Peace Talks - Day 2 (Afternoon)

Posted on Sat Jan 25th, 2014 @ 3:49pm by Captain Paul MacLeod & Colonel Danny Lennox & First Ramata`tar & Lieutenant General Jewel 'M'lara' Dartt & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr & Sergeant Major Marcus Pepper & Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Ermey & Gunnery Sergeant Agtx & 1st Lieutenant Taz

4,443 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Mission 84 - Blockade
Location: DS14/USS Sutherland
Timeline: Following 'Peace Talks - Day 2 (Morning)'

Jewel walked out of the room and headed towards the Promenade she looked at David who was right behind her. "Speaking of which David would like to talk to you privately if possible?" She asked stopping and looking at David.

They talked and ate for awhile before they had to be back at the delegations.

MacLeod had stayed in the Conference Room alone a few minutes after everyone else left. He looked over the latest Intel reports as well as parts of the Peace Conference. He was trying to find some way to get through to the Krazzle, or at least find a way around all their posturing.

After a few minutes and a headache setting in, Mac headed for DS14's Promenade. As he walked through, he found a small French restaurant. He walked in and the smell of fresh baked bread greeted him. He ordered two croissants and he couldn't help to smile as the warm fresh croissants were put in a small paper bag for him to take with him.

As he walked out, he pulled a piece of one and took a bite. 'We need a place like this on SB400' he thought to himself.

As he headed for the nearest turbolift to return to the Conference to continue his review, he saw a small Japanese Restaurant and he stopped in for a hot Green Tea.

Walking out, he passed by Captain Lennox to noticed his international Earth lunch.

"Mixing it up a little are we?" He said with a smile.

"I couldn't make up my mind." Mac replied back with a smile of his own. "Things been quiet down here?"

"So far. Two of the Krazzle made it a point to walk into the Klingon restaurant for a few minutes, but then left. Another walked into the C'Hakilian restaurant, but quickly left when ten Marines showed up outside." Lennox explained, "But I do have a feeling they are trying to start a little trouble, or at least see how far they can push people."

Mac nodded, "Keep me updated. We're supposed to be back in session in soon." With that, Mac walked to the turbolift and returned to the Conference Room.

When Jewel was finished she told David she see him in the Conference room. She left the promenade and walked back to the Conference room and seen MacLeod sitting there. "Have a good lunch Commander?" Jewel asked with a smile.

Meanwhile Duval watched as the half dozen or so Krazzle had walked into the C'Hakilian restaurant where he was enjoying a Silversteak with a beer, he slowly went for his sidearm as he watched the ten or so marines arrive outside the door as he thought. 'come on kitty, piss me off and see what I do to your furry hides...'.

He watched as they left, all marching out single file as he turned his attention back to his food which he quickly finished and then paid for, then he followed the Krazzle out the door. "Lieutenant." he greeted the commander of the marines who saluted him. "Master Sergeant."

"Keep this place secure." he commented gently, "The Alpha Bravo's ain't done yet, keep your eyes peeled."

"Will do Sarge."

After finishing lunch, Col. Hurd walked back to the conference room, thinking to himself. He had a feeling that things would be heating up soon, and not in a good way. Throwing this thought around in his head, he walked in to see Jewel and McCleod taking. Nodding, and throwing a quick smile and grin at Jewel, he took his place back up along the wall, awaiting to be addressed, and still deep in thought.

She saw David enter and smiled at her, she smiled back. "Colonel," she stated looking at him then back at the ring on her finger and couldn't help but smile. She then looked back at the Commander as they waited for the delegates to return.

His grin growing wider, Col. Hurd smiled at Jewel, and for a moment his thoughts drifted to the future that lay ahead with Jewel. He was immensely happy, a feeling that up until a couple weeks ago had been entirely unknown to him. He quickly stowed his smile, and the same look of icy determination returned as he began to wait for the delegates to return.

Mac started to getting his PADDs organized again in order to be ready for the next session, when the comm beeped. “Security Alert on the Promenade!” A voice said after the beeps.

Mac tapped his comm-badge, “MacLeod to Ops, what’s going on?”

“We have a fight reported outside the C’Hakilian Tapestry Shop, two C’Hakilians and an Andorian dead as well as a Krazzle Warrior. I don’t know the details yet, apparently one of the C’Hakilians made a comment to a Krazzle and it escalated. One of your Marines and two Klingons have the remaining Krazzle subdued, but a group of ten or so Krazzle are heading that way.” Reynolds reported.

Mac then tapped his comm-badge again, “MacLeod to Pepper and Duval, there’s a report of a fight on the Promenade, outside the C’Hakilian Tapestry Shop, I want both of your teams to respond. I’m sending the information we have to your Tricorders now.” He tapped in a few buttons on the conference table’s display and sent the info he’d received from Reyonlds to them. “Try to defuse the situation, but if it comes to a firefight, heavy stun, do not shoot to kill!”

Pepper motioned for the team stood by him to follow, they started to double towards the last known position of the fight. In his first few steps Marcus thumbed his com switch "On route"

Duval's response was quick. "I'm on it Commander." as he met up with the rest of the marines that had been assigned to him. "Alright guys, lets go sort out this mess."

There were quick nods all around as Duval turned and led them down the promenade as they came to the scene of the crime as it were with one of the Krazzle was being overly belligerent while the rest seemed to be almost bored.

"Report?"

Pepper arrived from the opposite side of Duval, he surveyed the scene then looked up at Duval and nodded to show he was ready. Without braking eye contact he motioned for the squad with him to spread out. Once the marines had cordoned off the area Pepper moved down to the group.

"Sir... these two fine beings had a heated argument as it was over something the C’Hakilian shop was selling." he quickly briefed the Master Sargent who nodded, saying nothing as he looked at the new arrival.

"What have you to say for this disruption....?" Duval asked the Krazzle. "Don't tell me you were here for the Tapestries.... But I might buy one for myself." he commented. "much nicer then your artwork." he added as the smile vanished. "unfortunately you have left me no choice but to arrest you..." he looked at Pepper. "What do you think?" he clearly wanted the other mans unvarnished opinion.

Marcus Pepper Shook his head then back handed one of the Krazzle in the face. "Your a disgrace to your honour and your people" He looked at the one he just hit, the very same one that was watching him in the meeting room.

"Maybe they should spend some time in the cells" he added

"Try it." the Krazzle responded with a harsh growl that would intimidate most but not Duval and it seemed not Pepper either, Duval half smiled as his opinion of Pepper was going up.

Duval sighed softly as he stunned the other Krazzle. "Oh dear... I missed... I never miss." he commented as he smiled evilly. "Now... come on... give me an excuse to kill you...." his smile widened. "please..." as he demanded they stand down and surrender in passable Krazzle as a half dozen security guards showed up, meanwhile the Klingon was standing there with a Batleth in his hands and a satisfied smile on his face. "Mmm... a pity we can't kill them and space their corpses.."

Duval raised an eyebrow. "Or drink from the skulls of our enemies.."

"You seem to have more fire in your blood them most.... Duval."

One of the Krazzle hissed loudly at him though one didn't say why as they all had cuffs on them and then they were all led away, in single file as Duval smiled as he knew full well why the Krazzle had hissed loudly at him. "I wish I could kill you... Alpha Bravos.."

Marcus looked human but he was raised as a Klingon, and his blood boiled for a fight just the same as the Klingon warriors that stood close by and he knew full well he could of easily killed the Krazzle. Only his self-discipline and Marine training held him back.

"Its best I don't tell you that.." he commented. "What Alpha Bravo means... it could land me in hot water with the brass..." he commented. "you know how they like their political correctness"

Pepper looked at Duval, being the senior most non-com he shrugged. "If its anything less than a Colonel I'll be the one doing the heating up"

Mac then sent a message to Captain Lennox for him to report back to the Conference Room as quickly as possible with Sergeants Ermey, Agtx, and Taz. Mac felt confident Pepper and Duval could handle the situation on the Promenade. And thankfully he did, because as soon as the message was sent, the doors to the Conference Room opened and in came Ra’ Graline, his three Staff members, and now three body guards.

Mac glanced at Dartt, Hurd, and the spot Ramata’tar was standing shrouded. After a moment, through the other door, the three members of the C’Hakilian delegation came in lead by Crown Prince Yinsil.

Mac waited for everyone to take seat. He thought about waiting until the Marines arrived, but then blurted out, “Ra’, we’ve received word that several of our Relief Convoys are under attack and now some of your men are starting fights on the Promenade here and a Starfleet Officer is among the dead…Are you trying to start a war with the Federation?”

She looked at MacLeod and the Ra' she had her hand at her side where your phaser was but didn't draw just held it there. She had a bad feeling about this and wanted to be prepared for anything that might happen. "This isn't a good way to come to a peaceful solution Ra', this is only making matters worse," Jewel stated calmly and peacefully.
“I told you, we would attack any sship in open sspace we ssee ass a thrrreat.” Graline replied with a toothy smirk.

“You realize we will respond with force and defend our convoys.” Mac replied.

“And it’ll be you sseen ass the aggrrresssorrr.” Graline replied.

That’s when the light went on for Mac, the Krazzle or entire Pact were in fact trying to push the Federation Alliance into action so their attack would be seen as defensive and they could play the victim. Instead of backing down, Mac decided to play up to that.

“Ra’ Graline, need we remind you we have over seventeen-hundred Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian ships along your border at this time that are within striking distance of nearly all of the Krazzle’s core worlds, including your homeworld of Krazz, and we can have another five hundred or more ships here within two days. That’s not mention over twenty relief convoys that can be redeployed to support advancing fleets…however your fleet has already suffered losses to the C’Hakilians and you’re cut off from your Typhon Pact allies.” MacLeod said boldly.

Graline quickly jumped to his feet in a fighting stance, his three guards moved to flank Mac, Dartt, and Hurd who also stood along with the C’Hakilians. Graline then reached for his dagger, but quickly felt a hand on his shoulder and another on his forearm causing him to pause. As he guards turned to see what was going on with their leader, surprised to see a large Jem’Hadar, Mac, Hurd, and Dartt all drew their phasers.

“That’ll be enough!” Mac said to everyone in the room…just as Lennox, Agtx, Ermy, and Taz came through the doors.

Lennox looked around, seeing the situation was pretty much under control, “I guess we’re better late than never.” He said.

Mac smiled at Lennox’s comment. “Good work Ramata’tar. Colonel, take the Krazzle’s weapons, including their daggers., since they can’t play nice.” Mac said to Hurd.

Looking at MacLeod, he said, ''Aye sir.'' Nodding to the other Marines present, he pulled his phaser and made his way around the table, collecting Krazzle weaponry, get vague, angry looks form all of them, to which he paid no attention. After he had collected all of them, he briefly exited the room, put them in a secured storage bin, and returned. He took up the same spot along the wall, his phaser still out, and his gaze locked onto the Krazzle.

Jewel was already standing holding her phaser and stood that way until the situation was under control. She disliked when things took a turn to violence lucky it was stopped before it really began.

As Hurd was watching the Krazzle intently, he spared one quick glance to make sure Jewel was ok. Nodding mentally to himself, he said quietly, almost imperceptibly to himself, '' I hope she will be okay if it hits the fan, and if they hurt her, well i will hurt them.''

“Now, Ra’ to help prevent situations like this again, we recommend a Demilitarized Zone be set up between Krazzle and C’Hakilian space as well as along the Federation/Krazzle border, roughly ten light years in width with full Neutral Zone of five light years width at the center. You already have the systems we request be returned to the C’Hakilians as well as the citizen exchange which you’ve already agreed to. Is there anything else you’d like to add?” Mac said to Graline as he typed everything onto a PADD.

Jewel sat down when they did, and looked at the Ra' waiting for him to respond to the Commander's comment.

Still watching the Krazzle, Col. Hurd thought to himself, ''Now, this is one situation that was tense to begin with, and now it is tense boarding on outright conflict in here.''

"So what will it be Ra', are we in agreement with what has been requested?" Jewel stated breaking the silence. "I think it would be in everyone's interest and be good for everyone all around." Jewel added with a smile.

Graline pulled the Krazzle equivalent of a PADD from his pocket and made a copy of everything from the PADD handed to him by MacLeod, all terms...systems to return to the C'Hakilians, the system to be returned to them from the Krazzle, citizen exchange, DMZ, everything. He then gave it to one of his Staff who slowly stood and left without saying a word.

Mac arched an eyebrow, then motioned to Agtx and Ermey to 'escort' the Krazzle to wherever he was going. As they left, Corporal Cather, the new Caitian Marine came into the room to take their place.

Several minutes went by before the Krazzle returned, followed closely by Gunnery Sergeants Ermey and Agtx. As the Krazzle sat and whispered something to Graline, Ermey told MacLeod, Dartt, and Hurd that the Krazzle went to his ship, before returning to the Conference Room.

Mac then looked up at Graline who leaned back in his chair.

"No." Was the reply from Graline. "We alsso want the Nelass Minor, Cannopuss, and Rrra'klarrr ssysstemss, we alsso demand the Federrration, Klingon, and Carrrdassian fleet withdraw frrrom C'Hakilian sspace before we ssign the trrreaty."

"Cannopus is a Federation planet, and Ra'klar is a Klingon system, we do not have the authority to give them to the Krazzle." Mac replied then glanced at Sergeant Taz.

Taz also looked at Graline, eying him closely.

"Cannopuss is home to Krrrazzle of the Minjay Clan and we want to brrring them home. Rrra'klarrr is a Krrrazzle ssettled planet the Klingonss sstole from uss." Graline replied.

"We do not want to 'go home'" Taz replied aggressively as Graline gave a toothy smirk.

"Enough!" she stated as she looked at them, "That is not an option, we have no way of granting that request. You have what is on the padd, and the ships will stay where they are until the peace treaty is signed." Jewel stated looking at the Ra' and the Commander.


DS14 Security Officer

Meanwhile Duval was standing in the security office as the last of the Krazzle were being processed for their various crimes, he held a PADD in hand as he was busy writing his informal report. "Net losses... a half dozen civilian bodies on the ground and these yahoos spend the day in a holding cell." he growled.

"They won't be around long."

"They should face Federation justice like everyone else who commits crimes in our space.... sir." Duval replied cooly.

Marcus looked at the warriors which the marines had imprisoned earlier.

"No" he finally answered Duval "As much as I'd like to see them face justice we have to consider the political ramifications of our actions, contact the brass and they will make the decision." he turned to face Duval. "That way if this all goes FUBAR it's not down to us" He smiled then tuned to face the cell once again.

Duval did not know the other man and it was showing, the man was something on the order of twenty two years younger then he himself was
yet the First Sergeant outranked him.

Marcus Pepper looked at the Krazzle in the cell, the same one he struck and the very same one that was watching him in the meeting. The krazzle was just standing at the back of the cell watching Pepper's every move.

"him" pepper said pointing at the Krazzle warrior "Separate him, I want him in a cell on his own"

Moments later the being had been moved into his own cell, Marcus sat in front of the cell looking at him.

"You was looking at me in the meeting" he finally said breaking the silence.

"I... know your... face" the warrior said "I am.... first warrior, like... like you"

"You seem to know much about me" Pepper remarked, but the way he said it seemed to suggest it was more of a question than a comment.

"I... have seen you.... before now...." Answered the first warrior

It didn't surprise Pepper that an enemy knew his face, in fact he expected it. He was after all a Sergeant Major and formerly Sergeant Major of the fleet, if the enemy intelligence was even half decent then he knew they would at the very least know his face. Peppers though was interrupted by the warrior speaking again.

"One...two six...three... your people.. call it..." the warrior began

"The Devil's playground" Pepper finished for him.

Years ago on some random backwater part of the galaxy, back when Pepper was a Sergeant in the Thirteenth Battalion Thirty Sixth Marine Brigade. The entire Battalion was deployed to an inconsequential planet with no tactical value designated Planet Twelve Sixty Three. It was supposed to be an area the Battalion could get some rest and re-arm ready to re-enter the fight. The night after they made planet fall it was discovered that the planet was being used as a Krazzle staging area. The thirteenth had over two thousand souls assigned to it, by the time they was evacuated the thirteenth had less than a hundred survivors. Sergeant Marcus Pepper barely made it off the planet alive and his harrowing experience left him scared for life.

"You... remember" Asked the Krazzle as the screams of his friends faded from his mind, Pepper had to summon every ounce of strength he could not to loose his temper and start killing the Krazzle here.

"I objected.... to the attack..." said the first warrior almost sensing the build up of anger "I... watched you.... kill many warriors.... exhausted and bloody... with no.... ammunition..."

The first warrior stood and moved closer to the front of the cell.

"My sibling... he was.... one you killed"

The two of them for the first time stood close to each other, separate only by the forcefield of the cell.

"We all lost a lot that day, many people we both cared about are gone" Answered Pepper, the two of them staring at each other though the forcefield.

"Our... seniors... they make decisions.... and we.... as warriors..... we pay the price"

Marcus nodded in agreement, he was aware of Duval stood half way across the room watching the exchange.

"My seniors will decide your punishment for the actions of you and your warriors"

The First Warrior bowed his head in acknowledgement.


Conference Room

It had been a quite few minutes, then the C’Hakilian Prince broke the silence.

“Ra’ Graline, we have an opportunity here to end centuries of war between our people. We realize that…we will not be getting most of our territory back, but our people are much more important. Please, agree to these terms and allow us to recover our citizens.” The Prince pleaded.

“How do we know yourrr convoyss won’t be attack ssquadrrronss? Graline replied.

“Ra’, each convoy will be escorted by Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian ships to ensure the safety of your people, and the C’Hakilians. If either side opens fire, we will handle the threat…wither that’s a Krazzle ship, or a C’Hakilian.” MacLeod replied, looking at Graline, then to the C’Hakilian Prince Yinsil.

Again, Graline was quiet, then his communicator beeped. He opened the devise, similar to Twenty-Third Federation style communicators. The Krazzle Emperor had a brief convocation with someone aboard his ship and by the expression on his face, he wasn’t happy. After a few minutes, he closed the communicator rather violently and let out a growl and hiss as he slammed his fist on the table…

“The…Krrrazzle…will accept the Peace Deal, in full.” Graline reluctantly said.

MacLeod looked over at Dartt, then to Hurd, then finally back to Graline. He typed all of the points in the Peace Deal onto the PADD. Of course, it wasn’t fully worded with all the diplomatic jargon yet, but it was official. As Mac typed, the comm panel on the conference table beeped and message came across the display. ‘Blockade fleet is returning to Federation space, all relief convoys are to proceed into C’Hakilian territory.’ Again, Mac looked over at Dartt and wondered what happened to get Graline to give in and for the blockade fleet to be recalled…

‘The Krazzle would keep all of the territory they captured in their war with the C’Hakilians, minus the Espa Zeta, Sepher and Charmon systems which they would return to the C’Hakilians. The C’Hakilians would return the Rrraw’la system to the Krazzle. Both the C’Hakilians and Krazzle would allow the return of all citizens to the other. A Demilitarized Zone would be set up between Krazzle and C’Hakilian space as well as along the Federation/Krazzle border, roughly ten light years in width with a full Neutral Zone of five light years width at the center. Each C’Hakilian convoy sent to bring it’s citizens back into C’Hakilian space would escorted by Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian ships, as would Krazzle ships recovering their citizens. Finally, the Blockade Fleet would withdrawn to Federation space while relief convoys are allowed to proceed into C’Hakilian space, without further delay nor will they be harassed by Krazzle vessels going from this time on.’

She looked at both Macleod and Hurd for a moment about confused by what had just taken place. She looked back at the Ra' she tapped her commbadge "General Dartt to Sergeant Major Pepper, release the Krazzle and escort him to the transporter room and make sure he gets back to his ship." Jewel ordered as she didn't want any more problems.

She ended the comm and looked at Macleod, and everyone else in this room. "Thank you for the peaceful solution and agreement," Jewel stated to both the Ra' and the Prince with a smile and a slight bow


Security

Pepper looked over his shoulder at the guard stood by the control desk, he nodded to him knowing full well he heard the order. The forcefield of the cell the first warrior was in lowered, Marcus Pepper setpped forward.

"It's time for you and your warriors to go home, I trust you will show respect and honour whilst we escort you off the station" Pepper said to the warrior.

The first warrior nodded and then stepped out of the cell and stood beside Pepper, Marcus Pepper motioned for the other cells to be opened and soon the Krazzle warriors had started to wonder out of thier cells. Some looked to become aggressive, obviously not pleased with being locked up... but the first warrior growled and the others calmed in obedience.

Escorted by Marines the party of Krazzle warriors was taken to the transporter room where in small groups they began to transport off the station. The last to go was the first warrior, he stood on the transporter and looked at Pepper, he then placed his fist to his chest and bowed his head slightly Marcus of course showed mutual respect and did the same.

As the last remnants of energy faded from the transporter Sergeant Major Marcus Pepper reached for his com badge.

"Pepper to Dartt, all prisoners safely away sir" he said in an almost regretful tone, he then closed the com link without waiting for a reply, turned and went to find his men.


Conference Room

Turning to the Marines around him, Col. Hurd said, '' I think that went as well as can be expected. Pausing for just a moment, he added, ''Good job everyone. ''Lets just do one more sweep of the station to make sure that there are no lingering surprises, and i think we can call this job complete.''

All Mac could do was lean back in his chair...mentally exhausted...

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