Closing One Door and Opening Another - Part I

Posted on Tue Oct 21, 2025 @ 7:07am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & T'lani & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Lieutenant Carissa Holmes & Charghwl'IH of the House of Soval & Rebec Zolan

1,682 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: VIP Lounge
Timeline: MD30 - afternoon

T'mpest was the first to arrive in the conference room. She knew everything would be ready, but as a former diplomat herself, she wanted to do one last check. It also gave her a few moments of silence before the others arrived.

A table of light refreshments sat along one wall, the staff having arranged everything by color. She paused to pop a chocolate in her mouth before moving on to the round table where a PADD sat at each place with a summary of the recent peace talks. They'd gone far better than she expected with both the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians eager to prevent war with the Federation.

That done, she went to the viewport that looked out on the stars and waited for the others to arrive.

Carissa stepped in, this time she was wearing the uniform befitting her status of being a diplomatic officer. She rolled her shoulders, and moved her neck from side to side to loosen up the stiff muscles. It had been quite the negotiation session, in the end--a treaty was made.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief, then noticed that T'mpest was there. Silently she stepped over to the table and picked up a chocolate, taking a bite and chewed it slowly. Just enjoying the silence of the moment.

T'mpest heard the door open and saw Carissa's reflection, but gave the other woman the silence she seemed to need right then.

A few moments later after Carissa had just finished her chocolate, Cara stepped inside. "Lieutenant, Commodore." walking over and getting herself a drink.

Carissa turned and gave a nod towards Cara.

T'mpest also turned. "Welcome," she said to both women.

Curtis let his contact ping the hatch to the VIP lounge as he neared it, letting it cycle without him needing to break his pace until after he'd entered the space. He'd checked his dress uniform half a dozen times since leaving his quarters and was reasonably sure he was presentable. His HUD had given him a headcount even before he arrived, but he double checked the room anyway then stepped toward the drinks service.

"Welcome, commander," T'mpest said formally.

"Ma'am," Curtis said as he sipped at the coffee he'd chosen and slid into a space near his CO. "I see the dogs and ponies are about all lined up for this," he said quietly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth briefly before the rim of his mug hid it from view.

"Indeed." She picked up a pastry and, while her head was down, added, "I find it helpful to let them talk about their success. You learn a great deal by listening." She flashed Curtis a smile. "As you well know."

With a straight face, Curtis glanced at his boss and said, "I'm sorry. What was that, ma'am?"

T'mpest smiled in return. "Exactly."

A minute later, the door opened and Ambassador T'lani walked in, dressed in her formal Vulcan robes. She took in the room and its occupants, then bowed to T'mpest, then raised her hand in a Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, commodore."

T'mpest returned the greeting. "Prosperity and long life, ambassador. Please, have some refreshment. We will begin when everyone arrives."

Ambassador Zolan Rebec entered the conference room, she was dressed in the formal Bajoran Robes, in her hand she held a bag containing fresh, homemade, Bajoran pastries.

"Greetings, Commodore, Commander, fellow Ambassadors." The red-haired Bajoran said. "I brought pastries." She added with a smile.

"Excellent. Thank you. They are most appreciated," T'mpest replied. "Please, add them to the selection at the table."

"Thank you" Carissa giving a smile to Rebec. as she placed two of the Bajoran Pastries upon her plate. "These look rather delicious," taking a bite her eyes lit up. "And they taste rather good. " going to find a seat at the table.

"How do Bajoran pastries match against the Betazoid confections," Curtis asked curiously. Less chocolate?"

"Each have their own delicious flavor. " Carissa remarked evenly, though a smile danced in her eyes.

A slight chuckle came from Cara as she listened to the exchange

"Each their own flavor," Curtis remarked. "A famous bard on Earth once used the line that Life was like a box of chocolates. That phrase took on a life of its own so I get that."

"Forrest Gump If I recall right. It wasn't bad at all. Old earth movies, classics." Carissa smiling.



[IKV Suvwl’SuS]

Charghwl'IH was on the bridge as his ship dropped from warp and Deep Space 5 drew closer. Being an Ambassador his ship was given priority over the other traffic around the station. As they drew closer his Embassy staff hailed them.

=^= My Lord, I know you have had a long journey but the new stations commander has called a meeting of the Command and the stations Ambassadors. =^=

Charg let out a huff, "Starfleet loves there meeting. Very well When is it?"

=^= Now. In the station's VIP lounge. =^=

"Have me and Ktraq beamed to that location."

=^= Understood. Standby. =^=


[Deep Space 5]

The Klingon Ambassador and his aid materialized off to the side of the Lounge.

T'mpest stood, unable to hide a slight smile as she gave the new arrivals a Vulcan bow. "Welcome, Ambassador Charghwl'IH. I am pleased you could join us. We are celebrating a successful treaty negotiation and the departure of the Cardassian and Xi'Cadian diplomats."

"Thank you, Commodore. I was under the impression...that doesn't matter Allow me to contribute to the celebration. Removing his ambassadorial cloak and tossing it into an empty chair. "Ktraq, have some blood wine brought here immediately."

T'mpest raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you can tell me about that later."

Means walked in as the aide departed and looked across the room. "Did I hear someone say bloodwine?! Approached the Klingon. "Welcome back Ambassador."

As the two clasped arms, "This will be the second victory we'll be able to celebrate."

Cara raised an eyebrow at this, "Second victory?" Looking from Charg to Means and back.

T'mpest just raised an eyebrow.

Looking to the pair. Means answered the question, "We fought together in the Kzinti War, Back the Ambassador was a...what Commander serving on the IKV D'ama."

"A newly pinned Lieutenant Commander in Starfleet." Charg corrected and clarified for those that didn't know his history.

"Ah, yes. I read about that." T'mpest spent a good deal of time learning about all the senior staff and many of the civilians--including the ambassadors.


When everyone arrived, T'mpest went over to the conference table, set her plate and drink down, then took a seat. There was no timetable for this meeting, so she gave everyone time to chat if they wished.

"Thank you for all your hard work over the past week," T'mpest began. "We now have a solid treaty that will, hopefully, last for a while. What are your thoughts, looking back?"

"I am pleased that the Cardassian representatives and the Xi’Cadians apologized for trying to pull a fast one on those in command of this station. As in the gifts. It was difficult for them as they have a lot of pride. In light of what happened with Turvan and not wanting to get into a war with the Federation as a whole, they saw the light. Plus, a show of all of you being united in your beliefs and willingness to form a treaty, as well as your firmness, it was accomplished." Carissa looked down at her plate and pulled apart the Bajoran pastry into bite sized pieces.

"It was a united effort." T'mpest nodded in agreement. "That made an impact. Especially as they did not expect us to be as prepared as we were."

"Which I still find odd," T'lani said. "They dealt with your people on the station. They know the Federation. And yet, they put their reputation on the line for Hydel Turvan, then believed blaming him for everything would exonerate them of all responsibility."

"Which is why they have to earn our trust," T'mpest replied. "But we need peace in the sector and the alliance should do that."

Rebec said. "I grew up during the Occupation of Bajor and I lost my family to actions of the Cardassian military, and it took me a long time not to view every Cardassian, I met, with suspicion." She paused to take a sip of her drink, to her suddenly dry mouth. "I don't blame the Cardassians for following Turvan, from what I hear, he was a very charismatic leader, and many Cardassians still carry the burden of defeat during the Dominion War." She took a breath. "I'm not saying, what they did was right, but I can understand their point of view." She paused again. "I'm not a fan of the Cardassian Government or their military, and I believe they should be punished for their actions, but I don't blame every Cardassian for the actions of a handful."

Charghwl’IH listened to the various discussions and he could see both history repeating itself and perhaps a glimmer of realization. "I have fought many a battle against the Cardassians, both in Starfleet and the Empire. It doesn't seem to matter if their leadership is militarized or civilian...they always find themselves starting a conflict somewhere....and the Federation always seems to give them a second chance.

"The scientists on the surface may be able to individually earn the trust of those here, but the leaders on Cardassia will need to be watched VERY closely."

T'mpest nodded. They needed the peace accords to regain stability, but that didn't mean she was ready to trust another Cardassian diplomat--or any other representative.

(To be continued...)

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Carissa Holmes
Federation Diplomat

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux
Head of Strategic Operations
Deep Space 5

Ambassador T'lani 
Vulcan Ambassador to DS5

Ambassador Zolan Rebec
Bajoran Ambassador to DS5

Ambassador Charghwl'IH - Son of Soval
Klingon Ambassador to DS5
Commander - IKV Suvwl’SuS

Ktraq
Charg's Aide

Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO - 21st MEU
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

 

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