Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - Part I

Posted on Fri Oct 24th, 2025 @ 9:58pm by Captain Robert Burke & Commander Vincent 'Vin' Salvatore & Lieutenant Marques Hunt & Lieutenant Juno Jones & Lieutenant Kyra sh'Herhrisst & Lieutenant Nelar & Lieutenant Ryssa Dari & Lieutenant JG Maël "Gideon" Beauregard & Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca & Ensign Shanice Winters

1,797 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: USS Hecate
Timeline: MD036

::ON::

Ko’Vag stomped about the hall sourly. Orders had come from the High Chancellor herself and he would see them done properly. Whether the guests were Federation or not his honour as Seneschal to the Chancellor would be in question if he did any less. He looked up to the high ceiling, whisps of firesmoke beginning to collect from the braziers he had seen lit at intervals down the vast expanse of space.
Great tables were being hauled into place by burly Klingon serving staff, all of them surly. Gette’ their whip-sharp supervisor lashed them with their tongue at every grumble. None were happy that it was Federation ‘warriors’ who were to be their guests tonight.

The Klingon turned on his heel as he heard a great clanging sound from down the hall, in front of the Great Dais where the guests of honour would sit. Adjusting the bandolier across his bulk, he stormed down the space between the tables, roaring his disapproval. ‘Pta’Q!’ he cursed them, lashing out with his wand of office, ‘careful! This has been the ceremonial cauldron of bloodwine since the time of Kahless! Attend it with care!’

The two Klingons eyed the lump of dun metal with some skepticism but said nothing to Ko’Vag, merely grunting their assent.

From behind the cauldron came a rattling cough, the sort of sound that suggested someone had lived long enough to drink more bloodwine than they'd spilled.

Grevak, son of D'Lohr, lifted his scarred hands from the rim of the vessel. His left ear was ragged, almost torn away years before on the deck of a Bird-of-Prey. His right eye, milky and blind, still leaked when smoke got too thick. He had once fought the Romulans in the Coalsack Nebula, and now he stirred drinks for guests who chatted of treaties instead of great battles.

"You guard this pot as if Kahless himself will drink from it tonight," Grevak crowed. "Do not worry, Seneschal. It has held hotter wine and rowdier toasts than these pale visitors can give."

Ko'Vaq nodded, his grey braided hair moving with the motion. 'I do not doubt or worry when you are attending, Grevak.' He moved in closer, 'the Chancellor is eager that we receive them with all appropriate formalities for the good of the Homeworld. I am sure you will attend our,' he ran a tongue across his teeth in apparent distaste, but eventually managed to spit out, 'guests, with the attention they deserve.'

Grevak's laugh came like the rumble of a rockslide. His one good eye gleamed fiercely in the firelight.

"I will attend them, Ko'Vag," he said, running a calloused thumb along the rim of the cauldron as if it were some old comrade. "But know this--bloodwine tastes the same in every mouth. Klingon, Vulcan, even the soft-skinned ones who smile too much. It burns, it blinds, it stings. The drink remembers who we are, even if our guests forget."

A murmur rippled around the nearby workers. Some looked to the Seneschal, others to the old warrior. The breathed with slightly more tension, the braziers crackling like the beginning of a battle.

Nodding his shaggy head, Ko'Vag smiled. 'That it does, Grevak. These Starfleeters will know what a Klingon feast is before the night is through!'

The workers gave a short bark of approval, and Grevak dipped the ladle again, letting the bloodwine splash back into the cauldron.

"They will drink with us tonight, yes. But tell me, Seneschal--will they leave this hall as friends, or as fodder for tomorrow's songs?"

'That goes beyond my ken, Grevak,' Ko'Vag replied with a growl in his throat. 'The Chancellor has decided we have need of their science to save the Homeworld. It would be best for them that they do not prove to be false friends.'

Grevak bent over the cauldron again, letting out a short grunt. "False friends," he murmured. "A Klingon does not fear betrayal. He simply expects it."

Barking a laugh, Ko'vag clapped Grevak on the shoulder. 'Expect betrayal. But hope that your bloodwine is good!' Ko'Vag began moving away to inspect the other preparations, iron walking stick tick-tacking against the stone floor as he went. He looked over his shoulder at the bloodwine-master. The Seneschal knew he could depend on his fine brew. He wondered at the rest of their Klingon guests. Azetbur needs this to be a success, he thought. Ko'Vag would make sure that it was so. Whatever the cost.

The air had thickened with heat and smoke, the scent of tallow mixed with metal lingered. Torches spat low flames that flickered occasionally.

By the dais, Gette' berated a servant for the uneven lay of a tablecloth. Nearby, two younger Klingons argued over the angle of a banner--whether it should hang straight or in the proud sag of old victories.

At the far end of the hall, Grevak was still tending the cauldron. He hummed something--a war chant maybe, though it came out hoarse and tuneless. He muttered to himself, low enough that only the cauldron seemed to hear, "May the bloodwine burn truer than the words of men."

The doors of the hall opened as a Klingon woman stepped through, in a Imperial Fleet and large coat adorned with thick fur on the shoulders. The sash over her shoulder, which crossed her ample chest, showed she was a warrior of great skill and proved herself in battle. It also showed her house crest, House of K'egran, whose leader was nearing the end of his Imperial service. The old General was her grandfather and the reason she was here. She walked with a grace and fierce look, knowing some eyes were on her. Whether observing her appearance or curious why a Lieutenant was here and not the General himself.

A Klingon male followed her, also in an Imperial Fleet uniform, with just as many accolades on his sash. He carried himself with a firm look and cocky smile as he tightened his hands into fists. "I see the peaceful Starfleet is not here yet." He chuckled, looking around, seeing only his brethren and high ranking warriors. "Good! Let's drink before we have to suffer their mindless babbling."

As she approached Ko'Vag, her eyes rolled at the comment from her companion, who was only here because their Captain insisted on bringing him along. She despised needing someone at her side, her career and accolades proving she was more than worthy to stand by these warriors, but an appearance needed to be maintained. The woman finally put on a firm look as she stopped by Ko'Vag and presented herself. "Ko'Vag, it is an honor. Shenas, Daughter of Moreth. My grandfather K'egran sent me in his place. He regrets not being able to attend." She turned her head, looking to her companion out of the corner of her eye, signaling him in a fashion.

The Klingon produced a bottle of bloodwine from inside his coat. He held it out to Ko'Vag with a grin from ear to ear. He seemed uneasy, as if being in Ko'Vag's presence pulled whatever confidence he walked in with away. An unease Shenas didn't share.

"Bloodwine from his personal collection. My grandfather said that you would know what it was about and why it was owed." Shenas said, bowing her head slightly, showing respect. Even thought she carried herself like she belonged, she was still a female Lieutenant in the presence of a Great Warrior. One she heard only stories about.

'Shenas, granddaughter of K'egran,' Ko'vag echoed softly as he accepted the bottle and carressed it, a chipped fingernail running along the bottle label. Written in perfectly formal Klingon as the best bloodwine labels were, the Seneschal was impressed. 'Well met, Shenas,' he said after a few long moments, meeting her eyes. 'A fine gift, from a fine General.' His gnarled features twisted into a genuine smile, teeth fully on display. 'General K'egran was one of the finest warriors I had the fortune of serving under. His fidelity to duty, honour ... the Empire was umatched.'

The Sensechal chuckled as he turned the bottle over. 'I had the honour of saving his life during the war with the Federation ... Long before you were born. A fierce warrior, but taken unawares by Starfleet.' He bared his teeth at the memory. 'K'egran held a whole battalion of them at bay, they were closing in by the time we could join the fray.' K'ovag let out another barking laugh. 'Glorious battle! I miss those days.'

He looked at Shenas, 'and I miss your grandfather. It grieves me he was not able to make the journey here. I am more than sure that you will be an honourable replacement at our table.' Ko'vag beckoned a servant over, and gave the necessary commands, 'you have your grandfather's place ... and one for your companion nearby.'

She gave an honored smile, bowing her head slightly, before meeting eyes with Ko'Vag. She heard the same story from her grandfather, but it was more exaggerated, leaving out the part about there being more warriors and needing to be saved. "I am honored to take-"

"I too am honored to be here, Sensechal Ko'Vag." Dathoth quickly interrupted, as he pushed passed Shenas, puffing up his chest. "I am Dathoth, Son of Obok. My families House has long fought for the Empire and shed many of our blood, and the blood of our enemies, in it's name." He bared a large grin as he placed his hand on his chest and bowed. Shenas seemed annoyed, even unpleased, at the interruption and Dathoth's need to boast about himself. "I will do the Empire and High Chancellor proud by spilling blood in her name. To show our enemies that there is no stronger empire in the galaxy then the Klingon Empire."

Casting a wary eye over the interloper, Ko'Vag ran a tongue over his snaggly teeth before nodding and grunting. 'Dathoth Son of Obok, it is an ... honour ... to have you hear. I have no doubt you will bring great glory to the feast and further our struggle to restore the Homeworld to its glory.'


[* * *]


[To Be Continued ... ]

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

Commander Vincent Salvatore
Executive & Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Kyra sh'Herhrisst
Chief Security Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Marquis Hunt
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Juno Jones
Chief Engineer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Ryssa Dari
Chief Science Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Nelar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca
Chief Counsellor
USS Hecate

Lieutenant JG Maël "Gideon" Beauregard
Chief Operations Officer
USS Hecate

 

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