The Meeting

Posted on Sun May 24th, 2026 @ 11:18pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun & Lieutenant JG Kate Kono

2,759 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Sins of the Empire
Location: Conference Room

Shran was in his Ready Room with Ba'el, his planned meeting with several of his staff was coming, but he was still unsure how he was supposed to explain the situation to them. "Ba'el, I'm not sure I can put my people at risk like this. The Federation is certainly at risk, but technically speaking, this is an internal Klingon matter. We aren't supposed to be involved."

"You are still the honorable warrior you were many years ago when I first met you Shran. Do you remember that day, when Worf introduced us?"

"The war. Deep Space Nine. It was just after Martok was made Chancellor, just before the final thrust to defeat the Dominion. You were different, though it would be some time before I learned how different. The fact that you have managed to keep that secret and rise to your position is impressive" Shran replied.

"Worf has always been a good teacher of what it means to be Klingon. Toq and the others I had grown up with were fighting for the Empire, it was only right that I do the same" Ba'el continued. "You told me that no matter what, to fight for a noble cause and justice is the most honorable thing one can do, especially if it means you do so to protect your family and your people. Is this not what is happening now?"

Shran stood up and slowly walked over and poured himself a drink of Andorian ale and swallowed it. He poured another, and then one for Ba'el and brought the drink to her. "Not exactly the warrior's way to use guilt to get what you want, but you have reminded me of certain things."

Ba'el picked up the drink and stood and offered Shran a drinking salute, "If I wanted to use guilt, I'd remind you of a promise you made once. All I have done here is remind you of your duty."

"Indeed. To duty and honor" Shran replied as he raised his glass to meet her salute, and the two drank the Andorian ale.

**************

Aidan was the first to come to the bridge on his way to the meeting. He had the latest update from the Chief regarding the repairs to the Ch'Tang. He was surprised to see that Callie was sitting in the command chair. He had figured it would be Cmdr Grayson, and in a way it was, just not the right Cmdr Grayson. He made his way across the bridge and into the conference room.

Kate had arrived first and settled into a corner with her notes, content to let the room fill around her. Her arm throbbed at the edge of her awareness; weeks yet, they'd said. Lately even the small performances of being perceived, of meeting eyes and finding words, left her wrung out in a way she didn't recognize in herself. It wouldn't always be like this. But for now she kept her head down and PaDD stylus moving, her mind fixed on the Neutral Zone and whatever was unfolding there.

Imik was at the tactical station gathering data, as Lt. O'Connor crossed the bridge she checked the time. Closing her access Imik now made for the conference room, she wanted answers to what had happened and why weapons had been fired. Entering she bobbed her head and made her way to her seat, placing her PaDD on the table Imik now waited for the others to arrive.

Sam was the last to enter and had taken the opportunity to clean herself up as much as possible before attending the meeting. A shower and fresh uniform had done wonders, but it did nothing to hide the exhaustion in her eyes.

Jon was already on the bridge having talked to Shran previously in Sickbay, He watched as Imik closed her access and headed for the conference room. he motioned for Ayana to take the center seat as he exited it and headed for the lift as well.

Shran exited his Ready Room with Ba'el and they made their way to the conference room. Shran stopped and looked to Ayana, "Status lieutenant."

"Still at yellow alert sir. We are continuing our patrol of the Neutral Zone. No vessels on scanners besides the Ch'Tang which we still have in tow while the engineering team brings it up to spec again."

"Very well" Shran said solemnly and then proceeded to the conference room.

Jon sat in his customary spot at the head of the table and to the right of Shran's chair. He observed Shran entering with Ba'el which confirmed his suspicions that whatever the captain wished to discuss, the Klingon captain was also involved.

Shran was solemn as he walked in with Ba'el. While she took a seat, Shran stood over his seat contemplatively. This was not a sight of the Andorian anyone was privy to. Nobody knew Shran as long and perhaps as well as Deanna, but even she was caught by surprise seeing Shran like this.

"Let's start with a review of facts" Shran began. "Approximately one hour ago, on our routine patrol, we picked up a distress call. The call was from Capt Ba'el's vessel, which as you know we now have in tow and are assisting in repair. Her vessel was under attack by Romulans. Now for the first bad point for me, I ordered the ship into the Neutral Zone and to fire on the Romulan vessel. I have sent a full report to Command and have indicated that any fallout should center on myself alone. I believe that at this time, the best thing to do is to place the ship under Jon's command."

Jon's head snapped around and he looked at Shran, "What?! Captain I am perfectly fine and capable of commanding the ship while you are away or if you were incapacitated and unable to command. That isn't the case here.''

Deanna was quick to chime in, "Jon is right sir. I understand what you are trying to do here, but until orders come down, you are the captain of this ship and we won't allow you to attempt to spare us out of an attempt to protect."

"Your crew seems to be as loyal and honorable as a Klingon crew" Ba'el chided.

Shran sat down in quiet reservation. "Very well. I will hold off on sending myself to the gallows. That leaves us all into a situation. My actions in regard to assisting the Ch'Tang were personal. But information I have gathered since the rescue is concerning and problematic."

"Perhaps you should elaborate rather than running around in circles then" Aidan said in his typical brazen fashion.

"Long ago, the Klingon Empire was under the rule of K'mpec. He was your typical Klingon leader, but he had a problem. Information regarding the Khitomer Massacre surfaced. Because that information was unfavorable to a certain family, a coverup was attempted. That coverup led to the Enterprise, specifically Capt Picard and then Lt Worf to attempt to set the record straight with an investigation of their own. Much happened, but a livable result for all parties was reached. Roughly a year later, K'mpec died, or more correctly, was assassinated. Two men stood to become the next head of the Empire, and Picard was thrust into the position of Arbiter of Succession. The two challengers were Gowron, who would eventually gain the position, and Duras, who was as treacherous as any Romulan and was the guilty party responsible for K'mpec's death. Moving forward further, when Gowron was about to assume his position, he was challenged by the sisters of Duras, Lursa and B'Etor. The sisters were just as treacherous as their brother, but far more tactical in their efforts. They discovered that Duras had an illegitimate child named Toral and attempted to use him to challenge for control. That challenge started the brief Klingon Civil War, which was ultimately won by Gowron, with significant help from the Federation, albeit indirectly. Picard led a task force to the Klingon Romulan border, not far from where we are now, and caught the Romulans attempting to aid the Duras family. When they were discovered, the Romulans fled and the Duras family lost. Toral would be captured but allowed to live, and the Duras sisters went on to various illegal and disreputable deeds" Shran began to explain.

Ba'el interrupted, "Your captain is trying to spare the Empire shame. To be blunt about the situation, yes, my ship was attacked by a Romulan vessel. To be more accurate though, it was a Romulan vessel under the control of Toral, son of Duras. The Duras family has long wished to rule the Empire. They have been in league with the Romulans for over a century and desire to return to an alliance that once existed. Toral has gained an underground following and built up an army to challenge Chancellor Martok, and considering the state of things currently, it is a challenge the Chancellor cannot afford. Ambassador Worf is a longtime friend who brought me into his House, the Chancellor's House many years ago, and I am honor bound to protect them both, as well as the Empire. I was on a secret mission gathering intelligence on Toral's forces when we were discovered and you know how that ended."

Kate kept to herself in the corner of the room. She let the briefing wash over her, and for once, she didn't have to fight it. Klingon succession crises, Romulan interference, Neutral Zone incursions; this was the kind of thing she had trained for, the kind of complexity that had a shape to it, edges she could trace with her mind. Not like the last few months. Not like Kevin. She pressed her stylus to her PaDD and let herself simply take notes, and somewhere in the mechanical rhythm of that, she felt her shoulders drop. Nobody was asking her to feel anything about Toral or the Duras family. She could just think. It was, she realized with some surprise, the first time in a long time that thinking had felt like enough.

Sitting listing Imik had taken notes and cogitated, now it was time for her to speak. "Sinkahue, I beg forgiveness for my lack of understanding. But as I understand this present situation, we have placed our vessel in the middle of a civil war between Klingon houses and the Romulans. Is this a wise decision? Using my own people as a template, and our troubles with the Tholians was it not problematical for this very vessel and you when you engaged in that situation?" She knew that she had asked a loaded question, one which could place Shran in a difficult place. Was he now asking his crew to once again place themselves somewhere that the Federation would not wish them to be? She continued, "As an Ojnas I am forever grateful to this vessel and its crew, but I am drawn to the fact that we are now undertaking something which leaves both us the Federation, and the Klingons in a very exposed position."

"I don't believe the captain has placed us in such a situation, but if he were to ask it of us, I would gladly do so. As it is, I know the captain won't ask such a thing of us, so I volunteer" Deanna noted.

"I second that. Sounds like just the sort of craic I signed up for" Aidan added.

"I thank you both for your desire to volunteer, but I should address the concerns that exist." Shran looked to Imik, "You are correct in your overall assessment lieutenant. And should such a conflict as you describe happen, you are free to not participate if your conscious will not allow it. StarFleet Command does indeed have regulations that would prevent me from entering what is defined as an internal foreign power conflict. But this is not just a conflict between two warring Klingon houses. Toral is no different than his father and the rest of his family. He is a puppet of the Romulans, specifically the Tal Shiar. If Toral gets what he wants, which is to say the Romulans get what they want, there would be no more Klingon Empire, but rather a puppet state of the Romulans and the Federation would be in a position it found itself when the Dominion War started. This cannot be allowed."

Jon looked around the room until it reached Ba'el and he gave a brief nod before finally settling on Shran, "You have your answer sir. We're with you all the way and will whatever we cam to assist captain Ba'el as well."

Imik now stood up, "I am a member of this vessel's crew, I am by both Federation and Ojnas commands sworn to obey my Sinkahue. This vessel and its Captain offered me a home when my own people attempted to split Ojnas and Federation, my loyalty is to my Sinkahue first my vessel second, and the crew of that vessel third. I go wherever my Sinkahue orders me, my conscious does not prevent me from doing my duty. My question was to gain the full facts and understand what my Sinkahue requires of me at this time, as an Ojnas Officer I have that right as a Federation Officer I require that information so I may freely go forward knowing I am doing the correct action." She sat back down her honor as she saw it restored, not fight for Shran? Unthinkable.

Shran offered a wry grin as he looked at Jon. "I suspected that I would get this sort of response. This crew seems to buck authority to do the right thing even when it means putting itself in peril. But I need to know where each of you stand." He looked over to the left side of the table, "Sam, Kate, what are your thoughts?"

"Yoi just said it sir, do the right thing and this crew will stand in harms way to do the right thing." Jon answered. "You may also want to get Callie's thoughts on this as well sir and don't forget Inara as well, I'm sure she'll have plenty to say."

Kate sat in contemplation for a moment. She found herself laughing a little at herself for thinking she could just slink away in the background knowing full well her captain would want her opinion.

Kate set her PaDD down and met Shran's gaze. "There's a story from old Japan, sir. The Forty-Seven Ronin. Men who were masterless, caught between political expediency and what their hearts told them was right. They could have walked away. The government certainly would have preferred it. But they chose honor over politics, and they did what needed doing."

The slender young Asian paused, her voice tightening slightly.

"I've seen what happens when people look the other way because it's easier, because the politics are messy, because standing up means getting involved in something that isn't technically your fight. Bullies count on that. They count on good people doing nothing because the rules say they should stay in their lane."

Kate straightened in her chair. "Toral's a bully with a Romulan hand up his back. The politics of whether we should be here don't matter to me nearly as much as whether we're going to let another bully win because we were too busy reading the rulebook to throw a punch. The honorable thing isn't always the politically smart thing. Sometimes it's just the right thing."

Kate glanced at Ba'el. "I'm in, commander. Politics be damned."

Sam looked around the room, taking in the determined expressions. "Looks like I'm restocking sickbay for blunt force trauma and blade injuries."

"Qapla!" Ba'el exclaimed.

Shran nodded confidently. "If you are all prepared for this, then so be it. But we won't do things haphazard. We need to get the Ch'Tang back to full strength. And I don't want civilians aboard the Washington while we deal with this. No need to put innocents in harm's way."

"I got the Chief and a full engineering team working on that ship sir. He'll get it up to spec in a hurry. He enjoys the pressure of these sort of situations" Aidan noted.

"Captain Ba'el, with the losses to your crew will you be able to man all shifts and systems?" Jon asked the Klingon captain.

Ba'el looked to Jon, "We are Klingon" she replied simply, the meaning clear.

Shran looked around. "We have preparations to make here. Let's get to it."

 

RSS Feed