Tea and Conspiracy

Posted on Tue Jan 28th, 2025 @ 2:54pm by Llaudh Drusilla Creon & Dowager General Kloh'theQ, Daughter of Q'Lath & Ipae Lepsain
Edited on on Tue Jan 28th, 2025 @ 3:16pm

839 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: Romulan Embassy, DS13
Timeline: Afternoon - MD03

“It is an honour to receive you, Lady Kloh’Theq.” Creon said with a bow before taking her seat. “Tea?” Creon offered it, the girl Ipae from the front desk was serving it.

“Please.” Kloh’theQ responded with a quick nod of gratitude.

Ipae filled a cup, and left it within the Dowager General’s reach.

Kloh’theQ sniffed the tea deeply, holding the cup in both her hands. “Tavnian hearthroot? And a touch of something I don’t recognise.” She took a sip of it, and said nothing further.

“Passionfruit. An Earth fruit, one I’ve grown shamefully familiar with in all its forms.” Creon confessed as Ipae left.

“So other than fine tea, what does the Romulan Free State have to offer the Klingon Empire?” The Dowager General asked.

“Access, obviously.” Creon replied.

“The Federation gives us access. You are here in the same capacity we are.” Kloh’theQ snapped back.

“The Federation is a newcomer to this game. The Romulans have played it for many years. You know my father once commanded this station?” Creon asked

“I had not heard that, no. But I have heard that you switch loyalties like shuttle engineers switch out warp core assemblies. That makes it difficult to trust you or anything you say.” The Klingon argued.

“By year’s end we expect to have something productive from our scans of a lifeform that briefly appeared here. Designated ‘Dalek’. It was a remarkably horrible creature, for every five things we learn from its bizarre science, we find an engineered booby trap the design principles trick us into building. Even in death it’s still trying to kill everyone it can.”

“Is that so? And why should I not tell the Federation of this treachery?” Kloh’theQ asked.

“Because then the flow of Dalek technology to the Klingon Empire never gets started. And once the reason why gets back to the Senate, the flow of recovered Borg technology would stop.” Creon supposed airily.

“You seem to forget that the Empire will also be present for anything new to emerge from this anomaly. We do not need you to supply us with that we can find ourselves. Do not forget that if your worth becomes lower than that of conquest, vassalage is still on the table for your free state.” The Dowager General said sharply.

“That’s the difference between Romulans and Klingons, Ambassador. We seek peace. You seek war.” Creon said, sounding disappointed.

“We seek battle with the worthy. You are no longer worthy opponents. You are merchants. Now tell me what you will offer to buy peace.” Kloh’theQ asked sternly before taking another sip of her tea.

“I understand your husband was quite a remarkable man, Dowager General. I understand the magnitude of his honour reflects positively on you as his lady wife. But I do not think that honour includes the authority to declare war unilaterally.” Creon countered.

“You are correct on all counts, Llaudh Creon.” Kloh’theQ responded. “Are things truly so dire in your free state that you have nothing to offer those who could assure your security?” She sounded almost understanding.

“Your Empire is already one of the lead purchasers of our recovered Borg technology, Lady Kloh’theQ. Our peace is paid for, as is evidenced by the lack of war. This would appear to be extortion.” Creon replied.

“An ugly word. But you will see the truth of it in time, Llaudh Creon.” Kloh’theQ stood up suddenly, taking one long last sip of the tea in her cup to finish it. “You have a daughter, I have a grandson. We should marry them. Unite our houses. The name Creon still sends chills down the spines of Klingon Intelligence, and my house could give you all the support you would ever need to one day lead your Free State.”

“Thank you Dowager General, but Rhianha is not accepting proposals at this time.” Creon said with a kindly smile, entirely insincere.

“Perhaps you would be wed then, my son’s wife was lost in battle. He is not young as you, but he is still virile. He would give you strong sons.” Kloh’theQ proposed.

“I must also decline, with the greatest respect.” Creon said, not putting a lot of effort into selling the respect.

“Do you wish me to be your friend, Creon, or your adversary?” Kloh’theQ asked unassumingly.

“The Free State seeks only friends, my Lady. And I know that you can do more damage with a subspace radio and a nasty rumour than most could do with a photon torpedo. But friends do not seek to exploit their so-called allies. I think perhaps we have some way to go before we get to being friends.” Creon said firmly.

“As is your prerogative, Llaudh. Qapla!” Kloh’theQ cried out, turning suddenly on her heel and departing.

Creon did not reply, and remained still until the Klingon was gone. She felt she had won this round, or at the very least, hadn't lost it.

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