Dining with one's enemies - Part One

Posted on 10 Jul 2009 @ 11:36am by Commodore Da`nal of the House of Varal

2,413 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: M2: Aggressive Negotiations
Location: Diplomatic Facilities
Timeline: After the Freedom's arrive at SB 47

Elek sighed, and looked around the room.

The table was set, the waiter was .... well, waiting, and he had been able to convince Commander Da'nal of the logic of wearing duty uniforms rather than dress ones - the ambassador having, after all, seen them in their duty uniforms so often that it would seem unusual to be dressed up so much for dinner.

He and the Quartermaster had planned everything - food that was compatible for all the palates at the table (personally, Elek could eat just about anything, but he knew others could be sensitive) and based around the Earth and Vulcan menus. He had decided on that world because Romulan and Klingon cuisine would hardly ever be eaten by the other side, and Earth and Vulcan seemed like comparatively safe compromises. Plomeek soup, beef, then some chocolate concoction that Elek would personally eat without going through the first two courses.

The only thing he couldn't control during the course of the evening were the guests themselves.

"Let the games begin," he said with a sigh.

---

Isha was sure that everyone thought it was a great relief to have reached the Starbase, a sentiment she could not agree with. She had no intention of leaving the ship, and even had she been inclined to, she was not sure that the excursion would be allowed. The last thing she wanted was to have that suspicion confirmed; with difficulty Isha had achieved a finely balanced neutrality, at this point her cause was absolutely her own but the slightest nudge, however well meant risked pushing her back into the pit she had just pulled herself out of.

She had received the invitation with amusement rather than delight. The idea of dinner with Elek, who now knew more about her life than she was comfortable with and Da’nal, who she thought would rather skewer her on a fork than see her eat with one was somewhat disconcerting.

Once again she wore that stiff green gown and thought with good reason that she had finally managed to begin looking like an Ambassador again rather than an hysteric, now she just had to act like one for an evening.

Isha ignored the security escort as she swept out of her quarters – they already knew where she was going and would follow her anyway she thought with imperious disdain. She had left herself exactly enough time to arrive at the venue exactly on time and that was precisely what she was going to do.

---

Da`nal and his newly sprung First Officer waited with Elek for the Ambassador's arrival. Looking over the table at the various items...~no qagh, no targ, no Viinerine or Romulan mollusks...?~ Glancing in Elek's direction. "Trying to keep things somewhat neutral I take it?"

"Certainly looks like it tastes neutral." Andrew replied, smirking slightly.

Elek gave them both a withering gaze. "Rather neutral than have some sort of incident start over the choice of starter. Given who our guest is, we could have a diplomatic incident over anything. I'd rather the food be the least of my worries."

Isha entered the room at a stately pace, rustling as she walked. She nodded first to Elek, then to Da'nal; the other man she did not know, but it amused her to be the second tallest person in a room for once, a much needed boost to her ego.

A faint smile playing at the edge of her lips she nodded, "Gentlemen, I apologise for my tardiness," she said knowing quite well that she was perfectly on time, "and thank you for this kind invitation." Isha was trying very hard to keep herself composed and if Elek did choose to peek, not that she would ever know, he would access nothing but a wall of hard, dark mist.

"A pleasure, Madam Ambassador," said Elek. "I'm glad you accepted."

He stepped forward with a "gracious host" smile, and indicated his colleagues. "Commander Da'nal, of course, you already know. This is Lieutenant Commander Andrew Fienneman, our new Executive Officer."

*And I am need of a drink already,* he thought, feeling the hardness surrounding Isha's mind.

"How could I forget Commander Da'nal," Isha said in empty pleasantry tilting her head as her gaze shifted to the other man, "And Lieutenant Commander Fienneman," she said mimicking Elek's pronunciation, "I know it is customary to address one of your rank as Commander, but among my people it is customary to employ the entire title to avoid any complications. It is delightful to see you again too, Lieutenant Elek," she added with the briefest flashing glance.

Elek inclined his head, maintaining eye contact with her. He wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible - which he recognised wouldn't be much - but also that he viewed her as an equal, not as his better or inferior.

"Shall we sit?" he said pleasantly.

“Daie,†Isha agreed accepting his intention by use of the neutral mode, “Of course,†she repeated for the benefit of the others. “One can cause havoc at dinner parties by altering the seating plan, please inform me where I should sit.â€

Da`nal stepped to the side. "As the Guest of Honor please take the Head of the table." Looking to Elek with a thought as the memory of his last encounter with the Ambassador flashed in his mind...~Better...~

Elek couldn't help but pick up the mental thought that the commander had just had, and he caught Da'nal's glance out of the corner of his own eye, and inclinced his head.

He then moved swiftly behind the ambassador and pulled her chair out.

"Madam Ambassador," he said courteously, suddenly relaxing into the evening.

Isha lowered herself smoothly into the chair and arranged her skirt before raising her eyes to Elek, "Thank you, Lieutenent," she said. It was most considerate of Da'nal to allow her this seat, it certainly was not obligatory for the commander of any vessel to give up his place at the table; the gesture surprised Isha. "This short stop must come as a welcome break for your crew, Commander Da'nal ..." she said politely, "...after an unexpectedly dramatic beginning and with the journey to come."

"Our brief stop over is serving two function actually. First it allowed me to pick up my First Officer, who had an...interesting layover on the station. Secondly it is allowing me to transfer my children and their nurse to my father's ship that is also docked at the station. I am to meet with him tomorrow morning. He knows I am escorting a Romulan Ambassador, and though he is..as far as I know...unaware of your full name I would suggest you remain aboard. "

Isha propped her chin on one upturned palm, "I'm not afraid of you, Da'nal, and I'm not afraid of your father, or your family," she said, "I am also not afraid of the responsibilities my position brings."

Isha bit her lip, thinking as she clenched it between her teeth.

"Isha," he used her first name to drop the formality, "you are not a prisoner here. However you know all to well the extent Nniol went to get you. It is very possible your enemies are waiting on the station for you."

"There is nothing on this station I wish to see," she said. "Just make your father aware that when you speak with him if he, or anyone else in his retinue issues challenges to me or any other member of my family they must come via me. I include my husband's brother in that.

"I will accept any such challenge. if that is what they feel they must do - don't take their petty right away from them, just make it aware that the person leading the House they wish to piss on is a woman whose combat training was cosmetic ... should they wish to push it, well, we'll see. I doubt that there is much merit to be gained by slicing up a woman a fraction of one's size, even by Klingon standards.

"And Da'nal, as long as T'Pal insists I cannot leave my quarters witout an escort, generous and well appointed though they may be, I am a prisoner."

Isha almost choked on her own breath as soon as she had realised what she had said ... she sat back and linked her fingers firmly together.

"Gentlemen, I apologise," she said allowing her own breathing to relax, but knowing that in her outburst she had allowed herself to be heard where needed. She raised her eyes again as she spoke, "I apologise especially to you, Commander Da'nal. You have been nothing but a most gracious host and I continue to be the most difficult of guests. If every Klingon was as courteous there would be fewer misunderstandings between the Empires."

Isha did not add that a few more Romulans demonstrating a little humility where appropriate might also help, feeling that that implication was inherent in her apology.

Elek cleared his throat, and motioned to the waiter, who moved forward and began serving the soups. It was a good opportunity to change the subject.

"Ambassador," he said, "I'm curious. One thing we've never spoken about - have you always been in the diplomatic corps?"

"How lovely," Isha said as she allowed the aroma of the soup to rise and inhaled. "It is an interesting question, Lieutenant Elek, though I imagine that the answer will be rather dull. I act in a diplomatic capacity by request. Unlike most of our diplomats and ambassadors I have not risen through the ranks of the Kiith Mrevhoqq`ghi, I am in essence a private individual who happens to have the honour of carrying the honour of my government abroad."

"Well, I agree with that sentiment - to carry an honour from your people is absolutely an honour."

"And I ask the Elements that their faith has not been misplaced," Isha said.

Elek couldn't help but smile. "I would think that *all* ambassadors ask the same thing, in the same way," he said. "I know I certainly do."

"Then allow me to turn your question around ... why, given all the other options avialable to you do you choose at this time to serve in a diplomatic function?" Isha refrained both from explicitly mentioning any past 'careers' that Elek may have hinted at during their conversations, and the fact that unlike everyone else around the table he would have the opportunity and the time to reinvent himself again in the future.

Elek's smile broadened. "Because I have seen civilisations rise and fall with a word ... or a look ... and I understood the necessity of the diplomat. I'm in a unique position to see the long view ... and I see the potential for alliances to form, and healthy relationships to grow, with diplomats as the catalyst." He shrugged. "Then, it's up to the people to make it *work*."

Isha nodded and lifted her spoon, "And pretending for a moment that you are a neutral observer, Lieutenant, what potential do you see for the three of us as; Commander Da'nal. Lieutenant Commander Fienneman and myself as representations of our respective powers?"

Elek finished his soup, and leaned back in his chair. He stared out of the window as he spoke. "The Federation, Klingons and Romulans are the major powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. All three are immensely powerful, and any could tip the balance of power through all-out war or all-out negotiation and willingness to change. They're both extremes, and it's finding a way to accomodate the passions of all three without any power feeling like they're giving away too much - instead, like they're enhancing their own way of life."

He thought for a moment. "I confess, I work for Starfleet and represent the Federation, but see that all three powers have things they can improve on. All three powers have a hell of lot of potential - for good and for bad. The governments of all three need to see beyond their own interests ... and, sometimes, insular passions ... to form a better place for their people."

"Can a government force their people to co-operate Lieutenant? Authority is given by the people in the Empire as much as elsewhere, we had our fill of autocrats centuries ago and whilst it would be a stretch to describe our system as 'democratic' the Romulan people have acted to vigourously overthrow leaders with whom the majority disagree, even to the extent of ignoring the consequences to themselves in the early stages of such insurrections. Similarly, a hru'Hfirh, the head of a Great House cannot survive if its members wish to revolt and appoint a new one...." Isha let that thought hang and altered her arguement.

"So few of us ever leave the Empire; I discount those who serve in the Galae ... what I mean is that it is still rare for our citizens to travel beyond our own borders and given that limitation how can the populace be expected to see the enhancements, the good that external influence and co-operation might bring?"

"I've seen civilisations like that in the past," Elek replied. "Closed worlds who do not encourage off-world travel, or meeting new worlds, new civilisations. Sometimes, that's overcome by other worlds forcing their way in, but that way often leads to war in the short-term, and whole-scale destruction. The other way is for brave people, couragous people, to stand up and be counted. To form alliances, build bridges, speak out. Yes, sometimes that involves pain ... and death. But the light cannot be extinguished if enough people speak up."

"But success will only come if the underlying desire is there, Lieutenant Elek. I cannot influence the hearts and minds of my entire civilisation, so I am left, as we all are with those 'own interests and insular passions' ... and should others choose to agree ..." Isha shrugged and laid her spoon aside.

"Very nice," she said touching the tips of her fingers together. "Interesting though it is, I'm sure that I was not invited here to discuss social theory," Isha said as she waited for the others to finish.

Elek did not reply to that. He decided to leave it to the captain or Fienneman to take the lead on that conversation - he wasn't sure how far they, especially Da'nal, would want to lead the discussion this evening.

TBC...

 

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