QAPLA!! - Part 2

Posted on Fri Apr 25th, 2025 @ 8:19am by Captain Daegan Baas & Ensign Garath Of the House of Varal [Baas] & Lieutenant Erin Cussen & Lieutenant Commander Ridge Maguire & Lieutenant JG Stevie Thomas [O'Riley] & Julianna Raihan-Baas
Edited on on Fri Apr 25th, 2025 @ 11:00pm

1,812 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Sole Survivor
Location: USS Valkyrie / Moon's Surface
Timeline: MD 10

[Enroute to the Bridge]

Da`nal was taking in everything around him. "You have a beautiful ship Commander, if I am not mistaken this class has a Quantum drive."

"Indeed," Ridge answered politely. "Testing has gone quite well." He drew breath to continue but stopped when his Chief of Security dropped into the conversation.

Morloth chimed in excitedly, "And your ship is quite impressive as well! It has the capability to carry so many warriors."

"A standard crew of twenty-five hundred warriors, though when I briefly commanded an Accension class vessel it could hold up to 10,000 if needed. Now that is a big ship...that beast of a vessel has 4 warp cores." He paused slightly. "It has been sometime since I have been on a Starfleet ship. I was quite proud of my son when I learned of his assignment to this ship."

"Bridge," Ridge said and as the turbolift rose, he turned toward the Klingon. "Ensign Garath has been doing well from all reports. He works with Lieutenant Morloth here."

"Yes he chose to follow in his father's footsteps by going into security." Turning, "No special treatment from you Lieutenant, just because his father was once a flag officer or because I am the head of our House. He is to earn anything he achieves."

Morloth nodded understandingly and grinned. "He does his job well. Even the most routine tasks garner his full effort. I'm sure even Garath would want no special treatment. I look forward to working with him. There are a few things I have learned during my Fleet time. Surely he can learn a thing or two from my hard lessons."


Morloth wore a gold baldric with the insignia of the House of Moklor. The hybrid himself was a byproduct of diplomacy between a Klingon House and an Orion clan.

"His efforts speak well of his House", Morloth added.

Da`nal bowed his head, "You honor me. I..." His reply was cut off as the lift opened up on the Valkyrie's bridge. Stepping out he scanned the area and immediately recognized the tactical station in front of him and the Captain's chair on the 'upper level with a step or ramp to the lower level. "Impressive, but we have kept you Captain waiting long enough." Looking to the Commander as he motioned to the doors in turn, Ready or Conference room?"

"Conference Room," Ridge said, nodding toward the appropriate door, as he waited for their guest to precede him. "The Captain is waiting for you there."


[Conference Room]

Garath was still standing there explaining what he had and hadn't done. When the doors opened behind him. The Captain had been listening intently as he tried to explain things. It was bad enough he'd been called before the Captain but now he had others to face. Looking to his left he saw his father, the Commander, and his Lieutenant.

Rising from his seat Daegan greeted the former Admiral and leader of his House. "Lord Da`nal. Welcome aboard. Seems we have a bit of a situation...wouldn't you agree?" Raising his brow quickly.

Da`nal's lip curled slightly in a grin, catching his meaning. Whatever explanation Garath had given his Commanding officer was sufficient for him to enlist him into baiting his son. "Agreed. Explain yourself. Why would you ask me here without clearing a rendezvous through your chain of command."

Without even planning it the Baas turned and both he and Da`nal crossed their arms at almost the same time.

"Father. I told the Captain that I had only inquired about the possibility of gathering. How could I arrange..." Realizing he'd been had his face was a mixture of relief as frustration.

Da`nal stepped forward, slapping a hand firmly on his shoulder. "I thought as much." Leaving his hand on his son he turned to the Captain and XO for the Valkyrie. "I believe, and will confirm later, that this was a miscommunication on the part of members within mu House. For that you have my apology. However, as mentioned before the preparations for a feast in your honor are already well underway."

Daegan looked to his XO with a bit of a grin, "We were ahead of schedule anyway. What do you think, Commander?"


[Moon's Surface]

Skeleton crews remained aboard on the two starships while the sun set on the moon with the gas giant the moon was orbiting remained prominent in the sky. Rows of tables stretched out covered with a huge variety of dishes, while even more food was in various stages of preparation off the side of the area. As the darkness grew Fire pots were being lit for illumination, and barrels of blood wine had been opened for all to share.

At the head table Lord Da`nal his mate, Ayren, Captain Baas and his wife Julianna, and the Captain and first officer of the IKV Ralnath. The was a empty chair for Commander Maguire, but it remained empty. Daegan looked to the empty chair and was wondering what was keeping his XO.

The noise of conversation and laughter from the two crew was constant but as host Lord Da`nal rose and the assembly began to quiet.

Da`nal grinned and looked to his son, his friends and the others near their table before he spoke. "Friends, warriors...Tonight we feast to honor the courage of the crew of the Valkyrie as they set out to venture into the unknown. Not only does their bravery brings Honor not only to the Federation but to the Empire as a member of the House of Varal, the House of Moklor go with them."

Howls rose from the Klingons.

Looking down the table to Captain Baas. "Captain, as a former Starfleet officer I wish you the best of luck in your mission." Taking out his D'k tahg he stabbed it into a bowl of qul Dir igniting the alcohol soaked meat. "But as a Klingon, yIlop! wa’IeS chaq maHegh! (Celebrate! Tomorrow we may die!)", eating the flaming morsel.

More howls rose and a large number of Klingons pounded on the tables where they sat.

Daegan's brow rose slightly at the show but not to be out done, he rose, moving towards his host with his fork. "While this was unexpected you have honored me, my ship, and my crew." Stabbing his fork into the bowl he repeated Da`nal's actions holding the flaming delicacy out, shouting "QAPLA!", before stuffing the flaming bite in his mouth.

Following a slap on his shoulder from their host Daegan took his seat. Rotating his shoulder a bit as he reached for his goblet. "They definitely can put out a spread."

Ayren had a laugh when she saw Daegan's rotating his shoulder. "He has no idea how strong he actually is," she commented softly. "You have a lovely crew. I can sense their contentment," she added.

Having been briefly introduced earlier, he nodded to the Mistress of the House of Varal. "That's good to know. I just hope that contentment does turn to laxness. We have a long mission a head of us."

"Typical Captain," Ayren said smiling knowingly. "But it could also mean that they are happy that their expectations for signing up for this ship, are met, and that they are settling in for the long haul," she countered grinning. "And content with their Captain and the way he leads them. A content and happy crew is a productive one..."

Nodding as he yielded her point. "Granted. And I certainly hope that is the case...". Looking out over the huge assembly as his crew freely interscted with their Klingon host. Glancing up to the gas giant the moon they were on was orbiting as it cast a purple light. Looking back, "...We are a new crew with a new ship. But our mission is what most people join Starfleet to do in the first place."

Jules had learned a long while ago how to feign enthusiasm for events and so, while she wasn't much of a fan of Klingon cuisine (and for that matter, one or two of the things that Daegan loved), neither her husband nor the group assembled would ever have guessed from her demeanor. She filled a small plate and sat down beside Daegan, smiling at his enthusiasm. "Yes indeed," she agreed as she took a small bite of an unnamed something and chased it down with a sip of cold water.

Grinning as she picked at the 'safer' items she had selected he leaned Since when are you so timid? Haha...No to worry not not my first choice either." Sitting back up he grabbed some qagh, more to make sure he didn't offend their host. "When in Rome."

Morloth was seated amongst some of the Negh'Var's crew. He'd been chatting with a female warrior. Her reactions had been a mixture of displeasure and aggression. For Klingons, it was a sure sign they were off to a good start.

The hybrid reached for a smaller, ceremonial Mek'leth. With a deft overhand strike, he buried the curved blade halfway deep into a large chunk. Wide eyes focused centrally as he bit the meat off the blade.

"HeS ram luta'", Morloth shouted after chewing. "Let us taste victory."

Garath grinned from another table at his Lieutenant, he was definitely enjoying himself. Turning to his friends. "Well guys, what would you like to try first? I made sure that a wide variety was bought over...", and he pointed out each in turn. Here we have ghod toDbaj HajDobDu’ (Stuffed toDbaj legs), pIpyuS pach (Pipius claw), Qagh, wamwI' QaraDa (Hunter’s Karada), qul DIr (fire skin), that's what we say my father and the Captain eat, targh tIq (Heart of Targ), wamwI’ Ha’DIbaH (Hunter’s Meat), tlhImqaH (Zilm'kach), ro’qegh’Iwchab (Rokeg blood pie), peb'ot, and tlhatlh (Glasht)."

Looking everything over Stevie had to admit most of the cuisine didn't look too bad "I'll try the wamwl' Ha'DlbaH first" she replied determined not to loose this challenge and give in to Garath; she knew she'd never hear the end of it. Taking some of the Hunter's Meat, Stevie shoved a piece in her mouth and began to chew. While not very lady like, 'when in Rome.....' as she continued to chew. After swallowing the meat "Not bad.....not bad at all" as she started on her second piece.

Garath howled. "Ahhhh...were is your sense of adventure!" In typical Klingon fashion, especial since utensils were almost nonexistant, began loading her plate with serval other item. Using his hands, making a bit of a show, he grabbed pIpyuS pach (Pipius claw), targh tIq (Heart of Targ), ghod toDbaj HajDobDu’ (Stuffed toDbaj leg), a few pieces of peb'ot, and tlhatlh (Glasht), as well as some very fresh Qagh.


TBC...,

 

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