Window Seat

Posted on Mon Aug 17th, 2020 @ 3:35am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Administrator Weyoun 12

1,718 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Ambassadorial Quarters, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 11:00

"Enter."

Admiral William Teagarden stepped through the doors into the Ambassadorial Quarters aboard the Enterprise, quickly doing a threat assessment of the room through old habits. Two Jem'Hadar soldiers had been standing like statues in the corners of the room, both having turned toward him upon seeing the newcomer into their sphere. William assumed that there were at least two other Jem'Hadar standing nearby in their shroud should he become a threat to Weyoun or any of the others.

"Ambassador," William greeted politely with a small bow.

"Nice to see you again. I assume by our slowing to impulse you are here to inform me that we've arrived at T-Rogoran Prime," the Dominion Ambassador had turned toward him and stood stoically with his hands behind his back.

William nodded, "Indeed we have, Ambassador. We have already spoken with the Dominion outpost and they are awaiting your arrival."

"Very well." Weyoun looked at the Jem'Hadar to his left, "First, please alert your soldiers that we will be transporting to the surface momentarily."

The Jem'Hadar nodded crisply as he pulled his communicator from his belt. William tensed for a second, knowing that the weapon of the soldier was not far away. Dominion weapons were designed to inflict maximum pain before death. Even a glancing blow could be fatal due to the effects of their weapon.

"Ambassador, I would like to speak with you in private."

"But we are in private," the Vorta said curiously.

The Admiral motioned toward the two Jem'Hadar.

Weyoun grinned, "Ah yes. I tend to forget that they are even there from time to time. The soldiers of the Dominion were nothing for you to fear Admiral."

"Were?" He questioned.

"As your Bajoran Representative made clear there is no peace between us and the negotiations have closed. Because of this no peace has been declared, no formal relationship exists at all. We are neither friends nor enemies at this time, but a gentle wind could place us on either course." Weyoun was friendly with his answer, never betraying his wording. Beneath the surface was the snow, the ominousness of what was being said.

He knew he had to play back, "The Federation Council does have reservations about what is going on here. I have, however, spoken with the Presidential Administration and we are interested in continuing to explore the potential of this alliance. That is, of course, if the Dominion is still willing."

Weyoun was silent for a long moment as he studied the Admiral from afar. He walked cautiously, slinking into the room and betraying nothing as he approached. Then, just as quickly, turned away and went to the couch. He sat and relaxed a bit, "I am surprised to hear such a declaration. If the Council is opposed the President serves at their direction and pleasure. They can, effectively, end this entire process as the Bajoran Councilor threatened. I'll admit that the President has me perplexed by this effort as, frankly, he must be a miracle worker if he can get the Council in line."

William listened closely to the word choice - a test of Weyoun and his sincerity. When he started down this path the Admiral had wondered if Weyoun would betray himself with his choices, reveal Dominion complicity in the President being missing. Instead, Weyoun seemed genuine. He either didn't know that the President was missing or he was a terrific actor. Maybe both were true.

"I've seen many things happen that could be described that way, Administrator." William motioned toward the seat adjacent for permission to sit. After a nod from Weyoun, the Admiral took the offered chair and leaned toward the Vorta, "The Federation has never shirked from its responsibilities for peace with anyone."

The Dominion Ambassador corrected, "Prior to us leaving for this mission I had offered an alliance with no conditions. It was not accepted."

"Mitigating circumstances," Teagarden interrupted. "The Federation delegation was taken by surprise by your offer, but that didn't mean we were against it or you, Ambassador. We want peace with the Dominion, more to the point we want to provide you with support during this, but we need to be on equal footing."

"We were taking a subservient position. You tossed us aside - twice."

"Equality comes in many forms, Ambassador. At any rate, we're still here and we're still talking. I have been asked by the President's team to reach out to you about continuing our efforts at peace. We want to see where this goes and I am still willing to take you home to meet with the Link and discuss their interests in peace. You need us, we need you, but I want to discuss another component. The Alpha Quadrant could be a benefit to you in the fight against the Kam'Jahtae. Why do you restrict them from these talks?"

Weyoun sighed, "Why are you so insistent?"

He wanted to answer because it was something that seemed so important to the Council and, more to the point, Councilor Naron. Instead he took a diplomatic approach, "Because we believe in equality."

"You believe that the Dominion developing a relationship with the Klingons - a race once conquered by the Hur'q - and the Romulans - a splintered government that is on life-support - is a benefit to us? To you? Both of those governments have threatened your Federation - the Klingons are on the brink of war with you and the Romulans have just taken one of your founding worlds as theirs - and you insist on bringing them to the table? What if the Dominion were to develop a stronger relationship with one of them over you? What if it became more advantageous to us to ally with them and not the Federation?"

"A risk that we're willing to take, Administrator," he used the Vorta's rank. "However, I have studied the Dominion and their views in preparation for this meeting. When Dukat wanted to invade Bajor during the Dominion War after you had captured Deep Space Nine you denied him that ability because Bajor had signed a nonaggression pact with the Dominion. The Dominion honors its treaties, Ambassador," he intentionally used the title this time, "I'm not afraid that bringing these two governments to the table will be a risk to us and our alliance."

The Vorta lifted an eyebrow, "So the Federation does continue to support an alliance?"

William leaned back in the oversized guest chair, "The President does. The majority of the Council does. Do you?"

"Second?"

Out of nowhere a Jem'Hadar soldier appeared as William had expected. He approached the couch and stood across from Weyoun, within striking distance of the Admiral if needed. The Enterprise's Commander made no movement, betrayed no emotion that he was concerned.

Weyoun stood, "Alert our personnel that we will be continuing on with the Enterprise to Empersa. Please inform the First to make arrangements with our outpost that we will need a diplomatic escort."

"Immediately." The Jem'Hadar disappeared back into the ether.

Teagarden stared at Weyoun, "There is one last matter, however, that I want to approach."

"And that is?" Weyoun seemed irritated.

"I would like for your soldiers to transport over to either the Outpost or the Escort prior to our departure," the Admiral informed.

"I would be defenseless without them," the Vorta protested.

William shifted in his seat, "Ambassador, we are on a diplomatic mission to your homeworld to explore the alliance proposal. Trust me when I say you're safe on this ship." He paused, "But I'm not asking you to be defenseless either. I will approve your senior advisors to remain aboard and I will also post a Starfleet Security Team outside your door. I'll even leave permission that your soldier serve at our helm."

"Accepted," he relented quickly.

"Alright then," the Admiral answered. "Once your personnel are transferred to the ship and base we'll proceed on course to your capital."

"Very good," Weyoun replied. "Thank you, Admiral, for considering this relationship to its natural conclusion. I will assure you that you and your crew will remain safe so long as they remain in our territory."

William had his confirmation. The Enterprise was going to be a target when it left here. If he hadn't made this effort, extended this new olive branch, it was more than likely this would be a shooting war all the way back to the wormhole. "I never doubted it." He rose from his chair, "You'll be hearing from me, Ambassador. However, due to the situation we're experiencing, I am going to employ an alternate option to travel to your capital. I cannot give too many details, but I would like for you to allow me to have my ship's AI be involved in our travel to your world."

"Out of the question!" He stood. "You just agreed to allow my soldier to pilot this ship!"

"My AI can be ordered not to reveal to anyone the location of your homeworld - even me," he knew that it was a stretch that Weyoun would accept that.

And he didn't, "And what happens when one of your superiors demands to know the location and orders her to tell?"

"Galatea is loyal to the Federation, that is true, but she cannot have her orders overridden when given as a priority assignment from me. More to the point, as part of our alliance - if approved - we'll have to know where the capital is anyway. So, to put it simply, trust me," he extended another branch.

Weyoun walked to the window and looked out at the planet below and the ships moving into formation, "I don't trust you, Admiral. You also don't trust me. Nonetheless, the Link has ordered me to accept your terms."

"You've spoken with them?" Teagarden asked with a smile.

"They want to have this relationship. So, I will agree to the terms," Weyoun answered.

"I thought this was going easier than I'd hoped. Thought I was just that charming," William joked.

Weyoun shook his head, "Far from it."

The Admiral sighed, "Well on that fun note I think I'll go get us underway."

"You may go," Weyoun turned back toward the window and stared out it as the Admiral left the room. When he was gone, the alien Ambassador whispered, "Thank you."

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