The Klingons Come to Dinner, Part II

Posted on Sat 17th Sep, 2022 @ 7:04pm by Lieutenant Commander Kiara Lena & Lieutenant Commander Dallas Briggs & Commander Zed & Daeren Iril & Krell House of Mer'uk & T'Vala & Tessanna (Tessa) Valeri & Miadze Palel

1,435 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Hunted
Location: Helicon III
Timeline: MD 2, 1840 hours

Previously ...

"Ambassadors, you are here for only one reason and that is to make a ruling on the mountain so that the people of this planet go to war over it. I am here to bring the guilty party that orchestrated the unprovoked attack on Commander Lena. Other than those objectives, it's none of our business and I can see no type of laws broken that would affect the Federation or the Klingon people. Perhaps the attacks were so brutal that they do not wish for their descendants to remember. After all, it was a long time ago, when these people were one group. Asking them about it could create more problems." Krell explained.

And now ....

"Would you care to join us for dinner?" T'Vala asked Krell. "We could invite Kiara and Commander Briggs as well."

"I am sure that Commander Lena is eager to see the others and speak of her ordeal. She would probably like to discuss her plan of action with the others as well." Krell said

"I suspect the other delegates will be startled to see Commander Lena," Daeren said. "Her absence was quite a sticking point with them when we arrived."

" I'm sure that they will be quite happy to see her once the shock of her appearance wears off, wouldn't you agree?" Krell said.

"They'd better be, given the fuss Ambassador Grath made over it when we arrived," Daeren said.

"Indeed. I look forward to seeing who is not pleased to see her," T'vala said. "So, shall we call them over so we can discuss this over dinner?"

===

It was show time, time to see who was who and who did what, or at least Krell thought that gauging the looks on the Delegates' faces would surely indicate the guilty party. By now all the delegates from the Federation and the one on this planet that had asked them to come were now in the Great hall and it was time for the Klingons to make their entrance. Krell also wanted to see their reactions to the Klingons arriving since the history with the Klingons was wiped from their archives.

Krell was dressed in a clean Ambassador's robe. His goatee was long and well-groomed, evidence that he took pride in the way he looked. His hair was also well maintained and now in a lengthy ponytail. He was flanked by the Captain of the IKS Amar, Koor. Also with the two tall Klingons was a very beautiful Klingon female, the First Officer of the Amar, Commander Bun'eth of the house Bacx. The two Officers looked to be also well groomed and had on their typical Klingon battle armor along with a dagger, the d'k tahg. The three Klingons stepped onto the transporter pad and were immediately sent down to the Great Hall on the planet's surface.

T'Vala, dressed in her formal Vulcan robes arrived with Tessa. For once, she'd dressed up in a long gown.

The Vulcan bowed to the others. "Good evening." She had yet to meet the other Klingons.

Daeren arrived wearing a Trill suit that consisted of a long-sleeved, high-necked burgundy coat that fell to his knees, worn over a pair of slim, gold trousers. On someone with less bearing it might have looked dandified; on him, it simply looked formal. A burgundy stole bordered with gold embroidery hung down the right side of his chest, with the other end pulled across his back and draped over his left arm. Miadze had not dressed to match him. She wore a floor-length black gown studded with rhinestones. Her snowy hair was swept into a wavy updo that appeared almost weightless. She wore a three-stranded pearl choker around her neck, pearl earrings, and no other jewelry.

"You'd better pray that you don't spill anything on that suit," she warned him.

Daeren chuckled. "Is that why you wore black? I've had practice at these things, Miadze, and so have you. Relax. Ah, there's T'Vala. Let's join her and Krell's party, shall we?"

"You both look impressive," T'Vala said to Daeren and Miadze.

"Thank you," Daeren said, "but it's just clothing. Do we have assigned seating or do we sit wherever?"

"There is no assigned seating so please, sit wherever you are most comfortable," the Vulcan replied.

===

Lissi figured Krell couldn't get into too much trouble at a formal dinner, especially with other Klingons present, but then, again, it was Krell. Showing up late kept her from having to speak to a lot of diplomats, but might not get her any points with the powers that be. Still, she was here now, clothed in a spotless dress uniform with a few citation pins below her left collarbone, so she'd play nice. First, she had to locate Krell in this mass of people, and make sure he was also playing nice.

Krell and his small group of intimating Klingons drew many looks from the delegates. They walked in front of Dallas and Kiara stopping to see if anyone revealed themselves.

Kiara and Dallas were the last to arrive. Kiara was both trepidatious and relieved that this would soon be over. She smiled as she walked over to the others. "Thank you for inviting us, and thank you for stepping in when I was...detained," she said, addressing T'Vala.

Down the table, Velis Akhnir went pale and more alert at the sight of Commander Lena but showed no other sign of surprise.

Kiara made eye contact with Velis for a long moment, then smiled. She was going to enjoy this.

Krell also noticed the discoloration in the man's face and gripped his d'k tahg, ready to use it on him, but that was not really the proof that Krell needed.

As if sensing the Ambassador's thoughts, Koor gently gripped Krell's arm.

Krell nodded softly and released the weapon.

As her current boss relaxed his grip, Lt. Regos eased her muscles. She didn't relish getting in between Krell and anyone he went after, but she also didn't like the idea of him getting hurt, unlikely as it might be ... or the ding on her record it would be either way. She'd come to like the brash captain, which she hadn't anticipated, but she hoped this was her last diplomatic assignment with him. She'd far rather be on his ship.

Governor Marda's eyes widened as she watched the new arrivals. She recognized Ambassador Lena, but not those with her. She cast a furtive glance around the room to gauge other reactions.

"It was our pleasure," T'Vala said, gracefully nodding to Kiara. "We look forward to what you have to say this evening." Her outward demeanor didn't change, but there was a twinkle in her eye as she anticipated a favorable end to the evening.

"I hope it will prove...educational," Kiara replied, smiling. "Dinner first, then we'll see what happens."

"Yes," Krell said in his deep voice. "Justice must be served for the ones that have been wronged, after all, you were only coming to help them and at their request." Kiara was his friend and he knew of Lieutenant Jericho but didn't personally know him. He wanted to see the ones responsible come to justice for what they had orchestrated. The one that had carried out the attack had already paid the ultimate price.

Kiara noticed an empty seat next to Velis Akhnir and took it. "A pleasure to finally meet you," she said pleasantly. "I've had plenty of time to study this planet and I've learned a great deal. I'm sure the others will find it fascinating."

"An honor to meet you in person, Commander Lena," Akhnir replied. "I only regret it could not be under better circumstances." He sipped from his water glass and looked back at her. "Have you been able to discern a path out of this tangled mess we're in? The mountain is a valuable resource, yes, but it is not worth a zero-sum war."

In spite of the earlier conference, Tessanna expected the dinner to be rather boring--and it was, until the Federation Ambassador arrived. She wasn't a telepath or even an empath, but she could feel the change in the room. She wished she had popcorn. No. She would be tempted to throw it, like she was at an old melodrama. No. it was better for her to remain unnoticed near the end of the table and watch. She carefully took out a PADD and began to take notes--even though she doubted T'Vala would miss anything.

T'Vala noted Tessa's actions and gave her an almost imperceptible nod of approval.

To Be Continued ....

 

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