RP Log: Welcome to Romulus, Part II: Down the Rabbit Hole

Roleplay Log
Participants: Svetzvani	Hwiamma Yann (NPC)
Location(s): Main Bridge -- USS Shiloh Main Conference Room -- USS Shiloh
Stardate: 132653.0
2024-12-13 14:45

[Remote Uplink Device (5021): IRW Ullho Gekha (galae): Homeworld assets. We are investigating. That ship appears to be non-hostile other than the fact that it is here. Will advise on defensive action.]

Main Bridge <USS Shiloh NCC-97645>

The two-tiered main bridge resides within the top decks of the command tower, situated above the saucer and between the two upper nacelles. The forward bulkhead of the compartment is dominated by a viewscreen that can be used to display visual communication signals, sensor data, and other useful information. Centrally located is the commanding officer's chair, which sits slightly raised from the main tier of the bridge and overlooking the lower tier, which consists of the helm and tactical stations. A deviation from general designs, the operations station is aft and to port of the commanding officer's chair on the main tier. To starboard and aft of the central chair is the Executive Officer's station. Two other stations, aft of the forward stations, but on that same tier, are allotted for the counselor and a distinguished guest.

Along the interior bulkhead, aft of the central stations, in clock-wise order, are damage control, engineering, secondary tactical, science, and auxiliary consoles. Most stations having duplicates, in case of primary failure. Two exits along the aft bulkhead lead into a joining corridor and the rest of Deck Three.

Hwiamma looks to the Angelite captain and says in perfect standard, "Permission to come aboard, Captain." She looks tense, but finds a smile for the man.

Kemni looks a little startled, glancing between the Romulan and his own Admiral. "Granted," he says quickly, if somewhat quietly. Then in that same quiet tone, he addresses Svetzvani. "There's been no change in the posture of the Klingons, Admiral. And they've made no attempt to communicate that we know of."

Svetzvani takes a look at a sensor readout, then nods to Kemni. "Alright, captain. Let's make our own attempt to communicate then, shall we? See if you can get them onscreen."

"They are not damaged," Hwiamma notes to Svetzvani after looking at her remote readout.

[Viewscreen (45268)] Moqz is casually draped over the captain's chair on the bridge of his ship. He smiles across at the viewer, "I trust I startled you. Just having some fun. I advise not shooting me down, though it is your prerogative and it would be a glorious battle." he smiles toothily. "But, I come with a proposal." He grudgingly asks, "Permission to approach."

Svetzvani gives Hwiamma a quick nod and a reasuring smmile just as the screen blinks to life. "Councilman Moqz," she says to the old familiar Klingon. "This is indeed a very unexpected, though pleasant, surprise. And I have to admit that I'm rather curious to hear your proposal. As for permission to approach..." She steps aside and gestures to her Romulan guest. "May I present Kriov Hwiamma of the Star Empire. Kriov, Moqz, of the Klingon High council."

Hwiamma hardly thinks the visit is a pleasant surprise at all, but she has enough years under her belt to keep all emotions except for a look of recognition off her face, as she knows this particular Klingon. She answers. "I'm glad you understand that we would be within our rights to open fire, as would you if my flagship decloaked in your home system, Counsilor. But given our joint service before, let us say, I am curious at the moment. You may approach, but keep your weapons offline and your shields down. My comrades in the home guard squadron on your sensors are not nearly as accommodating as I am."

[Remote Uplink Device (5021): Hwiamma Uplink Device (5021): The Klingons are going to approach with a proposal. Keep a watch. They are ordered to approach with shields down and weapons offline.]

[Viewscreen (45268)] Moqz bows his head, and signals to his crew to approach.

[Remote Uplink Device (5021): IRW Ullho Gekha (galae): Ullo Jekah to Home Squadran. The Klingons are in contact with us and the Federation ship. They are being permitted to approach under terms of peace. For now. If they take any hostile action, be ready to respond instantly.]

[Viewscreen (45268)] Moqz continues, "We have a mutual enemy, and while some Klingons prefer to forget specific incidents of the past, I do not." He smiles, "I recall once we worked well together, KRiov."

Svetzvani doesn't interrupt, only observes the conversation with some small amount of alarm on her face.

Hwiamma raises an eyebrow in a very Vulcan-like gesture and says, "Continue, Counsilor. You definitely have my attention."

[Viewscreen (45268)] Moqz bows his head slowly, "Permission to board your vessel", a slight pause, "Admiral Svetzvani. I will come alone."

"You are always welcome here, Council," Tink replies. "We'll meet you in the conference room on deck two. You're familiar with the location, I believe"

Hwiamma says, "I look forward to your proposal, as shall my government."

[Viewscreen (45268)] Moqz nods, and closes the channel.

Main Conference Room <USS Shiloh NCC-97645

This slightly curving room is used primarily by the captain and the department heads to stage meetings. The central feature is the large, glossy black table that curves along with the perimeter of the room. Set into the deck alongside a viewport that stretches across one bulkhead, this eight-seater table contains advanced holographic technology as well as a small control panel at each seat. The head of the table is indicated by a larger panel, a small personal monitor built into the desk and the high backed chair positioned behind it. A large LCARS panel is built into the far bulkhead, and their are two soft blue doors set into the bulkhead opposite the viewports. The whole room is bathed by a soft glow from the overhead lighting panels.

Out the viewport: The red hue of the nearby star can be seen.

Moqz has been escorted to the conference room by Starfleet personnel. He is armed, but only with a traditional d'ktagh.

Svetzvani arrives, leading Hwiamma and Yann.

Hwiamma enters the conference room beside Svetzvani. "Jolan'tru, Counsilor. Welcome to Romulus."

Moqz growls, as he is oft to do, in acceptance of the welcome. "Auspicious, one could say, or at the very least, historic." He grins and takes a seat at the conference table.

Svetzvani gestures for Hwiamma to sit across from Moqz, then she takes a spot between them with Yann. "That seems like an apt description, i think," she says with a smile. "It's not often that Klingons and Romulans sit at a table in peace, much less in orbit of either of their home worlds."

"I have learned to expect the unexpected when you come to call," Hwiamma says to Svetzvani, though with a smile. "So, Counsilor. A mutual enemy?" She says back to the Klingon.

Moqz nods, "Yes, though as Romulans do you will undoubtedly deny everything I am about to say." He grins, "My people are well aware of the troubles the Galae have encountered in the Gamma quadrant. Entire fleets of their newest ships, lost. We also learned an old enemy has resurfaced, the Hur'q. If you are not aware, the Hur'q invaded Klingon territory a millenia ago, a dark part of our history, one that is seldom mentioned due to the embarrasing defeat the Klingon's faced at the time. This is why some of my people are not willing to admit the Hur'q have returned." He looks at Tink, "But my friend, you will, I trust, confirm they have."

Svetzvani hesitates slightly before responding, "We have encountered a species in the Gamma Quadrant that we believe to be Hur'q, yes." She gives a meaningful look to Hwiamma.

Hwiamma smirks at the Klingon. "Then let me surprise you, Counsilor. Yes, we have lost ships on recon in the Gamma Quadrant. That is, in fact, why the admiral here originally came to Romulus, to return the body of one of our starship commanders who was able to be recovered there." She turns to Svetzvani. "You said there was some sort of power struggle going on between the Dominion and some others, and you left it at that. You know of these people, these ... Hur'q, was it? These are the people fighting the Dominion and who have been destroying our ships?"

Moqz grins at Hwiamma, "And you return the favour by surprising me."

Svetzvani leans back in her chair. "We have suspicions," she says to Hwiamma. "There is evidence which supports that theory, but we don't yet know for certain."

"What evidence?" Hwiamma asks. "What do you have?" She turns to the Klingon. "You propose what, finding these Hur'q, and punishing them?"

Moqz growls, "Many of our ancient artifacts were plundered by the Hur'q. It is my goal to recover them." he nods, "And to show the Hur'q they messed with the wrong people."

"We can discuss the evidence once we've finished hearing Moqz's proposal," Tink says to Hwiamma. "I was going to talk to you about it after the ceremony to return Riov Haram to you."

Hwiamma turns her gaze back to the Klingon. "Go on, Counsilor."

Moqz growls, "My proposal is two fold. A joint effort between the Klingons and Romulans, both with vested interest with the Hur'q, to determine exactly what happened to your fleet, and to ascertain the location of our lost artifacts." He grins, "And learn enough about the Hur'q's weaknesses to destroy them with a combined Klingon and Romulan armada."

Svetzvani winces openly. "Are you sure that's a wise choice, my friend?" she asks Moqz. "A century or so ago, another Gamma Quadrant species perceived a threat from our side of the wormhole, and it precipitated a war in which billions of innocents were killed. What you're proposing could spark another such war, with an even less discriminating enemy."

Hwiamma appears to be thinking. "The Dominion is the unknown factor here. Then again, if they could be persuaded to join the effort to deal with these Hur'q ... And as I recall, you also lost a ship to these people," she says to Svetzvani. "But any such proposal will require the approval of my government, who will demand solid information."

Moqz grins at Tink, "Then maybe Starfleet will join us in this fact finding mission. You can try to curb our natural tendencies." he chuckles.

Svetzvani manages to keep a straight face, but there's a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. She sighs and says, "You know you're playing with fire here, Moqz. Your people were defeated by the Hur'q all of those centuries ago. You've advanced since then, it's true. But there's every reason to believe that they have as well. We lost one of our most powerful battleships to the Hur'q in a matter of seconds. The Dominion is struggling with them right now, and they don't appear to be doing well at all. The force that you want to confront is... staggering in its strength and determination."

"I don't think the empire would be opposed to learning more about, and ultimately dealing with these Hurrq," Hwiamma says. "In fact, Counsilor, just before you decloaked, I had mentioned the possibility of a joint mission to the Gamma Quadrant with the Federation. So it appears you and I are thinking along similar lines. We need more information."

Moqz growls, "Auspicious indeed, Klingons and Romulans agreeing." He looks to Tink for her input on a joint venture. "There are risks my friend, but the battle could be glorious." He grins.

Svetzvani frowns. "Battle is precisely what I hope to avoid," she says to Moqz, eyeing him sternly. "We already have a ship scheduled to go through to the Gamma side to see what more can be learned. Coordinating that venture to be one shared between our three governments could be useful. But I'll need assurances that you're not... that we're not... going to attack the first Hur'q ship we encounter just because it's there. Civil communication with them may still be possible, and may even result in the return of your ancient Klingon artifacts without the need for bloodshed."

Hwiamma studies her nails as Svetzvani delivers that comment. "I suspect my government will authorize a joint fact-finding mission," she says. "Especially once we have the data that our Federation friends have in their possession. Whatever it is."

Moqz growls in agreement, "We crave battle and have no fear of death, but can see the wisdom in what you say." he eyes Hwiamma, "Given what we know that befell the Romulan fleet." He asks Tink, "How do you propose proceeding?"

Svetzvani leans forward again, placing her elbows on the edge of the table and steepling her fingers in front of her. "My recommendation is based on the work that we've done together in the past." She looks back and forth between the others for a moment, then continues. "We can take you both, or whatever representatives you choose to send instead, along with us on our ship when it goes through to the Gamma side. You will be involved in all aspects of the venture while we investigate and try to make contact with the Hur'q, sharing in any information we're able to obtain along the way. It would be much like the work we did together all those years ago."

Hwiamma smiles. "That sounds appealing. Alternatively, we could each send a ship of our own to convoy with yours."

Moqz nods in agreement with Hwiamma, "Our vessels ability to cloak gives us an advantage when investigating what we seek."

"Perhaps, or perhaps not," Tink says. "We know that the Dominion has had some success at detecting cloaked ships. The Hur'q may be able to detect them as well as, or even more efficiently than, can the dominion. In fact, we already have reason to suspect that the Hur'q are responsible for the damage done to the Romulan fleet previously sent to the Gamma Quadrant. If so, that could be an indication that they can see through traditional cloaking technology. If they can, then they're likely to consider a fleet, even a small fleet of only three, as much more of a threat than is only one. If we're going to be attempting to make peaceful contact, we don't want to appear too threatening."

Hwiamma nods slowly. "True. Which ship are you sending? Under whose command?"

Moqz asks Tink, "Will you be leading then? In this ship?"

Svetzvani considers. "We were originally planning on sending the Kestrel through, since she's been there most recently and has already made some little contact with the Dominion and others. But, under the circumstance" She pauses and thinks a little more. "I believe it may be more appropriate to send in a more experienced vessel with more capabilities. The Phoenix has recently completed a refit and, to my knowledge, has yet to be reassigned. I think I'll see if that can be arranged." she nods to Hwiamma, then turns to Moqz. "As for whether or not I'll be available to accompany the mission, that depends on a great many things. But if yourself and the Kriov here are both going, that may go a long way toward clearing the path for me to go with you."

Hwiamma grins. "I've been there done that before." She thinks. "I think my government will definitely be interested."

Moqz nods, "I am also familiar with that vessel." With a growl, "There are details to iron out. But this is promising. I look forward to working with you both."

Svetzvani tries to hide a relieved smile. "Good. Let's plan to meet at Deep Space 9 in say, one week? We can hammer out the rest of the details then."

Hwiamma looks to the Klingon. "Counsilor, I will grant you and your ship safe conduct to the border, whichever direction you are going. Remain uncloaked until you leave Romulan space, to avoid any misunderstandings with sector commanders who lack my sense of finesse." She winks at both."

Moqz growls in agreement, "Until then." He rises from the table and departs.

Svetzvani watches Moqz go, then turns to face Hwiamma.

[Remote Uplink Device (5021): IRW Ullho Gekha (galae): Attention homeworld and outlying assets. This is Kre'Riov Hwiamma. The Klingon vessel, IKS Qo'qama, sited in our home system, is departing on a promise of safe conduct following a diplomatic embassage. She is under orders to travel without the use of cloak to the border. Assets may observe, but do not engage. Out.]

Hwiamma turns to you. "I was reading one of your earth stories once. Alice, in a place called wonderland. DO you know of this one?"

Svetzvani grins. "I think we're definitely down the rabbit hole," she replies.

Hwiamma nods. "The time has come, says the walrus, to talk of many things."

"Well, there are no shoes or sealing wax in this poem," tink replies. "But there are a couple of ships. One that came through to the Alpha side from the Gamma side, then exploded while trying to make it back to Romulus. We detected some weapon signatures in the debris that we couldn't identify."

Hwiamma nods, listening.

Svetzvani continues, "And then there was the Hur'q we encountered. It was using a type of weapon that could have left the traces we found on the debris of the warbird. We can't say for certain that the weapons were of the same type, but the similarities are strong."

Hwiamma nods. "Distinctive from the polaron signatures of Dominion weapons," she says. "Did the Kestrel gather any scan data? If you share that with me, that would prove extremely useful."

Svetzvani says, "I can make them available to you before you return to the surface."

Hwiamma nods. "That would be good," she says. "Now my friend, what is this I read in your news reports. Some interesting comments by your foreign minister? You had started to talk of it when the Klingon ship arrived."

"Oh, yes. It seems that an agreement has been reached between the Federation and the Klingon Empire to begin sharing some technologies, as that report said," Tink replies. "I asure you, it was as much of a surprise to me as it probably was to you."

"Sharing technologies, yes," Hwiamma says. "What concerns us even more is a comment by your foreign minister." She pulls it up on her remote. "He talks about the technology sharing an the trade expansion, and then he says this, describing it as, 'The first steps to a unification of our two great galactic powers.'" She studies your face. "Is that hyperbole, or are you considering a political union of the Federation and the Klingon empire into one galactic entity?"

Svetzvani sighs slightly. "That's a very good question," she says. "And it causes me some amount of embarrassment to admit that I don't know the answer. What I can say is that, if there are efforts in the works toward a unification of the Federation and the Klingon Empire, it has not come across my desk. Please remember that my branch is the diplomatic arm of Starfleet, not of the Federation itself. A unification of the type you and I are discussing now would have to come down from the heads of the civilian, not military, diplomatic organizations."

"I know that," Hwiamma says. "But think about it from a Romulan point-of-view for a moment. We see you building many types of new ships, many of them being nothing more or less than warships. We can understand that, and I have advocated your good intentions about it, being, if I may dare to say it, one of the most experienced officers in the empire about the Federation. We have our own warships, and we actually call them that." She smiles. "Then your minister goes on record with a comment like that, and knowing your bureaucratic workings as well as my own, that leads me to think he was either wildly speculating in a dangerous and unwise way, which he should know better than to do, or, something is going on, and his comment is only a public hint of that something."

Svetzvani nods once. "I can easily imagine how something like this must look from a Romulan perspective," she agrees. "And any concerns or even suspicions you may have are completely understandable. If I had an answer for you, I would give it." She pauses for a moment and then says, "When that press release came out, I was taken completely unaware. I have plans to look into it when I get back from this trip, though. Hopefully I'll have something more I can tell you the next time we meet."

Hwiamma looks into your eyes as you respond, likely reading your face very carefully. At last, she nods. "Your word has been enough for me since you were a lieutenant. I will accept it now then."

Svetzvani holds Hwiamma's gaze for a long moment, then suggests, "Shall we see to Riov Haram?"

"Yes, but if she says anything, I might scream," Hwiama says, relaxing and smiling slightly.

Svetzvani blinks, barks a short laugh, then recovers and clears her throat. "That would... take us both by surprise, to be sure," she says as she returns the smile.