Eternal Stranger

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 11:05pm by Commodore Loatha Targaryen & Councilor Jahra Naron of Bajor
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 5:10pm

3,112 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Atlantis
Location: USS Vol'Rala
Timeline: 2429-12-03, 20:15

Fleet Admiral Lynz stepped onto the Bridge of the Vol'Rala, quickly surveying the consoles as she walked toward her chair. While she was the highest ranked officer aboard the ship, she was not her Captain under normal circumstances. Unlike her husband, she much preferred to focus on her duties instead of overseeing the operations of the starship she was on so she left that honor of command to Captain Paafu Tocyak. Nonetheless, today at least, she debated the choice to do so as Captain Paafu was Bajoran and they were not always on the best of terms with Cardassia.

Today more than ever. While the Occupation had been decades ago and peace had reigned supreme between the two powers since the Dominion War ended almost 50 years prior, the presence of an Orb in the hands of Cardassia wasn't something easily ignored or excused. She couldn't blame their anger, but she wasn't exactly a fan of mysticism. She was religious, firmly believing in God, but the Prophets were nothing more than Wormhole Aliens to her.

She just hoped that Ambassador Jahra or Captain Paafu never learned that.

"Status, Captain?"

The Commanding Officer of the ship turned toward her, "We've just secured from Coaxial Warp, Admiral. We were just about to request permission to enter standard orbit."

Lynz looked at the golden orb that was Cardassia - several large Starbases hovering precariously above the world. "Have we heard from the Ambassadors yet?"

"Not yet," the Bajoran answered, "but I was about to raise them too."

"Proceed," she said as she sat down.

Nodding to the XO she set off to alert the Ambassadors while Paafu continued with the Admiral, "Would you like to speak with the Cardassians?"

She needed to be sure she could trust him too, so she brushed it off, "Your ship, Captain, your call."

He nodded as he rose from his chair and walked toward the stations before him. "Hail Cardassian Space Central."

It was a moment later when a Cardassian woman appeared on the screen, her face adorned with beautiful blue makeup that accentuated her features. Paafu smiled, politically, as he rested his hands behind his back, "Greetings, Cardassian Space Central. I am Captain Paafu Tocyak of the Federation Starship Vol'Rala. We request permission to enter orbit."

"Starship Vol'Rala, this is Glinn Gojia Omell of the Cardassian Fourth Order. Permission to enter orbit is granted," she explained in as official and crisp a tone as she could. "Please do not exceed one quarter impulse while in orbit of our world. The Starship Haneid will escort you."

"That will be excellent," he was as polite as could be expected. He kept his stance nonthreatening, "Is your delegation ready to come aboard?"

Omell shook her head. "No. There has been a change in plan. Our Ambassadors will not be available until tomorrow morning. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you."

"We look forward to it," he looked at the Admiral. "We will contact again in the morning. Vol'Rala out."

Lynz sighed when the screen went dark. "This will go over like a lead balloon."

"At least they didn't shoot at us," the Bajoran offered.

"The night is still young. Ask the Ambassadors to meet me in my office. I'll see you in the morning," Lynz asked as she walked toward the door to her office.

The Captain nodded, "Aye."


[Short While Later]

Having received the Admiral’s call to convene, Briya Valriya was scrutinizing her reflection in a mirror and preparing to leave the reasonable quarters she’d been assigned. Briya was in a flattering skirt suit, dangerous heels and the black horn-rimmed glasses; not as corrective lenses - those had gone out of fashion centuries ago - these were designed for augmented optical feedback of relevant names, faces, current events, itinerary, etc. She ran a detangler through her chin-length cropped hair and adjusted the bottom of her blouse before assuming a smile and stepping out of her quarters. Presently out in the corridor, Briya was joined by the only member of her small entourage to accompany her on this mission. At her side was Haylay Braley, a Risian bearing enough similarity to Briya to have been her sister, though she was not. Briya’s second aide, Emelyse Amaerie, was not with them on this trip, having remained in Paris to ‘hold down the fort’ as they say. The Federation Council was comprised of many bipedal humanoid races and physical appearance was not particularly seminal, but it was generally agreed that members of the Risian envoy were inviting and agreeable to the eye.

The Risian Ambassador and her assistant made their way towards the bridge and the office of Admiral Lynz. Along the way, there was statecraft to discuss, which was not always sophisticated or humanitarian in nature.

“And find a new florist,” the councilwoman was saying. To her left, Haylay was taking notes on a handheld slate. “For your office or home?” asked this woman.

Briya considered the question then responded. “Both, but find them work elsewhere - if you can.” She skimmed through a few files on a separate slate handed to her by Haylay then, signing off with her thumbprint, handed the slate back.

Briya wasn’t familiar with the Vol’Rala or it’s class of ship, but schematics and hull designs weren’t the brand of technicalities she dealt in. Rather than consulting one of the ship schemata systematically posted along the walls of the corridors, the Risians stopped a crew member to ask for directions and were soon guided, personally, to the bridge.

With the bridge now directly ahead, Briya glanced at Haylay and caught her sharing a bashful smile with the crewman. Briya sighed because Haylay was not the bashful sort and had never been. The Councilwoman turned to the young man. “We thank you for your service as guide and convoy. We will undergo the remaining distance without the benefit of your brave protection.”

Haylay waved goodbye to the departing man then felt her boss’ eyes on her. “Sorry, Briya. But he’s so cute.”

“That he is and now he is gone. May we continue on to meet with the Admiral or have I interrupted something?”

“Sorry.”

Briya smiled. “I’m beginning to think I should have brought Emelyse in your stead.”

“Oh you don’t mean that, trust me. Emelyse would have found her way to rendezvous with that young man in a broom closet by this time.” Haylay’s tone sounded as if that exact scenario had indeed happened before. The two of them stepped through the swooshing door and onto the bridge, a masterful arrangement of crew stations, lit panels, function and a sweeping arch.

“Do Starships even have broom closets?” Briya asked her aide. She nodded to the… whoever it was in the center command seat, and indicated the door to the side. “May we join the Admiral in her office?”

Unlike some, Naron undertook his oaths to the Prophets and the Bajorra as a sacred duty and trust, not a means to aggrandize himself or his position. This situation was a Test, he was sure. The Prophets had a plan for Bajorra and he was part of their instrument in carrying out the plan. They have protected Bajor in the past and, Naron was confident, they would protect Bajor again if it came down to it.

But that was his faith in the Prophets. Not all of Bajor would believe as he. Many in the government did not have the same...faith...as Naron. They believed this to be a test, true, but not a test from the Prophets. A test of the Federation. It seemed every time Bajor attempted to heal the old wounds from the Occupation, more importantly, every time they put their faith in the Federation, they were proven they should not have done so.

The Federation promised them. Promised them the full weight of Federation influence and help. Bajor was to be made whole once again. What was taken from them to be returned. They were promised! And now, the Federation president doesn't even give Bajor a quiet word regarding the Cardassian offer to return holy relics - nay a holy birthright! - of Bajor in order for more aid. Instead he throws it into open chambers, in full view of the entire Assembly and media. He drops this bombshell knowing the effect it would have on Bajor.

Many in the government weren't willing to forgive - just as they have not forgotten. Many didn't even want to talk about forgiveness for not just the hundred years of Federation failures to keep their word while enjoying the benefits of what Bajor offered...namely the Celestial Temple and the passage to the other side of the galaxy, but also for the insult the President gave Bajor in the way he announced the Cardassian terms in pleading for assistance.

The Cardassians! Damn the Cardassians. Bajor would have helped! It was Bajor's duty to help them! The Prophets demanded it and they would have. Naron would have argued for giving assistance to Cardassia as a way to spread the teachings of the Prophets. To bring the Will of the Prophets to all in the galaxy. Bajor would have given freely of what they had even to those who were so desperate to take by force a hundred years before. In truth, Bajor would have shared what they could before the Cardassian occupation.

But this.

This insult in the announcement. This manner in which Bajor was notified that the Cardassians failed to live to their agreement to return to Bajor all that was Bajor's. This once again failure of the Federation to enforce the agreements they forced Bajor into brokering with the Cardassians. It kept coming back to this then. Federation continued to fail Bajor. Starting when the Cardassians first invaded and the Federation did nothing, citing it as an 'internal problem'. Despite it being a clear aggression from an outside species and there, by very definition, not 'internal' at all.

Naron sighed. There were the communiques, the back and forths. Arguments, shouting. There was brokering and dickering, failures. Mostly failures.

Naron left his simple staff behind. He wanted to wander the ship, talk to those who would talk to him - regardless of rank or position or even station in life. He wanted to get to know as much as he could, see as many as he could. Touch the lives and take a measure of theirs back with him. It is, he believed, how the Prophets would have spent their time in waiting. They were, he knew from reports of The Emmissary, inquisitive, curious and thirsting fro knowledge. Just as he always imagined the Prophets to be.

In his wanderings, he found himself drawn to center and so, when the call came, he was close by the bridge. He spoke with T'linka Jiminez, a woman of remarkable birth. Born of parents from disparate cultures and species, nevertheless every barrier the universe put up to keep them apart was surmounted with their love for each other. She was a young woman, joining Starfleet to see the galaxy which was a birthright from her two families. It was, she believed, the simplest and best way to do so, while learning skills that would allow her to know the galaxy in ways her parents never could.

When the call came, he wrapped up his conversation with the young woman, offered a quick benediction from the Prophets - accepted freely and with a cheeky grin - by the young lady. Naron sighed as he turned and finished the short trip to the bridge. He believed it was the last smile he would see in quite some time.

"Admiral," he said upon greeting as he entered the office. He checked the urge to 'feel the pagh' of the Admiral. It was archaic, sure, but still effective to Vedeks who learned the correct route of the ritual. "I'm afraid whatever news you have may be too late. I am told I am to be recalled to Bajor, the Bajoran Embassy on Earth will be vacated and Bajor will withdraw from the Federation. As we speak, the Bajoran Embassy has been instructed to take out anything that is Bajoran and leave Earth."

Naron took a breath and let out a sigh. "As soon as I communicate this news to President Gruzy, the Federation will have 36 hours of free passage through the Temple. After that, free access to the Temple and the Gamma Quadrant through it will come on a case by case basis, to be decided by Bajor and Bajor alone. Bajoran militia has already moved to take position at both sides of the Temple. We will collapse the entrances, if necessary, to protect Bajoran interests."

"As for the current situation," Naron continued, "Bajor will give the Cardassians once chance to give the Orb to Bajor. Should they do so, then Bajor will open talks with Cardassia to provide limited aid, keeping in mind our hisorty with Cardassia, we are not willing to go as far as we did last time, but we are not the type to allow neighbors to suffer when we are in a position to provide relief and assistance." His tone was brusque in this regard. It was a hard won fight on his part to get that concession from the government. But he won it. It was up to Cardassia now.

Admiral Lynz sat opposite the Ambassador, holding steady onto a datapad in her possession. She listened carefully to the remarks of the Vedek, being careful not to show any sign of influence or affect by what was being said. It was certainly a hard pill to swallow, but it was only part of the story.

"Unfortunately its not exactly that simple, Ambassador," Lynz said in measured tones as she tossed the datapad to the Ambassador, "You may want to take a look at that file before you or your government make any lasting, irrevocable decisions. It is a report that has been obtained by Starfleet Command from the Cardassian Union. The Orb in question has not been in Cardassian possession for long, rather they only recently acquired it from the Nyberrite Alliance. The Alliance has confirmed this through official channels to the President - they were the ones withholding it from your people. The President has already lodged a protest to their government and we have cut off aid that was being given to their colonies." Lynz shifted in her seat, "I have spoken with the Legate responsible for this sector and they have assured me that the Orb will be returned to us, and that it was always their intention to do so. I have authorized a shuttle to go to the surface to pick it up and you are more than welcome to travel with them to ensure proper receipt."

She crossed her legs, "So, the question becomes where do we go from here? Bajor is part of the Federation, we want you to be, and we have to work together to ensure that there is a strong future for the Federation with Bajor as part of it. If you want to throw away all that has been built, fine. We can drop you off on our way home. Nonetheless, I would recommend that Bajor consider its future wisely and what losing the Federation's support could mean for it in the future, especially if the Dominion were to decide to return. Losing access to the Temple would be a detriment to us, but our recent technological developments would make it a temporary setback. If you closed the Temple you'd be significantly damaging your own people, potentially cutting off access to your own Gods, not to mention the New Bajor Colony is the Gamma Quadrant. Do you really want to take the chance?"

"I'm not sure, Admiral," Naron said, "but it seems you are stating the Federation is willing to go to war with Bajor, invade us in fact, in order to steal the Temple from us. I'm sure you understand why any such suggestion would be highly disturbing to Bajor?"

Naron quickly scanned the data on the PaDD. He sighed. He wished this was a simple a change as the Admiral stated. It actually goes back to the heart of the problem with the Federation, how they failed to treat Bajor as an equal but rather kept their secrets and only revealed them when forced to do so.

"I will be on the shuttle. If I'm to argue with the Government and Assembly for the Federation, I will ensure that this is seen through." Naron stood. "Though, I personally, am not happy with the handling of this situation from the President down. Nor do I forget that last time, it was the Federation that was willing to hand Bajor over to the Dominion and, in fact, did so."

"I'm afraid you misunderstand me, Ambassador. I am not saying that we would invade Bajor, far from it, but that neither Starfleet nor the Federation would be obliged to step in and offer assistance if an enemy force did interfere with Bajor. With the development of new technologies the Temple is becoming less and less of a necessity for us to reach the Gamma Quadrant, but you are valued members of our Federation and we don't want to lose sight of that. As for the Orb the President made it a priority to find out about its origins, which we did today."

Lynz paused, "The shuttle is preparing for launch in the Main Shuttlebay. They're waiting for you."

"They are not the only ones," Naron said as he stood. "These are becoming difficult times, Admiral and we must ensure that we know who we can trust. All of us." He smiled as he put his hands together inside the voluminous sleeves of his robes. "Normally, I would wish the Will of the Prophets on you, but I sense that you would not appreciate such sentiments. I will say, then, that I shall not forget our conversation here when it comes time to speak again to my government."

He turned and made it to the door before stopping once again. "And, if the Cardassians are planning to give us the Orb without conditions, they will find Bajor's gratitude for their friendship is not inconsiderable." With that, he stepped through the opening door and began to make his way to the shuttlebay.

Lynz watched as the Ambassador left her office and hoped sincerely that Bajor didn't just leave the Federation.

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