Chapter 1.3

Posted on Fri Mar 24th, 2023 @ 2:36am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Legate Moteek Ardat
Edited on on Tue Apr 11th, 2023 @ 2:49am

2,008 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: No Sleep Tonight
Location: Cardassian Embassy, Deep Space 12
Timeline: 2431-05-30, 21:15

Ambassador Moteek Ardat sat hunched over a metallic desk, both of his hands clasped tightly to a steaming cup of red leaf tea. Ardat seemed to bask in both the warmth and aroma it radiated. The 89 year-old Cardassian could never seem to stay warm as of late, the temperature in his office pushed forty degrees Celsius and even that never seemed to be enough. The alien was always frozen and as a result his hands had almost permanently become fists whenever they weren’t wrapped around a hot cup of red leaf tea in an effort to keep his digits from surely falling off with the cold. Ardat’s mother had been just like him, and her mother before her, they ran cold, and that was that, an ailment that only got worse with age.

The Cardiassian’s dimly lit office wasn’t large, just his desk, two guest chairs, a flag of the Republic of Cardassia pinned to the wall, a view of the docking bay through a small portal and a large shelving unit which seemed ready for collapse. Ardat wasn’t really a hoarder; but, he took comfort in his possessions and at his age he had a wealth of them. When he moved to Deep Space 12, he took everything he owned, to the bewilderment of the Quartermaster, and much of it was fit like a puzzle on the shelving unit behind him. To the untrained eye it might have looked like a chaotic mess; but, Ardat had a system and he could put his hand on anything. On display was a model of a Galor-class 24th century ship, a picture of a gray haired Cardaissian female, his mother, wearing a large brooch; the same jevonite brooch sat inches away in a display case. Ardat also had a modest library woven in there between various artifacts of his life, such titles include 15 Minute Meals with Taspar Eggs, Zabu Stew and Other Homestyle Meals, Damar: Martyr for a New Dawn, Meditations on a Crimson Shadow, The Rise and Fall of the Detapa Council, andThe Never Ending Sacrifice.

Having just met with the Senior Staff of Deep Space 12, Willian Targaryen stood steady as the turbolift descended toward the Violet Sector, the Diplomatic Center of Deep Space 12. While more recently several of the governments had chosen to rebuild their embassy in the Habitat Sector for the more natural settings, the Cardassians had chosen to remain in their traditional spaceborne surroundings. It was curious to him, but he didn’t have time for curiosity.

Not at the moment at least, not with what he and his crew had been planning.

A few hours ago Starfleet forces had been patrolling the new Demilitarized Zone, the border between the Federation and Cardassians. During patrol, the patrol ship detected a group of six Cardassian vessels patrolling on their side of the border. That wasn’t out of the ordinary at all. It was perfectly normal for the Cardassians to have their own forces parallel to Starfleet during border patrol. Where things got dicey was that the Cardassians didn’t stay on their side of the border. The six vessels proceeded to claim the Alioth System as part of the Cardassian Republic and then ordered Starfleet away. Then, mere moments ago, the Admiral had been informed that the same ships were now on course for Ascella.

That wasn’t the scary part. The scariest part of all this was that the Cardassian ships had been modified with newer, more dangerous technologies that were not natural to the Cardassian Republic. These weapons were native to the Interstellar Coalition and were devastating to those who fought against them. His crew had a plan to try to build a new defense, but it all hinged on the Cardassian Ambassador.

Standing at the receptionist in the Cardassian Embassy, Willian introduced himself and shared his appointment. The young envoy agreed to alert the Ambassador to his arrival.

Ambassador Moteek Ardat snarled as he heard the chime, “Send him in.” The Cardassian wasn’t particularly looking forward to this meeting, he had some indication of what it concerned and it would no doubt be riddled with questions and the need for action. Ardat had just begun to feel at home on Deep Space 12, finally settled in, and he feared this meeting would be the catalyst to uproot him, and if it was anything Ardat hated, it was surely being uprooted.

He looked up briefly as the man entered the office space, “Come in quickly you’re letting the heat out Admiral.” Ardat lifted his cup and took a sip, his eyes closed a moment as if to gather his thoughts, “I doubt you came here to be offered a cup of red leaf tea, though it is rather pleasant I can contest. How about we skip the whole song and dance and cut right to it shall we? You’re here for what I can only tell, urgent business, so what is it? What can the simple Cadassian Ambassador, Moteek Ardat do for the good Admiral Targaryen?” His narrow eyes fell upon the man as a crooked grin appeared on his wrinkled lips, his digits still clung to his steaming cup.

In their brief interactions Admiral Targaryen had always appreciated that the Cardassian Ambassador didn’t beat around the bush. Carrying a Starfleet datapad, Willian handed the small computer tablet to the Cardassian, “A few hours ago a small group of Cardassian ships annexed an independent star system along the DMZ. Not long after they moved on to a second system with, we can only assume, the same intent. When confronted by Starfleet they threatened to destroy our vessel for violation of their territory.”

The Admiral continued, indicating the PADD, “The most troubling part is the modifications that have been detected to the vessels. Each ship has been retrofitted with technologies belonging to the Interstellar Coalition, which violates the sovereignty of your people as well as the intergalactic treaty between our two governments.”

Ardat let a sigh escape his lips, “Well I could act outraged that you would make such troubling claims about the Republic of Cardassia. I could appear shocked by your claim and offer doubt, citing that the Federation has never been without error and things are not what they appear. I fear none of those options would yield anything fruitful, wouldn’t you agree? I am old enough, being from a certain generation, where I know that anything is possible, few things these days surprise me. Shock, outrage, those are games for the young.”

The Ambassador motioned his hand about the office, “So are you here to serve me, order the closure of this Embassy until this situation has been sorted, or are you here to inform me that our people are at war?” He grinned again, “I can assure you, I’m also too old to fight you, if that’s the case…”

He took another sip of his tea. He knew it was obvious that he had taken great effort to say plenty, but also to say very little. He took effort not to reveal his knowing, or lack of knowing of the situation prior to his guests arrival. “...Or is there something else you need from me Admiral?”

“I’m not the type to get excitable, Ambassador, and I have no desire to see war between our two people; especially when I don’t believe the Cardassian Republic is to blame for what is happening.” Targaryen spoke to the PADD from where he was seated, “Display file 47-329-0017 on my authorization.”

The PADD switched from the sensor scans of the Cardassian Task Group to a classified mission debrief from the Starship Uhura. “A few months ago your predecessor and I spoke about this incident, Ambassador. Starfleet had uncovered evidence that the True Way had allied themselves with the Interstellar Coalition and were receiving materials and support in preparation for… well we don’t know what they were preparing for. The Starship Uhura went to investigate these reports and was challenged by Gul Nayat, the same Gul who was leading these ships at Alioth.”

Now it was time to be honest, “Ambassador, I believe that your government is at risk from within and that gives us a mutual enemy. I want your permission to go after them.”

“It seems that you know a great deal more about this ordeal than I gave you credit for Admiral, I won’t make that mistake again,” the Cardassian said with a nod.

“However, I can not give you what you ask for Admiral… There is far too much politics at play.” The Cardassian spoke simply and directly as he sighed, “Some of the officials, mainly the newly elected, do not want to appear weak, and feel that the Republic of Cardassia needs to handle their own issues. Honestly? They just want to prove themselves, appear as a force of strength, and have a story to tell. There are still some hungry for the battles of the past, thirst for disorder and excitement. The more senior officials feel, as I feel, that they are going to make a mess of things, slow down discussion making, act too aggressively, and things will get a lot worse before they can get any sense of control of the situation. While it may be true that the enemy of our enemy is our friend, the best I can offer is an alternative - take me with you. There is a conference, or some other urgent business I must attend to on Ascella, will you take me Admiral?” Ardat proposed the pretense of shuttling the Ambassador to Ascella under the guise of urgent business, and wondered if it would be adequate enough for the Ambassador. They would no doubt encounter Gul Nayat in their travels, and this painting of gray may very well be their only political answer.

The Admiral considered the options before him, carefully considering all the choices and their potential fallout. If they took the Ambassador with them on the mission there was the distinct possibility that their plan could be disrupted. Nonetheless, without the Ambassador with them, it was just as likely that the Cardassians would see their efforts as being confrontational and it could lead to war. The Republic was a strong ally of the Federation, especially in the Maelstrom, but the risk of appearing weak now was just as dangerous.

“You know we have received reports that the Kzinti have been operating along the DMZ. I suppose that we should investigate and, due to the proximity to Cardassian Territory, I think that the ideal solution is for you to travel with us, Ambassador. What are your thoughts on going with us?”

Ardat gave a nod as both men seemed to have a mutual understanding, “How convenient, your ship is headed in that direction Admiral. Gratitude extends to you on behalf of the Republic of Cardassia and this simple Cadassian Ambassador. Now could you pass me my shawl?” He requests as he pointed one of his digits outward toward one of the chairs, the first departure from the warmth of his cup. “I have no doubt that your ship will be as cold as the summits of Andor…”

A grin once again appeared on his wrinkled lips, “Well depending on how this journey of ours goes… Maybe the next time you grace me with a visit I’ll at least have the leisure to… offer you a chair...” He pushed himself up, slowly and carefully as if the effort hurt him, he now stood with the Admiral.”

“I would like that, Ambassador,” Willian answered.

The Ambassador tightly pulled the shawl around him, “Alright… shall we…?” He motioned his hand toward the door.

The Commander of the Station nodded, politely, and started out the door. While the meeting had gone incredibly well there was still one question firmly on his mind: how was he going to capture a Cardassian ship with the Cardassian Ambassador sitting on his Bridge?

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