then said, "I barely remember my childhood, so I don't know if I've ever hunted. I've been on ships my whole life too, if a Borg cube counts." She gave him a smirk. . They sat quietly for a moment, and then Kat asked, "So ... Carter ... how are you doing today?" She was still not a fan of quiet during a conversation. The Holodeck: Finding Targ
. The hunting party made their way carefully and stealthily through the forest, homing in on the sound of grunting made by the targ as they rooted. . Bevin blew Tabby a kiss and peeled off to come at the targ from a different vector. . Den gave a sniff and peeled off himself, thinking the wind had shifted slightly and that he'd come from a bit more downwind. . Khal'Gon moved away from the others as well and made himself known, kicking the ground and shouting and grunting, baiting one of the targ to come for him. If nothing else, it should improve the rest of the party's chances of catching the targ by surprise. . And then they saw them. In a clearing in the woods flowed a lazy stream and rooting in the mud near the water were four huge targ. One was probably as big as Tabby and weighed at least 200 pounds if not more! The other three probably weighed 100 pounds each. All four had vicious tusks as well as sharp spines on shoulders and backs. . On the other side of the clearing, Khal'Gon burst from the brush and snarled, "Which one of you dares to charge me, huh?" . Tabby readied his spear at the largest targ, studying it a moment to find its weaknesses, even while remaining downwind of it. He could see the thick musculature of its shoulders, the thickness of its ribcage, the bony spines and protruding tusks. . Bevin waved at Tabby from her vantage a few yards away. She pointed at her mouth, then at the base of her neck between her collar bones. She knew those were the most vulnerable spots on a targ. . On a separate trail, Den quietly rolled his eyes at the Nausicaan. He heard his sister over their shared residual Borg interlink as she speculated on Den gloating over a kill. ~Probably not,~ he sent back to her, ~And one only should gloat like Klingons would for this occasion.~ He seriously doubted he'd get anything on this hunt, though he was working on tracking one, if his idea worked out. Main Party
. And then Tabby, without hesitation, made an attempt for the large targ's throat! He rushed out, boar spear lowered for the pig's throat, when suddenly the thing lowered its head to root in the mud! Tabby's spear jabbed into the side of its neck instead of the throat. That part of a targ is thick hide and fat and the blade of the spear only penetrated a couple of inches, not near enough to be deadly to this size beast! Tabby yanked the spear back, readjusting to try for its belly. . Cianan had watched Tabby's first lunge and nodded approvingly at the half-Klingon's courage and skill, in spite of the bad luck that caused the death blow to fail. He charged at the huge targ as well from the opposite side. . Tabby's huge targ squealed in pain and anger as Tabby's spear jabbed at its ribs. Unfortunately, targ ribs are extremely tough and the spear didn't penetrate. Cianan on the opposite side hit similar resistance. This was not just some wild boar, this was an enormous Klingon targ, with meaty muscles, heavy bones, and thick hide. . The targ thrashed towards Tabby and its razor-sharp tusks passed just inches short of his groin! Tabby shoved even harder on his spear, trying to get through the ribs to the vulnerable organs inside. . Bevin rushed in, shoving her spear into the beast's neck, then dropping low and drawing her sgian dubh, the boot-knife in her stocking, and slashing at the enraged targ's throat while her fiancée and brother had it pinched between their two spears. . Koran lunged forward then, having allowed the groom the first strike, the brother-of-the-bride to offer support, and the bride herself to assist her betrothed, he felt now was time for him to have his own fun! He thrust his spear in right beside Cianan's and shoved, hard.
. The huge targ was now impaled on four spears and had a gash across his neck. None of the injuries were deadly ... yet ... though it wouldn't be long for the beast to bleed out. It shrieked in pain and anger and thrashed even harder. . Just then, one of the other targs in the clearing took the opportunity to rush Tabby, and another rushed at Cianan on the other side. Khal'Gon . At the other end of the clearing, one of the smaller targ, the one nearest Khal'Gon, raised its head and bellowed at the half-Klingon, pawing at the ground aggressively. . Khal'Gon grinned and locked eyes with the beast and lowered his stance to receive the charge. "Come on, then!" he shouted at it, "Come and get it!" . The targ took Khal'Gon's bait and charged at him, squealing and snarling as it ran. And it ran fast! Faster than Khal'Gon had expected! . Khal'Gon's eyes went wide as he realized the targ was faster than he expected. He brought his hands up to catch the beast by its tusks. . The targ and Khal'Gon wrestled a moment, but Khal'Gon soon discovered that a targ is an extremely strong wrestler! It almost managed to escape from Khal'Gon's grip, but desperation and adrenaline kept his hold tight. . Khal'Gon backpedaled to a nearby tree, dragging the targ with him. With huge yanks, he slammed the beast's head into the tree once, twice, a third time! Finally, the beast was dazed and stumbled backwards. Khal'Gon tried one more bash into the tree, then growled and bared his own Nausicaan/Klingon tusks and bit into the targ's neck, going for the jugular! Den . Den had taken a smaller trail; one he was sure was a targ path. He was sure there was one down here, or should be, he knew he wasn't that bad at this tracking stuff. . When he found it, he almost stumbled onto it. It was quietly drinking from the stream and as Den stumbled out of cover it snatched its head up in total shock!
. "There you are!" Den exclaimed. Not giving the beast a chance to attack first he charged head on, slipping to the side at the last minute and taking a swing at its hind legs with his Klingon Yan sword. . The blade slashed through the targ's left hind leg. Blood spattered and the thing leaped sideways, stumbling, before lashing out with its tusks, that scraped along Den's forearm drawing blood of its own. . "Okay," Den said out loud to no-one in particular, "that hurt." He rolled away, then tried another swing to take out the other legs. He thought to himself, ~If it can't move, it can't attack!~ Especially if he wasn't in front of it. . The beast turned slowly, staring at Den and panting, limping on its badly injured leg. Main Party . Rushed by one of the other targ, Cianan quickly yanked his spear out of the huge beast and whirled to plunge it between the ribs of the new incoming threat. The blade scraped between the ribs, making an eerie sound, and punctured a lung of the targ. It hung there, it's weight threatening to pull the spear out of Cianan's now blood-soaked hands. . Tabby bent and picked up a large rock and hurled it at the targ that was rushing at him since his spear was still lodged in the huge targ's side. But it came on, tusks slicing open the side of his left thigh! Tabby grabbed the beast by the tusks and began wrestling with it, trying to break its neck. . Bevin snatched her spear back and rolled, placing the spear over her left leg to brace it against a charging targ. Koran snatched his spear back out of the side of the huge targ, spun, and thrust it at the targ fighting with Tabby. As he did he screamed, "Die, you bastard!" . Cianan released his spear and let the targ carry it to the ground, choosing instead to snatch his dirk from his side, attempting to slash the targ's throat as it went down, or, failing that, to jab it into the beast's mouth and into the brain!
. Bevin saw Tabby was weaponless, struggling with the other targ. She tried to press her sgian dubh into his hands, but, both hands were busy gripping the thing's tusks. Tabby growled out, "Aaargh! Break that damn neck of yours, damned pig! I want to make boots out of your skin!" . But Tabby found that targ are very strong wrestlers. He could just barely hang on to the beast's tusks and couldn't turn its head with enough force to break its neck. All he could do was rely on his adrenaline to keep a desperate grip on the deadly tusks. Finally, he released with one hand and accepted Bevin's knife, slashing at the thing's exposed throat. . Just then, the first targ, the huge one, collapsed to the ground, twitching as it died. The second one, with Tabby holding its tusks with one hand and slashing at its neck with the other, continued fighting the half-Klingon, with neither of them getting anywhere. . But one of the other targ now rushed at Konar from behind! Konar's unprotected backside was slashed open with the razor-sharp tusks! Konar screamed in anger and agony and dropped his spear. Khal'Gon . Across the clearing, Khal'Gon's targ had been bashed against a tree and now was dazed and stumbling. Khal'Gon's Nausicaan tusks were almost as dangerous as the targ's and he'd drawn blood. The thing thrashed and kicked at him with sharp talons, cutting Khal'Gon's arms and chest, but they were all just superficial damage to Khal'Gon. . The half-Nausicaan let out a deep growl as he ripped his tusks from the targ's throat, rolling it and slamming it into the tree for one final blow. . With the beast now dead, he stood, panting, and let out a blood-curdling roar and hefted the thing onto his shoulders and started back across the clearing to the others. Den . Off alone on a side trail, Den and his targ were locked in a stare down with the targ breathing heavily and limping on a slashed hind leg.
. Den muttered, "Come on ... try it." . Suddenly it rushed towards Den with a stumbling gait. As the thing charged, Den thrust the long Yan sword into the beast's mouth. The blade sank deeply into the animal's brain and it collapsed, dead, onto Den's thighs, bringing the man down beneath it. . Den grunted and shoved the hundred-pound beast off of him, taking slightly more effort than one might have expected. He rose to his feet and then made a powerful hack, removing the animal's head as a trophy, since he wouldn't be carrying the whole animal! Main Party . Dr. Shadow K'Trevala was part of the hunting party. Just because he was a doctor didn't mean he didn't enjoy a good hunt. He'd taken one of the spears and when he saw Tabby in a bind, hurried to give him some help. . As Tabby saw Shadow rushing to help he shook his head and called, "I've got it, Shadow, it's just a cut to the leg. Help my father!" . Shadow quickly switched direction and rushed to spear the targ behind Konar. . Meanwhile, the Android had held back from the front of the group, letting the Klingons and the Deryni do their thing with the hunt, but when he saw another targ coming up behind Konar, he finally saw an opportunity to do something. He raised his phase rifle and fired. Immediately, the targ twitched spasmodically and fell, stunned. . Zak was also near the back of the party with a phase rifle. He held it up, ready for a shot, but cursed, "Damn it! Where am I supposed to shoot in all this?" It seemed every time he thought he'd have a shot; Tabby would get in his way as he wrestled with the targ. . As Tabby and his targ wrestled, Tabby had slowly moved backwards and now noticed his father's spear lying on the ground. He made a desperate move for it, snatching it up and bracing it against the ground just as the targ made another lunge. The beast was impaled in the gut and as it fell, it took the spear with it to the ground and lay there, lifeless.
. Shadow tried to impale the targ that was on Konar's behind, thrusting more or less blindly. Tabby snatched the spear from beneath his dead targ and yanked, pulling it free. He spun and hurled it towards the one behind his father, an admittedly dangerous throw past his father and near to Shadow. . But it worked! Shadow's jabbing caused the beast to turn and rear up and Tabby's spear caught it right in the base of its throat just as Shadow thrust into its chest with his own spear. Between the two of them, the beast was dead. . They looked around a moment. Four targ were dead around them. They took a minute to assess their own injuries. Tabby's left thigh had been slashed with tusks. He also sported many smaller cuts on arms and chest from the one he'd wrestled with. And Koran had been gored ... in the butt; one cheek ripped open with a nasty gash. But, no-one else had injuries worth mentioning. Regrouping and Aftermath . They heard the victory roar of Khal'Gon from across the clearing just as Den wandered up from his side trail and dropped a targ's head at the Android's feet muttering with a faint Welsh accent, "He's wirey." . Zak glanced at the bloody Security and Tactical officer and said, "Looks like he's not the only one wirey. I think he got your cybernetic arm." . Den glanced down at his arm. "I felt it, but ... I can have it looked at later. If I'm not mistaken, unless its life-threatening, we should wear the wounds as a badge of honor from the hunt." . Tabby bent and struggled to lift the huge 200-pound targ to his shoulders, then squatted to grab the tusks of the smaller one he'd wrestled with to drag with him. . Shadow and Cianan began examining and tending the various wounds the hunting party had sustained. They would be sure to leave scars, not using any advanced dermal regenerators or anything of that sort. The marks would be Badges of Honor for the Klingons and anyone else with that kind of mindset.
. Suddenly, the Android glanced up and noticed Relok in a tree nearby, his boar spear readied for a throw that never presented itself. Adam muttered, "How did you ...? When did ...?" . Relok simply dropped lightly from his tree perch and stepped over to Tabby. He said, "Quite a successful hunt, Mr. Tibris. Unfortunately, I never got a good opening to release my spear." . Tabby smiled at him, "It's alright, you did good." . Adam saw Khal'Gon coming back carrying his targ over his shoulders, and at Tabby struggling with his enormous load. He said to them both, "You do realize that is a holographic targ. You cannot bring the carcass out of the Holodeck." . Tabby groaned, "Awww ... but ... targ!" . Bevin wrapped an arm around Konar to help him get back to the Holodeck door. She grinned at Tabby and said, "I hae saiviril ain tha fraizir tae be rawstid fer tha waiddin faist." She'd salvaged the meat from the pig-like creatures they'd fought for real back on Lampros Three. . Khal'Gon dropped his targ carcass to the floor, then wiped up some of the blood from his chest, licking it off his fingers. "A good fight," he said. . Tabby dropped his two as well with a sigh and a grin. "That was fun!" . Bevin smiled too, "Aye, ait waes tha." . Then Tabby turned his grin on his father, "Hey, Dad! Remember how you said I'd get gored? Well at least I wasn't gored in the ass! Haha!" . Konar just scowled at his son a moment, then burst out laughing. "It will be a glorious retelling! How I sacrificed my backside to protect my son!" . Tabby made a noise, "Pfft! Sure, Dad, sure!"