Supreme Chancellor Gorkon sat at the head of the council chambers, waiting for the diplomat to speak.
His young daughter Aze’bur sat next to her Father and waited as well. She knew the purpose of the meeting with the Diplomatic Liaison, and she had been called to advise her father on his dilemma.
Under Gorkon’s instructions, she had gone to the Warrior Academy and witnessed the young warriors as they practiced to the strange music. A few days later she had tracked down the student, Torn, and demanded recordings of the ‘heavy alloy’ so that she could listen to them by herself.
At first she had been a little distressed by the pounding cacophony; but she soon came to enjoy the loud, brutal music. She then played it for her father who sat with a cocked ear, his toe tapping (ever so slightly) to the thump-thump of the rhythm.
Now, the Klingon High Council had been convened under the request of the Federation liaison.
The rest of his staff sat around them, except for General Chang. Chang was busy overseeing the clandestine development of their new prototype weapon, of which Gorkon knew nothing about.
Chev’ral spoke. “I must protest, Supreme Chancellor, this subtle invasion of the Federation.”
“Of what invasion do you speak,” asked Gorkon.
“With all due respect, Chancellor, you have seen the reports. I speak of the human heavy metal music that is starting to poison our Klingon youth.”
“Yes, I have seen them, but I do not share, nor understand your concern,” replied the Chancellor.
By Kahles’ Name. That censored liberal Gorkon is blinded by his liberalism. Obviously, Chev’ral wouldn’t dare say his true thoughts to the all powerful Supreme Chancellor. Instead, he said in his most persuasive tone: “This can only be a clandestine operation by the Federation, to undermine our Empire. They say that they want to sue for peace but we would only become their slaves. Honored Chancellor, I implore you. We must stop this invasion now, before it destroys us.”
Gorkon knew that the ultimate goal of the conservatives was to have no peace with the Federation. They would destroy any human influence in the Empire. But he also knew, that with the majority of the Klingon economy geared for warfare, the Klingon Empire could eventually fall. Both the liberals and conservatives have argued these points between them for the last fifty years. And they would still argue after today.
After hearing his daughter’s report, and seeing the warriors train to the music, Gorkon thought that the youth’s obsession to heavy metal was not harmful to the Klingon way of life. And no danger to the Empire.
He said to Chev’ral, “I will look into this matter. It is of no concern to you at this time.” With that, Gorkon dismissed the council. He got up from the dias, leaning heavily on his Ceremonial bludgeon.
Chev’ral would not forget this matter.
* * *
