Out in the Open

[Clint Cross]

TAS Viper -

Clint drummed his fingers on the arm rest of the chair he was sitting in, it was weeks and they had no solid leads on his wife's killer, Ophelia. Clearly they were keeping to themselves, but she was conspicuously absent from many of Dominus' little 'demonstrations' to smaller colonies that defied him. It was still hard to keep their small crew from being revealed. Given Tali'zorha spent much of her time fighting in the holodeck and being about as insane as Kinsey was when it came to being obsessed with finding someone.

"Hey, boss... " JT handed off a padd. "Another exciting sensor report... we may have a hit but she's either been keeping to herself or she's in something really well hidden."

"Yay..." Clint yawned and rolled his eyes. "It's been weeks JT... we need to get somewhere or else Tali is going to start kicking our asses for fun."

"That's not even a challenge." Tali said as she walked out of the holodeck and toweled off her hair. "Where's Mac? I think I got a mental impression on one of Ophelia's lackey's. I sensed it before at the bar, but I'm getting the impression more strongly. Don't ask me how I'm sensing them. I just am. I'm not used to being out in space and going to random planets."

"Well, maybe we need to be more open... let them come to us. Piss her off enough." JT said with a smirk. "I'm good at pissing women off. Ask my wife."

[Hur'agha]

-Meanwhile

"It's an Alliance ship General," Lieutenant Groken rumbled frim his sensor station. He was still a massive and powerfully built Klingon despite his advanced years. His long hair fell loose over his shoulders snowy white.

"Helm set intercept course," the commander of the ship ordered. In contrast the commander was an unremarkable in her size despite being fair featured. General Hur'agha popped her knuckles he elbows on the arm rests of her seat.

"Intercept in thirty seconds General," the helmsman said.

"Prepare to raise shields as soon as we drop cloak, but don't arm the weapons. We aren't the aggressors here," Hur'agha said.

Moments later a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaked a hundred meters off the bow of the TAS Viper. "Hail them," the General commanded.

"Channel open."

"Alliance vessel, this is General Hur'agha of the IKS Kor'oq."

[Mac Calhoun]

“One of those lackeys wouldn’t be a Klingon would it?” Mac said as she joined them on the small bridge. “Do know what they want yet?”

[Clint Cross]

"Not yet." Clint said as he glanced at the sensors. "But I'm pretty sure The Scions are working with anyone that's wiling to play ball." he gave her a look. "Let's play it cool. JT... you're the Captain.." he gestured to him.

"Gee..." JT winced. "Like Klingons like Kirks..." he cleared his throat. "General, this is Captain JT Kirkaldy... what's up?" he saw Clint smack himself in the face.

"I'm killing your husband." Clint mouthed to Mac.

[Hur'agha]

"Captain Kirkaldy," the Klingon greeted with a suspicious expression on her face. "There is an ancient Earth proverb: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I was sent here by the High Council to establish diplomatic relations with your people. Chancellor Sirella remembers how her late husband worked with your people to vanquish another common enemy in the not too distant past."

[Clint Cross]

"Oh really?" Clint said as he leaned on the command chair. "Klingons haven't been too friendly with us lately. Guess it takes a big bad to bring us back. At least until we're no longer needed and you push back again..." he cleared his throat. "I'm a spy not a diplomat. But I do have a few of those around."

[Hur'agha]

"I'm a warrior, not a diplomat," she countered. She stood, and despite her unimpressive size she still commanded the room. "Perhaps we could discuss this in person. I find being able to look someone in the eyes helps me see if your words have honor, and you can see the honor in my own."

[Clint Cross]

Clint looked at Mac and JT. "Didn't we pass a neutral trading depot not far from here?"

"Not a bad idea... keep it in the open. Neither of us can play any funny business." Tali'zorha said with a slight tilt of her head. "Klingons have always been a little hard to read but I'm not sensing any direct hostility."

"Alright General... we'll send you coordinates, neutral meeting place. Maybe a warrior and an old assassin can hash things out between our peoples that'll save lives." Clint said and gave her a slight smile. "Perhaps we can help each other out."

[Hur'agha]

"I don't know what that could mean, but yes I am at your disposal within reason," she replied with a shrug.

[Mac Calhoun]

“Great Klingons. What could go wrong?” Mac said with a look at JT. “Maybe you should stay on the ship.”