The Quiet Before the Storm

Posted on Wed Dec 13th, 2023 @ 4:38pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson

Mission: Hard Earned Peace
Location: USS Washington

Shran walked with Callie as they had adjourned the talks for an intermission, allowing all sides to rest and recover. They were headed to the bridge and then his ready room. As they walked, Shran spoke with Callie, "Jon didn't make it to the talks. I'm concerned about what he may have found out regarding the Hela situation."

Callie nodded in agreement. “Hela is one thing we don’t need to be worrying about right now!”

Jon knew he had missed the opening round of peace talks but considering what he now knew about Hela and why she was back aboard the Washington, he thought he had a valid reason. So, instead he headed to the bridge to await the captain and Callie and inform them of what he now knew.

As Shran and Callie reached the bridge, Shran took note that Jon was there waiting. "Jon, good. I trust you have information to share regarding our hiccup."

Jon nodded at Shran and smiled at Callie. "Yes sir, I do. I'm afraid it is more serious than we thought. Can we discuss this in your Ready Room sir?"

"By all means." He offered a path for Jon and Callie to walk in. As the door closed behind them, he looked to Jon, "Alright, lay it on me."

Once inside, Jon turned to face his captain. "As you know Hela is back and she wants payment for returning Shon's daughter to her. She hasn't said yet what that payment is to be but I'm betting it is going to be steep." Jon paused for a moment and continued. "There is another thing. Lt. Senn is openly confrontational with Hela. They are openly baiting each other and if it continues, the lieutenant is going to lose. Hela is only going to put up with what she sees as an amusing distraction for so long."

Callie shook her head. “Hela no doubt has a plan in mind, she wouldn’t be here unless she did. Perhaps she’d talk to you about her...payment, Captain. You are the man in charge around here after all.” She shrugged her shoulders.

"So, Hela has come to collect on a debt with Shon, which we know is going to be bad, and now you are telling me Lt Senn has what, gotten into some sort of pissing match with Hela? Do people not understand that winning against these entities is not a likely outcome?" Shran recapped, obviously a bit frustrated. "If we aren't careful, we might end up with more of these entities showing up here. Very well, I will speak with Shon and Lt Senn, see what else I can find out. Jon, you'll need to step in for me in the peace talks. Callie can update you on any details you may need. Thus far things have been going well, albeit a bit tense. They have discussed what both sides want and are currently on a break to make considerations."

“It’s been...tense, to say the least” Callie offered a smile. “I think we’re finally getting somewhere though. Both sides seemed happy when we adjourned, but no doubt we’ll find out for sure when we reconvene.”

"That is good news Callie. I'll be there to assist you for the next round of talks." Jon promised.

"Right, then it is settled. You two better grab something quick to eat before the talks start back up. I'll join you as soon as I have dealt with this Hela business." Shran began to walk out of the Ready Room with Jon and Callie behind him when he walked into Inara, who looked irate. She asked if she too might have a moment of his time in the Ready Room. He agreed and let Jon and Callie leave before sitting down with her to get her side of things. He had a feeling this was not going to be a simple matter.