The Job

Posted on 28 May 2009 @ 4:37pm by Commodore Da`nal of the House of Varal

1,345 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: M2: Aggressive Negotiations
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Day 2 - 0900

Elek walked onto the bridge and immediately saw that the captain wasn't there. "Ensign," he said to the young officer manning tactical, "is the Captain in his ready room?" The officer nodded. "Yes, sir," he replied. Elek smiled his thanks and walked across the bridge and pressed the door chime. He was looking forward to meeting Da'nal - he had been reading up on his personnel file, and was excited about meeting him in the flesh.

Repairs were nearly complete so they would be able to depart soon. Looking up from his monitor he stretched his back. Klingons were not designed to sit, he stood and headed to get a drink as he aswered the chime coming from his door. "Enter."

Looking over his shoulder, "Ah what can I do for you Lieutenant."

"Hello, Captain," he replied. "I wanted to properly introduce myself, sir, as recent events have kept us all somewhat busy. I'm Termin Elek, your chief diplomatic officer and ship's counselor. I wanted to congratulate you on your command."

"Thank you Lieutenant. Actually I'm glad you came I was wanting to dicuss our orders with you. Have a seat...." waving over towards the replicator "...would you care for something?"

Elek shook his head. "Thank you. no." He sat on the visitor's side of the desk, and continued speaking as Da'nal was at the replicator. "Sir, I trust you received my message regarding the ambassador and Nniol? I've reviewed the reports regarding the meld - I hope that the lieutenant wasn't injued?"

Nodding. "Yes I did. Lt. T'Pal seems no worse off for the experience. So, in your opinion how should we handle our prisoner?"

Elek had given it a lot of thought over the past few days. "Sir, I believe he should be given to the ambassador's custody. She will, in due course, return him to Romulus for judgement. At best, he will be stripped of his House. I can only speculate about what else will happen. That would be a far more effective judgement than anything the Federation could do to him."

He watched his commanding officer for a moment, then asked, "May I ask what *you* intend to do with him, sir?"

Leaning back. "If I had my way his blood would run freely as I cut out his heart. I assume you asked that particular question due to my family history with him and his House?"

Elek nodded. "I had ... heard some of the issues, but I don't know the full story. It's not up to me to pry. I had thought to ask, but matters of honour to Klingons are ... delicate. I didn't want to offend."

"There is no offence to ask. You said you had 'heard' something of the story between the Families. What had you heard?"

Elek hesitated. "My son is half-Romulan, sir. His mother has been dead for two centuries now. When we speak, he often tells me about the lastest political maneuvering." He stopped, and thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Something about being a diplomat for so many years," he conceded. "I'm used to recognising prevarication and half-truth. I don't know how much of what my son has told me has been exagerrated by whoever he heard it from. Before I offend you deeply by reciting a pack of wild half-truths, I wonder if you could tell me the history, from your perspective?"

Da`nal curiousity was obvious. "Your son? What would he know of my House's dispute with a Romulan House?"

"Publicly, he is a senior senator. Unoffically, he is a deputy director of the Tal Shiar. I tell you this in extreme confidence."

Da`nal simply shook his head...would he ever be free of Romulans. "There was trade between our houses for a time long ago, before the 'alliance'. I won't bother going into the details but tensions came to a head after Klach D'Kel Brakt, that was led by Warriors from our House. The Romulans were warned, but refused to leave so Klach D'Kel Brakt was taken by force. After that it was one incident after another. The most recent, other than the attempt on my children involve the death of my brother. Romulan ships, under the command of Nniol, left a Klingon battlecruiser to be destroyed....my brother was the 2nd officer. This morning my father is no doubt speaking with the High Council to request the extradition of Nniol. You will probably be hearing something on this from Command."

Elek nodded. "I suspect I will, before the hour is out."

"Your son, what is his stance towards the Federation," Knowing that no one became a senior senator by being pro-Federation," unofficially"

"He is publicly ... and privately ... a proud Romulan," Elek replied with a smile. "Not many people know of his El-Aurian ancestry. He has reached his 200th birthday recently, and so, within the next century, will have to decide his future, as his El-Aurian genes manifest themselves and give him additional years. He will probably go to ground then, perhaps even join me within the Federation."

Elek sighed, looking inwardly for a moment. "His contacts within the Tal Shiar have kept him protected throughout the years, though. He is leader of the movement that urges peace with the Federation, or at least an entente cordiale. He has built up enough politcal capital over the years to allow him that freedom. He's know as a patriot, so he presents his arguments as being in the best will of the Romulan peoples."

He glanced out the window, looking at the stars. "I worry about the next few days, sir," he admitted. "Klingon, Romulan and Federation relations are strained to breaking point. And all sides feel legitimate in their grievances. Especially those who have suffered a loss." He hesitated, wondering if he had said too much already.

"Sir, I have always felt that the relationship between a captain and his diplomatic officer ... and his counselor ... needs to be one based on complete honesty and trust. I assure you, first, that my loyalty is not compromised by my son's position. I would hope that I could always offer you advice and guidance in both my roles."

Da`nal was honored by the mans frank honesty. His son, while Romulan could be a help in this situation, he was short on time after all. "I would expect nothing less from you Lieutenant. I can assure you my... anomosity doesn't extend to all Romulans. However I believe I can control the Klingon side of this situation. As for the Romulan, we'll just have to play that by ear. Although an ally in the senate would be an asset."

"Agreed," Elek said with a nod. "Sir, I can't help wondering - perhaps a bit of ... robust diplomacy may be in order? What Humans call 'flying the flag'? Starfleet could potentially be the catalyst in repairing the relationships in this matter."

"Well considering that we have the Romulans by the short hairs on this one. However we don't want to be too 'robust'; that might turn away those that may be sympathic to the Federation position."

"Yes, sir. My son is already sounding out certain sympathetic members of the Senate. He will keep me informed, but I'm hopeful that enough senators will be at least willing to back away from any further action, if not accept their guilt in the matter." He smiled. "If negotiations were opened, I would accept the former, but push for the latter."

"As soundly as they were beaten I don't think they will be too eager for 'further action...but well be ready for either. See if he can, and is willing, to find anything out about who may be supporting Nniol."

Elek nodded. "Yes, sir. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes...See that quarters are assigned for Ambassador t'Kellian. Once she is ready to come aboard have T'Pal assign a security detail for her protection. There were agents on the station I don't want any incidents during the trip. Dismissed."

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Cmdr Da`nal
CO

Ltjg Termin Elek
CDO / Counselor

 

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