nuqneH juppu'

Posted on Wed Jan 1st, 2025 @ 10:14am by Lieutenant Rune Thul & Captain Rovak & Commander Alex Flynn & Petty Officer 1st Class Ayol & Crewman Slar & Ambassador Oriath Velt & Llaudh Drusilla Creon & Dowager General Kloh'theQ, Daughter of Q'Lath & Lieutenant JG Grace Douglas & Petty Officer 2nd Class Airu & Centurion Ixim & Commander Sylok & Warrior De'haQ Daughter of Utlaq & Commander Utlaq Son of Ha'Qaam
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2025 @ 12:14pm

2,103 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: CIC, Deep Space 13
Timeline: 0230 - MD02

Lieutenant Douglas was in charge of the CIC for gamma shift, she’d been volunteering often enough that in six months she’d be eligible to apply for command training. She had a gift for the sciences, but she didn’t want it to be her entire career. Her family had contributed enough to science. When she’d heard there was a chair of the science council aboard, she’d worried it would be her father. Fortunately it was just one of his colleagues, who it turned out was just as insufferable.

“Ma’am, sensors are detecting something like multiple warp decelerations, but I’m not picking up any ships.” The science officer Airu reported.

“Really. How many?” Douglas asked, snapped out of her train of thought.

“Three, I believe.” Airu responded.

“Begin a tachyon sweep of the local area. Use the attenuated –“ Douglas began an order, but she was interrupted by Aitrell at tactical.”

“Ships decloaking!” He announced. It was two Klingon Vor’Cha class ships, flanking a smaller B'Rel-class Bird of Prey. “They’re hailing us.” He reported.

“Put them through.” Douglas said, standing.

“Qapla’, Federation!” Came the voice of the Klingon Commander on the screen.

“Qapla’!” Douglas responded passionately.

“I am Commander Utlaq. I come bearing she who speaks with the High Council’s honored voice. The Dowager General Kloh’theQ.” The Commander announced.

“Greetings, I am Lieutenant Douglas. You honor us with your presence. We have berths free at alpha dock, our navigation team will provide further docking instructions.” She explained. She felt a smothered nervousness, but she felt she was doing well. Nothing had ever happened on Gamma Shift before.

“Forgive me Lieutenant, but we were led to believe by your government that the Ambassador would have a private docking bay at her disposal.” The Commander said with unusual manners for a Klingon.

“I see. Allow me to look into that for you. Do you mind if I call you back?” Douglas asked, concealing her internal panic well.

“We shall wait.” The Commander said. The screen turned back to the view of the three green ships.

“Can anyone see what he’s talking about?” Douglas asked the crew lined up along the consoles on the CIC’s ‘bridge’.

“I see docking bay 14 has been reserved for diplomatic use. It does not specify it is for the Klingon Embassy, but it would provide close access to the embassy space.” Sylok explained at navigation, having done a quick review of the manifests.

“Okay. Good. Hail them.” The Commander’s face appeared again.

“Docking bay 14 is yours, Commander. Welcome to DS13.” Douglas told the Klingon Commander.

“Thank you Lieutenant, maj po.” The Commander said, disappearing from the screen once more. Before long, the Bird of Prey had landed within the bay, and messages had gone out to the relevant senior staff, all of whom were no doubt fast asleep.

Rovak got to where the Bird of Prey had landed first, his contact from Iskvrrth made him consider giving feedback about the appropriateness of the Sheliak for calls to those who are asleep, given his rather menacing Sheliak voice processor. Ayol and Slar greeted him a moment later.

Ambassador Velt entered, yawning but fully dressed in his purple uniform, accompanied by Lieutenant Onda and Ensign Ubia, who carried a large mug of something for the Ambassador. “Rovak. Did these people not call ahead?”

“No, we did not have an arrival date scheduled. Operational secrecy, I’m sure.” Rovak said.

“Most impolite. I hope this isn’t them setting a trend. They want to be here a lot more than we want them.” Velt admitted.

“Indeed.” Rovak agreed, noting that the Bird of Prey only just fit inside the docking bay, and had to lower its wings slightly. He did not envy the pilot. He heard the door to the bay hiss open and turned to look who it was, once Thul and Flynn had arrived they could begin, the Klingons were obviously waiting without wanting to appear like they were doing so. Only when the greeting party was assembled in position would the Ambassador descend the ramp and disembark.

It wasn't out of the ordinary for Rune to be up during the night. He had been finishing up some paperwork when the call from CIC to meet the Captain and Executive Officer at Bay 14 to meet the Klingon delegation. Rune did wonder when the Empire would want a presence here, clearly now was the time.

Rune entered to see the Captain, Yeoman Ayol, Crewmen Slar, Lieutenant Onda, Ensign Ubia and Ambassador Velt. He managed to catch the Ambassador at his quarters talking to his husband some days ago, Vestar filled him in that the Ambassador wanted Supremacy Inc to employ refugees. He saw the benefits, but still, using a position of power to further diplomatic agendas. Rune hated politics.

"Captain," Rune greeted, he nodded to those present. "Ambassador." He added a moment later. "I hear we have Kling-ons?" He punned and chuckled after a moment, to the others it might not be evident if this was his usual sense of humour or just it being a late night.

Neither Velt nor Rovak caught the joke. Velt looked at him for a moment with slight bemusement, then back to the ship. "Indeed." Rovak said, also returning to position.

Alex arrived looking greasy as Rovak spoke his last word to Thul. Behind her, the Romulan Ambassador Creon followed along with two of her staff. She was in one of her elaborate emerald and gold gowns, her makeup and hair had been done flawlessly.

"Morning." Alex said to the team.

"Ambassador, is there a reason my government was not informed of the Klingon arrival ahead of time?" Creon asked Velt.

"You've known as long as we have. I suggest you ask the General if you want the proper truth of it." Velt said without turning to her.

As Velt was speaking, the lower section of the Bird of Prey hissed, and the ramp descended.

Before the Dowager General alighted, two rows of burly Klingons emerged, lining up opposite the Starfleet team waiting. Finally she came, wearing robes of the finest make in the Empire, and jewels plundered from a dozen worlds. Behind her were two more Klingon warriors, a man and a younger woman, who bore a resemblance to one another.

Kloh'theQ looked them over expressionlessly for a long moment. "maj choS, Federation. You are half the man you used to be, Ambassador Velt."

"My dear Lady Kloh'theQ, the Empire honours us all with your presence. Yes, it's true, I finally learned the virtue of listening to my Doctor's wisdom." Velt said trying desperately to establish a light mood. He rubbed his paw on his stomach with glee.

"Good Ambassador, good. There is time for you to die in battle yet." The Dowager General said with the faintest hint of a smile.

Kloh'theQ walked past the row of assembled officers to the Romulan Ambassador. Before she spoke, she manipulated one of her rings slightly, and it emitted a neutralising frequency in the range universal translators operated at. In flawless formal Rihan, she said; "If the former Romulan Empire is sending assassins in lieu of diplomats, I hope they are at least competent at their craft."

"Only the best." Creon responded in Klingon.

The Dowager General let out a single bombastic "Ha!" She grinned widely, and deactivated the scrambler. "Let us hope so, Llaudh Creon." Her gaze lingered for a moment on the scarred Romulan man behind Creon, whether it was familiarity or something else that held her attention was unknown to any but her.

It wasn't all that difficult to pick up on the Dowager General's words as being former Intelligence, Rune knew fairly well both Klingonese and Rihannsu, from his time undercover and training over the years. The Dominion War provided a very large opportunity to perfect his knowledge of both languages, but not completely. He already knew some of Creon's Tal'Shiar history, if it is true or not that she continues to serve them is yet to be determined. With the Klingon woman clearly having recognised the Romulan Ambassador's former profession simply reinforced Rune's plans to keep an eye on both. Closely, he mused after a moment.

"You must be HoD Rovak. I hear you fancy yourself a warrior." Kloh'theQ said to the Captain as she approached him.

"All starfleet officers must be warriors sometimes, Madame General." Rovak said with a polite bow.

"We will give you a chance to test your mettle, Captain. The House of Gloshuk intends to open a combat arena. Taking all challengers."

"Thank you for the invitation General, I will try to find the time to stop by when it is open." Rovak had never given much credence to the strength of Klingon intelligence gathering, but she'd done her homework.

"And you are the First Officer." The Dowager General said to Flynn, without any real outward expression. "Why?"

"We drew straws. Just unlucky I guess." Alex said conversationally.

"Hm." Kloh'theQ made a simple sound and moved on, glancing at Thul. "I see our Federation allies are not above using Betazoids to ensure incriminating thoughts are punished, before they can threaten your peace. It is an admirable strategy, but impossible for us, given we do not trust telepaths." The Dowager General said, her face calm as she locked eyes with Thul, but in her mind she summoned all her most violent and savage memories to the forefront, hoping to rattle the Security Chief wordlessly if he was looking too closely.

Being slightly distracted by the idea of a combat area, Rune nearly missed the looks from their guest. He had a few stray trains of thought for how to use the area for combat training his officers or at least have it as an option for those who wanted to seek real combat.

The violence and savagery did take some effort to process as he made a slight neck jerk backwards, it wouldn't have been noticeable if one wasn't directly observing him. Rune narrowed his eyes as he maintained eye contact. It really was just the speed of the mental attack that caused him issues not the content as the Dominion War made him see a lot of brutality. He raised one eyebrow at the General then inclined his head in mock gratitude. "That is unfortunate General, do you have need of telepaths?" Rune asked politely.

"Unlikely." The Dowager General said as she moved past the security officer. She made no show of the satisfaction she felt from having elicited a response.

"My lady, please, allow me to escort you and your party to the embassy." Velt said, he was glad translators had returned. He barely spoke Federation Standard, other than dialects of Caitian he was useless without a translator.

"If you insist, Ambassador. But beware that if you err and delay me, my men may have to make a rug of you." Creon said, all traces of humor gone, though something in her eyes suggested she was not entirely serious.

Velt chortled politely, hoping it was insincere. "This way." He instructed the Klingon party. "I hear you've brought hundreds of civilians to reside here. I'm delighted to hear it, but are there any restauranteurs by chance?" Velt asked as they left.

Rune watched the exchange and turned to Rovak to see what his Captain will do next, it wasn't like the Ambassador invited them to come along, so he wondered if they were dismissed.

"You are all dismissed. I authorise two shift hours of leave for each of you to reflect your work here this evening. Thank you all." Rovak said, already plotting the quickest route back to his quarters in his mind.

Alex grumbled to herself incoherently as she turned back towards the exit.

Rune caught up with Rovak. "Captain, with your blessing I'd like to set up some surveillance on both Ambassadors for their protection?" He asked and could tell that Rovak probably could knew the Betazoid's reasoning already.

"They may be contentious, Lieutenant, but they are still our allies. I am sure the first thing they would tell us is that they do not need our protection. See that patrol frequency is increased in their respective embassy neighborhoods and places they might frequent, but hold off on any targeted surveillance without further provocation." Rovak said, managing to stifle a yawn.

"Aye sir, hehe have a good sleep," Rune replied, he waved a little good night gesture and made his way back to his family quarters. He saw Rovak was heading back to his as well.

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