Qapla' - Part I

Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2025 @ 2:35am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Lieutenant T'Lul & Lieutenant JG Anson Lee & Captain T'Lisa Anderson - CO of the USS Canterbury & Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval
Edited on on Wed Jul 16, 2025 @ 3:00am

1,684 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus

As the Suvwl’SuS docked within the cavernous docking area Ambassador Charghwl'IH stood at the airlock while the umbilical completed pressurization. After final check the door hissed open and he and his party stepped boldly off the ship, his aid holding a couple of bottles of bloodwine.

Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Fernandez waited to greet him with a team of security officers as honor guard.

Looking at the security team before him. "Commander?"

Commander Fernandez eyed the Klingon, clearly on her guard. "You chose to take Legate Turvan aboard your ship instead of allowing Colonel Means to take him into custody. I assume you plan to turn him over now. I do not trust the man and have brought security to ensure that he...behaves."

"Colonel Means and his people fought well and I mean no dishonor but that Cardassian taHqeq is a prisoner of war, my prisoner. He will answer for his crimes against the Houses of Varal, Soval, and the Klingon Empire. Now if you will excuse me, my warriors and I have much to celebrate." Moving past the officer Charg and his men proceeded. One of his guard huffing as he passed.

Jacqueline stepped in his way. "With all due respect, ambassador, he attacked a Federation starbase under the command of Starfleet and Federation Marines and civilians on Pangaea. The Federation has as much right to determine his punishment as you do. I do not discount your claim, but neither will I abrogate mine.

"You will need to take your petition to the Federation Council or the Empire will have to explain why they refused us the right to have a say in his punishment. I suggest, if you do not want to insult us, you will take him to earth and negotiate an equitable agreement on Turvan's punishment. I will even file a report agreeing to Hydel Turvan going to a prison of your choosing."

He looked down at the woman barring his path. Most would not have the courage to do such a thing; he respected that. Knowing he was in the weaker position, legally, his only bargaining chip was that he had Turvan in his custody but the diplomatic fallout was worth it. Lord Da'nal would not fallout that would eventually come and he owed him a great deal. "He was taken on a planet in open space, but we are allies in this and we fought together with honor. Therefore, I am willing to negotiate his extradition.

Reaching back a bottle was placed in his hand and he offered it to the woman before him. "Take me to Commander Ryan and we can toast our victory...then we can negotiate.

Jacqueline took the bottle but shook her head. "We will need to toast to his memory. He died in battle on the station."

"Then who is in command?"

Jacqueline pulled a face. "Me? At least until Starfleet sends us someone."

Leaning in he whispered. "If you are the senior officer then act like one the people of this station need to see confidence and leadership in time like these."

Stepping back, he straightened. "Commander Ryan will be remembered with honor." Taking another bottle from one of his men he opened and lifted it. "To the honored dead!"

He was right. But he was also terrifying. Not because he was Klingon, but because he basically hijacked Turvan. But he was right. Even though she was the station's head of strategic operations, she was now the acting commander and had to take charge. Jacqueline straightened her shoulders and nodded once.

Handing the bottle off so his guard could share in the toast. "Where shall we conduct our negotiations?"

"The observation lounge will do nicely," she said. If you will follow me, Ambassador?"

Gesturing as he nodded, "Much better. Lead the way, Commander."

As they were about to leave, T'Lul arrived. "It appears that I am tardy. I apologize. Should I be updated on anything. It appears that everyone was heading somewhere."

"Ambassador Charghwl'IH has Legate Turvan. We are going to discuss how best to get him to Federation headquarters," Jacqueline said. "Please, come with us."

T'mpest arrived in time to overhear this and decided to tag along and learn what happened from their point of view. She didn't have any real say, but she had lost a ship in this battle and might be able to add a different viewpoint to the discussion if it were needed.

Annora fell into step next to the Commander and Ambassador while her team followed close behind the group. She was grateful Fernandez was in the de facto CO position, allowing Annora to focus on security aspects. The Klingons capturing the Cardassian leader complicated things a bit, she was sure Starfleet would want the Legate in their own custody.

Anson followed the Lieutenant. He ached and was exhausted, and had a nagging suspicion that he should not sit down, because the moment he did, he was going to fall asleep. Sleeping in front of the Klingons, in the middle of negotiating what was going to happen to the prisoners, seemed like a bad idea. So, he positioned himself at the Lieutenant's elbow, and refused to look at any of the chairs.

Their party grew as they moved to the observation lounge. Entering the room, the Ambassador removed his cloak and placed in on the back of the chair before he sat. His guard stayed outside at the door and his aid took up a position behind him.

Jacqueline took a seat across from the ambassador to better see his face as they spoke. She knew his reputation, and respected him, but she didn't want to have to keep craning her neck to look him in the eye.

T'mpest took a seat halfway between the ambassador and the commander and set her ever-present notepad and pen on the table.

Hilda taking her place just out of the way so she can keep track as to what was happening. She was the yeoman to Commander Fernandez.

Waiting for the others to enter and get seated, Annora took a seat towards the front of the table but facing the door. She didn't anticipate any threats, but one never knew. The security team posted outside as an extra layer of protection.

>>TAG FOR GETTING SEATED

[OUTSIDE THE OBSERVATION LOUNGE]

Having heard that the Klingon Ambassador had arrived and that it was Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval, T'Lisa left her ship and made her way to the Station. Approaching a Security officer, Ensign, I've heard that Ambassador Charghwl'IH has arrived on the Station, could you inform me of his whereabouts?"

"I'll need your name, Ma'am." He said.

"Captain T'Lisa Anderson, Commanding Officer of the USS Canterbury." T'Lisa replied.

"Thank you, ma'am." He said. Then activating his comm. He said. "Security, this is Ensign Rabb, I have a Captain Anderson here who wishes to know the whereabouts of Klingon Ambassador Charghwl'IH."

There was a brief delay as the request was processed and then relayed back to the young Ensign.
"Down the hall Ma'am, 3rd door on your left."


[Lower docking section]

Means had received the summons while enroute to the station but chose to stay with his Marines. The hopper was loaded with the critically and seriously wounded that weren't stable enough to be transported. The medics, corpsmen, shuttle crew, and himself were ready and waiting for the doors to opens so they could rush the wounded to Auxiliary sickbay 5. With the tell tail bump the door began to open and Means' grip tightened on the gurney.

The Marine grimaced in pain even through the meds he had already received. Looking down at the portable monitor on his chest, "Don't even think about it Marine, you need permission to die."

As the medic in front of him moved so did he, passing medical personnel standing ready to get the rest of the wounded as soon as they were out of the way.

Entering the sickbay, the staff took charge of his gurney and he stepped back to get out of the way of the organized chaos that was erupting before his eyes as doctors’ orders overlapped but each nurse knew which order to follow. It was amazing to see and he knew his people were in good hands.

As he backed into a wall he slumped as the adrenaline he had been running on faded. One of the staff gently pulled him aside, a handing him some water. "Are you okay Colonel?"

Downing the water. "Yeah...thank you."

[Observation Lounge]

Having gained permission to see Charghwl'IH, she found the door to the observation lounge barred by a Klingon.

"Halt." He said in English, for her benefit. "Announce your name and reason for your presence?"

"Captain T'Lisa Anderson, Daughter of Valek of Vulcan, and Nina Anderson of Earth. Mate to Simon Beauvoir of Earth, and Commanding Officer of the USS Canterbury. The reason for my presence here, is that I wish meet with Ambassador Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval, as a Sister-in-Arms." She replied in perfect Klingon.

"You may enter, T'Lisa, daughter of Valek." He said with a slight smile.

"Honor to your House and Family." She said in Klingon.

He returned prayer and opened the door for her.

She entered and waited to be addressed.

Hearing the doors open, T'mpest looked up and waved T'Lisa over to sit near her.

Charg noticed the two captains entering, he they were not assigned to the station so it was logical to assume the took part in the battle to defend the station. He nodded sharply to the Captain as he met her gaze.

(To be continued...)

Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval
Klingon Ambassador

Colonel Nicholas Means
CO - 21st MEU

Petty Officer Hilda Schmidt
Yeoman to Fernandez
(NPC Written by Cara Letsul)

Lieutenant Annora Tessaro
Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5

Captain T'Lisa Anderson
Commanding Officer
USS Canterbury

Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Fernandez
Acting Commander
Deep Space 5

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Former Commander
USS Tiahuanaco

Lieutenant T"Lul
Chief Counselor
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Anson Lee
Assistant Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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