"HONORBOUND"
A STAR TREK: Excelsior Story
By
Jeffrey Holt

The Excelsior dropped out of warp just outside the Seran system. Her shields firmly in place and her sensors probing the area, the starship quickly approached the fledging agricultural colony along the Klingon border.

On the bridge, an Andorian woman stood at a console to the left of the command chair.

"No ships in orbit, sir," Lieutenant Thal, chief of security, reported.

Captain Hikaru Sulu nodded. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Mr. Chekov?"

"We are not picking any humanoid life signs."

"Rand?"

"All our hails are being ignored," the communication officer replied from her station. “The distress signal has not resumed wither, sir.”

Sulu scratched his chin. "Alright, maintain red alert. Mr. Lojur, standard orbit," he ordered the helmsman. An hour later, satisfied that no enemies lay in wait for them below, Sulu ordered a landing party down to the surface.

Sulu and his landing party, consisting of Thal, Chekov, two security guards and Chief Medical Officer T'Kel materialized in what used to be the commons of the colony. Fires burned low in many of the piles of rubble that Sulu assumed used to be buildings. Carrion birds wheeled overhead, startled by the sudden arrival of the group. Chekov scanned the area with his tricorder. The security guards moved away from the team creating a triangle around the officers.

"No life signs," T'Kel reported, pushing an errant lock of auburn hair from her eyes, hooking it behind a pointed ear. She moved off to a group of bodies on the ground a few meters away. A security guard followed her.

"Captain, I'm picking up elevated ozone levels consistent with energy weapon discharge." Chekov touched a switch on his tricorder. "These readings are inconclusive regarding what types of weapons were used."

T'kel stood up and returned to Sulu's side. "My readings, however, are conclusive. Scorching of the tissues on those bodies is consistent with a phased energy device, like a battle phaser."

"Or a disrupter?" Sulu asked.

"Possible. However, in and of themselves, the bodies do not conclusively prove Klingon involvement."

Thal, at the body of a woman near the only remaining building, spoke. "This might prove it, doctor." T'Kel and Sulu walked over to the body. T'Kel scanned the gaping chest wound. She turned to the captain. "Sir..."

"Klingons," Sulu muttered.

"How did you know, sir?"

"I've seen a wound like that before," he answered as he pulled out his communicator. "Sulu to Excelsior."

"Rand here."

"Janice, have Mr. Lojur scan the system for engine exhaust typical of a Klingon vessel."
"Aye, captain."

Sulu slipped his communicator back into his pocket. "Pavel . . ." he looked around. Chekov was nowhere to be seen. "Now where did he go?"

Sulu's communicator chirped. "Sulu."

"Captain," Chekov said, "I think you'd better get over here. I'm about fifteen meters away at your five o'clock." The channel closed before Sulu could ask what Chekov had found.

Slipping the communicator back into his pocket, Sulu gestured at Thal. "Come on, Lieutenant, Doctor."

The rest of the party found Chekov kneeling over a figure half buried in some rubble. A security guard was pulling debris away. Sulu gestured at the other guard who joined his colleague. "A body?"

"No, captain." T'Kel consulted her tricorder. "Nothing organic."

"Captain," Chekov said rising. "I noticed some unusual energy readings a moment ago." He indicated the figure on the ground. "This is the source."

"An android?"

"Only in the simplest sense of the word, sir. It is a robot in the form of a human, but its memory system is insufficient to generate intelligence," Chekov said, dusting his hands as he rose.

"Where did it come from?"

"I don’t know," the Russian answered.

The security guards had managed to clear the rubble from around the android. Chekov scanned the figure laying face down on the ground. Sulu turned to his Andorian security officer. "Thal, find the communications bunker. I want a copy of all records for the last month, up to their distress signal this morning. Also pull up a list of colony personnel. Then have a security squad come down with a forensics pathology team to identify and retrieve the bodies. Have the Records Officer start the necessary paperwork."

"Doctor, I suppose you will want to coordinate your teams?"

"That is a logical assumption, captain."

"I thought as much. Accompany Thal."

"Aye, sir." Thal waved to one of the security guards. "Come with me." The two marched off back towards the center of town.

Sulu knelt beside the android. "Well, Pavel?"

"Hikaru, it is very familiar . . ."

Sulu reached over and began to turn the android over. As it stiffly rolled onto its back

Sulu's eyes widened in surprise. "It can't be!" Sulu found himself staring at the face of Harry Mudd.

Sulu and his main officers sat around the conference table in his office two hours later. To his left sat Chekov, Thal, and T'Kel. To his right sat Rand, who was recording the meeting for the log.

"What have we got?" Sulu asked. "Thal?"

"There are records of a communication between the Port Master and the captain of the Klingon ship Devisor. Commanded by an older Klingon named. . ."

"Koloth" Sulu said.

Thal looked surprised. "That's right, captain."

"He must be nearly eighty," Chekov added.
"Well," Thal said, "it seems they were searching for a ship piloted by . . ."

"Harry Mudd." Sulu smiled. "The android Chekov discovered is a duplicate of Harry. Thal, why were the Klingons were looking for Harry Mudd?"

"That is unclear, sir.”

Sulu nodded. "All right. Chekov?"

"The android is composed of fairly common metals, but this particular combination of metals can only be found on Furii. The Furians base their culture on assassination. They purchased the technology from the androids Mudd discovered, and use them as decoys." Chekov tapped a switch before him. The android's face appeared on the screen. "If Mudd knew that the Klingons were after him, he had a decoy to leave behind on Selan. Why the Klingons didn't find it is unknown."

"Logically," T'Kel interrupted, "the Klingons were scanning for life signs. Since this decoy doesn't emit life signs, they could not find it by tricorder."

"I contacted the Furians, captain," Rand said. "Harry was there three months ago. He traded them an ore processor for the decoy. The ore processor, of course, didn't work. Needless to say, the Furians are upset."

"At least you didn't say 'furious,'" Sulu said with a smile.

Rand returned the smile. "I thought about it."

"Mr. Chekov, what else did you learn?"

"I downloaded the decoy's memory. Basically, it records everything that goes on around it. Mudd left Seran for Motherlode, leaving the decoy behind to be 'killed' by the Klingons."

"But, his original flight plan showed Mudd was headed for Galorndon Core." Thal interrupted.

“Then the Klingons are going in the opposite direction. But that won't hold them long. Motherlode is a non-aligned planet, and the Klingons will soon know Mudd's there." Sulu punched the comm button before him. "Mr. Lojur, set course for Motherlode, best possible speed."

"Aye, sir." Lojur responded.

“Mr. Thal, have the ship go to yellow alert. Dismissed."

Everyone rose, except Sulu, who stared at the top of the table. Chekov looked back and noticed him. After everyone was gone, he sat next to Sulu. "What's on your mind, Hikaru?"

"It's been four years since Khitomer," Sulu began. "There have been a few tense moments, but the Empire has stopped raiding Federation space. What could Harry have done to cause the deaths of 75 colonists?"

"Hikaru, Harry's a con artist, not a murderer. I don't think even Harry Mudd expected the Klingons to destroy Selan 4."

Sulu stood and crossed to his desk. "It doesn't really matter, Pavel. He's responsible for those peoples' death."

"How? He didn't pull the triggers."

Sulu turned back to his old friend. "Harry had to have known that he was being chased by a Klingon ship. Why else would he go to Furii, buy a robot decoy, and then leave such an obvious trail?"

"It may not have been an obvious trail, Sulu."

Sulu shook his head. "Then why not run straight to the Alpha Quadrant and disappear? No, Harry knew that Koloth was after him, and decided to let Koloth satisfy his honor by killing the decoy. That means that somehow, he had to let Koloth know where he was."
Sulu looked out the port as the stars lengthened and a white spot grew before the ship as the Excelsior leapt into warp. "Since Harry knew Koloth would follow him to Seran, he sentenced those people to death."

Chekov stood up. "Sulu," he said approaching him, "Harry left the decoy to be found. But it wasn't. Obviously, Harry was hoping to end this without bloodshed."

"Pavel, seventy-five people are dead because of Harry Mudd. I intend to find him and make him pay for that." He paused. As Chekov started to speak, he interrupted, "Station, Commander."

Chekov sighed. "Aye, Captain."

Motherlode was founded over a century ago, as a free source of dilithium. Hundreds of planets had mining operations there. The miners themselves were a rough lot, and were never happy to see Star Fleet vessels in the system. Harry had been here once before. James Kirk had saved him from the hands of an angry mob. He hoped that twenty-five years later, no one would remember him. Harry hadn't aged well. His frame had shrunk, leaving Harry slender, and appearing taller than he appeared twenty years ago. His hair and moustache gray, Harry was nearing the end of the line. And he knew it.

He landed at the port, and used Leo Walsh's name again. The old alias fit well, Harry thought, as he registered. Like an old pair of shoes, it seemed comfortable to use poor Leo's name.

Harry rented a room at a small hotel in Boomtown, the closest thing to a capitol Motherlode had. After checking in, he started reading the planet's computer network to see if he could find a way off this rock.

Excelsior dropped out of warp at the edge of the Motherlode system, long-range scanners sweeping the area around them. The navigator, Lojur, reported, "There are a dozen ships in orbit, captain."

"Captain," Rand said, "I've made contact with space control."

"On screen."

The star field on the excelsior view screen blurred and was replaced by the face of a Rigellian. "Here your business state," he whined.

"This is Captain Sulu of the Federation starship Excelsior. We are searching for an asteroid prospector named Harcourt Fenton Mudd."

"Klajad am I. But, information to Star Fleet we do not give."

"I understand, Mr. Klajad. However, we have reason to believe that Mr. Mudd is in serious danger. His last port of call was destroyed by Klingons."

Klajad's eyes widened. "Klingons here are many. Attack us they would not dare."

"Perhaps, Mr. Klajad, but they did destroy a Federation colony while looking for Harry Mudd. We would like to remove him from your planet before Klingons arrive."

"Klingons our dilithium use, Sulu Captain. Our safety guarantee we must. Hold Harry Mudd for the Klingons we will. For your information, our thanks."

"But, Mr. Klajad. . ." Sulu began, but found himself talking to the star field. "Dammit!"

"Looks like we've tipped our hand," Rand commented.

" Mr. Lojur, standard orbit." Sulu thumped the arm of his command chair, frowning. "Commander Chekov, you and I will beam down to look for Mudd."

Sulu and Chekov materialized at the edge of the spaceport. Sulu looked around. Three large hangers housed small prospecting ships in various stages of repair. Out on the large field, several cargo gantries stood over larger cargo containers. At the center of the field stood three large tractor towers, used to launch the cargo containers into orbit for retrieval by the ships that could not land on the surface. At the opposite end of the field was a motley assortment of single or dual person scout ships. Some of the ships were fifty years old. Sulu was amazed that they could even fly, much less carry cargo. At the end of the row of ships, rusting hulks sat in tall grass, like beached whales on an Earth beach three hundred years ago.

Sulu turned to what must have been the administration building. "Let's start there, Pavel."

Sulu lead Chekov to the administration building. They stepped inside the building. The lobby was dirty and small. A couple of benches sat along either side of the room, and a small desk separated the rest of the room from a large computer complex. Sulu approached the desk to speak to the receptionist, a tall Humanoid whose race Sulu didn't recognize.

"Can I help you?" the being asked in a very deep voice.

"Yes, I'd like to speak to Mr. Klejad."

"The administrator is quite busy. Perhaps next week."

Chekov leaned on the counter nonchalantly. "Is that so? Tell Mr. Klejad that the Excelsior will be forced to spend the time ensuring that no contraband enters Federation space. We'll just sit outside the system and search every ship. Have him call me when he's available."

Sulu smiled as Chekov straightened and turned. They headed slowly towards the door. He could hear the alien speak rapidly over an intercom. Then, "Wait!"

Sulu turned back to desk. "Yes?"

"Mr. Klejad has . . . an opening in his schedule. If you will follow me . . ."

Sulu smiled. "A moment, please." He turned to Chekov. "See if Harry Mudd has signed in. Look for the name Leo Walsh. It's one of his aliases," he said softly.

"I remember, Hikaru," Chekov said testily.

Loudly, loud enough to be overheard, Sulu said, "I said, wait here, Commander. We'll have none of your interrogation techniques. We'll do this my way!"

Chekov nodded as if he'd been chastised. "Yes, captain." Sulu could see the hint of a smile playing on Chekov's lips.

"All right," Sulu said, turning to the alien, "let's go."

As Sulu was led off to see Klejad, Chekov leapt over the desk and began punching up some information on the terminal before him. Nothing on Harry Mudd, he noticed. He entered the name Leo Walsh. The information flashed on the screen. He smiled and committed the information to memory, then erased the screen and jumped back over the desk as the receptionist was returning. Chekov rushed over to the main entrance and stood at parade rest beside the door.

The receptionist shook his head. Star Fleet! Chekov suppressed a smile as the receptionist went back to work. Shortly, Sulu reappeared in the lobby through the door. He thanked the receptionist and led his security officer outside.

"What did you find?"

"Leo Walsh parked his ship in bay 14-ZW." Chekov answered. "That's on the edge of the continent, west of here. The W sector is for ships carrying toxic loads. It's a perfect place for Harry Mudd to park. He’s registered at the Nugget Hotel."

Sulu and Chekov made their way to the Nugget Hotel, a seedy, three story building near the spaceport. The desk clerk was less than cooperative until Chekov leaned across the desk, grabbing a handful of tunic and threatened to lock the clerk up for obstruction of justice. He gave them Harry's room number, but told them that he had left an hour ago.

Out in the street, Sulu looked up and down the row of buildings. Across from them was a two-story building with a neon sign reading "Boom and Bust Casino." Sulu smiled to himself. "He's got to be there."

The two Star Fleet officers crossed the street and entered the casino. The interior was dark, except for the gaming area near the back of the large room. Sulu scanned the faces at each table and eventually spotted Harry Mudd at a table with four others--two humans and a Tellarite. Sulu threaded his way to the table.

"Mr. Leo Walsh?" Sulu asked as he stood behind Mudd's chair.

"Yes, laddybuck?" Mudd replied, turning around. His broad smile evaporated as he saw the Star Fleet uniform. "What can I do for you?

"My name is . . ."

"I recognize you, laddie. Sulu, right? And is that young Chekov beside you?"

"Yes, sir. May we speak to you in private?" Chekov said.

"I am in the middle of a game, here." Mudd said waving his hand across the table.

Chekov leaned over Mudd's shoulder. "Three aces, King high. I vould bet the farm, Harry."

Mudd's opponents threw their cards on the table. Harry rubbed his face. "Ah, now that's not fair. . ."

"It's important, Harry. A matter of life and death, in fact." Sulu said. "Yours. Does the name Koloth mean anything to you?"

Mudd put his cards on the table, collected his winnings and spoke to his opponents. "Well, mates, I've got to be going."

Sulu grabbed Mudd's arm and flipped open his communicator. "Sulu to Excelsior. Four to beam up." And they disappeared in a flash of light.

As the light faded, Korax, executive officer of the Klingon ship Devisor, burst into the casino, leading three warriors.

Sulu lead Mudd into a briefing room. Rand was waiting. As soon as Sulu seated himself, Rand spoke up. "Sir, Devisor entered orbited five minutes ago and beamed down four people."

The color in Mudd's face drained. "Koloth? Here?"

"Yes, Harry. He didn't find your decoy on Seran and destroyed the colony."

"You've got to help me. The man's crazy!" Mudd rose from his seat. "Get Kirk down here!"

"The captain died two years ago, Harry," Sulu said. Harry must have been too busy to check the news reports that swirled around Kirk’s disappearance into space while saving refugees.

"Then you have to protect me!"

"Why is Koloth looking for you, Harry?"

Mudd swallowed. "A few months ago, I found myself near the Klingon frontier. I purchased a phaser resistant metal. . ."

"Stole?"

"Purchased--at a tremendous discount. I sold it to Koloth. However, the metal had some flaws. . ."

"Didn't work," supplied Rand.

"No ma'am. It worked." Harry replied indignantly. Then in a confessional tone, "It just can't be worked. The accident that created the metal can't be duplicated." In a more confident tone: "Koloth decided that I was trying to cheat him!"

"Now why would he think that?"

"I don't know! I acted in good faith."

Chekov interrupted. "If Koloth felt he'd been cheated, his honor is at stake. He won't rest until you’re dead."

"Congratulations, Harry. You may have just started a war." Sulu said. The comm panel at

Sulu's elbow beeped. "Sulu here."

"Captain," Chekov's voice answered, "We're being hailed by the Devisor."

"I'll be right up."

"Ah, Captain Sulu. It's a pleasure to see you again." Koloth said from the view screen.

"The pleasure's mine, Captain Koloth," Sulu replied smiling. "What can I do for you?"

"You are holding a man wanted for crimes against the Klingon Empire."

"Really? What sort of crime?"

"That's not important, captain. He's wanted. We stand by for his transport."

"You have, of course, extradition papers?"

"Captain, this man is dangerous. We didn't have time for the legal niceties. Since our respective governments are at peace, I'm sure you'll be willing to cooperate."

"Well, I'll have to take it up with Star Fleet, captain. Stand by."

"Captain, if you do not hand over the fugitive, I will have to take drastic action!"

"Stand by," Sulu repeated, moving his thumb across his throat. Koloth's face disappeared from the screen.

Ensign Thal at tactical said, "Devisor's powering up her weapons and raising her sheilds."

"Shields up. Mr. Lojur, lay in a course out of the system. Let's get out of the way of bystanders. Warp three--now!"

"Sir," Thal said, " Devisor's following us."

"Red Alert." As the klaxon filled the air, Sulu turned to Chekov. "Any ideas?"

"Nothing, sir. I guess . . .” he paused staring at the ceiling.

"Mr. Chekov!"

"I have an idea." Chekov smile was almost wolfish.

Aboard Devisor, Korax hovered over the communications board. "Milord! We are monitoring on board communications on the Federation ship. Mudd's escaped from custody! They are searching for him."

"Keep us in transporter range, helm. Weapons officer, fire a torpedo just under here keel!"

"JohwI'."

"Korax, open a channel." Koloth leaned foreward in his command chair. "Excelsior, release the prisoner, or we'll target your vessel!"

"No reply, milord," Korax reported.

"Target their engines and launch three torpedoes."

"Yes, Milord."

The lights on the bridge dimmed as the torpedoes launched. They impacted on the sheild around the Excelsior's nacelles. Excelsior veered to port and increased speed. "Match their course!"

"Milord," the sensor officer interrupted. "Excelsior's hanger bay doors are opening! They're launching a shuttle!'

"Picking up a transmission from Excelsior to the shuttle!"

"Let me hear it!"

"Mudd!" Koloth heard Sulu say, "power down! The Klingons will kill you."

"I'll not be put in a rehabilitation colony!" Mudd replied.

"It beats Rura Penthe, Harry? Power down!"

On the screen, Koloth watched as a shuttle left the Hanger Bay on the Excelsior's fantail, and dropped out of warp. "Impulse power--now!"

Devisor dropped out of warp a few thousand Kellicams behind the shuttle. "Sensors?"

"One human aboard!"

"Target the shuttle!"

"Yes, Milord!"

Koloth watched the screen as the targeting marker focused on the shuttle. Koloth raised his hand. "baH!" he said, dropping his hand.

A red ball of fire spat from the bow of the Devisor and hit the shuttle. The shuttle rocked and spun out of control. "Shields are down!"

"baH!' Another torpedo erupted from the Klingon ship. When it hit the shuttle, it erupted in a ball of flame.

"Excelsior is dropping out of warp! Her phasers are fully charged!"

"Evasive action! Set a course for the frontier, top speed!"

"They're firing!"

The Devisor rocked under the impact of the phasers. "Shields holding."

The navigator turned to Koloth. "Course set!"

"Engage!"

The Devisor entered warp and left the Mothorlode system for the border.

In the Excelsior briefing room, Sulu and Chekov faced each other across the desk. "Pavel, if you're here to change my mind. . ."

"I am, Captain." Sulu noticed without comment the formality Chekov was using. This wasn't a social meeting.

"All right, Commander. What's on your mind?"

"Captain, if you still want to make Harry Mudd take the blame for the destruction of the Seran outpost, I believe you will be making a mistake."

"How so?" Sulu asked leaning back in his chair.

"Harry Mudd will be taken Starbase 112, where he will be charged. He will be transported, no doubt to Earth. There, the media will cover this story and broadcast it to the Federation. The public will be outraged at the attack, and no doubt blame Harry, but also demand reparations from the Klingon Empire. The Klingon ambassador will, no doubt, inform Koloth that Harry's not dead.

“Koloth will learn that you deceived him into believing his honor whole when in fact it wasn't. The stain on his honor is compounded. And then our trips through this sector will be complicated because then we will have an enemy out there somewhere," he said, pointing through the port. "He's going to have to go after Harry all over again, and then after Star Fleet, you in particular.

"If you pursue the matter, it's a distinct possibility that the Khitomer treaty will collapse. If Koloth begins attacking Star Fleet ships looking to draw you out, and also attacking private ships looking for Harry, Star Fleet will build up the border fleet. The Klingons will do the same. Then we'll be staring across the Neutral Zone, down each others phaser barrels, just like we were twenty-five years ago."

"And the people of Seran 4 become casualties of diplomacy?"

"More like casualties for peace." Chekov leaned forward in his chair. "Hikaru," he said slipping into a more informal tone, "if events go like I've described, war is almost guaranteed. Millions could die."

" 'The needs of the many. . .' " Sulu quoted. "Thank you for you input, Pavel."

"What are first officers for?" he smiled at him.

"Have Mudd brought here."

"Aye, sir," he said rising. "Anything else?"

"Have Mr. Lojur set a return course for Mothorlode. Then meet me in the officer's lounge after duty shift. I think I'll need a drink."

"Aye, sir."

A few moments later Chekov led Harry Mudd into Sulu's office. "Well, Harry," he said, "as far as Koloth is concerned, you're dead."

"What did you do?"

"We put your decoy on the shuttle. Mr. Chekov rigged the ship's sensors to emit human life signs."

"And Koloth won't look for me any more?"

"Not if you stay away from the Klingon Empire."

Harry looked excited. "Then I'll be let go?"

"I'm still be trying to decide that Harry. There IS the matter of Seran 4."

"But, Captain Sulu, I wasn't even there."

"Harry, I hold you directly responsible for the destruction of the Seran colony. But there are other considerations." Sulu looked at his computer screen

"I've checked your record. There are four warrants for your arrest." He sighed. "If I turn you in, Koloth will come after you. So Harry Mudd is dead." He thumbed a switch on his desk. "Commander Rand, inform Star Fleet Command that Harry Mudd was killed by Klingons. Then notify the Motherlode spaceport that we will impound Mr. Mudd's ship as evidence. Have Mr. Lojur take us back to Motherlode."

"Are you doing what I think you're doing?"

"Yes, Harry. We'll give you the ship. I want you to go to the Alpha Quadrant and disappear. From this day forward, you will be Leo Walsh."

"Ah, laddybuck, I appreciate your help."

"I'm not doing this for you, Harry. I'm doing this to protect the peace treaty with the Klingons." Sulu addressed Chekov. "Pavel, Take Mr. Walsh here down to the Records Officer and have him create documents."

"Aye, sir."

As Chekov began to lead Harry from the room, Sulu stopped them. "Harry--Leo, If I ever see you in this sector again, I will personally deliver you to Koloth's house on Kronos and watch as he cuts your heart out. Do we have a deal?"

The late Harry Mudd swallowed hard. "That we do. I’ll stay in the Alpha Quadrant."

"Get him out of here."

Alone in his office, Sulu stared at the stars streaking past the window. He could almost see the seventy-five ghosts of Seran 4 looking back at him.

THE END