Working Together

Posted on Mon Aug 17th, 2020 @ 3:32am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Councilor Jahra Naron of Bajor

1,508 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Conference Room, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 09:45

Naron waited until they were alone. He first thought to summon the admiral to his quarters to ensure privacy, but also realized he would be too relaxed there. His guard may drop to where he could not sufficiently control himself.

"One can almost begin to see the Benzite representative's point regarding Starfleet. It can almost be said that many on this ship have come to believe the Federation serves Starfleet rather than Starfleet serving the Federation." It wasn't what he thought was the most important topic to discuss, but it needed to be settled before they could move to the more important topics.

"I'm afraid that I don't follow, Councilor," the Admiral answered. "What leads you to that assumption?" He poured himself a cup of tea from the head of the table as he sat. "I see people who were following the orders they were given: to attempt to ascertain the veracity of the Dominion proposal of alliance with the United Federation of Planets. Not people pursuing their own agendas or that Starfleet feels it is dominant over the needs of the Federation. If I am misreading the situation please enlighten me."

Naron sighed, his fists still clenched tight inside his sleeves. "Once again Weyoun has the audicity to attempt to dictate the Federation's response in order to have this 'alliance' with them. They are making the demand that we cut out the other powers in the quadrant. Already the Klingons have been insulted by the first declaration they were not to be involved. If we had representatives from the Romulans also availabe, they too would be insulted. They too would face acrimony and animosity toward the Federation.

"You are, I believe, El Aurian, Admiral? Were you alive at the end of the last Dominion War?" The questions were rhetorical and Naron didn't pause long enough for them to be answered. "The Klingons pulled out of a peaceful treaty that had served to help stabilize the Alpha quadrant for decades because of the machinations of the Dominion. The Romulans xenophobia strengthened. The Cardassians were bombed into infantilization. Now the Dominon orders the same again and this crew just blithely accepts it? Even going so far as to find alternative 'allies' with a faction of the Borg?"

Naron shook his head. "You, Admiral, allowed that farce to go on for far longer than it should have. We cannot afford, at this time, to have the Dominion once again dividing the Alpha Quadrant. You did so without a single thought of consulting the Federation government, instead you - and others in this room - decided to dictate how the Federation would continue with the Dominion 'alliance'."

"We did nothing of the sort," the Admiral answered. "We continued under the edicts given to us by the Federation President to investigate the potential of the alliance. If you recall as well the session at Gateway did not include Cardassian, Ferengi, or Romulan attendance at the agreement of the President himself. The Klingon Ambassador was present, that I will concede; nonetheless, no formal alliance has been created at this time, that would be handled by a Federation diplomatic team that would come at a later time that would handle those negotiations. The Dominion overseeing piloting of this vessel - as part of their security measures - was also known by us as a possibility. That is also why you were at this briefing, Councilor, as we are making every effort to keep you informed as to what is happening as a representative of the Federation Government."

He kept cool and level headed with each word, "An honest question though: If we did feel Starfleet superior to the Federation Government would we make any effort to include you here? Would I be speaking with you now?" It was his turn to not wait, "the answer is no. We have to work together - that much is clear."

"Yes, we must work together. If this threat to the Dominion is as bad as they would have us believe, then we cannot divide the Alpha Quadrant with petty fighting between the factions. We will soon see if the Dominion is as scared as Weyoun wanted us to believe. If they are, they will contact us and agree to the outset that we will not simply cut off the Klingons or Romulans and others. If they do not, if they truly wish us to leave or we have not fallen into their carefully laid trap, then we shall simply leave. In any case, some inquiries to the Klingons will be warranted regarding this threat."

Naron stood and glared at the Admiral. "I trust that you - and the rest of this crew - will remember to whom you made oaths of service?"

"Our duty is to protect the Federation from all threats," the Admiral answered, "Whether they be foreign or domestic. They know what their mission entails, Councilor, and their responsibilities." He heard a series of tones through the overhead, "If you don't mind I have a watch on the Bridge. Please feel free to enjoy the food and drink that Commander Snow made," he indicated the food still on the table. "If there is nothing further?"

"There is another matter," Naron said, clasping his hands tightly together within the sleeves of his robe. "The Wraith Orb, where is it?"

"The Bajoran Orb?" He had almost forgotten about it with all tge craziness that had been going on. "It's in a secure location."

"I asked you where it is," Naron snarled at the Admiral. He was about to say more, to excoriate the man for failing to answer a simple question right after claiming he understood his role as an officer serving the Federation. But, He instead held up his hands and closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. "Admiral, I am about to give you an order and you will follow it without comment or fail." Naron took another deep breath. "You will forbid any access to the Orb whatsoever while also ordering your great scientific minds on this ship to ensure they have found a way to completely shut off any access to that Orb. Additionally," Naron let out a breath as he glared directly at the admiral. "You will instruct your security teams that I am not to have any access to it whatsoever. Lethal force will be used to comply with those orders if it comes down to that. Do you understand the directives I have just given you?"

"With respect, Councilor, at the direction of the President you have no authority over the Orb. Now, normally, I am more than happy to indulge your request, but that will not be possible. The location and status of the Orb is classified by the order of the President, I am not even confirming whether it is or isn't on this ship under his orders. But I will assure you that you will have no access to it."

"Damnit, Admiral," Naron snapped as he slammed his open hand against the table. "I don't want access to it! I'm afraid of what will happen if I'm exposed to it again!" He glared at the Starfleet officer. "You will follow the directives I've just given you or I swear your next assignment will be commanding the Kertalian garbage scow!" That he was shouting, spittle flying from his lips from his fury, dimly registered and he took a step back, forcing his hands back into his sleeves, the nails biting into his flesh hard enough to draw blood. He felt it flow, warm and sticky, from the small wounds. "Pay attention to what I'm telling you and make sure it's kept away from everyone!"

He forced himself to take a breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose, leaving two small blood smear fingerprints. "You have to understand there is danger surrounding it."

William looked at the fresh blood om the tabletop then back at the Bajoran Councilor. He wanted to scream, to remind him that William's role meant he reported directly to the President and that the President's orders superseded all others. But then he looked at the blood, let the words sink in. This was all about the Orb. The Orb had been one of the keys, but if they only knew the truth. "No one on this ship has access to the Orb. It is in a secure location," he'd already said too much.

He paused before looking at the chronometer, "If you'll excuse me, Councilor, I have another meeting to get to though that is priority. Thanks for your time and please, as I offered, feel free to indulge in the goodies that Commander Snow prepared. They're quite good." He motioned toward the Bajoran's hand, "a dermal regenerator is also in the first aid kit in the cabinet over there for your hand."

The Captain of the Enterprise nodded at the Councilor and turned on his heel for the exit.

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