Das Rheingold

Posted on Mon Aug 17th, 2020 @ 3:33am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Galatea & Ambassador Ras th'Zaanaq

1,910 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Ready Room, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 10:25

Admiral William Teagarden sat at the desk waiting as the connection indicators played over the computer panel built into the desktop. He'd been trying to reach the President's Office for over an hour and every time he made the effort he got redirected and placed on hold. With everything that was going on in the galaxy he was getting more and more frustrated. If the Hur'q were back they needed all the help that they could get out here.

And now, with Councilor Naron's decision, the Dominion were alone in this. If the Hur'q conquered the Dominion and put to use their resources against the rest of the galaxy the Federation would be destroyed surely. The Hur'q were like locusts and they would surely destroy everything if given the chance. The President would certainly have thoughts on the subject.

He sighed and collapsed back in his chair, "Galatea?"

The holographic AI appeared at the edge of his desk, "Yes Admiral?"

William was a little perturbed by the sight of the hologram waltzing into his office, but some battles needed to be better picked than walked into blindly. "Why am I still on hold?"

"Because they haven't answered?" Her response was more flippant than he anticipated.

"I understand that. Are we transmitting or do I have to have Commander Ash check the transceiver assembly?" He shot back at the representative of Enterprise.

She paused as datapoints scrolled over her eyes for a moment, "I just completed a diagnostic. The transceiver is functioning adequately. Our connection to Gateway is perfect. They just have you on hold. Would you like to listen to some music while you wait?" She engaged the speakers in the room, playing "Das Rheingold - Entry of the Gods Into Valhalla" by Wagner.

"Turn that damn thing off," he commanded as he sat there. "I think we need to have a discussion," he relented with himself, "and it's been a long time coming."

"Perhaps," the hologram answered. "Nonetheless, you would surely relent that you have treated me differently since returning aboard the ship from your appointment to the Patriot."

"Because you've been different too," he answered quickly. "We need to be a team and it seems as if you want to be anything but. If you feel that..."

Galatea interrupted, "Your call is being connected."

William looked at Galatea, "We'll finish this later." He waited for the President to come on.

“Admiral Targaryen.” The Andorian said with a slight nod of his head, after his image appeared.

"Mister Secretary," the Admiral greeted in reply. "My apologies for interrupting you. I had been attempting to reach the President regarding our efforts with the Dominion." He looked at Galatea, anger welling deep, "Our AI must have made an error when connecting. My apologies, Sir, I will reattempt the President."

”No need to apologise, Admiral, and you have come through to the right place. I’m guessing you’ve not heard that the USS Spock has gone missing. We’ve not had any contact for several hours now.” The Andorian replied.

His mind switched from the mission to memories of his children, his wife, his mother. They had all been aboard the Spock when they went missing. It made no sense that they would go missing. They were in Federation space. The weather patterns for travel were perfect. It made no sense. "Did they deviate from their course? Any evidence of wreckage? Debris? What was their last known location?" He could have Enterprise there in less than an hour.

”I was actually in communication with them when they went dark. There was a sudden commotion before the comm went dead. Starfleet have sent a ship to investigate but have found no wreckage or debris. As far as I’m aware the Spock was on course for Earth from gateway station.” Ras explained calmly, he really was wondering why he accepted this position but quickly pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind. ”I can send you everything we have on the Spock’s disappearance if you want to look it over for yourself?”

"I would as we will be returning to the Alpha Quadrant as soon as we drop Weyoun and the crew of his ship off at a Dominion world," he paused as if pondering how much further he wished to go.

The Andorian nodded before tapping several commands into his console. ”They should be coming in momentarily, Admiral.”

The CO of the Enterprise pulled up the data on a PADD that had been resting on the side of the table. "You're right there isn't much here. Barely anything," he looked at the data. "Since we're concluding the Dominion mission we'll be returning to Federation territory earlier than anticipated. After we drop of the Councilor," he had a bit more irritation in his voice than he meant to, "we will proceed to investigate."

“Thank you, Admiral. I know there are ships out there looking but I’d be happier knowing there’s someone out there that I trust . I’m trying to limit damage control here but I feel the President being missing could escalate the 20’s agenda further.” Replied Ras.

"The 20?" William questioned uncertain as to what his Andorian friend was referring to.

”Of course, I forgot you probably wouldn’t know. My apologies. Councillor Caxl of Benzar has got 20 member worlds to secede from the Federation if we sign a peace treaty with the Dominion. It seems convenient that he came to me with this information and then the following day the Spock goes missing. I know both aren’t related but it does feel convenient.” Ras explained.

There it was, the answer to the riddle that he needed. While he wanted to proceed to find his wife and the President, he knew now he had to reveal the truth. "I believe Councilor Naron of Bajor may be working with the 20. Not long ago he disrupted a meeting, accused Starfleet of believing itself superior to the Federation, and informed Administrator Weyoun that we would not be dictated to on matters of Dominion security. Weyoun left the table and terminated the diplomatic talks."

The Andorian’s antenna bent backward with surprise, ”Really? They manipulated the talks so the Dominion would up and leave. What are they actually planning?” Ras pondered.

"I'm not certain, Sir," he answered honestly. "My belief is all based upon inference from a comment the Councilor made regarding about the Benzite Councilor being right." He paused, already regretting his decision, "Sir, with the President missing and you having been left in charge you can order that I continue the diplomatic talks. The President and Ambassador Grayson are in charge of the foreign policy of the Federation. With you having been placed in temporary command by the President you can issue those directives for diplomatic talks. My diplomatic credentials are still active due to my former role as Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire." He really did regret this already and wanted to go look for his wife.

”What’s your plan, Admiral?” Ras asked curiously, he wasn’t against the idea, just simply wanted to know what the Admiral had up his sleeve.

That was a good question. With everything that was going on, all the insinuations and double talk, there was a lot to consider. Did they have an agenda and he just didn't see it? Was it wrong to exclude the other powers? He had to think critically, "I really don't have one and I'm pretty much making it up as I go along. However, maybe the base action will be to reach out to Weyoun prior to his departing Enterprise. If I can get him to resume talks that would work in our favor, but getting the Klingons and Romulans involved - as Councilor Naron has expressed concerns with - will be more difficult. Weyoun has been adamant in his views they should be involved."

The Councilor smiled, ”Very well, Admiral. See what you can find and keep me updated.” Ras replied with a nod.

"There is one other detail," the Admiral added as he heard the tones indicating the Council session was about to resume. "The Bajoran Councilor has also been asking about a Bajoran Orb that was acquired. It's in a secured location, which is heavily classified, but I have concerns it may be influencing his actions."

Ras considered what the Admiral had told him. ”Of course it will influence his actions. Anything to do with an orb and any Bajoran gets twitchy. What do you suggest, Admiral?”

"This is part of what concerns me," with the Secretary in acting control of the Federation he could tell him. "The Orb is not aboard the Enterprise. It's with the President."

Ras frowned, ”You don’t think the Bajoran’s are responsible for the Spock’s disappearance?” This would change things if it were true.

"There is no way they'd know. The President ordered the matter classified and the Orb was loaded in secret by Admiral Luzol," he hoped she and their kids were ok. "I won't rule out that the Orb is connected. It is, in the end, indicative of the mythological enemies of the Prophets."

The Andorian Councilor sighed, ”So we’re still no closer to an idea of what’s happened to the President and crew of the Spock. This is going to be a political nightmare. The longer the President is MIA, the more difficult it’s going to be push away calls for a President Pro Tempore. The Federation can’t remain leaderless for too long.”

"Ambassador, you miss a golden opportunity. The President designated you as his Designated Survivor when he left on this mission. You are, effectively, already in that role and can direct policy in the interim," the Admiral pointed out.

Ras sighed, indeed it was true. He agreed to serve the Federation Council in anyway he could be he wasn’t sure he was ready for this. The Andorian had simply wanted to serve the organisation he loved, not lead it. “Yes, of course, I keep forgetting that detail. Let’s hope I don’t cock it up while he’s missing.” Ras replied with a weak smile.

"You wouldn't be there if you couldn't handle it, Ambassador. I'm certain of that." William was trying to be reassuring.

”I don’t feel so sure about that. I’m not a politician, I was only here to offer advice and it’s gone from back to worse.” He said with a smile. ”I’m now running the Federation!”

"Then maybe you won't screw things up like all the politicians do," William teased his long time friend. "I'll arrange for the Enterprise to continue on to the Dominion to pursue this peace. The Enterprise will also proceed to assist with looking for the President. I'll authorize Saucer Separation - the Saucer will complete the diplomatic mission and the Stardrive will proceed to the wormhole and return to the Alpha Quadrant."

”Understood, Admiral. Keep me apprised of your situation. Good luck. Ras out.” The Andorian said before his image fizzled into nothingness.

When the Andorian Ambassador faded away William hoped he hadn't started the Federation on the path to civil war.

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