The sun was setting over the Fjord golden rays of light danced upon the water. The great hall of Brimir was bathed in gold, and the. A pair of burning braziers flanked the heavy wooden entrance.

Six individuals ascended the granet steps to the hall’s entrance. Three humans, an Orion, Klingon,  and a Romulan. This was a rare unification of the three great powers of the Alpha Quadrant.

“These are an interesting people,” Ethan observed. 

“How so Commander?” Aoife asked breathing harder than she would have expected by just walking up these steps. Note to self: add in some cardio.

“We’ll, we did threaten to kill most of them or at the very least destroy their homes.”

“Perhaps they understand the circumstances,” Órlaith replied. 

“I understand,” Hur’agha replied. “They live a warrior’s culture.”

Kirin quirked a smile at that and looked around at the scenery of the fjord and the great hall before them, “They will understand why we did what we did but they will be unlikely to forget. I am glad it worked out in the end.”

“It did,  but the cost was great,” Governor Tomarah. “However, the alternative could have been much worse.”

Aoife frowned.  Tomarah was right.  There had been several fatalities amongst the Starfleet crews, and of the seven ships that had accompanied Hur’agha only two were operational with a third salvageable.  The Romulan fleet had been hit even harder with the destruction of all of the D7s, three D’deridex warbirds, and several others of varying types. 

“The dead will be honored in Stov’o’kor,” Hur’agha added confidently. 

Aoife hoped the Klingon was right. At least for her people.  Taking a deep breath she pulled open the door to the great hall.  The wrought-iron hinges creaked under the weight of the oak door. 

Kirin drew up short as the doors to the great hall opened and marvelled at the view and muttered, “That is something.” The large hall was made entirely out old growth wood and a large fire pit in the very centre. Looking at the others Kirin shrugged, “Guess we just go in?”

“We were invited,” Órlaith replied.

As they entered the assembled within fell silent and stood. The people parted to either side of the hall creating a path to the back where there was a low raised dias upon a wooden throne rested.  A man with a goblet in his hand stood and beckoned the them to them. 

“Welcome to the Hall of Brimir warriors of Oden,” he announced.  Aoife glanced at Órlaith and she was sure the other woman saw the absurdity of this man acting like a Viking chieftain while dressed like a politician. “I am Rolf Thorson, Jarl of this district.”

Giving Órlaith one last look Aoife stepped forward and introduced their party. “May introduce Captains Tarkin, and Murphey. Commander Hur’aga of the Klingon Empire and Governor Tomorah of the Romulan Free States. I am Captain McKenzie.”

“We owe you and your crews a debt of gratitude,” Thorson replied. “You have all risked much to ensure our freedoms were preserved.” 

Kirin nodded in response before she spoke, “It is our duty to protect those who are in need of assistance. I know we would do it again if asked. I am just glad that we were victorious.”

“We feast in your honor,” Thorson announced and raised a horn of mead to the ceiling.” 

Long tables that had lined the interior walls were moved towards the center of the hall and benches set up. The assembled guests took their seats and severs set the tables.

“I swear if they bring out some roasted venison on a wooden spit I am going to  lose my ability to keep my composure.  It’s like these people watched a bad Hollywood movie and built a society upon it,” Órlaith said leaning into Kirin. 

“What is this, ‘Hollywood movie’,” Tomarah asked her head cooked in confusion. “Yes, we Romulans head better than you Humans.”

Kirin laughed, “We differ on that one Órlaith. I for one am a big fan of venison.” She then turned to Tomarah, “Hollywood, correct me if I am wrong,” glancing at Órlaith, “is a reference to where many motion pictures were, are made on Earth.” She then picked up a large mug of mead and took a long sip of it. Glancing at the others she shrugged, “When in Rome?”

“When in Rome,” Órlaith echoed and took a drink of her own.

The food ended up not being roasted deer, but rather mundane pork.  Based on the smoked flavouring flame was still used to cook it. The meal also included fish, mashed potatoes and some sort of vile substance someone referred to as lutefisk that looked like it had started life as fish.

Kirin happily dug into the meal while making a mental note to get some of the mead and food for her crew if possible, there was no substitute for fresh food.

She looked over at Thorson and finished off a sip from her glass before she spoke, “Jarl Thorson, I am curious about the culture you have set up here. You are a long way from the traditional grounds of the Norse culture. Do many of the people of this planet trace their heritage back to,” she paused for a moment as she tried to remember where on hear this culture arose as she had to read up on it before she beamed down, “Ah, was it Scandinavia?”

“No, very few,” the Jarl replied.  “But our founders were. They requested that the planet be terraformed in the fashion of Scandinavia and they built a society around that.  In the old days they were a little more harcore with the Viking thing. Now, eighty years later this is more or less just tradition. We only break out all of this during special occasions of during the Viking festivals during of Yule, Beltane, and Samahin. Of course government duties have changed very little over the years. As you can see with the title of Jarl and the hall where civic matters are attended to. But, for the most part most of our people live like every other Federation citizen.”

Kirin nodded as she listed, “It is fascinating the effort the founders of the colony put in and to terraform the world as such. An impressive and beautiful feat.” She turned to Órlaith, Tomarah, Hur’agha and Aoife as she smiled, “Is everyone enjoying the feast?”

“I do not understand you humans and your obsession with cooking your food,” Hur’agha frowned. “However,  this mead is a warrior’s drink if not a little weak”

“I for one find the food rather enjoyable,” Tomarah said who seemed to be enjoying the lutefisk. “This reminds me of a dish I used to have on Romulas.”

Kirin smiled as she disagreed with Hur’agha about the mead being weak. She had to admit she was caught off guard by its strength and was feeling a little tipsy. “While I do enjoy gagh there are times when something cooked hits the spot. The lutefisk thought I will have to take your word on it Tomarah. Doesn’t work for me sadly.”

“That is unfortunate. In the Free States this would be  celebrated as a delicacy.  A nod to what we lost when our home was destroyed.”

Kirin nodded in understanding as an idea crossed her mind, “As my Operations officer would likely point out that there is latinum to be made. Perhaps you can reach an agreement with the Jarl about gaining access to this delicacy. Friendships have been strengthened over less.”

“That sounds like an opportunity for your operations officer,” Tomorah replied. “Not for an old woman such as myself. I have no interest in trade or business.”

Kirin smirked as she reached for another serving of food, “I will be sure to let Belania know.”

“Órlaith, I have been meaning to ask, how is the Andromeda? Are you enjoying commanding her?”

“It’s been a breeze,” the Andromeda’s captain replied. “I enjoyed the Crazy Horse It was always a fight with her old systems.  The computer was old and tried and at least several generations behind the more modern ones with bio-neural gel packs. But you know, I miss that old hunk of bolts. When you hit warp you felt it in the deck plates,  and a ship’s galley and mess was always a great way to met up and connect with the crew.”

Órlaith had replaced Aoife when she had gotten transported to Avalon.  Even though it was only a little over a year that felt like a lifetime ago, and Nicholas,  her XO came back from there different.  There was a sadness to the man now.

“Órlaith I know exactly what you mean, but now we can be explorers again,” Aoife said.

Órlaith raised her cup, “To exploration.”

Aoife raised her’s in response,  “To old friends and new. We couldn’t have done it without you..”

Kirin smiled at that and raised her cup along with many others at the table, “Too old friends and new.”