Peace Talks, Day Two - Part One

Posted on Sun Feb 23rd, 2020 @ 10:32pm by Company Sergeant Major Jeffery "The Mountain" Duval
Edited on on Sun Feb 23rd, 2020 @ 10:34pm

Mission: Mission 5: Skyfall
Location: Various Locations - Starbase DS14
Timeline: 1100Hrs - January 19th, 2389

After the delegates returned to the conference room on day one, the Krazzle quickly made an excuse and dismissed themselves from the conference room and returned to their ship.

The rest of the day was rather quiet, and allowed everyone to de-stress.

The next morning, the Excelsior class USS Tirpitz arrived at DS14. Aboard was Marine General and new Diplomatic Officer from Starbase 400, Jewel Dartt. Also aboard was the new First Marine Division First Sergeant, Sergeant Major Marcus Pepper.

The Marines from SB400 along with First Ramata’tar and Commanders MacLeod and Reynolds were gathered in the Conference room as Dartt and Pepper entered along with another Marine. The Caitan Corporal, Cather, held his position near to the door.

Marcus Pepper halted a few paces behind the officers he had followed into the room. He had a quick glance at the welcoming party and then glanced around the room working out any possible places an attack could come from and where he could shove the officers so they was out of the line of fire. He hated diplomatic missions, they always made him feel like he was on display. He felt like he should be out checking security or keeping an eye on the patrols or even better be far far far away from here on a battlefield.

MacLeod was the first to step forward, “General, I’m Commander MacLeod. This is Commander Reynolds, CO of DS14 and I believe you know Colonel Hurd and his Staff.”

Jewel walked in the room along with the Marine, she seen David and then looked at Commander McLeod and Commander Reynolds, "Nice to meet both of you, and yes I do know the Colonel and his staff." she stated as she straighted out her uniform. She looked at David for a moment to see the look on his face she just gave him a small smile.

"I have read the majority of what is going on here, but care to go more in detail of what I be dealing with?" she asked looking at Commander MacLeod.

"So far." Mac started, "Nothing has happened. The Delegates have introduced themselves, we broke for lunch but when we reconvened the Krazzle excused themselves. We're supposed to begin in about ten minutes for this morning's session."

Mac then paused, then added, "So none of you are surprised...First."

From the back corner, First Ramata'tar unshrouded himself, so Dartt, Pepper, and Cather were aware the big Jem'Hadar was present in the room."

"The First is our little surprise, in case the Krazzle become rowdy." Mac smirked as Ramata'tar reshrouded as he backed into the shadows again. He looked around the room, now there were six Humans, a Vulcan, a Gorn, a Caitian, a Krazzle, and an unseen Jem'Hadar in the room for security. The Krazzle delegation would be crazy to try something....wouldn't they?

Duval came over as he handed a PADD to Commander MacLeod. "Sir, the report you asked me for." he turned to the General whom he did not know yet she looked familiar to him. "General."

To Duval, this mission was intolerable as he detected meet and greet scenarios like these as he'd rather be out in the field or driving a shuttle, dropping off a tank to friendly forces under fire or evacuating a squad of troops, one look at the other noncom told him that the other guy felt as he did as he nodded to Pepper.

She looked at Duval, "Master Sergeant," she replied in kind with a smile as she heard of Duval and knew his attitude at times. She thought of herself and kinda laughed at herself in her head.

Mac glanced at the PADD, but the doors to the Conference Room opened as the C'Hakilians entered from one side and the Krazzle from the other.

The C'Hakilian delegation was again small, Crown Prince Yinisl and his Staff of three, but the Krazzle delegation had grown. Ra' Graline now had six Staff members with him. Mac took a breath, but didn't comment on the additional two Krazzle Warriors.

"If everyone will take their seats, we'll begin." Mac said as he flashed a smile. "This is General Jewel Dartt, new Diplomatic Officer for Starbase 400."

The C'Hakilians all nodded respectfully to Dartt as the Prince added, "Welcome, and thank you."

However, the only response from Graline was another low grunt. His original Staff took seats flanking the new Krazzle Emperor, while the additional two Warriors stood behind Ra' Graline, one to each side, clearly showing they were his body guards.

Mac, Reynolds, and Dartt all took seats while the Marines spread out around the room.

Dartt looked at the Krazzle leader and took a deep breathe, thinking to herself, 'oh lord, this isn't going to turn out good....' she though as she then nodded to the Prince.

"Thank you for all being here today," she began noting the tension in the room. She looked at Macleod and everyone else for a moment. This was her first job after being off duty for a while. "We are hoping we can come to a peaceful solution here." she added then looked at Macleod.

“The Federation is not here to take sides, we’re here at the request of the C’Hakilians to help broker a lasting peace that’s fair to both sides.” MacLeod started, but Graline quickly cut him off.

“You lie!” He said with a growl. “Yourrr ships arrre deployed along theirrr borrrderrrs in a defensive formation!”

“Our ships are only there to protect the ceasefire and peace during these negotiations.” MacLeod quickly replied. He tapped a few buttons on the conference table and activated the display screens around the room. One behind Pepper and another behind Duval and Hurd. “As you can see, all Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian ships are along the borders of C’Hakilian space. Only the agreed to relief convoys are in open space and none are in Krazzle territory.”

“We have standing orrrderrrs to firrre on any vessel in open spaccce ssseen asss a thrrreat!” Graline added.

Mac looked at the map, then added, “The ONLY Federation ships within open space are medical and aid convoys heading to C’Hakilian territory, as agreed to in the initial talks. I would suggest these ships be left alone.

“My orrrderrrs stand.” Graline replied as he crossed his arms.