(( Ballroom- Duronis II Embassy ))
The party went on around them, with Hannibal, Kamela, Hella and Hannibal all sitting together. After calling out to Teller, who had not made it over to their table as of yet, Hannibal almost an entire tankard of bloodwine before he sat it back down on the table. They seemed to be separate from the rest of the gang, but not by choice. They should have been paying more attention to the Admiral, who made this entire thing possible. All her years of hard work, all they had accomplished together, was now in the hands of others. While they sat alone, a very familiar face came out of the crowd to join them...Admiral Turner.
Turner: What are you being so quiet about? You're usually the life of the party.
Allison: Feels more like a funeral than a celebration.
Parker: Yeah. Seems no one is really acknowledging those who made this day possible. Namely you , Admiral...
Turner: :: pulling out a chair and seating herself :: Mind if I sit down at your table for a moment?
Allison: Of course, Admiral...
Parker: You are always welcome at our table, and at our home.
Turner: I really enjoyed the party at your house last night. It felt good to be in company that were so welcoming.
Allison: Thank you Admiral.
Parker: My only lament is that we did not do that more often.
Turner: There was something I wanted to ask you before I left, but I had so much fun, I forgot about it.
Allison: Sure, Admiral...
Parker: You know you can ask us anything.
The three of them were more than shipmates, and Toni was more than their commanding officer. They were friends. Each had saved the lives of the others several times, and that formed a bond stronger than duranium, one which was impossible to break. Toni spoke.
Turner: Well, before we leave Til'ahn I want to say my final goodbye to Tallis, and I was wondering if y'all would go with me?
Captain Tallis Rhul. Hannibal at first hated him when he met him on board the USS Challenger- A as he considered the Bajoran to be a Cardassian collaborator. That turned out not to be true, but his father Tallis Kern and his mother Tallis Meral was the true collaborators with the Orion Syndicate. Tallis Kern killed his father on board the wrecked USS Sitak while he was trying to escape with his surviving crew during Operation Return. Rhul's brother was killed by the Syndicate when he tried to expose the truth about his parents. During the Orion/Klingon Invasion of 2389, Rhul, knowing about what his parents did to his brother, and what he did to Hannibals' father and mother, could not bring himself to kill his father when the opportunity presented itself. Hannibal, did not, brutally killing him with his Bowie knife, with Admiral Turner killing Talis Meral with a phaser blast. The Battle Of Bondi was won because Tallis Rhul, Admiral Turner, Hannibal and Kamela, with Hella providing air cover, held the pass which kept the Klingons from reinforcing the Orion lines, turning the tide for the Laudeans in this climatic battle for the planet. The two men had gone from enemies, to friends, to damn near brothers. A couple years later, Rhul lost his life when the Bluegill invaded Til'ahn, and he was buried with full military honors. There was no way they could not go with her. Hannibal spoke.
Parker: Of course we will, Admiral...
Allison: We'll go tomorrow...
Parker: Stephanie will want to go as well.
Hannibal knew she would. When Rhul resigned his command to go look for his missing brother, Stephanie Parker hid Rhul on board the Defiant, and she killed the assassin sent by the Syndicate to kill him. Kamela spoke.
Allison: We'll go tomorrow, at sundown.
Turner: response
TAG
Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker
Commanding Officer
Marine CO
USS Thunder-A/Duronis II Embassy
C238703HP0