((Observation Lounge, USS Discovery))

::After Ford's outburst the meeting had quickly degenerated into bickering. It
was obvious that Ford thought that he should be commanding the fleet, and that
he trusted Tyr about as far as he could throw him. The heavy accent was also
annoying to the Ba'ku.::

o O I wonder if he keeps a spittoon by the Captain's chair. O o

::With that thought, a small smile crept onto his face for a moment, then he
returned to business as his orders sank in. He doubted either Captain was happy
about being ordered by someone of the same rank, but Tyr's authority was clear
on this.::

GINSBERG: Then it is settled?

STRUNTZ: So for the moment orders Achilles and Poseidon are to sit around and
wait for the Saurians to come to the colony?

WALTAS: For the moment we need the resources of the two larger ships to be on
standby for evacuation, Captain. I'm not asking you to sit on the sidelines-as a
matter of fact if it does come to evacuation your ships will be key-the Klingons
and Discovery will provide escort and support but it will be up to you to
evacuate the colony. Colonel McCall is our Marine CO and is working on a plan to
deal with the Saurians should they attempt to intervene. I would suggest you
coordinate with him.

STRUNTZ: Do we have any reports of recent activity other than the attack on the
transport? Do want to know the timeframes we will be looking at before
encountering the Saurians.

GINSBERG: Only an infrance, all signals are being jammed at the source of the
colony. It is conceivable that the Saurians are already tending the planet. Like
most hostage negotiations you keep your hostages where you can see them.

WALTAS::Leaning forward, addressing the three Captains:: Gentlemen, I know we
all have different ideas on how to address this situation, and I'm sure each of
us feels our plan is the best. Regardless of that, Starfleet's orders stand and
I feel this is our best chance of success. I'm asking for your cooperation and
your trust. I have no desire to endanger lives any more than you do. I ask that
we put aside our differences for the time being and work toward what is our
primary goal.

STRUNTZ / FORD / TOR'EL: response

WALTAS: Good. Now, I think..

:: Red claxons sounded the halls of the Discovery. Tyr's eyes immediately turned
to the door.::

WALTAS: It appears we may not have to wait long to see if this works. Captains
may I suggest you return to your ships. We will communicate via Starfleet
priority channel 3. Make sure it's encrypted and tied in. ::Turning, handing the
Klingon a PADD:: Captain Tor'el, this will allow you to tie in to the channel as
well. It is not normally shared even with our allies but I am entrusting you
with it due to the delicate nature of the mission. On your honor I ask that you
destroy it after we are finished here.

TOR'EL: response

WALTAS::Meeting the gaze of each Captain:: Good luck, gentlemen.

STRUNTZ / FORD: response

WALTAS::Smiling at his new Klingon friend:: Ka'plah!

TOR'EL: response

::Tyr returned to the bridge, which was now darkened with the red alert status.
He looked at Eskyys as he rose from the command chair.::

WALTAS: Report.

ESKYYS: response

WALTAS: Visual.

::Tyr turned to the viewscreen and his mouth dropped open. Approaching them was
a ship of enormous proportions. It was black with what appeared to be silver and
pearls shining the the light of the planet reflected from the Borlin sun. The
massive red plasma field in the center looked like something out of the ancient
earth science fiction movies.::

WALTAS: My god...::Turning to Mitchell:: Tactical anaylsis.

MITCHELL: response

OOC: Richard-you might want to get with Leona on the specs for the alien ship.

WALTAS::Arching an eyebrow, he sat down in the command chair:: Now I see why the
Klingons were destroyed so easily.

MITCHELL: response

WALTAS: Tie in the Poseidon, Achilles and the Klingons. Onscreen.

::The viewscreen snapped on to reveal what appeared to be a Genuran, with slight
differences in facial structure. The creature was dressed in opulent clothing
and gazed at Tyr with what he perceived as an arrogant eye.::

TONLAN: I am General Tonlan of the Saurian Imperial Forces, and Military adviser
to his majesty Emperor Sha'tean the eighth. We have taken military control of
this sector. The Emperor in his wisdom, sees that his control of your people can
be stressful and as such will allow safe entrance into our space for you and
your representatives who may Parley with his Majesty on the surface of Gondon,
Ancestral grounds. Only limited accompaniment and no armed personnel will be
allowed near the planet. Any attempts at aggression or subterfuge and you and
your allies will forfeit diplomacy and risk destruction.

o O You arrogant... O o

WALTAS::Calming himself:: General Tonlan, I am Captain Tyr Waltas, commanding
officer of the USS Discovery. My task force has been dispatched here to
investigate an incursion into Federation space and the destruction of a Klingon
transport, as well as the silence of one of our colonies. Although we welcome
interaction with new races, we do not recognize your claim on this sector. I
would ask that we meet to discuss the situation face to face.

TONLAN: As with our military protocol you may send one unarmed Human to your
colony.

WALTAS: General, I respect your protocol but considering the size of the colony
I would ask..

TONLAN: The Emperor will see you on the Surface in one twenty fourth of a
rotation of this planet.

TONLAN: We will now end this transmission.

WALTAS: General, I...

::The viewscreen snapped off before he could complete his sentence. Sighing, Tyr
turned to the Ambassador.::

WALTAS::Sarcastically:: Well, that went well.

GINSBERG: Don't fret Captain it takes a bit of thought, the planet takes about
eight days to revolve around the nearby star a twenty forth is roughly an hour
or two. My daughter is much better at these calculations than I am.

LEONA: She's right Captain, 1.5 hours.

WALTAS: Ambassador, based on what they've said how do you want to proceed?

GINSBERG: response

WALTAS: I will not send a Federation Ambassador alone to an unstable situation.

GINSBERG: response

WALTAS: Counselor Blueheart and I will be accompanying you as well.

GINSBERG: response

WALTAS: And it is my duty to protect Federation citizens of which you are one.
There are already 5,000 colonists in danger I will not give them a Federation
Ambassador as well. =/\= Waltas to McCall. =/\=

MCCALL: response

WALTAS: =/\= Ambassador Ginsberg and I will be meeting with the
Saurian..."Emperor". I need two of your best to accompany us. Also we'll be
sending the Romulan scout down to the colony cloaked to survey. We could arrange
insert a squad of Marines at that time as well. =/\=

MCCALL: response

WALTAS: Mitchell, get the Scout ready to fly and work with Eskyys on getting her
out of here without being detected by the Saurians. I want a full survey of the
colony. Take her yourself or pick someone you trust.

MITCHELL: response

WALTAS: Lieutenant Leona, coordinate your science teams and find out what you
can about the Saurians. I don't know if their shields are up but they've
certainly scanned us, so they can't expect us not to return the favor.

LEONA: response

WALTAS: Tie me in with the other Captains. Priority channel 3.

::The images of each bridge appeared on the screen as well as their respective
Captains.::

WALTAS: Gentlemen, you heard what the Saurians had to say. Thoughts?

ANYONE: response

WALTAS: I think we're going to have to play their game for now but I will not
accept that this is their territory simply because they say it is. We're
preparing to execute the plan we discussed. Tor'el, are your Birds ready?

TOR'EL: response

WALTAS: Captain Ford, Captain Struntz, I have a feeling we're going to need your
services as evac. I am sending a detachment of Marines to the surface in the
scout. Once we get the people organized and ready we'll need you to begin
evacuation if our "discussion" with the Emperor goes badly.

STRUNTZ / FORD: response

WALTAS: I wouldn't suggest letting your guard down until absolutely necessary.
The Saurians appear to be armed to the teeth. If the time comes, my fighters and
the Klingons will protect the Poseidon and Achilles until evac is complete.

STRUNTZ / FORD: response.

WALTAS: Waltas out. ::Turning to the bridge crew:: Let's move, people.

TAG EVERYONE

============================
Captain Tyr Waltas
Commanding Officer
USS Discovery