House Invitation

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 4:15am by Lt Commander Kralasha
Edited on on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 4:16am

Mission: Mission 59: Stirrings of Treason
Location: Qo'nos
Timeline: 1400Hrs - January 14th, 2392

Kralasha was nervous as she headed towards the suite. It wasn't very often that one was called to have an audience with a member of the High Council. She took a deep breath before knocking.

She was admitted entrance and waited in an ornately furnished room. There was a large window with a view of the Imperial Council building. Kralasha sat and took in the majestic view of the structure.

"It is an impressive view, is it not?" a voice asked.

Kralasha turned to see Nasha, head of House Otlhoq. "Yes it is." She replied.

Nasha smiled as she went to a trunk and produced a bottle of blood wine. "Will you have a drink with me?" Nasha asked.

"Yes, please." Kralasha replied as Nasha poured two glasses. Kralasha took a gulp and relished its flavor. "I enjoy your wine but I am sure you did not summon me here to sample your stock."

Nasha smiled. "No, I did not. Kralasha, you are the head of House Tanj. You have many engineers among your kin do you not? House Otlhoq could use your services. We have many assets but we lack skilled engineers to build ships."

"Yes, we do have many engineers in our house." Kralasha replied. "House Tanj is also aligned to House H'ruS. You know this fact."

"Yes, House Tanj has served House H'ruS very honorably." Nasha replied. "That said, House H'ruS has not served those that pledge loyalty to them."

"What do you mean by that!" Kralasha shouted. "Are you suggesting House H'ruS lacks honor?"

"I am stating a link between two houses should benefit both houses. House H'ruS demands zealous loyalty but does not reciprocate." Nasha told Kralasha, who was now snarling at Nasha. "Hear me out Captain, Houses J'uraq, Dogol, Ngerov, and Malq all served House H'ruS with nothing but honor. And how did House H'ruS replay their loyalty? After those noble houses depleted all their resources H'ruS discarded them like targ offal. All those once proud houses are now extinct."

Kralasha was angered but said nothing. "If my words do not ring true then tell me so." Nasha challenged Kralasha but she remained silent. "Tell me Kralasha, how has House H'ruS rewarded House Tanj?"

Kralasha thought for a moment. "I was given command of the Hurgh maS." she replied.

"The Hurgh maS was a rusting hulk floating out in space." Nasha replied. "It was your leadership that turned that junk heap into a weapon. You inspired that..." Nasha was about to call Noq't a nuch but thought better of it. In truth the engineer had provided a great service to the Empire. His refusal to fight did confuse Nasha as it did most Klingons. Never the less, this was not the place to debate Noq't's performance. "Your engineer, Noq't, made those worn down engines to run. He also managed to get your weapons to fire and your cloaking device to run at the same time. Your ship is a good weapon."

Kralasha nodded, "The Hurgh maS is a fine weapon."

"And both of are houses are lacking adult menfolk." Nasha told her. "We can offer House Tanj four hundred warriors, three ships once built, and a villa on Paluq II for your service to use as ship building engineers."

Kralasha was both surprised and impressed by Nasha's offer. "Your offer is very generous but House Tanj is still in the employ of House H'ruS. If we leave their service there will be consequences."

"Yes there will." Nasha replied. "With the loss of Martok the Empire will descend into civil war again. The Empire will be a dangerous place. Rolmoq and Kruloth will be smashing their crests together. Rolmoq will not have time to chase after an errant ship. Especially a ship docked in Federation space."

"You mean hide like a nuch under Star Fleet weapons?" Kralasha asked.

"No, just wait out the storms of war until the Hurgh maS is needed." Nasha replied.

"What about the other houses?" She asked.

"They will be busy fighting each other. One one will protest one less ship they have to fight." Nasha told Kralasha.

Kralasha weighed Nasha's words. "What about the rest of my House? Rolmoq will want to have to have them killed."

"They will find shelter in our compounds." Nasha replied.

"And the Federation will just allow us to dock our ship amidst a civil war?" Kralasha asked.

Nasha smiled. "Under normal circumstances, no."

"Then you plan will not work." Kralasha told Nasha.

"There is a way." Nasha told her. "Have you ever heard of the Ferasians?" She asked. "They are jeghpu'wI'."

"No, why would I care about them?" Kralasha asked.

"Because they are brutally subjugated by House Tekevek." Nasha answered.

"That it is not so unusual. Again, why should I care?" She asked.

"Because the Federation is getting reports of their mistreatment. The Federation is very agitated and plans to war on the Tekevek." Nasha informed Kralasha.

Kralasha raised her eyebrows. "Really, how unusual."

"Yes, and if you bring the Federation a cargo hold full of Ferasians they will be grateful and will allow you safe harbor." Nasha finished her statement with a large gulp of blood wine.

Kralasha wasn't sure how to react to Nasha's offer. "And the Hurgh maS waits out the war?"

"No, you will renter the fray whenever you are ready." Nasha replied. "You will not be denied the honor of battle."

Kralasha nodded. "Very well, what about these Ferasians? Where are they to be found?"

Nasha smiled. "House Tekevek operates a factory at these coordinates." Nasha showed Kralasha a PaDD. "It is run by Ferasian slaves. I'm sure they wouldn't mind a star ship ride off world."

Kralash looked at Nasha. "Very well, consider House Tanj a vassal of House Otlhoq."