He Waits

TACTICS: 

Commander, you're not eating very much. 

RIKER: 

I'm not that hungry. 

KLAG: Is the food all right, Commander? 

RIKER: It's delicious. The pipius claw was excellent. I also enjoyed this Bregit lungs. 

VEKMA: And the Rokeg blood pie? 

RIKER: Delicious. 

KLAG: Good. Then you'll also enjoy this. 

RIKER: Isn't that gagh? 

KLAG: 

Very good. You did some research on our nutritional choices. 

RIKER: 

Yes, but, it's still moving. 

KLAG: Gagh is always best when served live. Would you like something easier? 

RIKER: 

Easier? 

KLAG: 

Yes. If Klingon food is too strong for you, perhaps we could get one of the females to breast feed you. 

(laughter all round the tables) 

RIKER: 

You're not worried about my weakening, are you? 

KLAG: 

Look around you. There are no old warriors. 

RIKER: 

No, sir, I'm sure they all died with honour. 

KLAG: Exactly. You may live long enough to learn about us. 

VEKMA: 

He is not very attractive, but I will have him. 

TACTICS: 

They are inquisitive. They would like to know how you would endure. 

RIKER: 

Endure what? 

KLAG: 

Them. 

RIKER: 

One or both? 

(he grins, they all laugh, and the bonding has started) 

VEKMA: 

I may be back for you. 

RIKER: Is she serious? 

KLAG: Yes. 

(Other Klingons leave) 

KLAG: Commander, would you say you're a typical Federation officer? 

RIKER: I suppose so. Why? 

KLAG: Well, it's just you're not what I expected. 

RIKER: In what way? 

TACTICS: You have a sense of humour. 

RIKER: 

I was thinking the same thing about you. 

In all my dealings with Klingons, including our Lieutenant Worf, the thought never occurred to me of Klingons laughing. 

TACTICS: 

There is much about us you do not know. 

RIKER: 

That's why I'm here. 

KLAG: You should ask. 

RIKER: 

I may. After this tour, I may have some worthy questions. 

KLAG: 

Questions about what? About our future? 

Our future is honour. 

Our present is serving this ship. 

TACTICS: 

Like you, I have a mother and a father. 

They look like me, I look like them. 

RIKER: 

Are they still alive? 

TACTICS: 

My mother lives, My father was killed in battle at Tranome Sar. 

RIKER: 

And your father? 

KLAG: 

My father? My father was captured in battle by Romulans and not allowed to die. He eventually escaped. 

RIKER: 

Where is he now? 

KLAG: 

He is on our planet. 

He waits. 

TACTICS: 

He waits for his death. 

KLAG: He will eventually fade of a natural illness and die, weakened and useless. Honourless. I will not see him. 

RIKER: He's your father. 

KLAG: A Klingon is his work, not his family. That is the way of things. 

RIKER: He's your father. 

KLAG: Klingons do not express feeling the way you do. 

RIKER: Perhaps you should. 

KLAG: We would not know how. 

RIKER: Yesterday, I did not know how to eat gagh.