The Coming of Age

Posted on Thu Oct 28th, 2021 @ 8:37am by Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck
977 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

Kay'vek had asked Captain Lovejoy to meet him in the holodeck in a Klingon Ceremonial room. He had something important to do. He looked at his Ensign pip. It proved to him what his family strove for.. To serve and protect this Federation that they lived in. It was better than the Klingon Empire. Over the centuries, and during the Dominion War.. Starfleet was the one that truly fought for honor.

Garrett had received a request from Ensign Kay'vek a recent graduate of the academy to meet him in the holodeck. Entering, Garrett was surprised to find himself in a room of Klingon origin.

"Captain." Kay'vek stated. "I asked you to come here so you could participate in a great honor. My coming of age." Kay'vek noted. "I believe.. that since my time as a Cadet has ended, and my time as a Starfleet Officer has begun. That I have come of age." Kay'vek noted. "I wish you and others on this crew to conduct a coming of age ceremony. In the traditions my Grandfather brought to the Federation when he left the false honor, lies, and deceptions of the Empire behind."

"The honor is mine Ensign Kay;vek. Thank you for asking me to be hear at your coming of age ceremony. What would you have me do?" Garrett questioned.

Kay'vek opened a case and produced four painsticks. "I will walk this path, and you will use these on me." Kay'vek noted. "The pain.. is the pain of growing up, of ceasing to be a boy, and becoming a man, Captain." Kay'vek noted. "I am to bear this pain. As it will prepare me for the pain of serving this Federation with honor. Fighting for this Federaiton's honor and peace... and one day dying for this Federation that took my family in. " The Klingon Ensign noted.

"Very noble Ensign and you already honor us and the Federation by your dedication to service and the principles the Federation upholds. I see four painsticks, who else have you invited if you don't mind me asking." Garrett inquired.

"I am unsure. I've asked Commander Taylor and Commander Vaii to come. But I was hoping for a true warrior to come and be here for this. Perhaps Captain Carrington. Who do you think is a warrrior on the crew that can hold the fourth painstick?" Kay'vek noted.

"Hmm. a difficult question. Why not ask Colonel Naxea? She is a warrior in the finest tradition of the Marines." Garrett suggested.

"Very well, I'll send a message to the Colonel." Kay'vek moved to send a message to the marine to join them in the holodeck.

"Very good." Garrett replied as he waited for the others to arrive for the ceremony.

A few minutes later, Naxea entered the holodeck, stopping to take in the Klingon architecture that surrounded her. She then spotted A klingon with an ensign rank and Commander Garrett. She approached the two. "Why was I asked to come here?"

"Colonel." Garrett greeted Naxea politely. "I will let Ensign Kay'vek explain why you were called."

"Colonel." Kay'vek noted. "I am now an Ensign in Starfleet. I feel the time is right for my comming of age, my ascension ceremony. The ceremony where I cease being a boy, and become a man.. a warrior. I have waited for this because I wanted it to be when I have earned the respect and honor of my crew, and that of rank in Starfleet. I wish you to participate in the ceremony, And I warriors on my crew to put me through the trial." Kay'vek held out the painstick.

One thing Naxea didn't understand about Klingons was the fact that being jabbed with painsticks suddenly resulted in them becoming a man from a boy. That was something that came from a combination of attitude, manners, and experience. However, she did respect the Klingons and their traditions as she took the pain stick into her hand, recognizing the ceremony from having served alongside Klingon Starfleet Marines previously. "I see...and we're supposed to jab you with these as you walk down a path?"

"The pain. Reminds us that pain is inevitable in life. And one has to muster the strength and courage to face it. By facing this trial, I will show those I truly respect, that I am strong enough to serve beside you." Kay'Vek noted.

The Ensign moved to the start of the row and waited for everyone in the room to take a position. "You may proceed."

Jessica began first. "Remember your fathers. Your father's father. Kay'vek. Some call you traitor for leaving the empire. I call you warrior!! You saw the Empire's failings and chose better. Chose honor and a struggle against tyranny. Kahless is with you now!!" Jass pressed the stick into him. "As you stand to remind Klingons in the Empire that they must have true honor."

Gary had arrived and silently listened to the Ensign as he explained the ritual to Naxea. He took a painstick into his hand and got in place for the ceremony. As Jess finished, he jabbed the Ensign and spoke. "Know the pain you have gone through is part of the journey you are on and it represents your commitment to succeed."

Naxea pressed her stick into Kay'Vek next. "Never falter in the face of adversity as you grow. Pain only makes you stronger."

Garrett took his painstick and jammed it into Kay'vek's side as he spoke. "Pain completes you. Without pain, you cannot realize the journey you have been through and completed. Embrace the pain, welcome it."

Kay'vek endured the pain as he walked down the path and stood at the end where Jessica gave him one last jab. "Ensign Kay'vek. You will serve the Federaton and your Convictions well, never forget.. You are a warrior. Q'Plah." Kay'vek had passed the trial.