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A New Alliance	By : Kehlan Category: M through R > Predator Views: 2899 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Predator movie series, nor do I own Star Trek, nor any of the characters from either of them. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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“…where he will be handed over to the civilian authorities.”

Just like that the mood in the room changed as the celebratory, almost party-like atmosphere of a few moments ago evaporated to be replaced by rapidly rising tension.

It was Khetara’s question that had caused the change of mood. Even as laughter filled the room at Kihr’yende’s mock outraged expression, the Klingon General was already bringing their attention back to the matters at hand – and the first item on her agenda was the disposition of the prisoner currently incarcerated in Endeavour’s brig.

As the senior officer of the investigating team, Krang of course had been ready for the request. A frown marring his dark features, he handed Kehlan a padd containing the orders from Starfleet Command and silently waited for the explosion that was sure to follow.

The half Klingon captain looked up, not quite believing the text she had just read aloud. Looking round the room, she could see the shock that was no doubt visible on her own face mirrored in the expressions of those around her. Disgusted, she threw the padd down on the desk, where it landed with a clatter that sounded unnaturally loud in the stunned silence.

Khetara stared at Kehlan in complete disbelief. “You are telling me,” she hissed, her face darkening with fury, “that he is going to get away with it?”

Kehlan sighed. The Klingon part of her was screaming for vengeance. But she was a Starfleet officer. She had taken an oath to uphold the ideals of the Federation – and that meant all of them, even the ones she did not agree with. She did not get to pick and choose. “Price… Wood…” she corrected herself, as she repeated the information she had just read out, “…is a civilian. As such he is not subject to military law – which means that he must be handed over to the civilian authorities on Earth for trial.”

“He must be handed over to the Klingons,” Khetara demanded, bringing her fist down on the polished wooden surface of the desk with an audible thump. “He is a contract killer. We have several outstanding warrants for his arrest, all of which predate his current crimes.”

“As do the Romulans,” Rhiana interjected grimly. “We have as much claim on him as the Klingons do.”

Unimpressed with the bickering, George let out a deep, rumbling growl, wordlessly expressing his frustration and annoyance and causing Kihr’yende and Da’rian, who knew their Elder all too well, to glance at him warily. He was aware that any claim his own people might have was fairly low on the list of priorities and while he did not like that, he understood the reason. The crime had committed by a Federation citizen on a Federation ship - and how many times had he heard that point argued, he wondered irritably? How many more times would he hear it before this was resolved? Much as he wanted vengeance… justice, he corrected himself, none of his own people had been harmed. They were discussing the same points over and over. No, not discussing. That implied people actually listening to each other and coming to a reasonable conclusion. The argument was going round in circles and repetition did not appear to be solving anything.

Oblivious to the Elder’s thoughts, Zhiva was shaking her head. “It’s not that simple. Captain Kehlan has already told you. The crimes were committed on a Starfleet vessel, therefore Federation law is applicable. If the Romulans and the Klingons feel they have a case against him they must go through the appropriate channels to arrange extradition.”

Krang grunted. “You know as well as I do, “he said in disgust, “that the Federation will not extradite where a death penalty is involved.”

All eyes were on the Aenar woman now, as the representative of the law. “Krang is correct,” Zhiva said reluctantly. “Federation law does not allow a prisoner facing execution to be handed over.”

Simmering with barely restrained fury, Khetara let out a low growl. Jonathan Price – or Jason Wood – or whatever he wanted to call himself, had cold bloodedly killed several crew members. She herself had been unbelievably lucky to survive the attack. “So I was right then,” she snarled, “he is going to get away with it!”

“Khetara…”

The Klingon General turned on her. “Do the right thing, Kehlan. Hand him over!”

Regretfully, Kehlan shook her head. “I have my orders,” she said heavily. However much she wished otherwise, she could see no legal grounds for disobedience of those orders.

“Screw your orders,” Khetara yelled. “You have a choice, Kehlan. You can obey your orders… OR… you can do the right thing!”

Unexpectedly it was Krang who spoke up for Kehlan. “I want this man dead,” he said bluntly. “I think we all do.” There was a rumble of agreement, but he ignored it. “The truth is, the Federation justice system is inadequate, ineffective and far too heavily biased in favour of the criminal. I do not like the fact that this man… this cold blooded murderer… will end up sentenced to a penal colony and no doubt in a few months, be quietly released back into Black Ops again. We Klingons have a simpler code of justice and if it were up to me, he would not live long enough to reach Rura Penthe.” The rumble of agreement was louder this time and he waited for it to die down before continuing. “But it is not up to me. As Zhiva so correctly pointed out, Wood is Terran and this is a Starfleet ship. They have jurisdiction.”

N’Sal nodded. “The decision is Kehlan’s to make, not ours and we should be supporting her in that, not making it more difficult.”

For the first time, Speares spoke up. “Actually sir,” he corrected, “With the greatest of respect, you are wrong. It is not Captain Kehlan’s decision. Federation law is very clear on this point – and even if it were not, we have orders from Starfleet Command. No-one would dispute that General Khetara is the senior officer present and that she is in command of the mission but she does not have the authority to override direct orders from the Admiralty. There is no decision... no choice… to be made. It doesn’t matter whether we approve or not. Admiral Portway gave a legitimate, legal order. End of!”

Rhiana stirred slightly. Admiral Portway might have given orders, but she had made it very clear in their earlier conversation that Starfleet considered this entire mess to be an embarrassment and that she would like nothing better than for it all to quietly disappear. Had Price been the Starfleet Lieutenant he had pretended to be, there would have been a quiet court martial and no doubt a media blackout in the interests of security.

Catching Rhiana’s eye, Krang shook his head very slightly. It was best they say nothing of that to Kehlan. There was already enough pressure on her to go against her orders and in the end, it was not Admiral Portway who would face possible court martial and loss of her command.

The silent exchange went unnoticed by Kehlan. Immersed in her thoughts, she remained silent. For once she did not know what to do for the best. As Khetara had so bluntly stated, she could obey her orders or do the right thing. But what was the right thing? She had a lot to think about and some difficult decisions to make.
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A New Alliance