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Posted on Wed Feb 4th, 2026 @ 11:50pm by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos

3,442 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: 7. Guile
Location: Ready Room, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-08-13, 06:30

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen stood at the window of his Ready Room, eyes tracing the silhouette of Deep Space Nine as he studied every line, every curve. From this angle, the massive docking pylons looked like the legs of an immense spider, pinning the Enterprise in place. It was a fitting, if irritating, visual - especially as the Commodore hated spiders. The Enterprise wasn't docked at DS9 right now, it was tethered and there were few options to escape the challenges to come. Between the Klingon posturing and Admiral Deix’s scrutiny, the mission’s momentum was being drained by a web of political optics. There was a galaxy out there to manage, yet here he was, caught in the station’s gravity, waiting for the bureaucracy to catch up to the tactical reality that they faced.

He seemed to have every right to be worried too. If they failed here today the Klingons would very well leave the Khitomer Accords once more. Should that happen, well the Typhon Pact would be undaunted. It would be like letting a bomb loose on the galaxy and it would be all their fault.

Pulling away from the window, Wilkan walked back toward his desk at the back of the room. He stopped a moment and looked at the picture of the Enterprise that his children had drawn for him. Probably his most prized possession, it reminded him of how far he'd come. So much so that he'd put it next to a picture that was taken of the Enterprise and the Explorer together during a mission. While the Explorer had long since passed from Loatha to another Captain, it was still a reminder of when they became more than friends.

Sitting at his desk he brushed a small amount of dust from the model of the Proteus as he waited a moment longer for his XO and Security Chief. He had to wonder who would arrive first.

The commodore didn't have long to wait as Kuzos pressed the chime on the door to gain entrance. While he waited, the Vorta wondered what he had been summoned for and knew it was silly to try and guess as in just a few moments he would be in the Commodore's company and would find out what this was all about.

Releasing the door, the Commodore turned from his desk, "Commander, thank you for coming so quickly. I appreciate it."

"You did summon me Commodore. I thought it imperative I arrive here as quickly as possible." Kuzos replied smoothly.

While the two men conversed Commander zh'Roothi arrived and sounded the door.

Unaccustomed to being late the Andorian's stride faltered her slightly as he crossed the threshold, her gaze lingering on Kuzos momentarily with disdain before she collected herself. "Commodore, Commander," she nodded to them both. "Apologies for my delay."

For a moment the Commodore thought about asking point blank about Admiral Deix's offer, but decided to hold off for now. Instead, he went the diplomatic route, "Unnecessary, Commander, you're actually right on time." He rose from his desk and motioned toward the table near the window, "Please."

Kuzos swung his arm out, "After you Commander." He practically purred at her.

"Thank you," the woman replied stiffly and crossed the room towards the small table as Targaryen had indicated.

Walking toward the table, Wilkan took the seat that looked out the window at the lower pylons of DS9. Holding the datapad he'd been given while on the station, he sat it on the table and pressed a series of controls on the display interface. "The Federation Council and Starfleet Command have ordered us back to DS9 to meet with representatives of the Klingon Empire. They've discovered that we're operating in the Gamma Quadrant again, and they're not happy about it. Actually, they're downright angry about it. Enough that they're threating to leave the Khitomer Accords over it."

Kuzos shook his head. "I know of Klingons. However my interactions and dealings with them have not been as frequent as I'm sure yours Commodore or even yours Commander." Kuzos replied pausing for a bit before going on. "I take it they are angry because they were not included in the invitation to explore the Gamma Quadrant. I also take it they feel their honor has been insulted.... again. I must say I am amazed your alliance with them as lasted as long as it has. They seem to be like a petulant child, constantly having to be restrained and coddled."

"The Klingons have been both friend and foe to the Federation, Commander. Even in my own lifetime I have seen the years of prosperity following the signing of the first Khitomer Accords, and I have seen the tragedies of war with the Klingons twice before," his mind returned to the Sulaco for a moment, remembering the horrors of the Archanis Sector invasions in the beginning of this century. "The Federation has no desire for renewed antagonism and, with the emergence of the Typhon Pact, we wouldn't survive it. Which is why I need to know how the Dominion would feel about the Klingons returning to the Gamma Quadrant." The question was directly to Commander Kuzos and lacked any subtlety. The Commodore needed to know how the Founders would view the return of the Klingon Empire to their neck of the woods.

Kuzos's reply was equally as blunt. "I take it you are asking me in my role as administrator within the Dominion. The Founders would be reluctant to grant such a request. You see, The federation can be talked to and reasoned with. The Klingons are all about honor and glory. They are warriors not diplomats. However...." He paused for a heartbeat and then continued, "if the Federation would vouch for Klingon behaviour within the Gamma Quadrant and the Klingons would agree to the same restrictions imposed on the Federation than perhaps an agreement can be reached."

The Commodore paraphrased, "So we need to take responsibility for their actions, essentially, to justify their involvement?"

Kuzos nodded, "Yes. It puts you between a rock and a hard place, I believe is the human term."

"Is there someone who you could, discreetly, contact to discuss the situation, Commander?" Wilkan asked.

"If you wish me to discuss this discreetly than I will not be contacting Weyoun. But yes, I can make contact and make inquiries and hopefully get an answer you can work with." Kuzos replied.

Wilkan nodded, "With dispatch, please, we haven't much time. The Klingons are on their way here even as we speak. If you can, while you're at it, see if the Dominion knows anything about what happened with 47 too."

"I will get right to it Commodore as well as see if the Founders have any information on who attacked starbase 47." Kuzos replied crisply.

"Do we know the identity of the Klingon representatives?" Zhora asked.

Wilkan nodded, "Yes and no. The diplomatic cable identifies that they're from the House of Korath. That's all the more we have. They only recently became one of the 24 Great Houses at the turn of the century. Prior they were a bit of a pariah."

"Interesting." Kuzos observed. "I will attempt to find out if the Founders have any information on who the Klingon representative is."

"If they even know about it," the Enterprise's Commander answered, but something told him the Dominion knew more about what was going on than they were led to believe. "Go reach out to your contact. Use the Observation Lounge to make your call and return when finished. I need to speak with Commander zh'Roothi on another topic."

Giving a quick nod, Kuzos turned to leave, "Do enjoy your conversation with the commodore, commander." He purred before adding, "I will return as soon as I have something to report."

Unconsciously felt Zhora felt her jaw clench at Kuzos sickly sweet tone before he left to complete his assignment.

Once the door slid shut behind Commander Kuzos, Wilkan looked at his Executive Officer intently, studying her for a moment silently. There were so many things that he wanted to say, so many questions that he wanted to ask, but he instead opted to be direct, "What the Hell are you still doing here?"

She'd been expecting Will to probe her regarding the Admiral's offer, however hadn't been expecting him to be so direct or judgemental in his approach. Their partnership had times felt strained, or fractious in her opinion but this felt different, felt more personal.

"Would you prefer I wasn't?" she replied quickly, the fiery Andoiran blood rising into bloom.

The Commodore shifted, "I didn't say that, Commander. I am asking you to objectively look at your career and its trajectory. Starfleet needs critical resources in places where they can best serve the Federation and its needs. The question is, are they better served by your remaining here or by commanding Deep Space 47? Only you can answer that."

As quickly as it had risen the heat in her gaze and voice softened. "Deep Space 47 needs someone experienced, someone to strengthen is position both physically and methodical." Zhora shook her said slightly. "The assault may have misrepresented the Federation to be weak and vulnerable for exploitation. My invitation wasn't made with a tactical thought, it was mere convenience to establish a permanent presence in the sector as quickly as possible." She continued. "I am not the correct candidate for the station at present."

The Commodore remained silent, studying the answer given. It intrigued him that Commander zh'Roothi had felt that way about her own abilities because he didn't share her assessment of herself nor that she was a decision of convenience. On the contrary, he felt she was the best choice. He wanted to yell, but that wasn't very becoming and such emotion would be a weakness. Instead he just uttered, "Fascinating."

"If you say so," Zhora replied nonchalantly wishing to shut down the topic. She'd made her decision to stay on the Enterprise where she believed her skills would be better served regardless if Targarygen agreed or not.

"It certainly is," Wilkan continued, his ability to listen alerting him to more behind the words. "I, personally, don't agree with your assessment of your abilities, or why you were chosen, and would have proposed you for the position myself had Astran not beat me to it. It has now put me in a precarious position. If you are this concerned about your abilities does it mean that there is something I'm missing in my assessment of you, or does it mean what you believe and I'm still wrong in my assessment. As I live by the assumption I'm never wrong it really does leave me on a bit of a ledge with no parachute."

The twin antenna upon her crown dropped slightly reflecting the feelings of shame and guilt the Commander was experiencing having presented him with a plateful of doubt and left heavy questions unvoiced.

Her confidence waned: "That was not my intention," she straightened finding some bravado. "I feel my place is here, where a difference can be made. Where we can, and have already traversed the Quadrant to strengthen relations with factions across the sector. I am, in essence more useful to the Federation here than confined to a station stained in with blood."

Commodore Targaryen listened, considering for a moment that this was the most honest assessment that Commander zh'Roothi had ever given him in the months they'd worked together. He wasn't wrong in his assessment of her, but her own assessment was tainted by her view of the station and its legacy.

"Fair enough," he answered, knowing Astrun probably wouldn't be thrilled. Not that he cared.

Expecting to defend her position once more Zhora felt winded by his acceptance and a touch bewildered. "Does that suffice?" she asked tentatively.

Enterprise's Commanding Officer considered the question a second time, "For now."

She bit back the rising challenge that danced upon her lips choosing to finally acknowledge they'd reached a level of understanding regarding her current career path.

"Good," the XO sighed. "I think we have enough to worry about already without adding more fuel."

Wilkan chuckled, "About that..."

Forty five minutes later Kuzos returned to the Commodore and Commander. "I have spoken with Founder Odo and he has made the Dominion's view quite clear. The Dominion is not interested in Federation politics and the Klingons will not be allowed to dictate the Dominion's sovereign territory. In addition he has appointed me to lead the talks with the Klingons and to make sure they understand."

Wilkan Targaryen looked up at the Security Chief, now Dominion Ambassador, and then dropped his head into his hands for a moment as the weight of the Vorta's statements hit him like a shuttlecraft at full impulse. The enormity of the words were hard to escape: not only were the Dominion opposed to the Klingons coming back to the Gamma Quadrant, but they were also acutely aware of that fact and it was all Wilkan's fault. To make matters worse, Kuzos had been declared the Dominion's Ambassador during these talks. Either Admiral Deix's head was going to explode, or the Admiral would make sure Wilkan's did.

"Damn," the Commodore said with a sigh.

"That certainly complicates the picture," zh'Roothi felt herself sigh and slouch in her seat.

Wilkan nodded, "You have a gift for understatement, Commander." He looked up at Kuzos, "Please sit down, Commander, there's an additional matter we need to discuss."

As Kuzos moved to sit down, he looked between the commodore and commander. "I sense there is a problem I am unaware of."

Wilkan dove right in, "Admiral Deix and I had a long discussion about Starfleet and its future last night. With the fall of DS47 and the unidentified threat, the Admiral is looking into everything going on in the Gamma Quadrant with a fine tooth comb. This ship included. Last night I was questioned about the command crew of this ship, and your name came up. As Security Chief on the Federation flagship you're an essential resource to the Federation and Starfleet's readiness in the Gamma Quadrant. Because of that, the Admiral questioned your loyalties as a Dominion Administrator and Vorta." He didn't hide anything.

"That being said," Wilkan continued, "I have no intention of allowing my command team to be dictated to me by Starfleet. You are a member of my team and I have already vouched for you. Nevertheless, the landscape is more volatile now than it was an hour ago. The Admiral is already looking for a reason to find you compromised; your new status as the Dominion Envoy provides him with a tactical opening I’d rather he didn't have. We need to be airtight."

The XO shifted in her seat again. This explained a few things in her opinion, least of all why he'd been so honest regarding her career choice. "What do you propose?" she asked hoping the Commodore had another card to play.

"The Admiral views our command team as a liability, we need to show that it isn't. The Admiral is already questioning our decisions," he looked at Kuzos, "Astran doesn’t believe a Vorta can serve two masters, if I am to keep you on my bridge, I need to prove that your role as 'Ambassador' doesn't turn my Security department into a Dominion outpost." He looked at Zhora, "If we go into this conference with even a sliver of daylight between us, Deix will use it. He’s already questioning Sora’s background, Kuzos' loyalty, and your career choices. We are being scrutinized by a man who prefers 'optics' over the reality that we are the only ones currently preventing a war with the Klingons."

The Enterprise's Commander stood and walked to the window. He looked upon the stars, watching the abyss for a moment before continuing, "I'm playing on the fact this is the only crew capable of handling the Gamma Quadrant. Make no mistake, if we blink or if a single Dominion priority takes precedence over the safety of the Federation, I won't just lose my ship. We’ll lose the Accords and the Federation will be at war."

"I see." Kuzos replied in a tone that neither the commodore nor commander had ever heard from him. It was cold, glacial. His ever present smile gone. "I am glad Odo does not feel like your Admiral. I see my past service to the ship and crew are of little account in the eyes of the Admiral. Tell me Commodore did you have to vouch for the commander as well? Or Sora? Or was it just the Vorta?"

He was direct in his answer, "All of the above."

Kuzos didn't bat an eye, "Then the Admiral has a serious problem."

Zhora remained quiet as Targaryen laid out the brutal realism of the task ahead of them and could already feel the walls closing in. She looked back toward Kuzos as if seeing him for the first time having put aside his sweet, potentially fake side momentarily and wondered what he was suggesting.

Kuzos met her gaze, "Something on your mind Commander?" He asked her directly.

Instead the Commodore interrupted, "Stand down, Commander." He looked at the Vorta, "I'm more interested in hearing your assessment, Commander Kuzos."

Mutely Zhora signalled her innocence in misunderstanding.

Kuzos's eyes snapped on to the commodore but he said nothing for a moment just let the silence linger before he did reply. "While I appreciate you vouching for me it was uncalled for. I know I have done nothing to jeopardize this ship or crew through any of my actions. As for my assessment it is this, the Admiral has an axe to grind and he is using you and your command structure to do it. He singles me out for I am Vorta and Vorta are the face and voice of the Dominion. He thinks little of me and my ability to be loyal to this ship while also being loyal to the Founders and their directives. He is wrong in that opinion." He finished bluntly.

"I'm glad to hear that," Wilkan said honestly, "because I am certain of it. My defense of you was not because I felt you needed someone to vouch for you, Commander, rather because you are a member of this team and you have proven your worth not only to this ship, but to the Federation itself. Nothing that I do is on a whim, rather it is carefully laid out and considered and I could care less about how Admiral Deix perceives the situation. All that matters to me is my assessment of the situation."

Targaryen looked at the Vorta Ambassador, "Whatever 'optics' the Admiral is focusing on are immaterial. We can't change his perceptions of the Dominion or the Vorta, but we can change how he perceives you and your actions. This meeting itself is the tool by which we're going to accomplish that. The Admiral's not going to be happy that you're the Dominion's Ambassador for this mission, we have to accept that, but we can also use it to our advantage because we all know the only reason that wormhole is not slammed shut in his face is you and your desire for the Federation to continue their mission of peaceful exploration of the Gamma Quadrant. That's what our focus should be."

"I'm glad you understand and see the big picture Commodore and it is a shame that Admiral Deix isn't as careful or thorough in his plans." Kuzos replied. "As for our focus, you can count on me to whatever is neccesary to show Deix the error of his perceptions."

"You know, out of you, I expect nothing less," it was a high compliment from the Commodore. Checking the chronometer, "We haven't much time until we have to meet with the Admiral and the Klingon delegation and a lot to do in the interim. If there's nothing else go gather your gear and be ready to head over to DS9. I have a few last minute details to prepare for before I head over myself."

Kuzos gave a short, curt nod of his head. "I shall change into a Dominion diplomatic uniform, so Admiral Deix can see who I represent in these talks."

"We'll play the part too," he looked at Zhora, "Service Dress for both of us. We wouldn't want to be under dressed."

"Understood," the XO nodded half wondering if she was dressing for battle or for slaughter.

"Alright then," Wilkan said with a crisp nod, "dismissed."

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