Proclamations of Goddess

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#02-008) 02/23/01

(fade from black)

Edwards waves off any concerns and remarks casually, "Oh, sure. I'm pretty used to rampaging Klingons and angry leftenants." Yeah, right. "But if things get out of hand, well, I am a security officer. I'll just try to ineffectually lecture them into submission."

VuQ'cheH's eyes go wide at the physical attempt. "Mating rituals tend to start with a rake to the face or neck, Starfleet," he snarls leaning in closer to Poole, his breath on her face. "Try again."

The Bynars quickly make their way out, scared of trouble, while trying to stay as far away from Poole and VuQ'cheH as possible.

Zero heads out and into the Mall.

Zero has left.

Janos glances over his shoulder at the new arrival....the argument between poole and the klingon all but forgotten. He turns around on his stool to get a better look.

"Ooo," Kouramenous replies, eyes widening, grin exploding as he looks to Edwards, "I'm good at that, the old ineffectual lecture. Practically specialized in it, in my Freshman year." A pause as he looks back to the action, all squint in the corners of his eyes. "I guess I'm not so used to this. Three years in isolation on ship'll do it to you."

Cartier looks at the new arrival, with quite some interest.

Itaani takes a step back after saying that, and looks to Edwards. "Lieutenant, let's consider this a cultural exchange unless weapons are drawn; do you understand? "

Gwen seems to catch hold of sanity finally, stepping back from the Klingon. She clenches her hands into fists at her sides, still watching VuQ'cheH. "... I should apologize."

S'Terik arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind him.

S'Terik has arrived.

S'Terik enters, his face showing nothing of what he is feeling. He looks around and quickly sees Poole and VuQ'cheH.

Jolvan terminates the comm by tapping his comm badge.

Edwards nods affirmatively to Itaani and remarks, "You're the boss, it seems." She does outrank him, so there's no reason to argue. Idly, he looks back at the confrontation, waiting for World War IV to break out.

Io grins to herself as she makes up her own responce to VuQ'cheH's responce but keeps it to herself. She raps her fingers on the table while wondering if this is how all nights start off on the station..

Sieth'nikek's spindly legs hold open the door as it pauses to look about, looking like some hideous creature out of a Lovecraftian tale, ghost written by John Wayne. Its legs click against the deckplating as it steps further into the room, raising itself to its full height.

Kouramenos shifts weight absently, his head canting to the side... eyes wandering towards Itaani. He meekly raises a hand in greeting... smiles a smile. Raises his brows, then nods to the cooling Poole.

S'Terik disregards the tension between the human and Klingon and says to VuQ'cheH, "Ambassador, I was contacted and told that I should come here. Can you explain why?"

Jolvan is just smiling as he gives his advise

Io tosses a glance over to the insectoid thing and somehow knows this is going to be an interseting night..

VuQ'cheH is about to fly into a fury of rage, as he hears the echo of Jolvan's real voice somewhere in the room. He wirls, about to strike S'Terik in the face, and then the Klingon... freezes. He sees Sieth, and for some reason, the Klingon seems momentarily paralyzed.

Itaani reclaims her drink, and looks to Edwards. "Sometimes, saving face is not what people truly want. Shieh. It may as well..." She pauses as she sees the Siinogan priest entering.

The clink of glasses can be heard from a far corner.

S'Terik arches an eyebrow, but nothing on the exterior shows any tensing of muscles.

"Funny, Jolvan, funny..." Gwen says, under her breath. She waits for the Klingon Ambassador's response, what's left of her emotion draining away. Seeing the Ambassador's reaction, she looks over and sees Sieth, her jaw dropping a little.

Edwards comments amiably to Itaani, "Good call." When the sound of clicking reaches his hears, he looks around idly, until he catches sight of... the bugman. "Holy..." His hand reaches out to nudge Kouramenos and point the alien out to him.

Cartier looks at the alien a bit more intently.

S'Terik reluctantly turns and looks at what everyone else is looking at.

Sieth'nikek steps across the floor, click, click, click, and moves to the bar. As it walks, it's head swivels, sometimes impossibly turned around backwards. It never sets that huge staff aside.

Itaani says, quietly, "Gentles. There's clergy among us, now. Let's look sharp, shall we?"

Kouramenos arches a brow at Edwards. "Huh?" He rolls his head towards the thing everyone else is rolling their head towards. With a spocked brow, Althair silently reminds himself - IDIC, IDIC, et cetera. And, uneasily, he shifts weight.

Jolvan turns off his combadge and watches the rooms reaction to the "Bug", he is not impressed with the Ambassador.

VuQ'cheH's arm falls to his side slowly, and he steps away from Lt. Poole, the insults forgotten. His look of shock turns to one of disgust, and he declares, "Who let that *insect* on the station? Shouldn't you be hiding in your hive, _SI'nogangan_?"

Edwards isn't exactly sure as to what he should do. He's seen a lot of things in his time, but this really takes the cake. So he just sorta... stands there. And stares, unfortunately. Maybe the ambassador won't care.

Io goes back to looking at the bar-top. She bets no one knows that there is exactly 3,450 scrach marks per square foot on the counter, but of course she also bets no one cares. Click Click Click, her nails hit the bar slowly..

S'Terik gives VuQ'cheH a cold stare before half bowing to the insect. "Ambassador Sieth'nikek. We finally meet."

Itaani sees no one greeting the Siinogan representative, so she steps forward. "Good evening, Kalkaket."

Sieth'nikek's face is wholly expressionless, but the anteannae wave throughout the air like primitive radar dishes. It's head darts to VuQ, then to S'Terik. "Vulcan, male. Ambasadorial dressing. S'Terik. I have been briefed," it speaks in a horribly raspy, disgusting attempt at Federation Standard.

As the Klingon turns away, Gwen moves around behind him and heads for the door, hands still clenched at her sides.

Jolvan mutters to himself,"Bowing to insects, and they wonder why we left Vulcan." then chuckles

Poole heads out and into the Mall.

Poole has left.

Kouramenos looks to Edwards, brows up, maybe a little uncertain what to do. You know, bow... kneel... stand at attention, maybe? So, he watches the Security officer. They always seem to know what to do -- must get classes in that sort of thing.

A young ensign carefully sidesteps one of the bar's more drunken patrons.

Itaani smiles to Kouramenos as everyone reacts oddly. She said, after all, that the place was interesting. To all appearance, the Siinogan's regalia mean more to her than his appearance.

S'Terik says to the Siinogan, "My apologies for what is transpiring in here." He glances back at VuQ'cheH and the leaving Poole. "It seems things are at a disarray this evening."

Io turns to look, not at Sieth'nikek, but at everyone else's odd reactions to it's presence in the room. She can't help but chuckle slightly, and shake her head at the affair. She grins and watches. Whispering mostly to herself, "This sould be good..." She turns back to the bartenders and asks if they have any popcorn.. they don't... She shrugs then goes back to watching the 'show'.

"Shut up, S'Terik," VuQ'cheH roars, pushing innocent and awestruck bystanders out of the way so that he can approach Sieth quickly. "This creature is no ambassador!"

Edwards hasn't the foggiest idea as to what to do. So he leaves that up to the assorted ambassadors and whatnot. But he does manage to stop gawking thankfully and blinks at vuQ'cheH's outburst. "Maybe you should calm down, sir." he calls out.

"VuQ'cheH!" S'Terik says to the Klingon in a steely, commanding voice. "Stop."

Kouramenos draws air through his clenched teeth as the Klingon bursts into action. "Oh, boy," he murmurs, migrating a bit closer to Itaani. "Is this about... par for the course?" he asks in a low voice, steeling himself for the reply.

Sieth'nikek's head darts to the door, then to S'Terik. "Your societies are chaotic, and chaos is weakness. Your society is weak." It steps around S'Terik to examine VuQ'CHEH. "Klingon. Ambassador. Male. VuQ'CHEH." It leans in and sweeps closer to the Klingon with the feelers without touching him.

Itaani seems to detect VuQ rushing up without turning to look. Puts a hand to the small of her back. "Well," she says, drolly, "We;ve never had so many ambassadors in the same room before..."

Sieth'nikek says in Klingon, "Is today a good day to die?"

Kouramenos's hand clasps his wrist behind his back. With a sigh, Kouramenos nods to Itaani. "But the chaos is nothing new? I was afraid of that. This may..." He looks back to the insect organically 'scanning' the Klingon, sighing a bit, "... this may take some getting used to."

S'Terik regards the Siinogan and Klingon, almost coolly. "Again, my apologies. Some among our societies are rather free about their opinions."

Janos has disconnected.

*click!* VuQ'cheH has a d'k tagh knife out, side-prongs already extended, and he holds it defensively. "The only reason why these creatures exist is because the Klingon Empire took pity on a race that refused to die when we were exterminating them!" And then, in reply to the Siinogan's Klingon words, VuQ'cheH replies in the same language.

VuQ'cheH says in Klingon, "You tell me, Siinogan. Have you come here to die today?"

S'Terik says "I am certain that once Ambassador VuQ'cheH's aggressions are quelled, he - Put that away, Ambassador."

Itaani nods. "When people who each think themselves "superior" meet, this is bound to happen. Whatever the Thaath'eth 'Superior' truly means."

Uh oh. Edwards stiffens as the knife comes out and begins approaching the two ambassadors. He's not going to leap into the fray, of course, but he wants to be nearby and ready just in case.

Io holds in her laughter at Sieth'nikek's comment and watches, wondering what the Klingon's reaction will be. A few humorous situations come to mind, one of them involving large amounts of bloodwine, a klingon, and the bug thing. Her hopes are shattered as Vuq'cheH draws a weapon of some kind.

Blutox escorts an overly drunk patron out the door, then returns.

Itaani calmly pulls out a blade, herself, It goes "k'thick" as the side wings of the little chaka come out.

Itaani says "Ambassador. Please don't make me put down my drink. The Kaltalket is clergy.""

S'Terik says to VuQ'cheH, "You may find it worthwhile to think over your actions prior to executing those actions."

Itaani stands between the Siinogan and the Klingon. Ironic since they're both rather larger than she.

S'Terik says, again with the commanding voice he seldom uses, "Put it away."

S'Terik glances briefly at Jolvan.

Kouramenos's teeth just kind of... clench and unclench. With a sigh, he meanders up alongside Edwards once more. Sotto voce, he inquires: "Being Aegis crew, this is none of our business, right?"

Sieth'nikek says in Klingon, "I am not here to fight. I am here to celebrate. Today, my people have won a great victory for the Goddess."

Edwards asides to Kouramenos, "Well, technically, I guess not. But I don't think it'll look good on our resume if we let two ambassadors and a leftenant get in a knife fight." He frowns a tad bit and watches the situation with unease.

Jolvan turns back to the bar after pacing along it to find a better spot to view the arguement, He almost bumps into a small young human women wearing plain colored clothing.

S'Terik arches his eyebrow again as the other two ambassadors speak in an alien tongue.

VuQ'cheH begins a low growl, eyeing Itaani and S'Terik with distaste. With a soft click, the side blades of the Klingon knife retract, and the knife disappears into the folds of his armored robes. "Your religion does not interest me, SI'nogangan," he says in normal Federation Standard to the insectoid, and then glowers down at Itaani. "Put your 'blade of honor' away, Andorian."

Sieth'nikek's feet click as it bobs back and forth. "But victory does, doesn't it, Klingon?"

Itaani looks to VuQcheh. She flips the blade so that the curve is forward, and the center point near along her arm. Probably the wrong instinct to have drawn *it* rather than the phaser, but such is the Andorian code. She tilts her head, and with some gesture, the blade folds and is spirited away. She puts her hands together before her and backs off.

Io is knocked off her stool and falls on the floor next to it, hitting the floor with a loud 'THUMP!'. She Blinks abit, says, "Ow..", then looks at Jolvan. She shrugs and stands up, still looking at the Romulan, not angerly, just expecting an apology...

S'Terik says to VuQ'cheH, "Thank you, Ambassador. Now, let us be civil." The last sentence is meant for the Siinogan as well.

"Victory? The only victory I would celebrate is the extermination of the R..." VuQ'cheH's senses catch up with his obviously emotional speaking, and he halts his speech. "What 'victory' do you speak of, insect?"

Kouramenos squares off his jaw... squinting slightly. As things begin to die down, a mild smile quirks at the corners of his mouth. "Well, that resolved itself, neatly, didn't it?" Quite pleased sounding, actually, despite the near hostilities.

Itaani sighs, looking to the Centauran. "Mother of Birth, Althair. So it seems."

Janos has connected.

Sieth'nikek bobs slightly. "Your blood wine is, how do you say in the pathetic Terran language, on me." It turns to the bar and shuffles into Io's spot she just vacated. "I will purchase the Klingon's drink."

Jolvan looks down at the fallen woman,"You should mind your balance." turns to see if he can get the bartenders attention, then back down to the woman,"Do you need aide getting up?"

Edwards relaxes his posture and remarks, "I'm almost sorry that it calmed down. Then I remember that they're a lot bigger and stronger than me and suddenly I'm kinda relieved." He finishes rambling and resumes watching on with interest.

A small maintenance drone drifts by the window.

S'Terik carefully watches the Siinogan and the Klingon.

Itaani says to Edwards and Kour. "It may be the Klingons and Siinogans have previously established a protocol..."

Poole arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind her.

Poole has arrived.

Ghorev arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind him.

Ghorev has arrived.

VuQ'cheH watches the Siinogan scuttle past, and his fists begin to shake with controlled rage. He stands motionless, just watching the creature.

Io eyes the Romulan as she's already _standing_, "Thanks of the advice" she turns to the bug that just took her seat, and pokes it slightly in the back, "Excuse me..." She says, in a slightly angry voice. She taps her foot on the floor waiting for the bug to turn around..

Gwen returns, having only been gone a few minutes. Her eyes are red-rimmed, the only noticeable sign something else has happened to her. Next to her is Ghorev, to whom she says, "Being human is rather horrible sometimes...."

Kouramenos suppresses a soft laugh, looking to Edwards with a nod. "Well said." He looks back to Itaani, brow raising just a bit. With a rather soft tone of voice he inquires of her: "... one yells, one draws a knife, there's some feelers shaken, and everyone hugs?" But then, he's hearing the *tap* of a fingertip on chiteneous carapace... eyes wandering to Io. Eyes widening. Softly: "Oh, boy."

Ghorev says "Oh?" His antennae quirk. "Except for the poor hearing and the remarkably low tolerance for pain, I can't imagine it would be *all* bad."

Jolvan stands next to Io eyeing her exchange with the Insect about twice her size

Itaani nods. "The Klingon paid the Kalkaket a compliment of sorts, and in return a gift was made. I hope my intervention wasn't too improper, but we don't generally draw blade on holy people in my home world.

Edwards peers at Io curiously, although he doesn't feel the need to intervene. If she loses a hand, she'll have learned a valuable lesson about tapping on strange aliens.

Sieth'nikek's wholly unaware or uncaring of Io. It watches Sileel take a blood wine to VuQ, and turns, following her, vacating the seat anyway. It stands near S'Terik and VuQ'cheH, bobbing. "It is a time of celebration," it announces, following it with three raps of the staff on the deckplate. "The goddess is pleased!"

Ghorev eyes the big insect, as he follows Poole in. He is curious, of course.

"No," Kouramenos replies to Itaani in a suitably discreet murmur, "we're not in the habit of doing that from where I derive, either." His eyes are solely on the insect cleric now, following him as he wanders over to the other ambassadors.

S'Terik tilts his head to the side a little.

Edwards remarks to Itaani and Kouramenos, "Well, look at that. The Goddess is pleased." He smiles, looking pleased himself. "That's a good thing, right?" he inquires.

Gwen follows her companion's gaze and steers their course in that direction, coming up to the bar almost next to the large insectoid.

VuQ'cheH snaps out of his anger-filled stare, and accepts the flagon carefully. He sniffs at it distrustfully, then takes a sip. Yes, it's indeed bloodwine. "Why is your female god pleased, insect? It must be something important, if you choose to come to a place of weak humanoids to celebrate it." He fails to resist the urge to eye Poole and Ghorev as they enter, but he's more looking towards Poole.

Itaani smiles a bit at the bug-person's blessing. She lifts her glass amd murmurs something in her native language.

Io sighs and shrugs, siting back down in her seat. She mumbles something about bugs and goes back to ignoring the outside world. She isn't too happy at the moment but would would be after being knocked out of their seat then insulted by a bug thing?

Ghorev follows Poole's course.

Kouramenos smiling broadly as he watches the various Ambassadors mix it up, he nods once to Edwards. "As long as it doesn't involve making gifts of us? Sure, why not?"

Sileel darts among the dirty tables, cleaning them up.

Sieth'nikek says in Klingon, "A victory in battle, Klingon. One you can assuredly appreciate. Battle glorious as Siinogan warriors darken the sky against their unworthy foe."

"Um... Ambassador, sir." Gwen says, looking up to Sieth, dwarfed even more than she was by the klingon a little earlier. "Greetings."

VuQ'cheH seems surprised. "A victory? Against whom?" The Klingon drinks from his flagon.

Edwards lifts his shoulders in a shrug and comments, "I'm always up for a celebration." He waits to see if anything further's going to happen. Or if all the meeting and greeting among important people will continue.

Jolvan give the klinon his full attention

Sieth'nikek's head levels with the Klingon Ambassadors to watch him drink. "The planet your people call Bak'TUR." Woah, wait a second. That's a Klingon colony in this sector.

The flagon of bloodwine falls to the ground. A half second later, VuQ'cheH throws himself at the insectoid, roaring!

Again, the Vulcan's eyebrow perks up, but he refrains from saying anything.

S'Terik looks around sharply for security officers.

Itaani pauses. Face freezing a bit.

Itaani says, flatly. "Phasers."

The clink of glasses can be heard from a far corner.

Sieth'nikek falls back under VuQ's advance being extremely quick skittering in reverse. It pushes aside Ghorev and Poole without heed as it backpedals. By three or four steps, the Klingon Ambassador is snagged by Edwards and Itaani, who have drawn their phasers.

S'Terik furrows his eyebrows as he watches what happens, but remains otherwise motionless.

Ghorev is shoved aside, and stumbles down, catching himself on one knee and some nearby furniture. "What the---?"

Io mumbles something that sounds like, "I at least knew there was going to be bloodwine, a klingon and a bug..." then goes back to counting scrach marks, ignoring whatever's going on behind her...

Edwards is surely glad he had that Type I Phaser on him and levels it at vuQ'cheH, making sure to stay between him and the ambassador. "Whoa, now. Settle down!" Like that'll help. But he has to try, doesn't he?

Gwen gets shoved, bumping Ghorev, then falling to the floor for the second time in ten minutes. She stands right back up this time, however, straightening her uniform top. A smile appears on her lips for the first time tonight.... perhaps the klingon will get in trouble.

Itaani looks to the Klingon, and tries to turn just out of the way as he rushes on, tying a simple aikido-like move...

VuQ'cheH responds to Edwards and Itaani's accostation with a wide-stanced martial arts move, rooting himself and driving his palm at Itaani in response.

Ghorev rises from his kneeling position. And sighs. "Lieutenant," he says to Poole, "Do you want me to mix in this, or are you summoning security?"

S'Terik is still standing where he was before, arms dangling on his aside as he does not attempt to involve himself in the fighting.

Edwards has a fast hand and eye and once he sees vuQ'cheH take a swing at Itaani, he uses a famous Starfleet maneuver that was taught to him years ago. Namely, the 'push the trigger' on the phaser button. An energy beam from the weapon lances out at the Klingon ambassador. And yes, it's set to stun.

VuQ'cheH is about to strike Itaani in the equivilant of the solar plexus, when the blast from the phaser hits him square in the back. The Klingon falls to his knees, trying to fight off the stun -- but it doesn't look like he's succeeding. Thump. He falls over.

Itaani lofts back and to the side as Edwards fires before she can belay her order...

"I'll do the honors." Gwen says, tapping her combadge. "Lt. Poole to security, there's an incident in ...." Edward's phaser goes off, "Get a team down to the Neutral Zone, on the double."

Itaani looks at the Klingon, falling over. "Thath."

Ghorev mutters to Poole, "... that,... there... a... altercation, from the... our...".

S'Terik folds his arms into the large sleeves of his robe and slowly approaches the Siinogan. "Are you injured, Ambassador?"

Sieth'nikek steps over the body of the Klingon. "It is war with the Klingons. Let it be known throughout the Universe. The puny Klingon infestation will be driven from Siinogan space. The goddess demands it."

Edwards comments, "Problem solved." Sometimes someone just needs to pull the trigger. Or push it, in this case. He jogs over to the fallen Klingon and stands over him, just in case he feels like waking up and causing more trouble.

A young ensign carefully sidesteps one of the bar's more drunken patrons.

Several Klingons in the rear of the room get up once the scuffle is completed. The trio moves calmly towards the exit of the Neutral Zone, all glaring at the assembled crowd around the Siinogan and stunned Klingon ambassador, and strangely enough, they walk out. Not a single word spoken.

Ghorev says, aloud, "Infestation?"

Io turns around after hearing the phaser blast. Overly excited, she grabs the water dispenser gun thing that all bars have and waves it in defence, Only to relize the actions over. She sighs and gives the water thing back. She then turns and goes back to counting the marks on the table.. 1, 2, 3, 4, she counts to herself quietly..

Jolvan looks strangely dissapointed as they leave

"Ambassador..." Gwen calls, trying to get the large insect's attention. "Care to tell me what you're talking about?" She places her hands on her hips, giving herself a bit more authority.

S'Terik says "Do I correctly interpret your words, Ambassador? Your people are declaring war on the Klingons?"

Itaani turns slowly to the Siinogan ambassador. Regardless of how it may look, she does *not* aprove of the Siinogan's pronouncement.

Sieth'nikek's head swivels to S'Terik. "Yes." It then clicks its way toward the exit, its staff thumping against the deckplates.

Kouramenos sort of stands back, absently drawing his phaser from his belt. A decided grimace, an elevated level of concern as he edges closer. "Should I be doing something?" he asks no one in particular, stowing his phaser... bringing his hand back to scratch the back of his head.

S'Terik follows the insect at its side.

S'Terik says "Perchance you be willing to speak to me about this in greater detail?"

Sieth'nikek turns to S'Terik and pats its feelers across the Vulcan's head. "No," it says, and walks out of the Neutral Zone.

Edwards stands over vuQ'cheH, much like a hunter over a prize kill, and points his phaser at the ambassador's prone body. You can't be too careful around Klingons, conscious or not. Half of his attention goes to the rest of the room, though, and he mutters, "I'm guessing that this is just the beginning of a really bad situation."

Itaani says "Thank you, Mister Edwards. The tiliat of it is, he was probably in the right."

Janos looks down at the stunned klingon, "I would suggest writing out a report right away on this one.

S'Terik stops short of the door, but keeps staring after the insect.

Itaani steps closer. "Let's see if we can't get the Ambassador on his feet before his pride is more hirt than his policy."

Gwen frowns at the insectoid as he leaves, then looks to Edwards, and the fallen klingon. "Don't touch him...." She taps her combadge for the second time tonight, and says, "Poole to the infirmary, send a medical team down to the Neutral Zone."

Edwards grimaces at the mention of a 'report'. That's no fun. When Itaani makes her suggestion, he looks unsure, "He looks kinda heavy..." Thankfully, Poole stops that. "He shouldn't be hurt. Leftenant. I just stunned him."

S'Terik turns around to face the NZ, a place that he has never entered until today. He slowly approaches the Klingon, arms still folded inside his sleeves.

"A horrible situation," Kouramenos sighs as he lopes up alongside Edwards, slowly shaking his head. "I think stirred up Klingons are like a stirred up nest of red hide hornets." He resumes rubbing the back of his neck. "We can never be too sure," he murmurs, about the decision to call the medics.

"Klingons take -everything- personally." Gwen says under her breath. "I suppose we should move him, get some bloodwine, some potent stuff. Maybe it will bring him around."

Ghorev stands near Lt. Poole, looknig less than pleased at this turn of events. His antennae twitch and his brow furrows. He leans in to say somethign quietly to Poole.

S'Terik says "Is he conscious?"

S'Terik asks in general, looking at the Klingon.

Upon S'Terik's question, VuQ'cheH's fingers on his left hand twitch, as the stun just begins to wear off.

Ghorev mutters to Poole, "Regarding this... of... If... want... of... have that drink... have...".

A tellarite makes his way past. The exit parts for him and he disappears into the mall.

Ghorev flicks his glance to Poole. Then to the Klingon. He moves a little closer to the fallen ambassador, just in case, one hand curling into a light fist, also just in case.

Edwards doesn't fail to notice the twitch and suggests to everyone, "Maybe we should give him a wide berth. All those who don't wish to be stabbed..." He takes a step back, although his phaser remains trained on the Klingon.

Itaani says "Well, it seems one ally has a grievance against a protectorate. Come on, help me get the Ambassador on his feet.""

LeClerq arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind her.

LeClerq has arrived.

S'Terik says to the other ambassador, "Can you speak, VuQ'cheH?" He no longer uses the polite title to address the Klingon.

"Please do, Chief.... I should speak with Balin immediately." Gwen says, standing slowly.

Io sighs, says softly, "Another night on Station 419.." And orders herself a drink. Takeing a large sip of it once it arrives...

LeClerq blinks twice as she walks in. "Somebody call me?"

"Get... away... from... me!" VuQ'cheH pants, forcing himself to his feet, although it's clear the stun is still in effect. In essence, VuQ'cheH is in a state of horrible, unpleasant inebriation from the energy's effects. He shakes off any attempts to steady him, and he can't quite keep his eyes open just yet.

Janos has partially disconnected.

Ghorev nods to Poole and keeps an eye on the Klingon. Hearing LeClerq's voice: "Over here, Ensign." And then, to VuQ'cheH: "Please stay there, Ambassador, until we are convinced you're not likely to jump atop someone."

Janos slowly increases the distance between himself and the klingon

Kouramenos rubs the back of his neck - then suddenly finds himself rather suddenly backing away from the suddenly reactive Klingon.

"VuQ'cheH," S'Terik repeats in his emotionless, yet commanding voice.

Itaani nods to Edwards, perhaps to cover her if she's overextended. "Ambassador VuQcheh! You are among allies. Let's investigate this outrage before spilling the wrong blood under this roof, shall we?"

"Blood... what?" VuQ'cheH shakes his head, clearing it, the beads woven into his dreadlocks rattling. "SI'nogangan... where..." He turns, staggeringly, looking for the insectoid.

LeClerq walks over to Ghorev, and the other officers. "What happened here?"

Edwards releases a sigh and steps over to Kouramenos, just because he's the only real shipmate he has around here right now, "Lovely station, isn't it?" Glancing around at the others, he comments, "I'm sure the ambassador will be just fine. I'm sure all he needs is breathing room so he can get his bearings." And yes, his phaser is still pointed at the Klingon.

Jolvan just sit back on a stool and takes this all in, VuQ cheH on the floor, a Klingon colony invaded, and fighting about to erupt between two inferiors. Jolvan just smiles and orders a drink.

Ghorev says "Apparently, the Klingon ambassador jumped our new delegate ... you know, the almost 3 meter tall one with the many legs. He had to be subdued with a phaser blast, temporarily after turning his rage on our officers, as well."

Itaani stands in front of VuQcheh. "Ambassador. I understand your anger... He affronted us both, in a way. But let's be wise about this, shall we?"

"A very calm, placid place," Kouramenous replies to Edwards, smiling sheepishly. "I'm sure it'll be a great place to rest and relax while not off duty. Certainly appropriate for distressing." He looks back to the Klingon, extending a warm smile of sorts. "He, ah... oh, don't worry about that, Ambassador," he finally remarks, offhandedly. Like it'll help.

VuQ'cheH doesn't spot anything nearly three meters in height in the vicinity, and then rubs his face with his hands. "I need to contact... the High Council," he mutters, and then turns to stagger towards the exit, but LeClerq's in his way. He doesn't quite recognize her, blinking his eyes blearily, still suffering from stun.

Gwen starts to gather herself to leave, then stops short, thinking about it. "On second thought, Ghorev, I should stay... my report can wait for more details. I want to know exactly what's happened." To LeClerq, she says, "Take Ambassador VuQ'cheH into custody."

Edwards chuckles dryly at Kouramenos' comments before attempting to speak with the other officers in the near vicinity, "Might I suggest that security escort the ambassador to his quarters?..." He trails off at Poole's command. "Uh, Leftenant? We can't arrest a foreign diplomat..."

S'Terik follows the Klingon, but remains at a safe distance. "VuQ'cheH, what were you two talking about?"

LeClerq blinks, and nods to Poole. "Aye, Ma'am.." She turns to VuQ'cheH. "I'm sorry sir, but orders are orders."

Itaani tries to motion LeClerq out of the way. "Let's see the Ambassador to his quarters, Ensign. If he requires a stim, let's provide it..."

Io offers her drink to the bartender, who accepts it and quickly drinks the last of it down before puttering off to serve someone else. She stands stand starts for the exit, walking slowly as not to startle any currently rampaging Klingons...

The clink of glasses can be heard from a far corner.

"I didn't say arrest, Lt. I said take him into custody, and..." Gwen stares at Edwards, not being able to recognize him, she adds, "And need I remind you, you serve onboard the Aegis, not Station 419."

Edwards can't help but look a tad bit put out. He did take out the rampaging Klingon and all. But he curtails any snarky remarks and just responds, "I was only making a suggestion, ma'am. And pointing out an obvious point. My apologies."

"The SI'nogangan are invading," VuQ'cheH declares, shaking his head sharply again. "They... attacked Bak'tur... they must be... annihilated for this offense!" He shakes off any hands of guidance, and says, "I know the way from my quarters." He looks sharply at Gwen, and glowers. "Unless Wet-face wants to 'arrest' me."

Itaani looks to Poole. "Lieutenant. I would term this an incident between foreign diplomats, and would term the Kalkaket's actions as provocative. I stood between the Ambassadors on my own prerogative, and need not consider it an attack against myself as an officer."

Kouramenos scratches the back of his head anew, watching the whole situation with a kind of mild passivity. "Oh, boy," the Centauran murmurs... one hand comes up to tap Edwards on the shoulder. "This is the point where we indulge in some mild drinking, and maybe play some darts, old boy," he intones patiently.

S'Terik says "Do you know why they are invading?"

Jolvan Notices that no one here will share in his delight, he makes his way through the gather crowds to the exit.

Jolvan heads out and into the Mall.

Jolvan has left.

"I'll accept that insult as an equal trade for the one I gave you earlier, Ambassador. But I'm afraid you attacked someone on my station, and though I can't arrest you, I -can- hold you for questioning. I'll inform Starfleet Command, and you can send a communique to your Empire at the Security Station." Gwen replies, to VuQ'cheH.

Io mutters the question to herself as she heads for the door, "do you know _if_ they are invading..."

LeClerq looks to VuQ. "I'm sorry sir, but as per the Lt.'s orders, I must ask that you follow me to the security office.."

Edwards surrenders. Not that he was putting up much of a fight. While his phaser remains leveled at vuQ'cheH, so he can make sure that the Klingon doesn't try to impale anyone, he says nothing further about the incident to the 419 crew. Instead, he comments to Kouramenos, "I think we're watching the beginning of the end... for us."

Itaani also looks to VuQcheh. "My honour teaches to defend a priest, but my heart knows your anger, Ambassador. The Federation may be able to help, when the details are known." She looks to Poole, as though her decision troubled her.

"I'll make sure your Betazed Commander hears about this, Starfleet," VuQ'cheH snarls. Sidelong to S'Terik, he says, "Because their female god... 'goddess'... has told them to. What is the word?" He looks towards LeClerq, and then back at S'Terik. "A jihad?" He then motions towards the exit, glowering at LeClerq.

Itaani walks closer to Poole, now.

Io stops short of the door and moves quickly to a wall as the klingon motions to the door.

LeClerq heads out the door with a sigh. "I'll see you at security, Ma'am."

VuQ'cheH heads out and into the Mall.

VuQ'cheH has left.

"Jihad..." Gwen says softly, shaking her head. Looking to Itaani, she says, "He is not being arrested, Itaani. Please, trust me on that. I need to know what he knows about this incident..."

LeClerq heads out and into the Mall.

LeClerq has left.

You head out of the bar and into the Mall.

*** VuQ'cheH is escorted to security without much fuss. ***

LeClerq motions to a seat in front of the desk. "Well, Ambassador, care to tell me your side of the story?" she says, as she takes a seat behind the desk.

"There is nothing to say," VuQ'cheH declares, looking down at the seat, and then back at you. "The SI'nogangan declared that his 'people' attacked the Klingon colony Bak'tur, in this sector. That their 'Goddess' has declared that the SI'nogangan attack and destroy the Klingon Empire." He snorts derisively. "Pathetic."

Poole arrives from the mall, the office's transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind her.

Poole has arrived.

Itaani arrives from the mall, the office's transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind her.

Itaani has arrived.

Ghorev arrives from the mall, the office's transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind him.

Ghorev has arrived.

"There is nothing to say," VuQ'cheH declares, looking down at the seat, and then back at you. "The SI'nogangan declared that his 'people' attacked the Klingon colony Bak'tur, in this sector. That their 'Goddess' has declared that the SI'nogangan attack and destroy the Klingon Empire." He snorts derisively. "Pathetic." *repose*

You paged Poole with 'Assume it was confirmed by Balin on the way over here that it is confirmed - they Bak'TUR colony has fallen.'.

Ghorev follows along, clearly annoyed by the entire turn of events. Oh, yes, of course. Civilizations go to war, but his annoyance is paramount.

LeClerq jots notes down on a PADD. "And what caused you to wind up unconscious on the deck?"

"One of your Starfleet stunned me with his disruptor," VuQ'cheH declares, by which he means a phaser. He points at Itaani as the trio walks in. "The one that was with her. The human."

Gwen enters, leading Ghorev and Itaani. She heads straight for VuQ'cheH, "Ambassador. I meant you no slight, despite my actions earlier. I feel I must inform you that it has been confirmed. Bak'Tur has fallen." She stops in front of the klingon.

Itaani nods, as she comes in. "That's correct, Ambassador. Under my orders, he did. Whatever my sympathies may be."

LeClerq nods. "Was that Ensign Edwards that did the shooting Ma'am?"

Itaani says "He did. I was hoping to delay the incident, but I would have told him to hold if there was time. Our Ambassador here was too quick for that, of course.""

VuQ'cheH frowns at Poole. "I do not see you, nor can I hear you, Wetface," he says, lip curled derisively. He looks over at LeClerq, showing signs of agitation again. "Can I leave now, Starfleet?"

LeClerq sighs. "Aye, Ma'am.." She jots a bit more on her PADD, and says "Well, it's up to the Lt." she looks over to Poole. "Ma'am?"

Itaani looks to LeClerq as Poole speaks to the Klingon. "I'd prefer the matter be kept unofficial if the Ambassadors are willing. There are larger problems afoot, and both the people involved are ambassadors."

"Wetface?" Gwen says, moving closer to the Klingon, forcing him to look at her. "I should keep you here, away from any subspace linkups..."

"And I would kill you!" VuQ'cheH says back at Poole, spittle flying as he speaks forcefully. "I would break you in half for keeping me from my duty to the Klingon Empire High Council! As is sanctioned by the alliance between the Klingon and Federation!"

Itaani smiles quite strainedly to LeClerq. "You see what I mean, of course."

Ghorev says "Well, we've established that you can hear her, of course. But listen to yourself, Ambassador: You're letting your distsate for the Lieutenant interfere with your duty. You're letting your anger *spite* her."

LeClerq raises an eyebrow. "Ambassador, I would advise against any further violence." she says, nodding at Itaani. "We can always find room in the brig for you to let your temper cool.."

"You do not frighten me, Ambassador. I've faced much more worthy opponents." Gwen replies, wiping at the klingon spit, nasty stuff, on her face. "Still, in the interest of our government's alliance... You are free to go. Just don't start fights on my station again, or I will kill you myself."

VuQ'cheH looks to the side, at Ghorev. "Do you not have a code of honor too, Andorian?" Then, back to Poole, he smiles. A wicked, sharp-toothed Klingon smile. "I look forward to the challenge, human, if your Starfleet does not kill *you* for all the offenses I will be listing about your crew." He shoots a glare at LeClerq, and then gives a fist-to-the-shoulder salute to, of all people, Itaani. And then he turns, and heads out.

Itaani nods to Vuq, making a similar salute to him.

VuQ'cheH heads out of the station security office, the transparent aluminum doors sliding open at his approach.

VuQ'cheH has left.

Itaani says "I resolve to learn about the Klingon strictures of honour, I think.""

LeClerq lets out a breath, and says to Poole "That was pretty balsy, Ma'am, if you don't mind me saying so.."

Ghorev rubs his face, again. "A drink. Really. Just a drink."

Itaani frowns. murmuring, "Somehow in English grammar, that sounds quite meaningless..."

"I suppose so..." Gwen says softly, bringing a hand up to brush at her hair. "God... I swore after that row on the station 248, that I'd never stand toe-to-toe with a Klingon again."

Itaani smiles a bit. "I'll buy you one, Akeen Ghorev, though it may have to be later. But if Ambassador S'terik hasn't already chosen to do so, I would like to speak to the Siinogan priest. About the history of this bak'tur colony. It may have been theirs in the first place."

LeClerq sighs, taking more notes. "I wish Lt. Isaliee hadn't taken the security watch off him.."

Itaani frowns sadly a bit, as though a sense of tragedy had just overwhelmed her. . No Andorian likes to see strong friends fighting each other.

LeClerq has disconnected.

Ghorev rubs his face. "I don't care if it belonged to the Gods Themselves, really."

Itaani says "That may not be far from the Sinogan view of the truth, Akeen Ghorev.""

Ghorev says "I suppose, if this is serious, we're going to have to make some tough decisions if a peaceful solution can't be found."

Itaani says "I would like to see this end well. I find both peoples refreshing in their honesty.""

Ghorev says "The trick, then," and he leans against something, in thought, "is to *make* it end well, and to do that we need to know more."

Itaani nods, going right to a computer terminal. "Then, let's do that. Computer, initiate LCARS menu, Graalen text.

"Refreshing?" Gwen says, shaking her head. She sighs. "Balin knows what's going on, so I assume Starfleet Command knows as well. I'll file a report after supper."

Poole leaves without another word, heading along the mall ring.

Poole heads out of the station security office, the transparent aluminum doors sliding open at her approach.

Poole has left.

Itaani says "Considering our 'luck,' I'll do a brief tactical review first, then, perhaps we can find about Bak'tur."

Itaani muses, "I suppose our neighbors are so antisocial only because those who *are* more social are among us already..." Looking at the text. "This may take some time. Let's take it to the Zone."

Ghorev says "You're going to do research in the Neutral Zone? Good luck. I prefer my office for such things."

Itaani holds up a Padd. "There won;t be easy answers tonight, I think. I will order some ca-ffee.

Ghorev says "On the other hand, someone will need to keep the second officer from declaring war."

*** The officers make their way back to the Neutral Zone. ***

Sileel makes a sneering face at a patron who is getting a little too friendly.

Gwen is quite surprising tonight, or rather, 'insane' might be a better word. She smiles right back at Edwards, then catches sight of Nevaren and grabs the order of ale from Sileel, carrying it over to the engineer.

Itaani arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind her.

Itaani has arrived.

Itaani comes back in, skimming a Padd.

Nevaren is reading from his old, beat up cardassian made PADD, typing something onto the screen. He looks up at Poole as she arrives at his table, his pale bloodshot with veins of murky pale green. He quickly turns over his pad and puts it on the table. "Oh, good evening Lieutenant."

Kouramenos follows Edwards' gaze to Poole, smile fading just vaguely. Looks like he might have had some kind of intention to go introduce herself -- but then she goes and wanders off, and Kouramenos just finds himself shrugging. Not -that- aching to introduce himself to her. So, he finds himself looking back to Edwards with a sympathethic grin. "Same, for the most part. I guess I first joined," he admits, "to be a hero. But it's turned into a kind of passionate curiosity." Then, after a sip of sufficently cool coffee: "But I'm still in for thero business.

Edwards responds, "Me too. Why do you think I throw myself at rampaging Klingons? It's stupid, but if it works..." What he means should be fairly obvious. Just to inject something extra interesting into the conversation, he comments, "You know, I think the Leftenant likes me. We'll have to introduce ourselves sometime."

You have voted for Ghorev.

Itaani comes up to Kour and Edwards, looking to Sileel, and saying, "Coughie, please, Shai Sileel." She sets the padd down just a little punctuatively, and looks to Edwards. "Thank you, by the way, Mr. Edwards.

"Good evening, Nev." Gwen sets the ale down in front of him, then takes a seat across from him. "You look terrible, are you alright?" She really shouldn't be talking, she looks quite tired as well, but, of course, it looks better on her.

Ghorev arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind him.

Ghorev has arrived.

Nevaren shrugs, taking the ale and nodding thanks before taking a long draw off the pint. He wipes his lips after with a napkin. "I'm alive." is all he says.

Kouramenos smiles wryly at Edwards in reply. "I suppose the 'rough-and-tumble' was never my game," he admits, with a shrug. "I'll have to wait until a a replicator breaks down before I can roll up my sleeves and prove myself." At the sound of a familiar voice, Kouramenos turns to smile over a shoulder at Itaani. "Shaiya," he nods once, before looking back to Edwards. "I'm sure you could strike up something wonderful. Sure. There's -chemistry- there," he dryly replies, "like in the holos."

"Haven't been sleeping?" Gwen asks, taking a draw from her coffee. She examines Nev's face, then her gaze lowers, looking for that Bajoran religious decoration.

Edwards turns on his stool, so he can regard Kouramenos and Itaani, while he takes another sip of his synthehol. Setting the drink back down, he asides to Itaani, "It was nothing. Just doing my job, ma'am. Sorta." She gets a smile from him, then he comments to the engineer, "Of course there was chemistry. All good chemistry stems from hostility. That's what makes it so... explosive."

O'Doherty turns to look for something in the bar, in doing so he see Nevaren, and calls over to him,"Lieutenant sir. Might I join ya sir?" picks up his pint of Beer expecting a positive answer.

Kouramenos sips from his coffee, then glances up, smiling that same wry smile. "Like matter and anti-matter, right? Positively explosive."

The small bajoran medallion must be tucked into his uniform because it cannot be seen. "Sleep. I only need sleep for 6 hours out of every 36 if I want to." Nevaren says, rubbing an eye. He looks up at O'Doherty and shrugs "why not"

Ghorev comes up behind Poole. "Lieutenant?"

"Oh, Chief." Gwen looks up from her seat, "I think you may be working,, Lt. Nevaren a little too hard."

Nevaren looks up from his drink, surprised. "What. I'm *fine*. He's not working me too hard."

O'Doherty walks over to his officer, Beer in hand."How ya doin sir If ya don't mind me askin?" (sorry about the Pub thing)

Edwards nods matter-of-factly, "Right. There's an old Earth saying... people want, uh..." He pauses, trying to remember what it was. "The biggest bang for their... something. I think it had to do with money." He waves a hand dismissingly, as that part isn't all that important, anyway. "But I think the Leftenant is likely taken. She's not bad looking, and she was arguing with someone earlier."

Ghorev inhales, exhales. Looks at Poole. "You know, Lieutenant, if it's my administration techniques you want to discuss with me, we both keep office hours. I came back here to make sure you were alright, not to be adminonished for something I haven't done."

Itaani looks to Althair and Edwards. "Lieutenant Poole is a good officer. As to taken. Likely. But I *still* don't understand this monogamy thing. It seems quite ...unstable."

"Akeen... " Gwen catches herself, the andorian has never said it was alright to call him by his first name. "Chief. I didn't mean to sound accusatory. I apologize." She eyes Nev again, "-You- are working yourself too hard, then."

Nevaren shakes his head. "No, I *need* to work..." he picks up his padd and starts typing things on it, "..need to work." he mumble, as if trying to convince himself.

O'Doherty Takes the nearest available seat at the table," The Azimov is in fine order sir," Then leans over to lt Nevaren in a whisper "Do ya want me to break it sir? God forgive an engineer for sayin so." sit ups again

Kouramenos looks over his shoulder at Poole, chuckling his driest chuckle. "Mmmm... no, not so hard on the eyes, if I may say so about a superior officer... but you bring up a good point," he reminds, looking to Edwards. "She was arguing with that Klingon, too. Maybe she just argues with -everyone-... in which case, you ought to be careful. Might step on the toes of some of her other 'disagreement partners'." He looks back to Shaiya, grinning. "I don't doubt she's a good officer -- but I couldn't agree more on monogamy." A vague shrug. "It's not something my people /talk about/, mind... but it's not as if a marriage compact is entirely -exclusive-. I rather /love/ coffee... but I couldn't drink it every day, all day." With a smirk, he decides: "Sometimes, I need brandy."

Ghorev's antennae twitch. "Alright." But, you know, that's that reflex that tells you he's not 100% alright with it. "Are you in danger of tearing up the establishment, then, or can I trust you don't need a nursemaid?"

Edwards looks between Kouramenos and Itaani momentarily, as if trying to judge how he feels about what they're saying, then suddenly lifts his glass of synthehol into the air, "Here, here! Monogamy, shmonogamy. Maybe I ought to immerse myself in Centauran and Andorian culture more." he muses. With a grin plastered on his face, he takes a sip of his drink, then sets it back down.

A Human frieghter captain bemoans the current state of the Dominion war.

Itaani accepts her coffee from Sileel and raises it with both hands. Frowns a moment. "I should speak, I suppose." Sipping. "It's not easy to build a stable marriage in such times, not out here, at the least....

Nevaren looks over at O'Doherty. "Damnit, Chief. I'm alright. You don't have to do *anything*." He looks back at Ghorev. "No, I'm *not* going to tear up the establishment and I sure as hell don't need a babysitter. He stands up, grabbing his satchel. "Why is everybody insisting something is wrong. I'm not dead yet, am I?" he turns and walks away, ;eaving his drink and that cardassian padd of his on the table as he leaves.

Ghorev looks at Nevaren. "I was speaking to Lt. Poole, Mr. Nevaren. You've assured me repeatedly that you're fine, and I believe you."

Gwen's worry for Nev seems to take a slight backseat for a moment, and she stands, facing Ghorev. "I'm sorry, Chief? What did you say?" Something's wrong with her tone, like something is bubbling just under the surface.

Nevaren walks out of the NZ, mumbling something in bajoran.

Kouramenos looks up at Itaani, smiling faintly. "It never is, is it?" He looks back to Edwards, smiling quite proudly, "I'm glad to report that we Centaurans have a rather remarkable and fascinating culture that's beguiled -many- a Terran in the past. You ought to look at one of the holos I'd brought with me. I've created a kind of... 'tutorial' to Centauran culture. Still working out a few bugs, fo course..." A shrug and a chuckle, then he takes to sipping his coffee.

Nevaren heads out and into the Mall.