The dinner at the Daystrom Institute was intended to be a celebration of collaboration between Starfleet and the new Cardassian government. No longer described as an "empire", Cardassia had been transformed in recent years into a civilian-run republic of a cluster of planets in its home galaxy. Gone were the massive military installments and even its most brutal former officers were re-trained and accepted as civilian consultants in the new, limited, Cardassian defense and security divisions. The Cardassian Planetary Union, as it was now known, was on the edge of acceptance in the Federation. All in all it was a peacemaking and reconciliation process that rivaled that of South Africa in earth's 20th century, though it had been born of the necessity for survival, not spearheaded by individual heroism. "Cultural heroism" was how the Federation described it.
A major benefit of alliance with the Cardassian Planetary Union - in addition to peace, of course - was the free sharing of technology. Cardassia possessed a great knowledge of cybernetics, and although not specifically devoted to such things as non-organic life forms it had proven vastly useful in the rapidly developing Android Culture Project. After nearly seven years the project was breathtakingly close to establishing its first experimental community on Daystrom's planet.
The timing of the celebration was deliberately planned, five years to the day after the death of Jean Luc Picard. After many discussions both formal and casual within the Federation regarding how best to mark this date as a celebration of Picard's contributions to Starfleet and the Federation, it was decided that a celebration of the general concepts and accomplishment of collaboration and peaceful reconciliation might best honor the man who had been so devoted to both.
"When I think of what the Empty Suits had tried to put together, I swear D it was not surprising but Jean Luc would have haunted it like Hamlet's dad. Talk about the opposite of what he'd want!"
Data smiled affectionately at his wife. It had taken a very long time for her to adjust to the captain's death. In fact only in the past year or so had she been able to react to the mention of his name with smiles and fond memories, instead of sadness and silence. The depth of her grief had been so profound and long-lasting that Data, terribly concerned and at his positronic wit's end, had contacted Deanna Troi to enlist her help. Through many subspace communications and visits to their home, gradually Deanna helped Leo adjust to the loss that threatened to derail the new life she had been so excited to begin. And tonight, Data could see that his his "best beloved" (a phrase he had become rather attached to) was looking forward to the evening ahead. That she could make jokes about the captain's "ghost" spoke volumes.
"I could not agree more," he told her as he helped button up the back of her dress. He'd picked it out for her, a confection of rainbow water-colored velvet. Even after fifteen years he still found endless tactile pleasure in touching Leo as they walked or sat or danced. "A fifty-foot bronze statue with a reflecting pool and shifting constellations of lights," he continued, as incredulous as Leo was, "I can not picture it... nor do I wish to! That would not represent the captain."
Leo laughed and turned from the mirror. "Don't be so dainty... it would be barf-inducing!"
He smiled and kissed her cheek. "You are correct as always in matters of verbal description."
Now Leo stood back and circled her husband. "Thank the gods that Starfleet re-designed their uniforms. You look delicious."
The hideous mustard color for Science and Technology had been swapped for a deep red a few shades darker than the other command uniforms. They also had done away with the knee-length tunics for dress uniforms, changing to a well-tailored waist-length jacket with black cuffs yoke and standing collar worn over a black turtle neck. Pretty much a more classy version of the usual duty uniform. It was the color, though, that Leo loved best. It contrasted Data's pale complexion to perfection. Or so she had declared, and he was not inclined to argue.
"As do you, my best beloved. But I believe your appetite would be best saved for dinner." He extended his arm in a gallant gesture.
She took it with exaggerated elegance. "Noted. Let's roll!"
The seating had been carefully arranged to mix species and different Federation memberships, so Leo was not surprised when she saw several Cardassians seated at their table. The clearly older one wore the uniform of an Intelligence and Defense. His two companions appeared to be security attaches. Given that many of the "consultants" in the new Cardassian Union were formerly military commanders, security was provided at large gatherings.
As Data and Leo approached the elder Cardassian rose formally. "Ah, I have been looking forward to this with great anticipation." He extended his hand to Data. "You are Commander Data, the founder of this wondrous adventure."
"I thank you for the compliment, but I am surely not the founder," Data demurred as he shook the offered hand. "Merely an equal participant."
Leo stared at him for a moment, then added, "An 'equal participant' with more than a casual interest and unique technical contributions, thank you very much."
"My wife, Leora Soong," Data announced with a smile. "She is fond of embellishing my statements."
"Yes, yes, Leora Soong. Without master organizers like yourself our work would be nothing but orbiting thought patterns without cohesion. It is a great pleasure." The Cardassian shook Leo's hand warmly. "Please, join us. It will be a dry official evening in part, I am told. Good companions will make it pass more pleasantly."
As they settled themselves Leo greeted the other two Cardassians, then addressed the elder. "You have the advantage, I think. You know who we are, but I'm afraid I don't.."
"Oh my yes, forgive me," he apologized. "I am Cardassian Intelligence and Defense Consultant Destar Madred."