The two officers headed for the turbolift, and in a short time had beamed down to the starbase, joined by Commander Temoris and Subcommander Sovikruk – the latter wearing protective eyewear, as his eyes were not accustomed to the bright lights of a Federation starbase.  The quartet then began making their way through the station’s Promenade area towards a turbolift bank that led to the briefing rooms.

“Commander K’lev! My old friend! I look forward to working with you and your valiant crew again…” Kerak tried unsuccessfully to muffle the rumble of a belch.

Bamet simply nodded at the quartet before being forced to brace herself against the nearest wall. Her eyes had lost the ability to focus clearly, and the station seemed to be spinning from her perspective.

K’lev, slowed his pace, returning Bamet’s nod, then turning to Kerak.  “Likewise, Captain Kerak,” he replied, exchanging a warrior’s handshake with the rather inebriated Klingon.  He then motioned to his companions, each in turn as he introduced them.  “This is my first officer, Lieutenant Commander Ophelia Lotharys, and this is Commander Temoris of the RRW Kormoran and her first officer, Subcommander S-” he stopped himself, glancing quizzically at the hulking Reman as he remembered that – out of respect for Reman custom – that introduction needed to come from him.

“Subcommander Sovikruk,” he finished in his rumbling, gravelly voice; while some Remans still honored the old custom of keeping their names private, Sovikruk was not one of them.

K’lev nodded to the subcommander, then turned back to Kerak.  “We’re on our way to the final briefing; will you be joining us?”

“That is what our orders say. Lead on Commander.” Kerak said rather drunkenly.

K’lev nodded, turning and resuming his walk as Lotharys, Temoris, and Sovikruk fell into step with him.  The six made their way through the Promenade, having to stop a few times to wrangle the pair of drunken Klingons, but eventually reached the turbolifts, taking a ride up to one of the conference levels.  Leaving the lift, K’lev looked around, then flagged down a passing crewman.  “We’re scheduled for a briefing with base staff?  Which room?”

The crewman looked confused, but pointed at a door.  “I saw some people setting up in there, sir; I’m not sure, but I think that’s the only one being used right now.”

K’lev shared a glance with Lotharys, then made his way to the door, which swished open at the group’s approach.  The room itself was outdated by Starfleet’s standards, much like the rest of the base, but it appeared that at least the displays were more modern.  Already seated in the room was an Andorian lieutenant commander and a human ensign; both stood when the sextet entered.  “Welcome to Starbase 80, sirs,” the Andorian said, motioning to the chairs around the table.  “If you’d take your seats, we can begin.”

With plenty of seats down both sides of the table, K’lev and Lotharys took a pair on the Andorian’s right hand – next to the ensign – while Temoris and Sovikruk took seats on the opposite side, not for opposition but merely to be close to the screen.  K’lev seemed to be sitting on the edge of his seat, though because he was anxious or impatient it was hard to say.

Kerak was unsure whether he should have brought a bottle of bloodwine to tide him over for this meeting. Bamet on the other hand was unsure if she would be able to make it through the meeting without vomiting. The base itself was quite dilapidated and the conference room  reminded him of the interior of an old K class starbase from the 23rd century, with only slightly more modern furnishings. The two Klingons sat next to K’lev and Lotharys.