Qapla' - Part II

Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2025 @ 2:58am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval

1,528 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus
Location: Observation Lounge

[PREVIOUSLY]

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.

[CONTINUED]

As she took her seat he turned his head, "Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Fernandez are you ready to proceed?"

"I am, ambassador." She wasn't, but she had to be. She was glad two of the Starfleet captains and her own chief of security where there as well. T'Lul...she wasn't sure about. But it couldn't hurt to have the counselor there.

Looking her questioningly, "Well...?"


[Aux. Sickbay 5]

Means made his way to the nearest lift and as the doors closed, "Deck 14"


[Observation Lounge]

Fernandez pulled a PADD out of a pocket and glanced at it. "As the former Cardassian Ambassador to Deep Space 5, Hydel Turvan tried multiple times to take control of Pangaea in a misguided attempt to bring Cardassia back to its former glory. As a final effort, he arranged for and led a fleet of Cardassian and Xi'Cadian ships against the station itself. He also placed soldiers on the planet to forcibly take it under his control. If it had not been for station personnel finding and repairing the sabotage to our weapons and shields, we would not be here now." Jacqueline nodded to Charg. "And to the timely arrival of Ambassador Charg and his fleet."

She paused. She was used to addressing senior Starfleet officers, but not the Klingons, and not when they were determined to take someone she considered her prisoner away from her. "However, as now Legate Turvan's agents infiltrated the station, attacked and killed civilians and Starfleet officers--including Commander Caleb Ryan, his crimes against the Federation mandate that he be tried in a Federation court. As this station is in need of repair and we cannot trust that he does not have friends and allies here and in this system, I feel it is in the best interest of all of us that he be sent to earth to face a Federation Council. This is not only an attack on a Starfleet station, it is a breach of the treaty between the Federation and the Cardassian Empire that was signed after the Dominion War."

Jacqueline took a deep breath and looked at Charg. "I am aware that you also have a complaint against the former ambassador, but the Federation has the legal claim. Therefore, I formally ask that you, Ambassador Charg, escort him and any other Cardassian and Xi'Cadian leaders that surrendered to earth where you can ask that your claims also be addressed by the council."


Hilda, who had been gathering the documentations that were required, looked over the rim of her glasses (she didn't need them) but they worked. There were quite a number of charges being brought up against Hydel Turvan. She had a grim look as she had lost her boyfriend during the attack. And she wasn't happy about it.

As T'mpest listened, she had a question. "If you will allow me, I have a question for Ambassador Charghwl'IH." When Jacqueline nodded, she continued. "Why did you retrieve Legate Turvan from the planet instead of letting Colonel Means and the Marines do so?"

The Ambassador looked to the two officers in turn but first looked to the Commander. "The Klingon Empire does not ASK like some child wanting a second helping at dinner!"

T'mpest looked at the ambassador calmly and raised an eyebrow and waited for him to say more.

[Outside the Observation Lounge]

As Means approached the entrance he realized that his rifle was still slung over his shoulder and he still carried his side arm. He approached on of the security officers, removing his weapons as he moved. "Take these to the Marine armory on deck 73." He didn't wait for an acknowledgement but turned and entered the lounge.


[Observation Lounge]

Head turned and the doors parted, "My apologies I had to help get my wounded aboard..."

Charg looked at the man and knew him immediately. His uniform still soiled with dirt and blood from the battlefield. Turning to the captain, "You asked why I captured Turvan and the reset of their leadership?" Pointing to the blood on Means' uniform, "That is why!

"When will the Federation learn the lessons of history? When it comes to the Cardassians you fight, you win, you sign your treaties, then you turn your back or even coddle those that were just your enemy. You turn your backs on them and they rebuild, they undermine, and scheme against you. Then they attack again! More blood is spilt, more ships destroyed and planets decimated, and again you sign your treaties. Now here we are again. More blood has been shed, more lives lost, all because of Cardassians.

"No More! I will take my prisoners to Qo'nos where their trials will be public as will their punishment. You would have thought they had learned after their homeworld had been destroyed, but apparently not.

"But there are Federation treaties, and the Cardassians violated them. This was an attack against the Federation and must be addressed by us," T'mpest replied. "If we do nothing, it will make us look weak. Therefore, we need to be the ones to prosecute those who started this war to show the galaxy that we will not tolerate such attacks."

Then T'mpest had an idea. "And, to show the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians that the Federation and Klingon Empire stand united, perhaps Commander Fernandez should accompany you to earth."

Charg rested his elbows on the table and brought his chin to his interlaced fingers. "We have won this day by standing together, but do not assume you have won here. However, you are right that we need to present a united front and I would never intentionally wish to make the Federation appear weak.

"I will agree to take them to Earth for trial by the Federation IF, following that trial, they are returned to the Empire to answer for their crimes. And that any sentence handed down by the Federation is to be served within the Empire in addition to any punishment handed by our trials."

T'mpest glanced at Jacqueline. She was a guest here and had no wish to step on the commander's toes. But with a subtle nod from the other woman, she continued. "Our laws and yours do not agree as to punishment for criminals. I do not believe the Federation will accede to your wishes. However, I think you could successfully argue that, because they must be considered a flight risk, they should serve their punishment in Klingon territory. This is especially true for Hydel Turvan. He has proven that, if given the opportunity, he will try to take control of the station and planet again." She raised an eyebrow as she watched the ambassador. "Is that acceptable to you?"

Charg looked to the captain as she spoke. He knew his hand was weak and the only real cards he had to play was that he had possession of Turvan and the Federations concerns that she had voiced. "I am sure there will not be an issue with the Empire carrying out what ever sentence the Federation hands down. However, I cannot dictate what sentence our courts issue. There will be those that will want his death and that would most likely be the result. Which, having worn that uniform, I know is the issue. I will have to speak to the High Council."

T'mpest nodded. "All right. But you and I both know the problems that will arise if he somehow manages to die before he faces trial, or en route to wherever he goes after that. He needs to stay alive." She'd been in Starfleet long enough to understand how delicate the situation was right now, and how easily it could erupt into war--even if Cardassia was the aggressor. "However, I am not saying he should like the sentence he receives." She raised an eyebrow as she added, "I think your Empire can appreciate the nuances of that."

His lip curled. "The Cardassian government might welcome his death for his loss here to cover their...embarrassment. Can I assume they have already been in contact with Cardassia to keep this...incident from becoming a full blown war?

T'mpest nodded. "I assume so. I saw a number of ships warp out before the legate formally surrendered. The Cardassian government is no doubt discussing how to spin this in their favor as we speak."

Then the half Vulcan turned to Jacqueline. "Wise of you to not grant him sanctuary."

Fernandez shook her head. "I want him gone as quickly as possible. That man is nothing but trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if his government says they had nothing to do with the attack and all those ships went rogue."

(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 Commander Jacqueline Fernandez
Acting Commander
Deep Space 5

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Former Commander
USS Tiahuanaco

 

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