Sun Tzu's The art of war: An object lesson

Posted on 04 Jun 2009 @ 11:29am by

3,542 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: M2: Aggressive Negotiations
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: Day 2 - 1430

ON:

T'Pal watched the people file out of the briefing and then walked towards the Ambassador. "Are you ready to have a meeting now?" asked the hybrid Klingon.

"My people are overseeing the transfer of my goods, I have no pressing engagements at present," Isha said, "Presumably this ship has a lounge or somewhere that we can use? Maybe this room if no-one has any current need for it," she suggested.

"This will be good, I would prefer we not be disturbed for now, perhaps later I can accompany you to the lounge, if you require that, since you need a security detail," T'Pal added drily.

"So I am told," Isha remarked as she approached the replicator and produced a cup of tea, "Though I am not quite sure if that is for my own protection, or to ensure that I do not develop any inclination to poke my nose too deeply into the workings of this ship. I am choosing to assume it is the former. Would you like one?" Receiving a no response Isha extracted her own steaming cup from the device and turned back to the room.

Once they were alone, T'Pal indicated for them to take seats again. "I am intrigued, I interrogated Nniol and you featured quite strongly," T"Pal stated, studying her, but not saying anything more.

Isha placed her cup on the table and lowered herself into the same chair she had occupied during the previous meeting. "I imagine my husband's brother was concerned that he didn't hit me quite hard enough," she said.

"It seems so, he did cast the blame for the attack in your direction, as I am sure you must know by now. What is your relationship with him?"

"You would hardly believe me if I claimed we were the best of friends. Do you intend to interrogate me too, or is this enquiry to satisfy your personal curiosity?" Isha asked, her question as measured as her tone.

"Let me say it this way. I am curious, but if anything is revealed that would shed light on the matter as a whole, obviously I will need to take into consideration, but this is no official interrogation."

Isha nodded as she folded her hands in her lap, "I am not subject to your laws," she reminded T'Pal, "but it is in all our interests to co-operate. I will participate in this conversation for as long as I believe you are being objective. As I told your colleague, Lieutenant Elek, my husband's brother and I have long had a difficult relationship - and recently our cold and forced cooperation became open hostility."

T'Pal contemplated telling the ambassador that she had had a mend meld with the piece of Bactaq, but didn't trust her enough. "Why is that?" she asked.

"I suspect, Lieutenant T'Pal that you are not that used to speaking with Romulans," Isha said with a slight and hollow smile, as if something had amused her, but not quite. "I could interpret your question in any number of ways - an enquiry about the reason for my choice to co-operate, a query about why I said what I did to Lieutenant Elek or even a precursor to a brief and no-doubt unusual game of lhi. What did Nniol tell you?"

"I will answer that in a moment". T'Pal wanted to address her other comment first. "My question *obviously* referred to the last comment you made, Ambassador. If I needed a response on anything else, I would have specified it... and your suspicion is misplaced, I have dealt with Romulans before, however it seems I have forgotten their 'need' for clarification," she said. It was not quite clear whether or not there was sarcasm in her voice. "Before I answer your question, answer mine first and let me rephrase it for your benefit. Why did your recently cold and forced co-operation became open hostility?"

Isha chuckled, "'Obviousness' is a subjective state Lieutenant. It is not logical to leave one's meaning open when talking with a representative of a species possessing an often deserved reputation for opting to apply the most convenient interpretation on words.," she raised her cup to her lips and sipped slowly before placing it down again. Only then did she continue, "Nniol objected to losing his status as my proxy whilst I have need to be outside the Empire; indeed despite a rather generous settlement, he objected so strongly that I had him entirely removed from the succession."

The answer made sense to T'Pal and she nodded slowly. Not that she trusted the Ambassador yet. "You are correct, ‘Obvious' is subjective,†she said leaning back in her chair. "However, sometimes I am more interested in the response to the question and *how* it is answered than the answer itself," she explained. "And in Nniol's case it was the same. I wanted to find a plausible explanation for the deeply personal vindictiveness I had encountered during my dealings with him," T'Pal reciprocated an answer. "And your explanation seems to do that."

"Perhaps you would care to share some of that vindictiveness with me," Isha suggested, "I think I have a right to learn what has been said about me - I might even be able to confirm what is true and what may be less so."

T'Pal had no inclination to get involved unintentionally in a Romulan House vendetta, but for the same of their ongoing investigation, she was willing to share some. "He proclaimed that you could have stopped the attack, but didn't and that his only part was to take out the shield generators and remove you," she summarized.

"He he he said that!" Isha's reply was a cynical laugh before she controlled it. Opaka had witnessed it - part of it, the records she had shared would show it, but Isha was reluctant even to defend herself- how ever could they understand his demand?

"I was given the option of preventing the attack," Isha said, though the terms were not as plain as her words appeared to be.

"Explain that ....please" T'Pal said remembering that this was not an interrogation. "What was the reason you did not?"

"His terms were unacceptable to me," Isha replied.

"Who's terms, Nniol's?"

Isha splayed her fingers across the edge of the shining table watching the minute beads of moisture that clouded the pristine surface. "Yes, Lieutenant," she said quietly, "Unacceptable as an Ambassador, as his Hru'Hfirh, and as a woman. On no grounds would I consent!" with that her bright green eyes flicked up, challenging her un-interrogator to contradict her.

"Yes, a marriage like that would not exactly be for *love* now would it..?" T'Pal said drily, her eyes showed her distaste, whether for the situation or the woman was not clear. "So that was it.....Not only did you strip him of his power and position, but also humiliated him," she said thoughtfully. "Why not consent, save hundreds of lives and then kill him?"

"A person of my status does not grow up with romantic notions of love,†Isha said, incredulous, “and you overestimate my ability and willingness to commit murder. Once one delivers oneself into to such a situation one's options are eliminated by the legalities and in this particular situation I would imagine with imprisonment and the administration of certain drugs that render the will inactive.â€

"Pity," T'Pal said and motioned for her to continue, her tone indicating just how much she would have loved the opportunity to kill him, not hiding that from the woman.

“Nniol offered terms, though he knew they were terms I would refuse. He wants the House and does not care how he gets it; the gist of the message was that he had sufficient influence to try and persuade the other commanders to break off the attack but that he would do this only if I agreed.â€

There was something there that had caught her attention, but she wanted this line of thought to continue first. She would come back to that. "What were the exact terms?" she asked interested. In her mind the woman could still have found a way to rid herself of her *husband*. The fact that the station was attacked and someone could have prevented it, frustrated her, but that was not the issue now.

“For me to accept him as my husband – its perfectly legal and the bloodlines have already proven themselves to be a strong match. The details … he asked me to retire from public life and make it clear and indisputable that I consider him my equal in all matters. He would use me only until he sired an heir on me, after that I was to name my existing son successor after my mother to House Khellian and support the right of Nniol’s new heir to lead the Illialhlae after him. After that he would allow me to live quietly in return for my continued co-operation – a business transaction as binding and as slippery as any you might expect from a Ferengi.â€

"Right," T'Pal said. "What did you tell him that had him so ..pissed?"

“My response was - and this is the polite version - to tell him that I would sooner screw a Klingon. That is when Opaka returned.†Isha said she didn’t see the point in sugar coating it, they hated her anyway. “Nniol's response was to tell me that he’d arrange that if was what it would take to break me, and if I was still in one piece, he’d repeat his offer one final time.â€

"Pity you didn't know me a few days ago I would have done the killing for you.... I would find particular pleasure to see his face when he realized that he was screwed," she said revealing some venom of her own, followed by a small smile.

"If it were so simple, T'Pal ... " Isha said, thoughtful.

"T'Pal snorted knowingly. "I have a few more questions for you. From the time knowing that there was an attack, did you exhaust every possibility to prevent it?" T'Pal asked the one question that was critical to her.

"I rejected the last possibility for a peaceful resolution when I rejected Nniol's 'proposal'," Isha said. "He never expected me to accept his terms - but later, he expected me to comply. Without the Federation officer who was taken aboard the Vrelnec with me, well, I would have given in by now. They did not allow for that presence, and without him our worlds would look different."

"Nniol meant me to be taken alone. Had I been - well, he would be amusing himself, and I would be examining ways I might open a vein once I was certain my family was secure. A futile occupation, because he would never allow me such knowledge. However reasonable his words, T'Pal, he wants to break me, and have me yield."

"But that is a futile occupation for him now, since he is in cusody,' T'Pal said

"I would never assume to underestimate my husband's brother," Isha warned, "he does not respect boundaries."

"I assure you.... I take note of that..." T'Pal commented and then remembered something else she needed clarification on. "By the way...Which Klingon was he referring to?"

Sharply Isha drew a breath through her nose - some things could be shared, others not - "Nniol is most unlikely to have any Klingon friends, even less one who would agree to violate me," Isha said as she struggled to reconcile her facts.

A raised eyebrow indicated that T"Pal wasn't fooled. The Ambassador was experienced and a slip like that could only mean one thing, that that Klingon was significant. "I can get that name from Nniol, but I'd rather have it from you." Knowing exactly what to look for, that was the truth, if she did a mind meld with him again. Not that she had any intention to, unless the prize was to kill him.

"Do it the easy way, T'Pal," Isha said, "One way or the other I lose, take your comfort in that."

Tentatively Isha rose to her feet, "I do not know how he intended that to happen- there are mercenaries of all species who would clamour for a new experience - but I know my husband's brother," she continued, her tone as dry as her lips, as she recalled his words, "he owns a ... 'man, slave, prisoner, its all the same ' ... who, for whatever reason will consent to rape me until I scream for Nniol to let him release me - T'Pal, I am not an unreasonable woman, but I know what sort of an opponent we are dealing with.†Isha tightened her fingers around her knees once again, "I want to end this ... are you capable of helping me to do that?"

A little smile formed at the corner of T'Pal's lips. "I am *capable* of a great many things...." she said and left the implication open. "For the record, I don't take.... *comfort* in your losing, but I might just in that of your..... *friend*": she said with a hint of sarcasm.

"The degree of your comfort or otherwise is, oddly indifferent to me," Isha said, "as is the extent of your capability particularly if you inclined to categorise my husband's brother as my 'friend'."

Isha stood quickly and sharply enough to make her chair shunt out behind her and her own ribs grind once again. She straightened. "Make your own decisions T'Pal, you have told me little enough about what my husband's brother has told you. I can draw one of two conclusions - either he told you nothing, which I would quite believe or he told you things that are inadmissable to me - whether because of the content or your own methods I have no idea.

"If it were the latter, think on what he told you, T'Pal," Isha did not use the term 'said' which implied compliance - "and if, after you have so thought you believe you can dare just a little for once in your life, let me know. I have business on DS5 before we leave and my time to waste on frivolous chatter such as this is limited."

She stepped neatly around the chair; "As I am required to have a guard whilst on board this ship I ask you to escort me as far as the ramp so that I may depart," if she would not then Isha would go anyway.

T'Pal also got up, but stepped to halt her from starting to walk. "Ambassador... I think you misunderstood my intent," she said. "My disgust for Nniol had overcome me for a moment and the word *friend* was meant to emphasize our mutual.... disregard for him... he is as little my *friend* as he is yours," T'Pal explained. "And yes I will escort you, I believe we have more to discuss, if you can accept my apology." T'Pal said indicating that she was willing to share more information. However she was not apologetic in her demeanor, but matter of facty and impersonal, though genuine. This conversation could be mutually beneficial and they both knew that.

“I will accept your apology exactly as it is meant, Lieutenant,†Isha said, her control on her own emotions was thinner than she had thought. “Tell me first what he did to irk you so.â€

A smirk formed at the concerns of her mouth. "No one threatens to rape me and think he would live to complete the task. I had a mind meld with him," she said more quietly, but with more venom. "I saw what kind of mind he had.... he has no honour, no loyalty..." she with loathing. She knew she took a risk in telling Isha about the meld, It had not slipped out, she had intended to tell her when needed and this seemed to be an appropriate moment to share that.

"That probably was not advisable. I will forget you told me that," Isha leaned her hip against the edge of the table and wrapped her arms around her body, "If I fail, T'Pal, and he wins, be careful, my husband's brother does not waste time on empty threats - his resources are already considerable, and if my own were added - well, he would become untouchable. Nniol went to a great deal of trouble to take me alive and legitimacy and stability are of great importance. My daughter is my appointed heir and he knows that if he tries to seize the House that it would escalate that still applies in the event of my death, he requires my consent to make the transition as smooth as possible, or else my utter ruin.†Isha thought of her son’s escape and of the confession they had found drafted on the padd she had left with Opaka – they could have forced her to sign that and then blackmailed her to co-operate. “I would not enslave myself to a man like Nniol, if nothing else, I think you will understand that.â€

T'Pal nodded slowly. "You can be assured, I will be careful," she said thoughtfully. "For your information, Nniol has no memory of the action I took and as far as I know, he is still under the impression that he might have been successful to cast sufficient doubt on your integrity. I think it is best that he continues to believe that. If it wasn't for the meld, I don't think I would have been so convinced of how ruthless he is," she said wishing now that she had killed him, her gaze drifting to the viewport. "What was it that you wanted me to help you with?" she asked and then turned her gaze back to Isha.

“I will bear that in mind – nothing is ever entirely hidden, there are always scars if one knows what to look for – I will do what I can to make sure that whoever examines him focuses elsewhere. I don’t think that I asked for your help, T’Pal but perhaps the way in which you can aid me most is to retain that doubt which my husband’s brother has so carefully tried to exploit. It matters not to me whether you trust me, or believe there is reason to doubt my integrity – I am very good at making friends even where I have no reason to expect to find them – a cynical voice would be very helpful for all of us and might just prevent me from accidentally charming the entire crew of this ship into siding with me when they would do better to retain their objectivity.â€

Isha had indeed asked her if she was capable of helping her, but it was not really the issue. The man had to be stopped and T'Pal wanted to play part in that and if that meant working with the Ambassador, so be it. "Cynicism comes natural to me. I am only convinced of Nniol's dishonourable intentions," T'Pal she said, the word dishonorable carrying a far deeper meaning than Federation Standard would convey. "Let me say it this way Ambassador. An enemy of my enemy is my *Ally*," she said simply, not saying whether or not she trusted Isha implicitly. For the purpose of this mission and for as long as it would be mutually beneficial, T'Pal would* aid* her and would expect the same in return.

“Then we have an understanding, Lieutenant T’Pal,†Isha said, she almost said more but that might be a step too far for both of them at this stage; T’Pal she thought, would quite easily be able to do it, and, she surmised, quite willing but once she agreed there would be no backing out.

"Just one more thing..." T'Pal, not finding it necessary to add "for now", they both knew it was implied. "How much influence did Nniol have? What were his chances to actually prevent the attack from happening had you agreed to his terms?" T'Pal asked the question that had been on her mind. Isha could use this to her advantage, but that might be something T'Pal would notice, and would influence the relationship.

Isha tilted her head, “Men who refuse to waste their time making idle threats rarely make empty promises,†she said, not convinced that T’Pal had understood her at all. She would put the security of her House above a thousand Federation lives, and certainly above her own.

Once again T'Pal was more interested in who the question was answered, rather than the words. She had heard exactly what she wanted to, and when her gaze held that of the Ambassador, having noticed the subtle elements of doubt, her eyes told her that she had indeed understood. "Shall we?" T'Pal indicated the door, so we could made their way to the umbilical.

"Indeed. Have your Ensign Webb come to visit me at the Consulate - I will be there for most of the afternoon," she said.

"Will do," T'Pal acknowledged as the two women walked through the ship.

OFF

 

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