Internal conflict

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Yes you are free to go if you so wish.  We made no attack on your vessel.  The nacelle blew off your ship due to your battle damage, wreaking further havoc upon it.  If you wish to see it with your own eyes, I can make the sensor information readily available.  But captain, we have decisions to make and fast.  We still don't know who's out there and your ship won't make a jump to warp without help.  You ship could regain some functionality in the time we have left, but it will be limited.  Face it, we are in this together.  Without you, your Empire could be ripped apart with civil war as well as drawing the Federation into a conflict as well.  Without us, you can't get the truth out as well as fend off that fake ship from preying on the innocent."

[tomcat]

Vrang side glanced to his XO. The Klingon officer gave a nod that displayed the two were in some sort of agreement. Looking back at Darkan, Vrang agreed, "I will see this data you offer... you must understand that any alliance built here must be based on trust and honor. It is through your honorable acts thus far that we are willing to continue this dialogue, but in these times trust is hard earned. I also request that my bridge staff be sent back to my ship to continue the work necessary to get my ship operational."

[sdrotar]

Jess stood and walked to Stonn. She had no desire to embarrass the Vulcan - if they could be - but...

"Mr. Stonn," she said softly, "the D6 has no way of receiving any communications. They can broadcast only."

OOC: Duh. Way to go, me.

"Then, Ms. Townsend, please translate to Klingon and send via running-light Morse. It is imperative that we contact the Klingon vessel and relay what is happening."
Stonn knew that such communication was unusual, but when standard methods of communications were down, one had to attempt to use other options.

[tomcat]

[OOC:] It actually works very well for a Vulcan, who would have known that but still run down every logical option to communicate to the Kilingons - and would seem semi-condescending with the instructions because of the lack of emotion.  (D

[GandalfOfBorg]

An unbidden memory of his father popped into his head.  Son, honor without trust is like a pie without the filling: it's nothing but an empty shell, just hollow words.  The Klingon captain gives him an inquisitive look, "There is wisdom in what you speak," says Vrang.  Darkan didn't realize he said anything aloud.  "Mr. Grahm, will escort the Klingon bridge crew to the transporter room and provide them with a copy of our sensor logs about their accident for independent analysis and Captain Vrang will join us on the bridge.  I would like to send over an engineering crew of mine to facilliate communication between our ships until repairs are complete, if that is alright by you, captain?"

[tomcat]

Again there was a silent conference between captain and XO - both nodded and Vrang spoke, "This is my second in command, Korris; he will stay with me here while the rest of my crew are returned to the Gr'Toth. You are welcome to send a engineer team over, but I assure you that my own crew are quite capable of handling our ship."

With that approval, Grahm went to a comm panel and broadcasted ship-wide, "Mr. Ramos, prepare a team to accompany the Klingons back to their ship and offer any aid that they can."

In Engineering, Ramos looked at Lt. Zantz and both had a look of shock on their faces. "What a crazy universe," thought the Chief Engineer.

The groups in the brig separated and Darkan led Vrang to the turbolift and he and his guests took it to the Bridge. Grahm escorted his charges to the transporter room where the Klingons were immediately beamed back to their ship with instructions that the engineering team would be following.

On the Bridge, Townshend worked diligently to transmit via Morse code to the Klingon ship, but as yet had had no response. The turbolift doors suddenly opened and out stepped Darkan with two Klingons.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Seeing his crew tense, a few even reaching for phasers, Darkan held up a hand.  "At ease everyone.  Our little misunderstanding is resolved."  Even with his reassurance, the bridge lightened up but only just a little.  "Senior staff to the conference room post haste."  Darkan escorted his guests to the conference room, making the "tour" of the bridge as long as it took to move between those two points with minimal delay.  Offerng the Klingons seats, he took his own at the table's head and awaited the arrival of the rest of the senior staff.

[tomcat]

Columbia's senior staff quickly congregated in the briefing room, save for Mr. Pushkin whose burns were still being treated. Within five minutes, Darkan was able to call his meeting to order.

Korvona once again read through the handful of reports that she still held. One was from her engineering staff that were concerned about a multitude of irregularities in the ship they had built. Romulan technology was advanced, but in their designs - trying to squeeze their engineering into a Federation style mock-up was causing havoc. The ship could barely maintain a warp field and so she was able to get to warp factor 4 at the most. Worst of all, the ships systems were not rigged well and so departmental communications were quite choppy. The ship's main computer core would lose contact with different systems at times and cause a rush of panic.

The Romulan Delegate shook her head. They had not been able to test this beast! Oh well, it's purpose was mainly as a smoking gun, to use Earthling jargon that she had learned from the few smugglers that crossed into their space. Besides, it was up to the Klingons of the Chak-ruth house to do the fighting. Still, she wanted to partake in a little bit of the fun.

Her second report was that of the final communications she had received from the two B'rels. They had reported a venerable D6 closing on the Neutral Zone very near to where her ship had been moored in spacedock. Now she had lost communication with those B'rels although the mock-up's sensors were picking up a ship - apparently it was stationary. Perhaps the B'rels had destroyed the D6 and left the hulk hanging there in space, and then moved on. Maybe they had destroyed each other.

Korvona and her ship would check it out.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: I apologize for the silence, I had a last-minute business trip and net wasn't working for me.

"Status reports?  Any news of the incoming ship?" Darkan asks, looking about the table to his officers, Stonn first.

[sdrotar]

"The ship is still headed in this direction, and it's warp field is still unstable. It is reasonable to assume that the vessel is the Constitution-class mock-up, and therefore, it is imperative that we have both vessels as ready as possible to repel it within hours."

[GandalfOfBorg]

Darkan nods.  "We'll come back to that.  So Mr. Ramos, where do we stand and have you status from our away team?"

[tomcat]

Grahm sat quietly while waiting for Ramos to respond to the captain, but the Tactical Officer was very uncomfortble due to the Klingon presence. It was not because there were Klingons on board the Columbia, and that they were considered allies - it was because the tactical situation would soon need be discussed. Grahm was not sure that he wanted to reveal the new technology that the Federation starship possessed and the upcoming battle would certainly be a factor.

The Tactical Officer would wait to see what Darkan would ask and then reply accordingly.

[sdrotar]

"Getting the report now, sir," Ramos said while looking at a small pad in his hand. "Our team just beamed over, and they've been informed that the Klingon engineers don't feel our help is required."
He scanned the pad quickly and continued.
"The Gr'toth (he said the name clumsily) cannot go to warp; one nacelle is too badly damaged. Power can be restored with bypasses within roughly 40 minutes, which will allow the vessel some movement and, potentially, some weapons usage, but it'll be dicey. I wouldn't expect miracles, sir - the ship needs more than an engineering team, it needs a drydock."

[tomcat]

To Ramos' comments Vrang boldly replied, "The Gr'Toth will fight any invading force or internal threat! That I promise you! Klingons are warriors and we will fight to the death if necessary. Now, what is your plan Darkan... words here grow old and I have a ship to ready for another fight! Be quick so I may beam back to my vessel."

Townshend interjected, "Commander Vrang, no disrespect but it may be wiser that you remain aboard the Columbia. You are the only Klingon of authority that can attest to the potential coup of the Chak-ruth. Your death aboard your ship, though admirable amongst your folk, may be a foolish loss in the greater picture. The Columbia, at this time appears a much safer place."

Stonn, already thinking the same thing, could only appreciate the young communication officer more for her logical insight.

Vrang's voice boomed, "SAFE! KLINGON'S DO NOT SEEK SAFETY IN WAR! WE CONFRONT IT AND FIGHT!"

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Vrang if one doesn't know the condition of his weapon, he sets himself up for failure.  I agree that it would be safer for you on board our ship, but, Ms. Townshend, Klingon or Human, a captain is first aboard his ship and the last off.  Captain, if you will consent to make an encoded message to your superiors with the help of my comm officer, I think that should suffice if you or your ship doesn't survive.  If need be, I'll deliver it myself.  As for a battle plan, if your cloaking device is operational we will have a significant advantage."