Check the Hand

Posted on 18 Mar 2017 @ 7:02pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Ambassador Soral Varro

2,269 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 14 - Statecraft
Location: IKS Duja'Q - General Saalm's Office
Timeline: MD 04 - 1338 hrs

[ON]

Varro had finished all the medical and counseling appointments and now he was t meet the General. He'd had a rough few days, with he infected wound, the counselor's probing and with the approaching of Marcus' ... correction what would have been Marcus' birthday. He'd also given one of the Klingons a shake down for messing with Eviess. Varro took the moment in the turbolift to rub the bridge of his nose. He slowly took a few calming breaths.

Within minutes the lift stopped and he steeled himself. When it opened he headed for the admiral's office. One more breath and he rang the chime that would tell her he'd arrived.

A few long seconds ticked by with no answer. Lirha was inside, but presently occupied reviewing a classified intelligence report she'd been forwarded from Medara over the vessel's secure and secretive subspace communications frequency. "Enter.." came a soft voice which was a bit mumbled.

Varro entered with his hands firmly clasped behind his back. "Ambassador Sorral Varro as requested, Madam General."

Before she looked up, Lirha heard the door open then shut which prompted her to take a final glance at her screen before tapping a quick command to blank the screen and set the terminal on standby. She then raised her eyes and took in the sight of the new arrival, a tall man with a decent build and Vulcan-looking features. His curly brown hair contrasted with his green eyes which the Orion general found intriguing -- it was atypical of members of his species.

"Hello, ambassador," she said, giving the man a polite yet subdued smile. "Please sit," she added, motioning to the steel and uncomfortable chair across from her. Sadly, the most basic of comforts aboard Starfleet vessels, such as padded chairs, were lacking on the battlecruiser.

Varro did not feel like sitting but the offer was hard to refuse. He inclined his head and then sat. "I thank you for your kindness. I was told that you wish to see me promptly."

"Yes. It was not urgent, though," Lirha replied, leaning back in her chair to show a semblance of relaxation in the tone of the pending conversation. "I wanted to meet you before we arrive at Qo'noS. It has been a long time since a senior diplomat has served on one of my crews and your specialty will be very useful in the coming days."

Varro gave a nod. "I will make every endeavour to assist. The people on that prison planet we just left deserve to be able to leave and live their lives in peace and if this helps I will do my best."

Varro thought for a moment and studied the Orion. "Madam General may I ask a question?"

She opened a palm to indicate for him to ask. She wasn't quite sure how much information she'd be able to provide him with considering the semi-classified nature of certain mission elements, but she'd do her best to keep him informed of any pertinent information.

"Can you give me a bit of background as to what is going on so that I may form a diplomatic plan of action."

Background? she wondered. About Kreanus? Or their mission? Or Galileo? She wasn't quite sure how to respond and frowned before requesting clarification. "What is it you would like to know, exactly?"

Varro sat back a bit. "Please tell me about the mission we are on and any background about the planet that you can share that might be relevant to the mission. I must admit I did have the opportunity to learn about Kreanus but being held on a shadow planet against ones will does not inspire the desire to integrate or learn about ones surroundings."

Lirha knew the diplomat in front of her had been aboard DuJa'Q since they'd all boarded and departed. Therefore, she knew he was familiar with the brief synopsis of the mission she'd provided to all of the crew over the ship-wide intercom. "Our mission is to..." she paused to think about the absurdness of their plan and what was expected of them, "infiltrate Klingon territory and arrive at Qo'noS to negotiate Kreanus' terms to the High Council," she began. "As for Kreanus itself? It is an interesting world." Perhaps that wasn't the best word to describe the planet, but she continued on anyway. "A sovereign entity composed of many different species and political refugees from various factions. They've all found a home on their rogue planet and have claimed it for themselves. And now they are seeking our assistance in order to be recognized, gain their independence, and prevent conflict between the UFP and Klingon Empire."

Varro sighed. "So basically we are to make the impossible, possible. Fascinating." He thought a moment. "You do realize that the High Council will be somewhat resistant...to put it mildly. Klingon have never cared about preventing conflict and they are not afraid of it. We must find something that will make them want to cooperate. Negotiation is about giving both sides something they want or enough that they are willing to make a deal. However, Madam, you are lucky that I am a firm believer in the Ferengi rule that states that everyone has a price."

"This is true." Not everyone, but most people had a price, Lirha acknowledged. "But the Klingon Empire does not want conflict with the Federation. It would give no advantages the Empire at this point in time. They -- just as Starfleet -- are still rebuilding their fleet strength from the Dominion War losses. And they, like us, are expanding their territory and conquering worlds along the fallen Romulan border. They are in a period of expansionism, not conflict."

Varro gave a nod. "Madam I ask for permission to speak freely."

"Granted," Lirha replied.

"Kreanus is a dying world, not enough resources, not enough work force. It's little more then a hellish prison planet for misfits and I don't understand what it could possibly have that the Klingons may want. Even if we manage to convince the Klingon High Council that it is worth allowing them to continue peacefully what of the Federation? They destroyed the Galileo, imprisoned and tortured their officers, forced their help by providing a scenario of 'help us or you will never be free' Many Galilean's lost their lives and then there are the rumors...." Varro said.

Leaning back in her seat, Saalm regarded the man and his words. Some of what he'd said was not entirely accurate, at least in interpretation. "The High Council wants nothing with Kreanus itself," she clarified. "They do not even know the exact location of the world. It seems they are interested in General Ko'raH and nothing more, but as long as he retains his position as Kreanus' fleet commander, other Kreanan vessels will continue to fall victim to the Empire's hunt." She then held up a green finger to highlight an important point.

"Though the Kreanans are a collective political unit, they're essentially a loose alliance of people from different backgrounds, species, political and religious beliefs, and ideals. And as easy as it would be to hold their entire world responsible for my vessel's destruction, they are not. General Ko'raH and his officers are the ones who destroyed Galileo...not the elderly, the children, or the workers of the colony," she tried to explain. "Kreanus has existed for several generations already and has probably managed to survive under much more duress. I believe it's our duty as Starfleet officers to assist them, even if certain members of their world have committed acts of violence towards us."

"Ah...so we do have a bargaining chip then. General Ko'raH and that chip works both ways Federation and High Council." Varro stroked his chin. "I do believe we can convince the Council to free Kreanus and Starfleet to aid." He looked at the woman before him.

"Kreanus is already free, but it's political position is somewhat precarious," Lirha clarified. "The Federation is unaware of its existence even though it lies within Federation territory. And the Klingon Empire considers it a sovereign world as well. While they do not know of its precise location, however, they've proven they are willing to violate Federation territory to attack Ko'raH. This of course would be a disaster if Starfleet discovered the incursions. It could lead to war."

Varro nodded. "General may I ask you something?" Varro enquired.

He shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "You were the commanding officer on the Galileo right?"

"I was," Lirha answered. She wasn't sure where the question would lead but she knew the diplomat probably already knew the answer before he asked. Which led her to wonder what his followup question might be.

"And now you are the commanding officer for this ship, that belongs to the Kreanus planet." It was a statement. Now, how to put this delicately... "Have you always worked with this planet? Once this is over will the crew be allowed to go free and return to Starfleet or will they once again be prisoners on Kreanus?" They were valid questions. They were questions he'd heard in the mess hall from a few petty officers and he might as well ask them. He needed to know where they stood.

Saalm cocked her head slightly to the side with confusion. Had she always worked with this planet, she repeated in her head. That seemed a strange question considering she hadn't even known of its existence until three weeks ago. As for the second query, she'd already received her assurances from Medara and relayed them to the crew -- there wasn't much more she say that wouldn't be repeating herself.

"I've never 'worked' for Kreanus," she began to answer, her eyes now narrower while scrutinizing the other man more closely. "The colony's leaders have made a plea for help. One that will entoil the Federation and Klingon Empire in conflict if we sit by and do nothing. Until a few weeks ago, none of my crew even knew of the world's existence...that includes me. But I've been given assurances by Medara that she will stay true to her word if we accomplish our mission, and that is what I intend to do."

Varro gave a nod. "Now I have another question. If the Klingons ask for this General Ko'raH are we in a position to give him to them? Since this will be a negotiation I need to know the hard max for our side so I can push theirs."

She shook her head, her dark ponytail bouncing slightly from side to side. "The general has a large following on Kreanus -- even aboard this starship there are many of his followers." Lirha knew Ko'raH was a powerful man who was competent at consolidating power and remaining one step ahead of any usurpers. "I doubt there is anyone who could force him up as a negotiation chip. He holds too much power to allow himself to be used as a bartering piece," she answered. Touching a green index finger to her chin, she briefly thought about the alternatives and some of her condifential conversations and arrangements with Medara on Kreanus.

"However," Lirha continued, "while he cannot be extradited, he is an arrogant and honor-bound man who could probably be coaxed into restoring his honor." Of course, the Orion had already set a series of plans in motion along with the help of the colony's Romulan administration. She couldn't reveal much to the new diplomat in front of her, but she also wanted him to understand the complex political elements at play.

Varro could read between the lines. That had been his speciality. "I understand." He gave a nod. "A proposal. Why don't you send me all the information that you are allowed to share...or willing to share and I will work with that when coming up with a negotiation strategy. As much background information on the players would help as well."

It wasn't a bad proposal, Lirha thought, but given the sensitive nature of what they were dealing with, she didn't want any computer records of personnel reports stored anywhere aboard the battlecruiser. One never knew who might be snooping or acquire such data.

"Meet me in the shuttlebay, tomorrow morning at 0540," she agreed. "Tell no one and do not bring any devices with you. We'll be able to talk in a more private setting."

Varro stood and gave a nod. His sense of humour, not well used in a long time reared its head. "As long as you promise not to vent me into space. If that happens I shall be very cross."

She smirked at the levity. It was good from time to time to be able to break the stress with a joke or two. "Would you prefer I give you to Ko'raH and have him gut you alive with his bat'leth?" she replied in kind, a small smile tugging at the corners of her gold lips.

"To being sucked out into space?" Varro pretended to think about it. "I'd prefer the space."

It was a good decision, and one that Lirha agreed with. "I as well," she replied. "I will see you tomorrow then. Don't be late."

"I am a diplomat Madam...I always arrive to negotiations in a timely...well that's bloody not true but I will be on time and will see you upon the morrow."

[OFF]

--

GEN Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
IKS DuJa'Q

Ambassador Soral Varro
Chief Diplomat Officer
IKS DuJa'Q

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