Janeway
The morning first meeting has gone well. Our diplomatic smiles and handshakes have been recorded for posterity, we have greeted each other cordially like old friends, with no hint of captor and tortured. Smiling, we have sat down in the conference room for further posed images for FedNews. Now it has finally started. We are in a spacious meeting room, which Ayala has assured us appears exceptionally secure against significant force. It is decorated in the bland functional corporate look, and from the anteroom has washrooms, again functional and bombproof, apparently. There is no entrance to the anteroom from outside whilst we are in meeting except through levels of security, there is security everywhere. Only our own personal security teams are inside. It feels reassuringly secure, and Ayala is satisfied. I let go of part of the tension that has been surrounding me since our dramatic firefight on the approach to the planet. I remain on yellow alert, as does my team.
Rovek has led the initial discussion, predominantly introductory, ingratiating, finding areas that intersect. Only a Vulcan could carry that off without sounding obsequious. He looks the part in ceremonial Vulcan robes, ostentatious in contrast to the grey of the new Starfleet uniform. God, but I wish that I knew the secret of his past. I wonder why Ayala has been complicit in the secrecy. Gul Emen has mostly responded positively, but I see him watching me. He cannot decide what I know. When we break, I will talk to Deanna, as our strategy is for me to do the pressing and Rovek to be ameliorative. Warrior vs Diplomat. Deanna will nod the changes and set the pace. Before we begin, I need to know how much our past is affecting the Gul, and what this means for negotiation. I know that he remembers me, or has had it reminded. It is in the hooded look and the knowing smile on introduction. I am proud, I have had no tremor, no concerns, I am finally at peace with my past. I do not forgive the assault and trauma, but it does not directly affect me any more. I am a woman born from my past, it has given me strength, eventually. He has no power over me any more.
I continue with my calm but thoughtful air, nodding appropriately to underline the negotiating position of Rovek. I am on high alert, awaiting the next move from whoever orchestrated the attack on the delta flyer. I must ignore that, and allow Ayala and team to keep alert. Kim occasionally interjects a point. I enjoy watching him settle into his role as diplomat. I am silent but thoughtful, mostly contemplating cause and effect of our dramatic welcome. Letting my thoughts range around what we know helps my brain make the connections that could lead to the answer of who has attacked us, or at least their motivation.
At last we pause to smile and then regroup with our individual teams for refreshments. Our hosts have appropriate foods and beverages, and after Ayala checks all with the tricorder, I finally have the coffee I need. Harry cannot help a small smile as he watches me drink it. Drinking the coffee is a risk, as I am well known for my preferences, and should I be a target, it would be a prime candidate. However, I still savour every mouthful. Whilst I murmur to Deanna, who agrees that Gul Emen is confused by me, or rather by my lack of open awareness of who he is. He is also a seething mass of anger. His co-diplomats are more reasonably inclined towards the federation. Interesting. I also eat some interesting looking fruit, also interesting tasting, eschewing the standard fare set out for the federation team. Unexpected, and I see interested glances from the Cardassian contingent.
To the side, Ayala and Rollins review the possible accommodation options , they certainly seem secure. Our Cardassian hosts are keen that there should be no further mishaps to this embassy. I remain concerned. We talk the specifics expected, but by the hand movements he confirms my concern and that he will take precautions. I remain relieved that Chakotay taught all the senior team and tactical the maquis sign language, and then we increased it to cover our requirements. Here it is possible that some will understand, but it is very discreet, and they would have to be purposefully looking. Blended in is a mixture of additional signs formulated by Tuvok and Neelix. Enough disparity to confuse. Bless Neelix. I wish that we could still be in contact with him.
The high levels of security, the consistent approach to our welbeing, this just doesn't correlate well with the attack on the way here. There clearly must be another player. As the next session gets into play, I let my mind roam amongst the possibilities. I don't think this is a direct Cardassian attack, they are more keen for this alliance than us. It could be a splinter group, but I would expect by now the news of their involvement to have hit fednews and come back to us. Glory seekers and extremists don't get much glory unless their 'redoubtable achievements' are public knowledge. So, could it be another group wanting to stop the alliance, really that would only realistically be Bajor or the remnants of the maquis. Bajor is unlikely, they are more peaceful as a government, and again splinter groups would be claiming credit. The maquis wouldn't, but they are predominantly broken, this would discredit their own, and I just can't see how they would have the resources. No, this is a well planned third party threat. I don't see the political purpose clearly, nor the possible players, but it could still be part of a wider scheme. It occurs to me that the attack could be personal. That would explain the unexpectedness.
It could be personal. I let Rovek and Gul Emen continue their interminable discourse, and I can quietly see them looking at me, expecting my input. They are both a distraction. If it were personal, directed to unsettle m, that would be why Gul Emen, but not Chin'toka, there would be more, difficult, planets for me to visit. I don't believe my position is such that I am a current threat to anyone, though I am working on that with my plans to strengthen the peaceful diplomatic nature of the federation. I am not always the centre of attention! So, if it were personal, who else could it be aimed against. I don't believe Chakotay either, he is not a big enough player for all this level of pre-organisation to be worthwhile. Just a swift phaser at anytime would achieve the same. It would achieve it now. SO, this is also not about something small, this is to be shown publically on a large scale display. It must be aimed for someone not here, if it is personal. The only person I can think of quickly is Admiral Paris. As I think this, it is clear to me with the reflex intuition that saved us in the delta quadrant that unlikely as this sounds, it is the truth. Immediate red alert and my brain is hotwired to seek pattern and correlations. I thank the coffee.
Tom! OMG TOM! He is here on the delta flyer 3. I immediately privately comm the delta flyer through my PADD 'Janeway to Tom hope things are quiet, have a look around perodically otherwise recommend music 3145' there is an instant return 'tom to Janeway, yes all quiet here, enjoy the diplomacy, Tom out' The codes refer to doing a hot start in stealth mode, with the ablative armour immediately, and then to hide with the multiphasic shielding as a black op, and personnel coming in. I wish that this communication has gone unnoticed, though it is too much to hope for with a well prepared foe. I hope that he can programme the sequences in, with only Johnson, Enterprise's security detail, with him, he will be very short handed for a hot start. I look around at the peaceful conference room. Tom needs the support more than we do.
I whisper that I need to 'freshen up' to Rovek's frown, and take Kim and Murphy with me into the antechamber. I quickly key in Kim to my concern and what I suggest, and that no matter what they must keep comm silence and invisibility until I personally give them the key to reveal. I say they will recognise it. I am concerned that there will be an attempt to flush them out using me. It will be a ruse. Harry wonders if they can get clever with interference patterns. I sigh, and say we will look out for anomalous readings, but they had better be very cautious. I don't want to risk their safety, and who knows what is next on the cards, some secret saviours may be welcome. I also want everyone to be convinced that the delta flyer is destroyed if it becomes the target. Think of additional pyrotechnics, some potential evidence left. But definitely get out and stay hidden. 'Don't return till I say!' I command
They will only have a short time to get to the delta flyer. If it is the next target as I anticipate, leaving the conference room, and then the 2 staff members returning to the flyer will be suspicious whatever cover story I concoct. There may be very little time. Run! I command, and they run to the delta flyer. I have sent Kim and Murphy, because if Tom is to survive, he will need their ops and engineering skills more than I will. I thank Tuvok for the foresight to cross train on Voyager.
It isn't far to the flyer, so I count to two hundred and forty, my expectation of the time taken to return to the flyer. Thank god there is no detonation beforehand. Each minute now gives Tom time to prepare, and after all, I might be wrong. I smile wryly. I hope so, but think that I will soon find out. I exhale and mentally reset my unworried appearance, returning alone to the discussion room with a signal to my team 'prepare to take cover'. Damn but I hope that I am wrong. Everything in me is screaming that this is right. We are also prepared for a hostage situation, just because I believe the delta flyer to be the next target, doesn't mean it is now, nor does it mean that it won't be a distraction from attacking any of us.
I know there will be a recording, so on the faint chance it is reviewed when still useful I sign to listen by sweeping my hair behind my ear twice in quick succession the conceal my comm badge. This should indicate I am forewarned and there will be covert or hidden ops. I just hope that if it is as I think, Tom will get away safely. I set up my coded message for 'Lanna on the Enterprise, safe, ready on my PADD, which I make innocuous. It contains some what look like meandering messages of a bored diplomat to pass on. To Icheb as my son, to my mother, chakotay, and to 'Lanna. they all include the word scorpion, code for deception and Isaac and the green knight - an imaginary tale, but means Tom and Harry, so they know that hopefully Tom and Harry are safe. the final codeword firework means that I expect and am prepared to be prepped for martyrdom, like the St Catherine of Catherine Wheel fame. They end with my love and faith in them. I will send when I hear the explosion, if it happens. Spirits but I hope I am wrong, and give a small smile at the adoption of Chakotay's habits. I am ready.
Sensing the calm before the storm, I interject on the diplomatic deliberations. It is time to push a bit. It is as if my talking is the signal. The first thing I hear is a low level whine increasing in intensity, volume and pitch. Clearly some kind of weapon. I hope to the gods this room is well protected, as the intensity becomes unbearable. I press then the send on the PADD, and hope that it isn't my final message, that Tom and Harry get the delta flyer away. We dive under the reinforced table bracing ourselves and closing our eyes against any flash, joined by our cardassian colleagues just in time as a huge explosion rocks the building. Ayala has thrown himself on top of me, I can hardly breathe.
It is a single massive quake. I am amazed that the room has held. There is near complete silence. I move and ask for a report. I hear nothing in response. Moving, Ayala frees up my space so I turn to him. I see his lips move, but my hearing has gone. I sign that I have lost sound with the force of the explosion, who knows whether temporary or permanent. In our permitted technology, we have also an enhanced medical tricorder. I crawl to get it, and scan myself. Temporary. It is paired with a mild regenerator, which should cover immediate wounds, so run over my ears and find I get an element of hearing back. I overtly sign in standard to Ayala and Rovek, who are currently looking. Ayala also admits to hearing loss, so he and the remaining security team are next. Rala, being Andorrian appears the most affected. The medical tricorder aims to help her hearing, but it may be compromised longer. Andorrian hearing is far more sensitive. Rovek shakes his head, with that damnable Vulcan superiority, his hearing remains intact. There are no other injuries.
Looking at our cardassian team, they are also disoriented, and I think they are deaf also, I offer Gul Emen the medical device, and he permits me to scan and partially treat his deafness. It should also recover more quickly for the treatment. We still can't hear well, but communicate via our PADDS. The Gul is less dynamic in this situation that I would expect. I explain that we are currently in a place of safety, but with only one exit. It is defensible, but for a short while only, as we have light phasers only, and his team is ostensibly weapon free. That may be long enough for official aid to reach us if we are next targets of hand to hand combat. I would imagine looking at the structural security of this room, that a direct personnel attack would be the obvious choice, using the distraction of a significant explosion elsewhere to disrupt and confuse. Alternatively, further explosive devices might be primed. Since the first has not directly attacked us, and our delta flyer remains my prime concern, any further are likely to try and affect this building. So, time to make a decision, stay and defend or attempt to leave, potentially running into trouble in a less defensible area. Ayala is clear, stay and defend. There are no external windows, there is only one entrance, and the structural integrity of this area appears to be significant. I agree, and Rovek follows in this assessment, Gul Emen shrugs, he will agree with our assessment.
That determined, I attempt to contact the enterprise through communicators, which are ineffective as expected, and then a further PADD message of pure fact for Captain Picard. The pre-explosion message seems to have been transmitted, but the PADD confirms no connection currently with the outside. There could be additional shielding to the building following the explosion, or the subspace relay could have been destroyed. Damn, not for the first time I wish that we had some kind of subspace transmitter, a simple pulse emitter for basic communications. Ideally undetectable by whichever bastard is attacking us currently. I will make that my next priority for Harry and 'Lanna. I am determined to believe they are safe.
Ayala and Rollins discuss a plan with two of the Cardassian emissaries and open cautiously the door to the anteroom. It is clear to them that there is now an additional layer of shielding, as the anteroom entrance is impassable with it. We are certainly safe. I have a concern about the air recycling, but Ayala is reassuring, reviewing two discreet units which appear to be functional. It appears that we are currently safe, but trapped in our safe haven. We have food and fluids and air, and restrooms. Really, this is rather well thought out as a safe zone. I nod to our hosts my appreciation, and just hope that it doesn't end up being a trap.
I consider my thoughts again, so I know two key facts. Firstly my supposition that this is personal might be right, as they have not gone after us but the delta flyer - I think. It could be still that the plan is to limit our options to leave or to distract security forces whilst there is an attack on us. However, with the passing of time, these options become less likely. Secondly, from the shock shown by the cardassian delegates, this is a complete surprise to them. Their previous formidable security must be lax following all the losses of the dominion war. Either that, or someone somewhere is being persuaded not to notice.
I bring all the diplomats to the table, with Ayala and Rollins left to keep watch on the shields at the antechamber door. Our hearing is slightly improved, so I suggest that we record on a PADD our outlined agreement so far and highlight areas for further discussion. We may as well carry on. Rovek lifts an eyebrow, clearly surprised. However, there is no tactical advantage currently for us all to observe the antechamber, so we should work on our mission. After all, although I think it is unlikely as motivation, if someone is trying to disrupt the talks we should avoid giving them the satisfaction of achieving their goal. What they can't see is that I need an outlet for my impatience. I hate being trapped, and I hate not knowing what is happening out there. I am a captain of action. Tapping my feet, hands balled on my hips, I grin to the diplomats, 'lets do it' . I am back in my element, and I can feel the Cardassian team falling in with me. We set to, with redoubled enthusiasm.
Two hours later, and we have accomplished as much as I think is possible without retiring and individual discussion. Many more areas became compatible, as both sides realised that we didn't need to and didn't want to spend time posturing. We have both got PADD documents that have been frozen from overwrite by the combined signatures of two members of each team. There are some areas left to confirm, and we can hopefully complete tomorrow. All but Rala have their hearing returned, and we sit talking about joint hopes and aspirations. Our enforced confinement gives us time to find common ground without the pomp of diplomacy. There are no recordings being transmitted, and quite possibly the recording system has been permanently disrupted. We can relax into who we are. It is noticeable that Gul Emen does not relax. Instead he looks to me and comes to initiate conversation. Deanna and Ayala are clearly noticing. I remain in control.
'Captain Janeway' he opens 'it is so… pleasurable to meet you again' clearly he also assumes there is no further recording, as this is rather strong.
I smile at him 'It is always a pleasure to meet a diplomat and discuss peace' I respond. I neither confirm or deny our past. It is irrelevant.
He comes closer into my space 'of course, you were much younger, and with you handsome Captain, how is he?' the conversation in the room stills. It is hard to deflect this direct gambit.
Sighing, I go for direct 'does it prey on your mind? I really hadn't thought that it would be likely. Our meeting was, and I shrug rather than count, 'some considerable time ago.' I give him another clear half smile. 'I prefer to look to the future and live in the present rather than dwell in the past. I recommend that' I move to refill my coffee and ask whether he requires refreshment. When he hesitates I move to join some of his diplomatic colleagues and make polite conversation. I am proud of my crew, they shew no interest in our conversation. The Cardassian team were somewhat shocked. He has withdrawn from the conversation though, an easy dismissal on this occasion. I imagine it will become more challenging in the coming few days.
Ayala stands and signals for silence. We can all hear, there is a noise beyond the atrium, the shield is weakening. We prepare for rescue or attack. I will defend that damned Gul.
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