Closing One Door and Opening Another - Part II
Posted on Wed Oct 22, 2025 @ 6:53am 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
1,765 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: T'mpest's Office
Timeline: MD30 - afternoon
[PREVIOUSLY]
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.
[CONTINUED]
"Those of us who fought to defend this station will not soon forget their duplicity," T'lani assured the Klingon ambassador. She indicated T'mpest. "The Tiahuanaco was a total loss. I do not believe the commodore will be so quick to trust. Neither will I. And we are fortunate that you will be on the station as well. Even if the Cardassians think we have grown soft, they will know you have not."
Charg nodded to the Vulcan. "You honor me."
T'lani inclined her head in a partial bow. "I speak only the truth. The honor is well-deserved."
"Don't take my words as softness or fear, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am a former Starfleet officer, and if anyone attacks this station, be they Cardassian or not, I'll be fighting right alongside DS5's crew." Rebec said her tone even, but powerful.
Means looked to the Bajoran as the corner of his mouth curled holding up one of her pastries. Looking to turn things back to a more light and celebratory direction. "Pastry chef...warrior...a lethal combination."
"You should see me dance, Colonel." Rebec replied with a smile.
Carissa looked up from her plate of dwindling pieces of Bajoran pastry. She rose from the table to refresh her plate and procure some more chocolates, and getting another drink
"Even though there is the saying time heals all wounds that isn't true. It is more of the belief people learn, they adjust. Each loss, each battle, each victory, each movement forward in the pursuit of learning to live with each other in a relatively peaceful manner. Ever changing, going through a metamorphosis."
As she neared the table, Carissa added, "There isn't anything wrong with giving second chances, third chances and so on, just as long as we are not blind to the foibles of the various races. We all have had the proverbial second chances or more. There was a time when there was enmity between the Klingons, and the Federation. Though there was the reaching out with an olive branch of possible peace, seeking better understanding. It takes everyone to have the willingness to not judge a race as a whole, but to learn that not all are like those who wish to cause strife." taking a seat, looking towards Charg and then the others.
With the talks being done, Carissa wondered what will happen with her next. She would love to be assigned here, she though was at the mercy of Starfleet, being sent to who knows where. She only had packed the bare minimals in order to not get too comfortable. She took a bite of a chocolate, something from Betazed, and she knew they were the real thing.
Cara was silent, just listening to what was being said. This was something she used to do, watching and listening. She felt the emotional level of Carissa, a wistfulness as to being here on the station, and the feeling of resignation as to being sent away.
Setting his drink aside, "What you say is true. However, there is a major difference between the relations the Federation and the Empire all those years ago and the relation the Federation and Cardassia. We didn't hide the fact that we were warriors and that battle was a way of life for us. The Cardassians... They to war, then play at peace, only to war again. The last 50 years show this cycle, or close to it, over and over again.
"Will there come a time when there it both peace AND trust with Cardassia? I cannot say, but hopefully we will see that day come. Your negotiations have brought peace to this region and I may have missed those negotiation, but I will see that the Empire endorses whatever terms were reached."
Carissa gave a nod at Charg's words.
"We are allies are we not? Now! I may have missed the negotiations, but this is supposed to be a celebration...So enough historical debate." Taking up his glass, he stood towards the Federation Ambassador, lifting his glass towards her. "To a successful negotiation."
Carissa rose from her seat in response to the Klingon Ambassador. raising her glass towards him.
"To all of us." she responded in return.
Rebec picked up a glass of Champagne, she usually preferred an Irish Whisky, but this was a celebration, so it would do. Raising her glass, she said. "Hear, hear." in agreement.
Cara raised her own glass in response to the toast from Charg. This time she spoke "I agree and to the health of all those of this station."
Taking a sip of the drink, she set it back down upon the table glancing around the table once more.
"To friends and allies." T'mpest replied, raising her glass before taking a swallow. "I thank each one of you for helping bring about this tentative peace--and for helping to preserve it."
Means had finally managed to swallow the pastry he had popped in his mouth just before the Ambassador stood. "And those that fell to ensure all this was possible. To the honored dead."
Carissa felt a lump form in her throat, she couldn't speak in answer but gave a nod towards Means taking a seat afterwards.
Charg lifted his glass again, giving the Colonel a sharp nod.
When the toasts were done, T'mpest spoke again. "While this is to thank you all for the work done by each of you, I would like to know if you have any questions or concerns."
"If I may have a moment of your time today I would like to have a meeting with you Commodore." Carissa requested. "Otherwise, I have no further question"
"None from me." Cara answered quietly.
Rebec took another sip of her drink in order to calm her nerves. "Colonel, what are you doing for dinner tonight?" She asked.
Well, that certainly was unexpected. Charg looked from the Bajoran and the Colonel, his brow raised.
Means looked to the Bajoran Ambassador. "I have no plans."
T'mpest's expression turned cool. "Ambassador Zolan, this is not the Dating Game. This is--or should be--an official debrief and celebration. Regardless of the colonel's response, you are not to use meetings on this station for your own personal...pleasure."
"Understood, Commodore." Rebec said. "I'll wait until we leave the chamber to ask the Colonel, to dinner."
Means glanced to the Ambassador giving her a wink. Afterwards he glanced over to the XO, "Commander, I have something you might be interested in. Whenever you get a moment or you're in Marine country, if you could stop by."
"Alright will do so, thank you I will do so." Cara replied.
Carissa had an amused expression as she watched the interaction between Means and Rebec, and the reactions from Charg and T'mpest.
T'mpest looked around the table. "As we have concluded our business, you are now free to take anything else you wish to discuss outside this office. Thank you again for successfully negotiating peace with the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians."
As the meeting broke Means stepped over to Charg. "How was your trip to Earth? Other that keeping a leash on Hydel?"
"It was eventful. I was able to check on Da'nal's son. Oh, you may not have known, but I was gin'tak to the House of Varal and since I trained him on the bat'leth I stopped by the Academy to see how he was settling in."
"That's great. How is the Admiral doing?"
"Well, he..." Charg felt eyes on him and glanced back to the Commodore grinning. Turning back to Means, "Come, let us take our conversation elsewhere."
As he left he turned. "Commodore. There was a Petty Officer Schmidt assigned to accompany Hydel to Rura Penthe. I would like to request she be reassigned to serve as liaison to mine or another Klingon Embassy or Consulate. She understands the Warrior mentality and I think she would do well in such an assignment."
T'mpest knew they were talking just to annoy her and nodded politely. She couldn't blame them as her outburst was responsible. "I will file the appropriate paperwork to have her reassigned to work with you here."
"Thank you. Commodore." Looking around him, "Where did Means get to??? Ahhh..."
"He stepped outside," she replied. "Possibly to talk to the ambassador."
Both Cara and Carissa exchanged glances when they heard Rebec ask Means to go out to dinner during an official meeting. They said not a word though, rose almost at the same time to take their leave.
Carissa looked at T'mpest. "Thank you for putting this together." giving a smile.
"You are welcome," T'mpest replied. "Thank you for all your work with the negotiations."
Curtis decided it was past time for him to fade. There were too many agendas to feel comfortable. Smirking, mostly to himself he caught T'mpest's eye, giving her a moment to recall him as he headed toward the hatch. Then it would be time to back to the grind.
The commodore nodded in acknowledgement before Curtis made his way out.
Carissa turned to the commodore, "With the end of this meeting, may I speak with you along with Commander Letsul and Commander Thibideaux? Here or someplace else?"
"We can meet later today, or tomorrow morning, if you wish," T'mpest replied. She wasn't sure what Cara and Curtis had planned, but she could ask.
When her office was again quiet, T'mpest sat down in front of one of her viewports and sighed, rubbing her temples. She rarely got snippy. Perhaps she needed to get away for a few hours.
[Outside the Commodore's office]
Means waited as the Ambassador spoke to the Commodore.
Rebec waited, she still hadn't received Means' reply to her inquiry.
When the Ambassador emerged from the meeting Means smiled. "I'm available whenever you are?"
"How about now?" Rebec asked. "Do you like Italian?"
Offering her his arm, "I love Italian."
Rebec accepted. "Great, because there's a cozy Italian place, on level 4 of the Promenade." She said with a smile.
A post by
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Ambassador T'lani Vulcan Ambassador to DS5
Ambassador Charghwl'IH - Son of Soval
Klingon Ambassador to DS5 Commander - IKV Suvwl’SuS
Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO - 21st MEU
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea
Ambassador Zolan Rebec
Bajoran Ambassador to DS5
Carissa Holmes
Federation Diplomat
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux
Head of Strategic Operations
Deep Space 5
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