"By the Book"

"By the Book"

Lt. Korn Zaje, Chief of Security
Lt. Cmdr. Shirik Lektar, Ops Chief

Location: Security Office, Deck 3
Stardate: 58807.14, 15h45

***

Shirik was not looking forward to this meeting, for a number of reasons. Capt. sh'Orthamu's departure made it necessary. She was not going to go to the new captain with this, she was going to do it right this time. Well, technically, she hadn't gone to the captain with it last time either, the captain had just taken it up herself. She wondered if she'd ever gotten the chance to notify Korn as she said she would. 

She found herself standing before the door of the Security office. Alpha shift would end in 15 minutes so she wanted to get this done before he was off duty. She straightened her back, took a breath, and stepped inside. 

The small but muscled black-skinned woman paused a moment to let her violet eyes sweep the room. Her hair hung in a tight white braid down her back. She carried a PADD in her left hand, and a sheath strapped to her right thigh held her blade within reach but mostly out of obvious view. Her eyes found Korn at his desk and for a moment she just looked at him as old memories began to resurface. Bajoran, dark hair, the air of authority about him... It brought her back 9 years to the first moment she stepped into Ben's office to have this same conversation. The moment that changed her life. But this was not Ben. His eyes were not the same color as hers. She shook off the memory and approached his desk. "Lt. Korn," she greeted. "Do you have a moment to discuss something?" she asked. 

"You have no doubt studied my security file, as I have studied as much as I can about the rest of the crew, and I presume you are aware of my people's custom of 
always carrying a weapon with them?" She paused to be sure her presumption was correct before continuing. "My preference is to wear my Kemla at all times, and while I understand that may not be possible because of security protocols, at the same time, I feel rather... naked without it. Captain sh'Orthamu also carried a blade, an when she saw mine she immediately approved my carrying it, and said she would inform you. I have no idea whether she did or did not, but in light of her departure, I thought it best to go through proper channels for approval. I can answer any questions you may have about the blade itself or anything else.." she trailed off and decided to settler herself into a chair. Her every movement was unconsciously graceful, the result of years of proper training in how to carry herself as a member of the Royal House combined with her innate grace and agility. She was more lean and muscular than one might assume she'd be, unusually so."

"On my homeworld," she said carefully, "Many people are armed. Assassination attempts are common, especially among the Noble and Royal Houses. My blade is a Kemla, and is an item unique to me." She stood and slowly slid the 8-inch blade from its sheath to lay on his desk for examination. It was made of some sort of gleaming black metal, with a serrated back, a barbed tip, and a small channel running its length. There were runes etched into its length. "A Kemla is only possessed by those of high standing. This one was crafted by Drokar's finest bladesmith, and the runes indicate my House and standing. It is a priceless artifact, and has saved my life on numerous occasions." Her expression when she looked at the blade was almost one of affection. 

More memories of Ben came unbidden to her mind, their blade spars. How can Zaje share so many traits with him, she wondered. Are all Bajorans like that? She shook off the thoughts once more. "Very well. It's the least I can do for you approving me to carry my blade." She reached to carefully pick the knife up once more and slip it into its sheath. 

"Indeed. On previous postings I worked with the Security Chiefs on new encryption algorithms based on my native language. If you are interested I can send you the notes on what we worked out to look over."

The warmth in his smile disarmed her. That too reminded her of Ben. She didn't like it one bit. She nodded. "Schedule it sometime on a Beta shift, and just send it to my PADD. I'll place it on my itinerary."

"I know you must be busy as well," she said, her gaze now back on her PADD. "We'll converse later." With that she exited the Security office, and didn't let out her breath until she was out in hall with the doors swooshed shut behind her. She hadn't wanted to agree to the spar, not with him, with someone who so easily triggered memories of Ben. But he had agreed surprisingly easily to letting her keep her Kemla and she felt obligated to agree in return. She wondered whether he hadn't read her security file or decided to decide for himself. Either way, she was glad. Even that was like Ben. She frowned to herself and focused back on her task list, heading away and deciding to stop into the mess hall to eat and work.