Riker whistled as he stepped out into Garane's expansive office. The sun was setting and the sky was a brilliant inferno of red, orange, purple, and yellow fire. Riker approached the glass partition separating the office from the outside and took in the view. Ro and T'Kir came to stand beside him.
"Impressive." Ro opined.
"The wonder of the view never ceases to amaze me." Garane said as she sat atop of her desk.
"Why was it necessary to leave our friends behind on the ground floor with your guards?" T'Kir question was an accusation.
"Isn't it enough that I came with you unarmed and without protection while you wield all of the weapons?" Garane smirked.
"No," T'Kir retorted, "it isn't."
Riker stepped between the two women, "She doesn't mean any insult."
T'Kir's "Yes, I do." was in stereo with Garane's "Of course she does."
T'Kir glared at Garane and the Cardassian laughed, "She seems to be more disturbed by this situation than either of you. Why is this?"
Riker opened his mouth but T'Kir spoke first, "Brin Macen is my husband, you bitch, and I want him back."
Garane grew sombre, "That certainly changes things."
"So?" T'Kir planted her fists on her hips, "Are you gonna release him?"
Garane grew pensive for a moment and then shook her head, "No. No, I'm not."
"Why not?" T'Kir started forward but Ro restrained her.
"Let it go for now." Ro advised.
"Why won't you release Macen?" Riker demanded to know.
"I was holding on to Captain Macen to ascertain how much Starfleet knew about my world." Garane explained, "Your presence indicates that they could know everything. I gave my word that our various guests would not be used as hostages. However, Captain Macen is a prisoner, not a guest. I have no qualms about using him as a hostage."
"You bitch!" T'Kir shouted.
"You've already used that pejorative once before." Garane turned cold, "It was inappropriate before and I hardly qualify now. If you care for the Captain as much as you seem to you'll have no difficulty with obeying my stipulations."
"What are your terms?" Riker asked.
"Earlier you engaged one of our ships with the assistance of a second starship." Garane began, "That ship did not accompany you into our home system. Where is it?"
"I don't know." Riker replied somewhat truthfully.
"You don't know or you're unwilling to tell me?" Garane asked.
"Both." Riker answered.
"You're being very foolish, Commander." Garane warned, "I only need to receive word of how our proposal has been ratified and then I can release our guests to you. After you depart, a scoutship will rendezvous with you and bring you your captain. It is all very simple."
"And if we force the matter?" Riker enquired.
"Then I will be forced to execute Captain Macen. That is distasteful and barbaric but you will leave me little choice." Garane sadly replied.
"It seems I have no choice but to comply." Riker acquiesced.
"What?" T'Kir erupted.
"Read into the situation, T'Kir." Riker urged, "You'll see I'm right."
T'Kir hesitated and then her eyes went wide with surprise, "Oh! I see."
"I thought you would." Riker said with satisfaction.
"Can we go now?" T'Kir wanted to know.
"I'll personally escort you to your ship." Garane offered.
"Thank you." Riker bowed his head slightly.
The assorted Federation leaders were still pressed up against the window. Their minders seemed to find all of this rather amusing. Korista Schrieber managed to squeeze in next to Drake Parsons.
"What's going on?" she managed to ask despite the crush of bodies pressing her against the window.
Parsons shook his head, "I don't know. They landed, got out of their runabout and traipsed off into the Tower. I haven't seen any movement since then."
"Maybe that's a good thing." Schrieber suggested hopefully.
"I doubt it." Parsons said bitterly, "Those things only hold two dozen people. We have thirty-eight 'delegates' here. It'd take two runabouts to carry us all."
"Can't they use the mother ship's transporters?" Schrieber asked.
"If they could use the transporters they would have done so by now." Parsons' bitterness grew more intense, "They must have a transport inhibitor field in place around the building."
"How do you know so much about Starfleet?" Schrieber wondered.
Parsons broke into a thin smile, "Starfleet Academy, class of `47."
"You were in Starfleet?" Schrieber couldn't hide her shock.
"For ten years." Parsons revealed.
"Why did you leave?" Schrieber shook her head, "No, more to the point, why haven't you used your experience in any of your campaigns?"
"Vote for the drop out junior officer?" Parsons cynically laughed, "I'd rather get my votes due to my ideology. It seems to have worked so far."
Schrieber grinned, "I'll admit it, I'm impressed."
"Thanks." Parsons said.
"Do you think you'd like to…" Schrieber trailed off as Parsons grew more intent staring out of the window. A furore grew amongst the crowd.
"They're leaving!" someone angrily shouted.
"But what about us?" another plaintively asked.
"Settle down." Delane's raised voice cut through the chatter, "Starfleet is negotiating for our release. Give them time to reach an accommodation."
The disgruntled crowd dispersed. Parsons and Schrieber joined Kirov and Wynter. Delane was ambushed by Grozik. Their discussion quickly heated up.
"I hope Astris is all right." Kirov wished to his companions.
"I'm sure she's simply with that amazon girlfriend of hers." Wynter casually dismissed his worries.
"She would have been here for the debate then." Kirov insisted, "The Proconsul was livid when she came in here last. It may have concerned Astris."
"It definitely concerned Captain Macen." Schrieber pointed out, "We haven't seen him since he was marched out of here."
"Something's going on but how can find out what it is?" Parsons asked, "They won't tell us anything."
"I hate to admit," Wynter sighed, "but I'm actually looking forward to Garane's return. At least we'll find out something then."
Murmurs of agreement met these words. The group huddled together and waited for the inevitable news. They could only pray that it was positive.
"We'll be deploying our scout craft in order to monitor you more closely." Garane informed Riker as the rest of the team boarded the runabout.
"That'll be fine." Riker replied with a smile, "We'll await word of when we can begin boarding the planetary leaders."
"Of course." Garane nodded, "Your path is going to be a difficult one today. May the Prophets watch over you."
Riker couldn't say why but her concern touched him. He decided that it was her sincerity that swayed him.
"May they be with you as well." He said.
"They are." She said brightly.
"Commander," Ro called out from the hatch, "we need to leave."
"Coming." Riker shouted back over his shoulder. Turning to Garane, he said, "I'm really sorry things have turned out this way."
"So am I." Garane admitted, "But hurry. Your Security Officer appears to be ready to drag you into the craft."
Riker grinned and headed towards the runabout. He sealed the hatch behind him as he boarded the ship. Ro looked fit to chew neutronuim.
"Did you have a nice visit?" she asked with syrupy sweetness, "Maybe you'd like to stay?"
"She doesn't seem to be a bad sort." Riker opined.
"They never do." Ro snorted and headed aft.
"Have you always been this cynical?" Riker wondered.
Ro stopped and turned to face him, "Yes, I have been."
Ro turned around and stormed off into the crew compartment. Riker rubbed the back of his head and muttered, "Explains a lot."
The Corsair docked inside of the Obsidian and powered down. The flight back had been uneventful. They had, however, seen nearly two dozen scoutships in orbit around the Obsidian when they approached. Called back to the cockpit, Riker had merely rubbed his chin and said, "Now life will get interesting."
Once the docking bay was repressurised, the Corsair's computer allowed the ship's hatch to open. Riker held an impromptu planning session in the shuttle bay.
"What did you find out, Lees?" he immediately asked.
"The information T'Kir gleaned from Kara Gena is accurate. I read the lifesigns of just over three dozen aliens, or at least non-Bajorans or Cardassians, clustered in one area. "
"So we can beam out the leaders en masse using the cargo transporter?" Riker asked with growing excitement.
"Yes." Danan nodded, "But I couldn't get a lock on Brin. We'll have to physically search for him using our tricorders to pick up his lifesigns."
"Ro," Riker turned to the Bajoran, "plan for an incursion. I want you to invade the tower and find Brin."
"Not a problem." Ro said, "I've already got a plan. I just need the team to suit up."
"All you can have is T'Kir, Grace, Danan and Daggit." Riker countered, "I need the rest here aboard the Obsidian."
"Wait a minute!" Ro and Radil said in unison. They blinked at each other in surprise and then Radil nodded for Ro to proceed.
"What's with giving me half the team?" Ro demanded.
"You only need half." Riker informed her, "It's a rescue op not an assault."
"It might turn into one." Ro growled.
"Think of this as a Maquis mission." Riker grinned, "Minimal support and resources."
"You're all heart." Ro snipped.
"How come I'm staying?" Radil wanted to know.
"When we beam up the Federation citizens, we may beam up some Chandillans as well. I want your Security team to be ready to deal with them." Riker answered.
"Abby can handle it." Radil protested.
"I need you to do it." Riker insisted, "Ro can handle the extraction without you."
Radil looked over at Ro. Ro patted her on the shoulder, "I've done more with less. Don't worry, we'll get him back."
Radil muttered some Bajoran obscenity under breath and stalked off. Kort looked at Riker and shrugged. As the Klingon walked away, Dracas confronted Riker.
"I cannot abandon the Captain in his time of need." Dracas declared.
"Macen needs you in Engineering far more than he needs you on the planet's surface." Riker assured him.
"I will not abandon…" Dracas began to repeat himself.
"Joachim," T'Kir interrupted, "listen to me. I've seen what Ro has in mind. It'll be okay. It doesn't need any more bodies to work. We'll be fine."
Dracas wavered, "Are you certain?"
"Of course I am." T'Kir boasted.
"In that case," Dracas addressed Riker, "I'll be at my post."
As Dracas disappeared Ro turned to T'Kir, "A bit prickly, isn't he?"
T'Kir shrugged, "He just has an overdeveloped sense of duty. You two should get on famously."
"I don't…" Ro started to protest but her objection died in her throat. She knew T'Kir probably knew her thoughts better than she did herself. She decided to change the subject, "All right. Let's get to the Armoury and gear up."
"What am I going to do during this 'extraction'?" Grace asked.
"I need you to ram a building." Ro replied.
"Oh. Okay." Grace said nonchalantly, "I'm good at that."
"Knowing Brin's style, I thought you would be." Ro chuckled.
"I'll leave you to it then." Riker said and started to walk away. As he reached the door he tapped his comm badge, "Telrik? Report to the cargo bay."
Garane entered the common room and all of the myriad conversations died. Smirking, she went to the head of the room. Once she was there, she motioned for her Federation 'guests' to take their seats.
"You've undoubtedly seen our new arrivals." Garane began as everyone settled down, "They are here to take you home."
There was spontaneous applause. Garane tried to stifle the crowd's enthusiasm, "Before you go, I must ask what your decision regarding my people's proposal was?"
All eyes turned towards Delane. He rose and tugged at his tunic. Clasping two of three of his hands behind his back, he spoke.
"While we agree with your proposal on its base merits we have made some modifications to the idea." Delane explained, "The advisory committee will be appointed by the planetary governments. It will represent their interests."
"It will not, however, be comprised of representatives of Chandilla." Delane firmly asserted, "The representatives shall be natives of the United Federation of Planets. Now, if you want to apply for UFP membership, the appropriate bodies will examine your application and process it accordingly."
Garane stared, open mouthed, at Delane. After a moment, she began to recover. Her eyes blazed and her mouth twisted in a sneer.
"You fools! You've seen what we can offer you and yet you still reject us." Garane hotly declared, "We offer our hand in friendship and you…"
"Kidnapping someone and holding them against their will does not comprise 'offering your hand in friendship'!" Grozik shouted. The crowd rallied behind Grozik.
Incensed, Garane moved into the midst of the assembled "delegates", "We can help you! We've accomplished things you've only dreamt of."
"Then Madam," Delane calmly replied, "I suggest you ally yourselves with our august collaboration or join it yourselves."
"This isn't over!" Garane vowed, "You'll still see reason."
Delane went to speak but found himself in the grip of an annular confinement beam. The room faded and reformed into a cargo bay. A burly Tellarite stood behind a transporter console. Flanking him were a dozen armed officers wearing Starfleet issued ablative armour.
The Chandillan minders went for the stunners on their belts and the Obsidian's Security detachment stunned them without a moment's hesitation. Radil approached Garane.
"Remember me?" the Bajoran wore a ruthless smile.
"Indeed I do." Garane held out her wrists so Radil could place binders on them, "You've made a foolish mistake. Your captain will die."
"No." Delane stepped up to her, "You've made the mistake. Threats and coercion never accomplish your long term goals."
"So what's to happen to me?" Garane asked Radil.
"Consider it a prisoner exchange." Radil said with satisfaction, "We'll trade you for Macen."
"My people will never bow to your demands." Garane promised her.
"Now you know where we stand." Delane gestured towards the assembled planetary leaders picking themselves off of the floor.
"Come on." Radil pulled Garane forward by her arm, "You can say 'hi' to your friend in our brig."
"What friend?" Garane asked in bewilderment.
"You'll see." Radil smirked as she led Garane out of the bay.
"They're aboard, Commander." Telrik reported.
"Thanks Telrik." Riker offered the Transporter Chief. Turning to the ship's Deltan yeoman, he began issuing instructions, "Kalista, begin showing our guests to empty quarters. We should have enough empty rooms to house them all."
"Yes sir." Kalista said with a bright smile, "I'll have them eating out of my hand."
Riker grinned, "I suspect that you will. Carry on."
As Kalista left, he noticed that Forger was shaking her head at Tactical, "What's wrong, Shannon?"
"It's those damned pheromones." Forger complained, "It just isn't natural."
"Actually it is." Riker's grin grew, "That's the problem."
"Whatever." Forger grumped, "Just give me something to shoot."
"Signal the Defiant and raise the shields." Riker ordered, "There'll be all the shooting you can stand in a minute."
"Looking forward to it." Forger growled.
Hav Resan was bored. The Federation ship, aside from launching an auxiliary craft, had done nothing. Even the auxiliary craft had been recovered without incident.
"Sir," the Communications Officer spoke up, "the Federation ship just transmitted a subspace comm pulse."
"Where was it directed?" Resan asked for protocol's sake.
"At us." The Comm Officer reported.
"Us?" Resan was slightly intrigued, "Could you decipher the message?"
"It was one word." The Comm Officer said, "and before you ask, the word was 'Now'."
"Now?" Resan repeated. Idly turning to the Sensor Officer, he asked, "Scan, do you have anything?"
"No. I…wait! There's an energy surge off of our aft quarter."
"Raise shields!" Resan shouted, "Red alert!"
The Defiant finished decloaking and fired upon the Truncuator's engines. The point blank blast was devastating. The older Cardassian ship lost main and auxiliary power. They were down to their batteries and that was enough to keep their life support systems running. The Defiant moved off and headed into the cloud of scoutships firing upon the Obsidian.
"The Defiant has crippled the Truncuator and is moving in to support us." Forger reported as she targeted her next victim.
"Is our aft quarter secure?" Riker asked.
"For now." Forger answered.
"On my signal, drop the rear deflector shield." Riker ordered.
"It's your funeral." Forger muttered.
"Riker to Shuttle Bay."
"Shuttle Bay here."
"Is the Corsair ready for launch?"
"The bay's depressurised and the Corsair's on stand by."
Riker grinned, "Drop the rear shield."
"The aft shield is down." Forger reported.
"Tell them to launch, Chief." Riker happily said.
Two minutes of silence rolled by and then, "They're away."
"Raise the shield!" Riker ordered.
"Not a moment too soon." Forger reported, "Two Chandillan scouts were flanking us."
"Teach them the error of their ways." Riker suggested.
Forger's grin turned feral, "I'm on it."
"Happy hunting and good luck." He softly said to the spirits of the runabout's crew.