Brunch Meeting

Posted on Sun May 19th, 2019 @ 12:35pm by Commander Galatea & President Gruzy of New Xindus & Daeren Iril & Secretary Jonathan Grayson of United Earth
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 5:38pm

1,983 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Atlantis
Location: President's Dining Room, Starfleet One
Timeline: 2429-12-02, 11:00

Gruzy of New Xindus placed the recently peeled Kaferian apple pieces on his plate as he went through the buffet line. The Memorial Service for Commanders H'wii and Karrak had been very draining on everyone so it was nice to have a small meal while they returned to Earth.

The President had invited all of his Secretaries and Staff aboard the ship to join him for the meal. If she were still aboard he would've invited Governor Kir, but she was due back on New Vulcan and it was best not to keep interrupting that colony and its operations. Their plan was working so far and, using Sejek's actions against him, the number of requests for passage off the planet had declined sharply. He just hoped no one ever found out.

Just like he hoped their involvement with the Klingon affair never got out. With Admiral Coulson leaving to oversee the operations of the 16th Fleet on a more permanent basis he had authorized Admiral Teagarden to return to his former role, but that was a stretch for him even. At the first mistake he would immediately demand the Admiral's resignation from service if not worse. The Xindi was tiring of his cavalier attitude and, more to the point, it was no longer going to fly with him. That was the real reason he was back aboard this ship.

Setting his plate down at the head of the table he sat waiting for the others to join him.

He didn't have to wait long. Moments after Gruzy sat, Daeren Iril entered the dining room. He glanced about, surprised to see only Gruzy there. "Good morning, sir," he said. He filled a cup with hot tea and put a helping of fried plomeek in ginger sauce on his plate, along with a buttered English muffin and grape jelly. He joined Gruzy at the table and sat down to savor his tea. "I checked the morning's collection of situation reports. The Klingons seem to be quiet--for now."

A few minutes later Jonathan entered the dining room. He and Res had finished their meeting with the Klingon refugee fleet and an accord had been reached and all sides were if not entirely happy at least satisfied. He only hoped it didn't blow up in their faces. He saw Daeren and the President already seated at the dining table, "Good morning Mr. President, Daeren." He said in greeting as he looked over the assortment of food before him before settling on a glass of orange juice and a bagel which he added butter to before adding a few slices of bacon.to his plate.

"Ah he's the one you should thank for that, Secretary Iril," the President said after having taken a bite of his apple. "Secretary Grayson and Ambassador Kalev met with the Klingon armada that tried to pass the border. They were able to neutralize that situation."

"Thank you Mr. President but it wasn't just me. As you said Ambassador Kalev also played a major part in getting General K'hmpir and his followers to agree to the terms of the accord." Jon replied as he sat down and took a sip of his juice before replying again. "I'm frankly amazed it went as well as it did. The General blustered and raged but he went along with the terms without a fuss."

The President took a drink of his coffee, "That's a good thing. If only more diplomatic missions could go in such a manner. Now we have a splinter group of Klingons once more fully allied with the Federation. They may be within our territorial sphere, but I think we can handle them," he smiled as he said it.

"What terms did they want?" Daeren asked Grayson. "I haven't read the mission report yet."

"A nice, quiet world to settle on," the Xindi answered as he set aside his plate. "To keep their three combat capable craft in orbit and to allow the remainder of their ships to colonize that planet. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong," he offered to the two that negotiated the relationship.

Jon took a bite of his bagel before replying. "No, that's basically it Mr. President. The only other thing I can add is the Klingons also agreed for us to monitor them, to make sure everything is as it should be."

"Yes, exactly." Res said walking into the room and heading for the buffet, "And good morning to you all." she flashed a winning smile to match the sparkling green dress she wore that fell past her knees.


He took a drink, "At any rate we are returning to Earth to prepare for the next session of the Federation Council. Hopefully things go routinely and Representative Caxl doesn't try to muck things up."

"One can only hope. Mr. President." Jon replied.

Daeren raised an eyebrow. "The Klingons consented to monitoring? How in the world did you persuade them to abide by that? I would have expected them to regard that as being treated as children or, even worse, as suggesting that they lack honor."

The President said nothing as he watched the interaction between the two. He had been surprised by the announcement that the Klingons had agreed to be watched so closely, but he had attributed it to the skill of the Secretary. He listened as he walked toward the buffet to get another apple.

Restalar sat down next to Grayson and nodded, then took a bite of her food. "It wasn't an easy win Mr. President and Mr. Secretary, but it was a good negotiated settlement where both sides are required to show trust. We trust them not to betray us, and they trust us not to blow their colony to bits for doing so." She smiled again. "As I said, a win. They seemed grateful in their own Klingon style way, so I don't expect we'll see much trouble." She took a bite of her muffin and then settled in more. "And, that should wrap that affair. What next do we have on our agenda, Mr. President?"

"I will be returning home to attend the Federation Council meeting and I am going to do something that has rarely been done in recent years by the Federation President: I am going to willingly administrate a Council session," he smiled after saying it knowing how rare it was. In the past the Federation President oversaw the body in all sessions, but the Dominion Conflicts cause some of those responsibilities change and the Council eventually developed a Speaker who represented them and led the sessions when the President was away. This was going to surprise a lot of people.

"I like that idea," Daeren said. "It will imply that we are not on a war footing and that our leader is secure enough in his position to manage affairs in the seat of government, rather than having to travel everywhere, putting out brush fires personally. I wish you good luck in the adjustment period."

Gruzy finished another slice of apple, "Meanwhile, I am going to ask for volunteers to travel with Starfleet One on their mission. While it is my transport ship, it also will represent the best of what Starfleet has to offer. Because of this I am sending them to investigate a distress call that was uncovered while we were conducting the memorial service."

Grayson sipped his juice as the President first spoke of conducting a Council session personally which he was certainly entitled to. However his attention was piqued when he asked for volunteers to accompany Starfleet One on their mission to investigate a distress call. "Forgive me Mr. President, a distress call? May I ask from where?"

This was news to Daeren, as well. He took another sip of his tea and leaned back to hear what Gruzy had to say.

"A neighboring sector," the Xindi answered. "The Starfleet team here is convinced it's a distress call. I've authorized this ship to investigate it though as I am a bit concerned about one of the details they uncovered: the frequency that the message was transmitted on was not all that dissimilar from a Federation carrier wave. I want to know why they have our technology, or something so close."

"That is interesting." Jon answered, sitting up straighter in his chair. "The next question is how is that even possible? I definitely would like to be included ….if you don't object Mr. President."

The Reptilian Xindi nodded crisply, "I see no issue with that, Mister Secretary. I for one would like to be on this one myself, if I weren't needed for the Council session. All we know for certain is that it isn't one of ours."

"Not even, possibly, a transponder signal salvaged from an old, derelict Federation ship?" Daeren theorized. Less savory possibilities occurred to him, but he suspected those possibilities had also occurred to Gruzy and Starfleet One's crew. "I'm certainly willing to volunteer, Mr. President, unless you need me for the Council session."

"I think that your presence is appropriate, Mister Secretary." He looked at his Chief of Staff with a smirk, "Res and I can handle the politicians on Earth."

"Oh, please do!" Daeren said with an amused look.

"As you say, Sir." Res flashed a welcome smile. "I'm looking forward to crossing political swords once more with my colleagues."

Jon was disappointed that Res wouldn't be joining them on the trip to find out more about the mysterious signal. He had enjoyed her company and she had proven more than capable in the diplomatic area in dealing with the Klingon refugee fleet. Still, he hid his disappointment after all you can't always get what you want.

The holographic form of Starfleet One's AI appeared in the room dressed in her ceremonial uniform. "Pardon the interruption, Mister President, but we are approaching the Sol System. I thought that you would want to be updated."

The Xindi nodded, "Thank you, Galatea. You may go."

The hologram faded away just as quickly as she had arrived. Gruzy looked at the others, "Anything else we want to talk about before we arrive home?"

"I am curious, Mr. President, about what you hope Jonathan and I will accomplish on Starfleet One during this mission that the crew themselves cannot do. Do you anticipate a diplomatic component to the situation?" Daeren asked.

"You never know," he answered with a smile. "I have a feeling that diplomacy is going to come into play with this more than we may anticipate. The unknown always brings that potential and, with the distance from Federation controlled space and their possession of communications equipment similar to ours, we need to be prepared. I think you two are perfect candidates."

"Just have faith in your abilities, and watch for openings when negotiating. Don't be afraid to use whatever leverage you deem appropriate for the situation at hand." the Chief of Staff advised. "You'll both do fine."

Jon smiled but stayed silent. He wished Res was coming with them to investigate the distress signal. They had worked well together and he was hoping they could do it again.

Daeren nodded at her and also gave a brief smile. "Keep the office lit. We'll see you in a few days, I expect."

Galatea appeared once more, "We are on final approach to the Sol System. We will arrive in orbit of Earth in fifteen minutes."

"Guess that's the bell," the Xindi said. "Anything else anyone would like to add?"

"Nothing from me," Daeren said. "I hope all goes well with the council."

"Yes, good luck with the council." Jonathan added before sipping his juice.

The Xindi nodded, "I just hope that you have it easier than I know we will. I have a distinct feeling that we're about to have a bit of an adventure with the Federation Council..."

 

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