K'mpec, who ruled the Klingon Empire longer than anyone in history, is dead.
I want you to discover which one of them has killed me.
Find the assassin.
The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honour.
He must not lead the Empire.
Such a man would be capable of anything.
K'EHLEYR:
I won't bore you with the intricacies of Klingon politics.
Basically, two factions are trying to seize power.
PICARD:
Do you believe there is a threat to the Federation in this struggle?
K'EHLEYR:
Klingon wars seldom remain confined to the Empire. Sooner or later they'll drag in the neighbouring star systems, then the Tholians, the Ferengi.
The Federation won't be able to stay out of it for long.
This has been coming for some time.
Only K'mpec, the head of the Council, has been able to maintain the peace.
TROI:
Now something has changed that.
K'EHLEYR:
Correct.
K'mpec is dying.
He is aboard the cruiser.
He has come specifically to meet with you, Captain.
Alone.
[K'mpec's quarters]
(Picard is escorted into K'mpec's quarters. There's a lot of red in the decor, and the chairs are massive)
K'MPEC:
It's about time you arrived, Picard. Sit.
(He dismisses the guard with a wave of his hand)
K'MPEC: I need your help.
PICARD:
If the Enterprise medical facility can do anything to help.
K'MPEC:
Too late. For some months I have been poisoned with small doses of Veridium six.
The wine. There is no cure.
PICARD:
What do you want of me?
K'MPEC:
After I die, you will act in my name to arbitrate the struggle for power.
PICARD:
I will?
K'MPEC:
No one on the Council can be trusted, and I have my reasons for wanting an outsider.
PICARD:
K'mpec, you cannot possibly be serious. A Federation officer has no business in
K'MPEC:
Nonsense. You are an accomplished mediator.
This is no different than any other dispute requiring your services.
PICARD:
On the contrary, I think this is very different.
And I must respectfully decline.
K'MPEC:
If you refuse the dying request of the Klingon Supreme Commander it will be a insult by the Federation to all Klingons.
Besides, I've already sent the order to the leaders of the two opposing factions.
They're on their way.
PICARD:
You had no right to involve me without my permission.
K'MPEC:
If I'd asked, you would have said no.
[ BE A KING ]
PICARD:
This is not a case of simple mediation.
You are asking me to choose the next leader of the Klingon Empire.
K'MPEC:
No. By tradition, the two strongest challengers fight for the Right of Succession.
As mediator, only you can designate those challengers.
PICARD:
But you have just said there are only two challengers arriving.
What is the point?
K'MPEC:
I want you to discover which one of them has killed me.
Gowron or Duras.
Yes, Duras.
I thought you would find that interesting.
PICARD:
Interesting? You could say that, since he tried to have me killed, and conspired to strip Worf of his good name.
K'MPEC:
And I approved. All for the glory of the Empire. That should be my epitaph.
Find the assassin.
The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honour.
He must not lead the Empire.
Such a man would be capable of anything.
Even war with the Federation.
PICARD:
Very well. I accept.
(K'mpec takes another drink of poisoned wine)
Captain's log, supplemental.
K'mpec, who ruled the Klingon Empire longer than anyone in history, is dead.
We await the arrival of Duras and Gowron, rivals for the leadership of the High Council.
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