Crossroads - Part One

Posted on Sat Sep 30th, 2023 @ 5:29am by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Division Admiral Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs & Captain Tirothyn R’Shav & Post Captain Plataea "Phantom" Lasky & Brigadier General Sorlora, Daughter of Edraks

Mission: Mission 127: Old Friends and New Enemies
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 0900Hrs - January 19th, 2394

Fleet Admiral Heather Duval was standing in the Operations Center, she held a PADD in her hand as she was busy swapping notes with Commodore Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs. "Okay, that sounds good. When the USS Roanoke gets here, we'll move her into dock two. Since one is presently occupied with the Fall of Berlin, the Canterbury and the Vindictive. I think its safe to say that others will get the first call."

"Ronaoke-A will be here for a couple of months getting the one over." Yamaguchi-Hobbs shrugged her shoulders. "As for the details, I leave that to more well-educated people than myself to handle." she smiled. "They made a stopover to assist a damaged Klingon vessel. Apparently, they are bringing this crippled Negh'var with them."

"Lovely," Duval answered with a wide grin on her face. "How long before she gets here?" she asked aloud.

Plataea Lasky was the one who answered. "She's arriving in a few moments. I've already alerted Engineering as to their needs and wants."

"Grand," Duval answered.

"Here they come now," Lasky commented as she put the scene up on the large wall monitor.

Teyo wasted no time hailing the starbase as Roanoke A was towing the disabled Klingon Negh'var behind it.

Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs regarded the small-framed Caitian being before her. "Lo Teyo. I see we meet again."

"Teyo." Tirothyn R'Shav approached the main table. "Mind if I take this one Celeste?"

Celeste regarded the approaching Caitian female with a rather evil grin on her face. "Mmm... Please do." she then retreated back up to the upper level, passing R'Shav in silence as she passed.

R'Shav regarded her mate, with a rather wide smile on her face. "Teyo. You never call, you never write. I worry about you." she commented. "So, whats up... Other than the blatantly obvious. Your flying cargo is already cleared for bay two. Go ahead and release it, I'll have my guys take it off of your paws."

"Well I'm here now," Teyo replied with a smile, "Besides, I have been in another galaxy for the last year. so yeah. Anyway, I'll be on the starbase as soon as we dock, and drop this old Klingon junker off."

"Sounds good. My guys will take him off of your hands. You are cleared for dock two. Its already prepared for you." she turned to the Halanan woman sitting nearby. "Plataea, would you mind showing my mate where he is parking his massive ride?"

"You got it." Lasky went to work handling the matter. "The Roanoke has released the Klingon clunker. The engineering guys are moving in now." Lasky explained.

R'Shav smiled. "Good. Teyo. I believe the Admiral is expecting you as soon as you arrive." she added. "Apparently, Admiral Duval wants a moment of your time. I have no idea why, she never said."

Teyo nodded, "Yeah and it won't be just me. Admiral Odakin Marinn is here too, and he wants to have a chat with her as well."

"Oh good," Tirothyn commented. "I know she and Admiral Yamaguchi are both waiting," she commented. "I am heading to transporter room one to welcome you both." she turned and departed. Celeste came back over. "Welcome back Commodore," she added.

Meanwhile, in Fleet Admiral Duval's office. Jake was sitting on the sofa, his shoes were off as he looked like he was asleep. Heather Duval was sitting in her chair, with her feet up on the desk, and her boots were off. She had her eyes closed. "Mmm... Bravo Jake." she commented.

"Mmhmmm." Jake answered as he lay there.

A few moments later, Teyo and Odakin arrived at the office with Tirothyn. Odakin was of course the more outgoing type, "Jake, how are you doing, its been a while since we have met in person."

Jake slowly sat up, he yawned loudly. "You dare distub-" he paused. "Odakin. This is an unexpected pleasure, we are honoured by your presence," he commented with a wide. "Have a seat old buddy. It hurts my neck, looking up at you." he added.

Heather Duval grunted. "Honey, did you bring the grandkids for me to babysit?" she commented as she looked at Odakin. She smiled. "Sorry. I didn't hear you come in dear," she commented. "Can I get you guys to eat or drink? Nothing worse than working on an empty stomach. Most can't stand me when I'm hungry... I can't stand myself when I'm hungry."

Odakin of course took the invitation enthusiastically and dropped down on one of the couches, with Teyo doing the same. Odakin then shook his head, "Jake, the formality does not suit you in the slightest. Besides, don't forget you used to be my CO at one point in time." He then answered Duval's Question, "Eh, just a purple Ernoff."

"Coming up." Duval answered before she replicated everyone's food and drink order. "Jake, he's right. You suck at being formal. How does your wife tolerate you when you talk like that?"

"I don't know," Jake answered as if admitting some deep and dark secret. "I'll ask her... Or maybe I shouldn't, knowing her, she'll demand a divorce," he commented with a wide grin on his face.

Duval sighed. "Jake, I can't let you take me anywhere?"

"Nope," Jake commented. "So, what can we do for you two guys?" he inquired of Teyo and Odakin.

Odakin took on a more serious look, "Well as much as I'd like to spend time catching up and having fun, Unfortunately, I am here for real business."

Duval indicated the chairs across from her. "Take a seat, fellas. Lets do this." as she placed his drink before him. She looked at Teyo. "Don't worry, Mister Fluffy. We can chat when all is done." as she smiled at him.

Jake came over and took a seat next to Odakin. He leaned forward in his chair. He lifted his drink and drained half of it in one smooth motion. "Mmm."

Duval smiled. "Shall we?" she inquired with a smile.

Odakin nodded, "I'm sure your aware of the increasing tensions between us and the Tholians, right."

"Its hard to miss," Duval responded, with a gentle smile on her face. "We've had encounters with them along the boarder. They have been quite loud and getting louder with each passing day. We know that someone somewhere will do something regretable. Its only a matter of when, not if."

"Thats the general opinion of most of Starfleet command too," Odakin confirmed, "This is why my fleet is now being assigned to the next nearest fleet base, and if something goes on here that your forces cannot handle, I'm the next one in line to reinforce your position."

"Okay. Good to know." Duval sipped her drink. "The Tholians have been making a lot of noise but they are random with their efforts all over the Taurus Reach. Mostly pestering Starfleet ships or shadowing them. Nothing overly aggressive as yet." she paused. "What forces do you have under your command?. So I know what I'm calling on?"

"The entirety of the 65th Fleet," Odakin answered concisely, "Although if an emergency happens it will take a little bit for my fleet to organize, if an emergency situation happens, my fleet can be here in two days."

Duval nodded, as she processed that detail. "Okay. We will manage with what we have till you arrive," she answered. "So. about this Klingon clunker. Where'd you find him?"

"Oh that," Odakin took a minute to figure out how to explain that one," Yeah, apparently that's a dominion war era relic. A ship that got catapulted in the future by 19 years into our time. I know it sounds a bit weird but they say and their sensor records confirm that yesterday, they were in 2375, fighting dominion, then they somehow ended up here."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Lovely," he responded in a tone that indicated it was anything but. "Heather. I'll go and tend to matters after this meeting. If that's alright?"

"Sure Jake." Duval smiled. "Well, that's fine, leave him here and we will tend to her crew and their various issues," she commented. "Is there anything special I ought to know about her?"

"Other than being an obsolete relic of the dominion war," Teyo replied calmly, " The only thing of note is that there are around fifteen thousand Klingons on that ship who are now nineteen years out of time, oh, and the ship also had around three hundred and fifty starfleet officers and enlisted on board as well."

"Oh. Nice. So we can welcome home some lost souls and bring some answers to their families. Always a good thing for me." Duval answered. "As for everyone else. We will need to find some accommodations for them all. We have plenty of floor space on the Starbase but I will let my logistics guys and the quartermaster handle that mess. If anyone wishes to live on the planet below, I won't object but I won't make them either. We can settle them here and provide for their various needs while we figure out how to tell them the Empire is finished." Duval then sighed.

"Well," Teyo replied," I think a lot of them are already aware of that by now. Most of them found out through my crew already. And as it turns out, their feelings on the matter are, complicated."

Duval nodded. "Thats to be expected. "We can presently settle them on the Starbase as we have space aplenty while they figure things out for themselves. Jake, please pass along the relative details to whoever needs them," she commented.

"I'll take care of it." Yamaguchi turned and departed without a word. Duval turned her attention back to Teyo. "Which brings me to a question I have for you, Mister Fluffy," she commented. "Will you be depriving me of Celeste's second officer.?" she inquired. "I don't think there is a replacement for her."

"Tirothyn," Teyo asked, "Well she said she did want a Starship XO position, so I'm happy to oblige her on the matter."

"I see." Duval answered. "I will stay out of it. I hope a replacement was requested. This is the first I am hearing of any of this." Duval then shrugged. "No matter. Its Tiro's matter to address so I will leave it alone." she commented. "I will need to contact Starfleet personnel and address this matter with them. Unless Celeste beats me to it." she then shrugged. "Alright. Is there anything else for us to address gents?" she inquired.

"Unless something else comes up, no." Odakin answered. Teyo just shook his head.

"Alright, fellas thanks for dropping by. Feel free to enjoy the amenities of the Starbase while you're both here." Duval smiled. "If you guys require anything. Please let me or Commodore Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs know."

Teyo then left the office, going to catch up with Tirothyn, while Odakin spoke to Jake, "Hey Jake, maybe we should have a drink somewhere later and we can catch up, it has been a while."

Jake smiled. "Indeed, old friend. It has. I know Torilla would love to see you again." he commented. "She's here too, back from the issues surrounding New Halanna. What a mess that was." he shook his head. "I'll let Torilla explain that one. She tells it better than I do," he commented. "Anyway, she's here for the next fifty days before she heads back out into the field." he added. "I know the kids have missed their mom."

Odakin nodded and smiled, "Alright then, I'll catch you later." He then turned and left the office.

Meanwhile. Sitting in her office. Heather Duval rose to her feet, she went over to the large viewport. She looked out over the firmament, most of which was created by the Eremar supernova. She heard the door open and in came a Klingon woman. Duval regarded this woman before her. "Can I assist you?"

"I am Ex-General Sorlora," She introduced herself. "I heard that the klingon empire no longer exists."

Duval nodded. "That's true. I'm sorry," she answered before she went over to her desk. But rather than sit behind it as one expected. Duval decided to sit in front of it. "nuqneH Sorlora." she commented. "What can I do for you?" she inquired.

"No need to apologies, I'm not broken up about it," Sorlora replied casually, "I want to immigrate to the Federation anyway, this has just made it easier."

Duval's surprise was almost complete. This was never something she had expected to ever cross her desk. While she had heard tales of Klingon officers leaving the ashes of the Empire closer to the boarder areas. She had yet to hear about any cases of anyone wanting to do so, especially anyone higher then the rank of Lieutenant Commander. This one was totally new to her. "Okay. If you have your paperwork on hand. I can have that processed for you." she explained. "We had a series of events over the last couple of years that has forced Starfleet and the Federation to streamline their immigration systems. You will benefit from it." Duval paused. "What of your crew and personnel who came with you?"

"That will be for them to decide," Sorlora answered simply, "I'm not going to force them one way or the other, and well with the KDF and my house fleet gone, it's not like I have any authority over them anymore anyway."

Duval nodded, she accepted the statement at face value. "Fair enough. We will settle all of your personnel and crew here on the Starbase. We do have several security problems we've been dealing with." Duval sighed. "Tensions with other Tholians have been rising all along our borders and have become a major headache for the Federation as a whole. It seems like war might break out at any time," she explained. "Now... As for your personnel. They will be able to figure things out and they can stay there while they address their issues. Or they will be given whatever assistance they need while they try to sort things out." she paused. "We are presently under security alert level three so I am really hoping that your people will behave while they are here." she paused. "Klingons are not known for their discipline while on leave anywhere." Duval wanted to run away and hide. "Any who wish to go planetside or anywhere else can do so. We have ships going planetside all the time, The Starport is a very busy place." she paused a moment. "Will you require anything special for yourself or for your crew in the days and weeks ahead?" she asked gently.

"For my crew," Sorlora thought on the matter, "I dunno. Its gonna vary from person to person. A lot are gonna be like me and want to immigrate to the Federation. Others, I have no idea. But tell you what, as my last act as their general. I'll organize the ones that are staying into work crews to help out with the chores here while they figure out where they are going to go, ok."

"Very well. But I will mention that there are a lot of people around here who are afraid. The Tholian issue has been on many people's minds for months now." Duval answered. "As for your people. I am hoping they will keep the noise down and be acceptable houseguests." she then smiled.

"That's doable," Sorlora answered simply, "So will it be possible for me to transfer to starfleet.

"Yes. It will be." Duval answered. "We'l simply send you to one of the training facilities nearby. Depending on how well you do will determine where in Starfleet you end up. We have openings everywhere and t be frank. We need people badly. I have three times as many ships as I have people to fill them and nobody likes admin postings. We've made progress but it's been slow going." Duval answered. "Any of your people who want to come over will be welcome too. Their paperwork will greatly speed the process along but they can still join anyway. We will process them as refugees. Once that's done, then they will be free to live and work in the Federation as they please."

"Alright well, then get me a copy of the paperwork and ill get it filled out than, " Sorlora replied simply, "Though it will need to be in Klingon, I dont read federation languages well."

"You don't?" Duval commented. "Oh. I'm sorry. I had no idea." She quickly pulled up a copy of the paperwork. She then added a translation matrix to it before she handed a PADD to Sorlora. "Here you go." she paused as she handed a second PADD to Sorlora. "Thats the paperwork you'll need to give to the quartermaster's office when I send you down there," she commented. "For your accommodations while on the Starbase. I suspect they are already resettling your crew as we speak. Fifteen thousand sets of quarters will be a major ask in one sitting but I have no doubt that your crew will be all settled shortly." she paused. "What do you want to be done with your damaged Negh'var?"

"That old thing," Sorlora replied irreverently, "Given all that's happened, I doubt it's worth anything other than scrap metal at this point."

"Okay. I'll pass the word to Engineering to give him the once over. I expect Captain Fordring's report on the matter soon. I'll call you when it arrives." she paused. "Do you have any family who might want to hear from you?. Old friends or boyfriends maybe?" Duval inquired.

"Ed has already told me where my parents and siblings are, though I am curious as to where paul antilles is these days," Solroa replied.

Heather Duval slowly grinned. "Ahh. General Antilles. He's located on Earth. Since you can't read English. I assume you want Edward to go with you back to Earth to see his father?" she commented. She clearly knew who 'Ed' was. "Alright, well that can easily be arranged for you both. Piece of cake. I'll arrange for Ed to have a couple of weeks of leave time to assist you with settling in as well."

"That would be very nice, Thank you, I will need him," Solrora replied with a warm smile.

"Okay." Duval smiled. "Then I will make arrangements for you both," she added.