Demands of Honor by Kevin Ryan

Koloth did not attempt another one.
    Still, the insult was there and Karel would have to answer it. “Strike me again and I will kill you,” he said, keeping his voice even.
    â€œWhy wait for my blow? That is your intention, to kill me. Though it is early for you to make a challenge. You have been first officer for mere weeks,” Koloth said.
    This didn’t make any sense, yet he saw the deadly purpose in Koloth’s eyes. “I intend no challenge at the moment, honorable or otherwise,” Karel said.
    The captain studied Karel, looking at his eyes. Koloth seemed surprised by what he saw there: the truth.
    â€œThen it seems we have a different problem. You have been a good first officer and I owe my life, in part, to you, but I will answer treachery as strongly as a challenge.”
    â€œTreachery? Captain, I do not know what is going on here,” Karel said, not even trying to hide his confusion.
    Koloth studied him. “One week ago there was a malfunction in the surveillance system in the computer room when you were alone inside it. Logs outside the room show High Councillor Duras coming and going, yet there is no record of what passed between you. What happened in that room, First Officer Karel?”
    â€œDuras offered to help me make a challenge against you, in return for cooperation with whatever he has planned when we arrive at System 7348.” Karel paused for a moment. “I declined his offer.”
    Karel realized he had erred by not telling Koloth about the encounter. But of course, he could not have had that discussion with his captain. There would be no way to hide from Koloth’s sharp eyes that Karel knewmore about System 7348 than he could tell his commander. He knew that the Orion mine there had been funded by someone in the High Council.
    Koloth saw the conflict on Karel’s face. “Why did you not tell me immediately that this had happened?”
    Deceit is a twisted path,
Karel thought, recalling Kahless’s words. Before Karel could respond, Koloth asked, “Does it have to do with the encoded message you received today? Don’t bother to answer, your face responds for you. Now, will you tell
me
what is going on?”
    Or will we fight until one of us is dead?
Karel thought. It was an important question, and for a moment Karel was not sure which path to take. Koloth was an honorable commander who was justifiably concerned about the secrets his first officer was keeping from him.
    On the other hand, if Karel told Koloth the truth, his quest for revenge for his brother’s death as well as his effort to restore whatever honor he could to the empire could end right here. Though Koloth was a follower of Kahless’s path to honor, Karel could not expect him to agree with or join him on his mission.
    Two followers of Kahless, two practitioners of the
Mok’bara
fighting art. Karel had no doubt they were nearly evenly matched. It would be an interesting battle …
    â€œFirst Officer Karel, I have a ship to run—or whichever one of us survives this encounter has a ship to run.”
    In the end, Karel found his decision was simple. “Captain, there are a number of things I wish to tell you.”
    Koloth seemed surprised by Karel’s decision and perhaps pleased. “No wish for a command of your own today?”
    â€œNot today,” Karel answered honestly.
    â€œWhy?” Koloth asked with interest.
    â€œBecause though I may be able to best you in combat, your experience makes you the best possible captain of this ship. And at the moment, the empire needs good, honorable warriors.”
    That touched something in Koloth. “Yes, we face dark times. And not all dangers are from without. What do you wish to tell me?”
    Karel told his captain about the infiltrator program that had sent his brother on a dishonorable mission. He told Koloth about his brother’s decisions to stand with the humans and his final,