Let there be Gagh... damnit there wasn't

Posted on Tue May 18th, 2021 @ 9:47am by Captain Xavier Carey & Ensign Sherri Element (Carey)

Mission: The Mentarin Effect
Location: IKS Gree'Tok
Timeline: Current

Xavier walked onto the bridge, there was no senior officer on the bridge, leaving Lt Parson at the seat, which she chose not to, instead staying by the tactical. "Ensign Element, reach over and open channel to the Klingons."

"Klingon ship this is Commander.... Captain Cameron Greyson of the USS Resolution, I suspect you are here the same reason we are. To discuss the treaty that was signed with the Mentarins over a century ago." He paused. "Can I request a meeting on one of our ships to discuss the situation. Whether you are more comfortable on your ship, or over on the Resolution."

"This is Captain Drex of the Gree'tok. I am comfortable anywhere. Commander... or are you a Captain, which is it?" Laughter could be heard in the background over the comm channel.

"Fair enough Captain... I will explain when I beam over to your ship. If you will do the honours." Xavier replied as he turned beet red... "I will be going with one of my security officers. He turned to Parson, who nodded and picked up a phaser from below tactical.

"Very well Captain, we look forward to your arrival. Bring an appetite, we can talk over a meal... if you can stomach Klingon cuisine, Ah ha ha ha haha." Drex replied while more laughter was heard in the background.

"If you have fresh Gagh it would be an honour. Dead ones are unappealing." Xavier paused as he felt the sensation of being transported.

==Aboard the Gree'tok==

Captain Carey and his security officer materialized in the transporter room of the Klingon ship. It wasn't as well lit as a Starfleet vessel which gave the appearance of not exactly being clean. Captain Drex stood by the controls with a Klingon woman. Drex was a head taller than Captain Carey and the woman next to him was nearly as tall as the human.

"Welcome aboard," Drex grinned a toothy Klingon grin. "I am Drex of House Hov'Vaj, this is Ael, my chief engineer... and daughter."

Looking his daughter over, "The honour is mine Captain Drex." He turned to the Lt. "Lt Parsons. security Officer my senior officers are on planet investing the shooting of the former Commanding Officer. Which I took command and Rank, just hours ago. That would explain my brief lapse with the Commander introduction."

Drex laughed, "You don't have to explain yourself to me. Let's get to the dining hall." With that he left the transporter room. Ael motioned for Captain Carey and his security officer to follow. She brought up the rear.

They walked a short distance down a corridor and turned left into another room. Once inside that room, which turned out to be a cafeteria, the pungent aroma of Klingon cuisine filled the air. There were tables around the perimeter of the room. Some had four chairs, and some had six. There was one one long dining table in the center with ten. Drex sat at a chair in the middle and Ael sat next to him. "Sit, the meal will be ready soon."

Xavier looked to parsons and sat down. It was clear that this was her first visit to a Klingon ship. Simply nodding to her, she nodded back and sat down.

A server came around and unceremoniously dropped off a flagon of warnog at each seat and abruptly left. "So tell me Captain, what is it about the treaty you want to discuss, eh?" Drex asked after the server was out of earshot.

Chugging half the ale down, and finishing it off with a loud belch, "Well Captain, the Mentarin people called us here for negotiations. We got down to surface, Captain Matthew Leonard was shot by what seems to be a sniper." He paused for a moment, wiping the access ale from his beard on his sleeve. "I suppose that's why you are here as well."

Drex studied the human before him before saying anything. Ael, however, spoke up, "Have you sent a team down to investigate? Sniping is a dishonorable act." She spat on the floor.

Drex took a generous pull from his own flagon, "Ael is right. I hope you find the p'thak who did that and disembowel them." He set his flagon down so hard some of the liquid flew out, "As far as the Mentarins, you are correct, they called us here as well. We're anxiously waiting to see what they want now."

And at that point, dinner was served. Piping hot Krada leg and Pipius claw with a generous side of racht. Drex grinned widely, "Gagh is for peasants. Today we eat like KINGS." All the Klingons surrounding the table laughed loudly.

Parsons looked to Xavier... "Is this a good time to mention I am a vegetarian Captain." She whispered in his ear.

"Now's not the time to insult the Klingons hospitality." Carey replied as he motioned to the two armed guards at the door. Leaning over. He looked it over. Grabbed the krada leg and a Pipius claw... then turned to the Racht. Tearing off one of the any legs be piled his plate.

Parsons looked her options over. Decided the crab leg seemed like it was from a less cute animal.

"We returned to the surface. There was talk about this being perpetrated by the Klingons. Though the dishonour that would bring the empire would be great." Xavier replied as he broke open the Pipius Claw, tearing the flesh he took a bite. "The teams are still down there looking for the perpetrator. Another is talking to the government questioning on what happened and why we are here."

Ael waved a finger at Captain Carey, when she finished chewing and swallowed she said, "Had we done the shooting it would have been out in the open so your Captain Leonard could have fought back like a warrior."

"Easy Daughter," Drex admonished Ael, "Captain Carey already knows this. He seems to know our ways well. He has our respect... for now." He swallowed a morsel and drank again from his flagon of warnog. "Captain Carey," he said at last, leaning over the table, "Who do you think would benefit the most from a falling out of these upcoming treaty negotiations?"

"By our estimations the planets got about a century before its uninhabitable due to the pollution in the atmosphere. They have no reason to attack us, when they call us for renegotiations. I think there is more to this than meets the eye. That's what I intend to find out."

Drex stroked his chin as he listened. "I believe you are correct. The official position of my government is 'we don't care as long as we get what we want' and I agree for the most part, but I won't be a part of any dishonorable acts. I will not have me, my ship, or my people blamed for something we had no hand in. We've been given no reason to back out of negotiations or renege the current treaty. Whoever is behind this has no honor and should be... severely... taken to task for it." Drex leaned over the table again to drive his point home, "If you need help in this endeavor, you let me know."

"Of course Captain, we are honored by the offer. However at this point of time... less blood is preferable." He took a bite of the racht. "When the time comes Captain... I request you to be present to discuss the terms of the Klingon empires wishes. As Captain I will speak for the Federation. But this treaty involves three governments, the Federation has no intention of causing more friction between our two people than there is already." He paused, as he finally swallowed.

"A little bloodshed never hurt anyone," Ael mentioned jokingly with a sly twist of her mouth. That, of course, started another round of laughter from all the Klingons present.

Drex slammed his fist on the table to quiet them down. "While you're right, daughter, the Federation has qualms about such things," Drex reminded her. Then to Captain Carey he said, "We'll be ready for whatever action is needed. I... appreciate the open lines of communication. Too many times in the past... lack of communication... and understanding has caused... unfortunate things to happen."

"Unfortunate things indeed." Parsons muttered.

"Lieutenant that is enough... if you can't handle such comments then next time given the opportunity I will ask Ensign Element." Carey stated as he turned back towards the Captain. "Communications and transporters are being affected by the pollution in the atmosphere. We are currently awaiting our science teams findings, they believe they have a solution. The next team that goes down... will most likely be to begin negotiations. I suggest we work together for the securing the meeting. I don't believe considering at least our experience... the people is... adequate."

Drex waved his hand dismissing Lieutenant Parson's comment, "It's all right she can speak her mind. If he truly wants to insult me I just ask she can back it up."

"My apologies, Captains." Parsons replied shoving even more in her mouth, so she couldn't talk."

Captain Drex suggested, "As far as the treaty negotiations, perhaps we should have the meetings aboard one of our ships? At least then we can eliminate the possibility of dishonorable snipers."

"That would make us look like we are scared. Are you scared Captain? Not an insult."

The room was eerily silent. Drex eyed the Starfleet captain for a few seconds before laughing out loud. "No Captain. I'm not scared. But... if we can take away one of the unseen enemy's weapons, a hidden sniper for example, well, that's not a bad thing for either side. That's not fear, that's strategy. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Alright, since you brought it up. You are playing host to the negotiations."

The Starfleet captain played right into Drex's hands. This was exactly what the Klingons were hoping for. "Very good Captain. We came prepared for any contingency. You'll find Starfleet doesn't have the only starships that double as country clubs." Ael and the other Klingons present roared with laughter once more.

"I'm not one to believe Starfleet has the only so called country clubs Captain." Xavier stated, clearly he wasn't ready for that response. "Very well... seeing as this is involving three of our people. Security will be handled by all three. Weapons are to be minimal."

Ael looked to her father and said, "He's really taking all the fun out of this."

"I know," Drex replied, "But we'll play nice for now for our sensitive Starfleet friends... for the time being." The Klingon captain turned to the Starfleet captain now and said, "I agree to those terms."

"Excellent." Xavier replied as he poured another flagon. "I will get my chief over to you once he's back from the surface."

"Net'Wa, my security chief is capable and thorough. I'm sure they'll work well together," Drex said, "Well then, do you have any other concerns we should address at this time Captain?"

"That is everything Captain, I thank you for the meal. And the hospitality."

Drex stood and offered his hand to shake. "You are welcome. I think, despite our people's differences, we can work together for common good. We just need to understand each other."

Shaking the captain's hand. "I agree Captain." He tapped his badge. "Carey to Resolution two to beam over."