Atlas at Last

Posted on 23 Apr 2015 @ 8:13pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lieutenant JG Dorian West & Chief Petty Officer Pax Inyo & Captain (HoD) Kerge

2,335 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Atlas - Various
Timeline: MD 01 - 1000 hrs

[ON]

After receiving the communique from Captain Kerge's vessel, the IKS Qa'rol, Lirha now found herself walking swiftly down the corridor of Deck 4 on her way to Atlas' primary transporter room with an entourage of her own officers in tow. As much as she felt slightly uncomfortable by the idea of acting as a tour guide, she also welcomed a change of pace, and it wasn't often that she had been tasked with the hands of diplomacy.

"Now remember," she began, speaking to Inyo, West, and Zhao who were next to her in stride, "No access to any restricted areas under any circumstances. And if this Captain Kerge is like any other Klingon captain I have met, he will probably use the opportunity to poke around and ask questions of the...tactical nature."

West couldn't help a slight smile and a soft chuckle at that assessment. Oh, and he was sure they'd try and 'poke around' a few other things and 'poke at' a few other people too. "Understood, Admiral," he said with a firm nod, matching pace.

Pax had an extra bounce in her step. She'd liked most of the Klingons she'd ever met. Generally she preferred the ones who loved to party hard although she had a brimming respect for the honor and glory types as well. She was eager to size up these guests and if she got the chance to, get them telling some of their legends and war stories.

Min silently nodded her understanding. She was still figuring out the ship's Energy Management systems, the size difference adding some complexities she wasn't used to. At least it had enough spare power though, the Galileo always seemed to be drawing more then the engines could output.

The door to Transporter Room 1 swished open and the rear admiral and her team stepped through and into the familiar transportation area. A quick glace at the tending transporter chief revealed everything was in working order, and the young petty officer gave her a cordial nod to acknowledge his readiness.

"Energize," she instructed while taking her place in front of the transporter pad and awaiting the materialization of the pending Klingons.

The transporter activated the familiar whine and surge of light, and three figures began to materialize on the pad. The lead Klingon was a tall, burly wall of a man. His hair was loose and flowing, steel-gray, matching a thick beard and a pair of bushy eyebrows. He was snarling slightly, and the glint of metal fangs could be seen between his thin lips. To his right, a woman stood beside him, almost as tall, with thick black hair and a jagged scar that ran from under her right eye to her jawline. To the old man's left was a younger Klingon, smaller by almost a head, his hands clasped behind his back in rigid military discipline.

As soon as they materialize, the old Klingon squinted as he looked around the transporter room. Federation ships were always so bright! Did everybody here really have such poor eyesight that they needed all this light? Stepping down off the pad, still scowling, the old man looked at Admiral Saalm, and gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. "I am Kerge, Captain of the Qa'rol. This," he gestured at the woman, "is Commander Dezhe, my first officer. And this," gesturing at the young man, he said, "is my science officer, Lieutenant Maglar."

Lirha took in the appearance of her guests, who were -- as standard for Klingons -- rather large and imposing. Their tall physiques and rugged appearances reflected their commitment to battle, and she knew they had all seen their fair share.

"Captain Kerge," she began to reply with a respectful nod to both himself and his two colleagues, her hands clasped professionally behind her back, "welcome to USS Atlas. I am Rear Admiral Saalm. May I present my crew as well," she turned to introduce her Starfleet comrades.

"This is Lieutenant West, my chief medical officer. Lieutenant Zhao, my chief of operations. And Chief Inyo, my head of security," she said with a wave of her green hand towards the indicated personnel.

"I am happy to give you a tour of our starship," she then added after the ensuance of an awkward pause during which no one spoke. "The Sovereign-class is the pinnacle of Starfleet's heavy cruiser design."

Kerge nodded. He'd done his homework on the Sovereign-class, of course. Big, powerful ships. But like all Starfleet vessels, with too much of an eye towards comfort. "She's certainly big, I'll give you that," Kerge replied.

Dezhe said, "A good bit larger than ours, sir."

Kerge let out a sudden bark of laughter. "The largest bird isn't always the deadliest, Dezhe." It was a conversation they'd had before. He looked at Lirha and gestured for her to continue. "Lead the way, Admiral, and let us see what wonders Starfleet has in store for us."

"Of course, captain. We can start with the bridge," replied Saalm. She looked over at Inyo and gave the young Grazerite a subtle nod indicating for her to keep an eye on their guests while she escorted them throughout the ship.

Taking the hint, Pax slowed and took up a rear and flank place alongside the guests, smiling at Dezhe. The Head honchos could kibitz in the front while she kept her eyes on This one and the science officer. Pax was making mental note of everything on Dezhe and Maglar's persons.

"Hey, that medal with the spike in the loop thing. I've seen that before. Is that a battle badge or some kind of merit thing?" She couldn't help but ask. In her experience people who displayed medals usually did so to let other know about them, so there was a good chance it would get them talking.

Dezhe looked at the Grazerite, and shared a quick glance with Maglar. "It's a tactical commendation," she replied. "Before I was in command, I served as our vessel's tactical officer."

"Tactical. I do security but I get swapped into tactical whenever it's needed. It's a much bigger picture, lots of factors and all. You guys probably have to file a lot fewer situation reports. So if that's a Tactical badge, is the double orbit one a science commendation?" She was referring to Maglar's marker on his dress up bandolier thing.

"Yes," Maglar said. He remembered he was to be on his best behavior, so he cleared his throat to further explain. "It's a commendation I received for graduating top of my class."

"Is that a Qis?" Pax motioned with her chin at the leather wrapped, curved grip of the sheathed knife blade on Maglar's hip next to his scanning device.

"It is," Maglar said. "It belonged to my father, and now I wear it with pride. I will bathe it in the blood of my enemies soon."

"I'm sure he'll be pleased all the way from Stovokor. Always good to do your parents proud. My dad's still alive and prefers I send cards." Pax shrugged.


Deck 1 - Bridge

The turbolift doors to Atlas' bridge swished open and out stepped Lirha and her Starfleet/KDF entourage. She slowly walked around to the rear of the bridge, behind the captain's chair, and gestured with an open green palm to the rest of the spacious command center. "Please, feel free to have a look. The Sovereign-class bridge is one of Starfleet's most efficient," she began to explain. "The viewscreen is entirely holographic and is usually deactivated while the vessel is at warp, in order to prevent Star-Field syndrome. The conn and Operations stations are up front, and the tactical stations are to the left and right of the command chairs. Mission Ops and auxiliary science and engineering functions are situated along the outer stations."

Looking around with genuine curiosity, West took the chance to take in the bridge himself. Usually down in Sickbay, this was as much a tour of the impressive hub of the ship for the counsellor as it was the Klingons. A smile escaped as he looked around, his hands resting on his hips. It was definitely one of the more 'intimidating' bridges he'd seen. Regardless of what the Klingons might think, he was impressed at least.

Kerge looked around the bridge, his scowl deepening. There was a soft metallic pinging sound as he clicked his steel fangs together. "Yes, it's very...typical," he said. Would the crew on Starfleet vessels never tire of being treated like children? Kerge had spent his time fighting alongside Federation vessels in the Dominion War, and he knew Starfleet was more capable than many of his compatriots believed, but they still bewildered him, sometimes.

"It's open," Maglar said. The young Klingon had never before been on a Starfleet vessel, and he couldn't help but stare openly. "And bright. Everything is so bright."

Kerge snorted at that. At least he wasn't the only one to think so. "Tell me, Admiral, did this vessel see service during the war? I never fought alongside a Sovereign-class vessel."

"No," answered Lirha with a light shake of her head. "Atlas was commissioned after the Dominion War in early 2382. Starfleet only has a handful of Sovereign-class heavy cruisers in service, and it was the Galaxy-class that endured the brunt of the combat roles during our engagements against the Jem'Hadar and Cardassians."

She paused for a moment to study the Klingon captain, then curiously tilted her head. "What about the Qa'rol?" she asked in return.

Kerge laughed, nodding. "Oh, she saw her fair share. I killed my captain during the war, when he attempted to call an unnecessary retreat during a skirmish." Kerge looked at Dezhe. "He made the oddest sound when I sank my blade into his lung."

Dezhe said, "It was rather high-pitched for such a large man. I was surprised."

"And that's how I got my command." Kerge smiled proudly. "If your ship isn't combat-tested, I trust at least her crew is prepared for glorious battle?"

Pax whistled soft and low. Klingons did promotions the fast and dirty way.

Smiling with very white teeth, Lirha gave the large man a sideways glance. Changes of command were rather common aboard Klingon starships and it didn't surprise her in the least that such a mutiny had occurred.

"But of course, captain," she answered to his last question. "We would not be here otherwise...and while Atlas is one of Starfleet's newer starships, she has been involved in several skirmishes with Romulan separatists following the Hobus disaster. We are ready, I assure you. Or perhaps you would like to see our torpedo bays and confirm for yourself?" she proposed.

Kerge laughed at that, a full belly laugh that ripped out of his ample gut. "That won't be necessary. Let us hope we destroy you before you ever get to use them." He leaned in closer to say, "Figuratively, of course, Admiral." He decided he liked this Orion officer, despite her being Orion, and despite her being in Starfleet. "It's my understanding that these ships carry both photon and quantum torpedoes? I do appreciate a well-armed enemy. The hunt is no fun if your pray has no teeth, I'm sure you'll agree."

"Oh, this is a quite a capable vessel, captain," Lirha mused with an internal chuckle. No doubt Klingon intelligence was familiar with Starfleet's rapid-fire torpedo turrets by now, of which one was installed on the ventral section of the primary hull, and it was one of the most sophisticated torpedo-delivery systems in existence. "Our quantum torpedo compliment is quite large, and we are also capable of launching tri-cobalt devices should the need arise."

"Excellent!" Kerge turned and clapped Maglar on the back, making the younger Klingon stumble to the side, grabbing hold of the science chair for support. "Then we can open a cask of bloodwine to celebrate our glorious victory!" He laughed, already anticipating the drink. "I have fought against Starfleet, and I have fought side-by-side with Starfleet, Admiral," he said, turning suddenly serious. "And despite the...comforts you prefer on your ships, I have always respected Starfleet. I consider it a true honor to face you in open combat and, in all likelihood, to blow you out of space."

"Theoretically, sir," Dezhe said.

"Yes, of course. Theoretically. Bah."

Lirha gave the two Klingons a coy look and lightly shook her head, her dark hair bobbing across the tops of her shoulders. "Yes...theoretically, of course. That is, if your warriors have not drunken themselves to premature defeat this evening with bloodwine," she jested before offering to continue the tour. "Would you like to see the rest of the vessel, now?"

Maglar said, "I have always wondered about these holodecks of yours."

Kerge shot him a glare, and Maglar closed his mouth. Kerge smiled back at Lirha. "Perhaps the phaser array," he said. "Something with actual tactical value." He looked at Maglar again, who had adopted a stiff stance. Kerge's smile widened, the light glinting off jagged metal fangs. "Lead the way, Admiral."

"Very well. Please follow me," replied Saalm. Once again she cast a thoughtful gaze over to Inyo, this one more concerned with keeping them from tampering with any sensitive equipment they might find in the phaser array housings.

Noticing the rebuff the science officer got from his captain, Pax waited until the party was moving along to continue the tour and fell into step again. Pax leaned in towards Maglar. "There's this awesome mecha battle holodeck program. Maybe I can load it up later and we can knock each others gears out of socket, whatcha say?"

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Atlas

Captain (HoD) Kerge
Commanding Officer
IKS Qa'rol
[PNPC Jang]

LT Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Atlas

LTJG Dorian West
Medical Officer
USS Atlas
[PNPC Blake]

CPO Pax Inyo
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Atlas

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