Authors Notes: I'm sorry that this chapter is a little longer than the
rest; I had quite a bit I wanted to fit in. I also want to apologise for a
spelling mistake in the last chapter. It should have been Jem' Hadar. Again
I want to thank everyone for their reviews they have been helpful and
encouraged me to continue. I really am grateful. Not long to go now,
honest!
Chapter 8
Johnson, Trent, Hant and Munroe followed the guards to the room which was now empty. On the table sat a jug of what looked like fruit juice, four empty glasses and a bowl of fruit.
"Refreshment has been left for you," one of the guards said curtly. They then left the room taking their positions outside.
Johnson watched them leave thoughtfully as they left before turning to the others. "What do you think?" he asked Hant.
Hant smiled slightly, his grey eyes glinting. "They're not exactly treating us like invaders," he replied.
Dr Munroe's eyes widened, "Are you kidding? Those guards haven't left our side and the looks we got from the people outside." She shuddered at the memory.
"They left us to speak with their President alone, "Hant countered. "Then there is also the fact that the guards don't appear to be armed and they haven't taken our tricorders from us."
Johnson had noticed that himself. He turned to Counsellor Trent who had remained quiet so far. "What impressions did you get from the President?"
"He's scared," Trent replied. "Scared for his people. However, I think he also has his doubts. He was very curious about the Federation and what it represented."
"Really? What happened before we came back? He seemed angry."
"Captain Larenzo passed on some information which upset him," Trent explained. He then went on to explain everything that had happened in the Commanders absence.
"Well that explains a lot," Johnson said thinking before he continued. "Now we know why the Kenzatons knew so much about us, were able to block our scans and were able to detect the ship."
"It doesn't take a genius to work out that the Cardassians were behind that. What it doesn't explain is what they want." Hant added looking somewhat confused.
"No but something the Doctor discovered earlier does." Johnson could see from Hant's knowing look that he had come to the same conclusion. This pleased Johnson as he knew he could depend on the Security Chief to pick up things others might not notice. "They want the organic technology. Mining would become almost obsolete. With this they could bring back their world to what it once was."
"Not to mention the fleets of ships they would build with it," Hant added. "Their Empire would bounce back quicker and the Federation would have more problems on their hands. Meanwhile things have just settled down with the Romulans and we are still rebuilding ourselves after the war."
"So what do we do?" Dr Munroe asked nervously.
"Nothing much we can do for now," Counsellor Trent replied as he walked over to the table. "The Captain will have worked this out too and will be looking for the Cardassian ship which is undoubtedly in the area. We have to wait for President Makell to calm down before he will want to speak to us again.
Trent poured out four glasses of the juice as he spoke and handed them out. Johnson took his gratefully as he hadn't eaten since the night before.
"Wait a moment," frowned Dr Munroe who began scanning the fruit and juice.
Johnson looked surprised, "You think the Kenzatons would want to poison us? I don't think they are capable of harming anyone"
Dr Munroe sighed, "No but you can't just eat strange foods without checking it first. What might be safe for one person could prove poisonous to another. We aren't all built the same; you may develop an allergic reaction to the food." She then nodded to say that he could go ahead.
Johnson picked up a piece of fruit which looked a little like a nectarine. He bit into it and was pleasantly surprised at the sweet juice which flooded his mouth. Hant and Trent were also happily eating away. Only Dr Munroe seemed a little downcast. Johnson wasn't worried and knew that it was due to her inexperience. She would learn as she went along just as they all had.
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Counsellor Trent had been correct about Captain Larenzo. He had come to the same conclusions as soon as he had heard about the Kenzaton organic ship and the Cardassian presence. He was at that moment slightly cursing himself for being a little short with President Makell and cursing the President for cutting him off, Again!
"Well, now we all know who really attacked Kenzato," Larenzo said to no one in particular. "Any money there is still a Cardassian ship in the area."
"You wish to buy the ship? I doubt that the Cardassians would be amenable to the idea since so few of their ships survived the war."
Looking a little nonplussed Larenzo turned to the Vulcan science officer seated beside him. Her expression was blank and unreadable. Was she making fun of him?
"No Lt. Ber'an, it is just an expression which dates back to when Earth still had a monetary system," he explained after deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"If I was hiding I would be behind that sun. With all the radiation it's pumping out no one would see us. Helm take us around the sun," he instructed.
He then glanced to the tactical officer who was standing at Lt. Hant's station. "Shields up and weapons on standby."
He faced the screen and watched as the ship moved out of its orbit and moved towards the Kenzaton sun. The viewer adjusted for the brightness of the sun so that Larenzo only had to squint for a second. The ship slowly moved around the sun until finally a Galor Cardassian warship appeared on the main viewer.
"Her shields are up and her weapons are ready," informed the young officer at the tactical station. "However, it is no much for Pegasus."
"Explain," said Larenzo, knowing that Galor class ships were traditionally powerful.
"Her weapons are only at half and her shields appear to be damaged. They are only working at 40 per cent efficiency."
"Appear?" Larenzo questioned.
"The radiation from the sun is making it difficult for our sensors to determine whether or not their shields are truly damaged."
"The one thing that can be said of Cardassians is that they are efficient," Ber'an added to the relief of the tactical officer. "If their shields were capable of working at full power they would be at full power. Especially this close to the sun."
Larenzo nodded in agreement, "hail them."
"Hailing frequencies open sir."
"This is Captain Larenzo of the USS Pegasus to the Cardassian vessel. I hope you have a good explanation for being in Federation space."
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President Makell sat in his office thinking while he waited for the Gul to arrive. He was feeling so many conflicting emotions at the moment he wasn't sure what to believe. Everything the Cardassians had told him about this Federation was turning out to be false. He was told that they were barbaric and yet they were concerned about their people and wanted their safe return. The Cardassians had also spoken of their greed and that they wanted to pilfer Kenzato's natural resources. Yet they came claiming they wanted nothing more than peace. Speaking to them they seemed like such friendly, honest people.
Confused! That's what he was. And yet he was angry. He hadn't appreciated that Captain's so called friendly warning. He also wanted to know how they had known that Cardassians were here. More spying? Then there were Commander Johnson's findings. He had said the attack was done by the Cardassians. How could this be? The Cardassians claimed that they had chased off the Federation ship out of friendship for the Kenzatons. Could Commander Johnson have been lying? There was no way for the Commander to know that there were Cardassians present. The guards would have mentioned if their ship had found a way to contact Commander Johnson.
His thoughts were interrupted as Gul Sherat entered his office. "President Makell, I understand you wish to speak to me," he said with that ingratiating smile Makell was beginning to hate.
"Yes, some interesting information has come to light," Makell explained as he clasped his hands on the desk in front of him. "Before I divulge that I have to say that these Federation people aren't what you described them as at all."
"All lies I assure you President Makell," smiled Sherat. "These people are deliberately trying to deceive you."
Makell nodded knowing somehow that Sherat was going to say that. "According to these people Kenzato was attacked by Cardassians."
Still the smile didn't falter and Sherat didn't bother to ask how the Federation knew they were here. "Again lies, I urge you not to believe this deceit."
Makell now smiled coldly, "We've also discovered that it is possible to find out who the attackers are by studying the energy readings. Since you kindly gave us the ability to scan for Federation ships I'm going to have my scientists compare those readings with the attack site."
This time Sherat's smile did falter. Makell didn't know it was possible for a colourless face to drain of colour. Yet the Cardassian face did grow a few shades paler. This look however, was soon replaced by a wounded one.
"We have shown you nothing but friendship and yet you doubt us? We have given you the ability to defend yourselves. Why would we do this if we intended to attack you?"
Makell didn't bother to answer; instead he put a call through to his secretary, "Send the Federation officers back in please. Oh and have someone compare the scans of the Federation ship to the readings of the attack site."
Gul Sherat looked on startled.
Chapter 8
Johnson, Trent, Hant and Munroe followed the guards to the room which was now empty. On the table sat a jug of what looked like fruit juice, four empty glasses and a bowl of fruit.
"Refreshment has been left for you," one of the guards said curtly. They then left the room taking their positions outside.
Johnson watched them leave thoughtfully as they left before turning to the others. "What do you think?" he asked Hant.
Hant smiled slightly, his grey eyes glinting. "They're not exactly treating us like invaders," he replied.
Dr Munroe's eyes widened, "Are you kidding? Those guards haven't left our side and the looks we got from the people outside." She shuddered at the memory.
"They left us to speak with their President alone, "Hant countered. "Then there is also the fact that the guards don't appear to be armed and they haven't taken our tricorders from us."
Johnson had noticed that himself. He turned to Counsellor Trent who had remained quiet so far. "What impressions did you get from the President?"
"He's scared," Trent replied. "Scared for his people. However, I think he also has his doubts. He was very curious about the Federation and what it represented."
"Really? What happened before we came back? He seemed angry."
"Captain Larenzo passed on some information which upset him," Trent explained. He then went on to explain everything that had happened in the Commanders absence.
"Well that explains a lot," Johnson said thinking before he continued. "Now we know why the Kenzatons knew so much about us, were able to block our scans and were able to detect the ship."
"It doesn't take a genius to work out that the Cardassians were behind that. What it doesn't explain is what they want." Hant added looking somewhat confused.
"No but something the Doctor discovered earlier does." Johnson could see from Hant's knowing look that he had come to the same conclusion. This pleased Johnson as he knew he could depend on the Security Chief to pick up things others might not notice. "They want the organic technology. Mining would become almost obsolete. With this they could bring back their world to what it once was."
"Not to mention the fleets of ships they would build with it," Hant added. "Their Empire would bounce back quicker and the Federation would have more problems on their hands. Meanwhile things have just settled down with the Romulans and we are still rebuilding ourselves after the war."
"So what do we do?" Dr Munroe asked nervously.
"Nothing much we can do for now," Counsellor Trent replied as he walked over to the table. "The Captain will have worked this out too and will be looking for the Cardassian ship which is undoubtedly in the area. We have to wait for President Makell to calm down before he will want to speak to us again.
Trent poured out four glasses of the juice as he spoke and handed them out. Johnson took his gratefully as he hadn't eaten since the night before.
"Wait a moment," frowned Dr Munroe who began scanning the fruit and juice.
Johnson looked surprised, "You think the Kenzatons would want to poison us? I don't think they are capable of harming anyone"
Dr Munroe sighed, "No but you can't just eat strange foods without checking it first. What might be safe for one person could prove poisonous to another. We aren't all built the same; you may develop an allergic reaction to the food." She then nodded to say that he could go ahead.
Johnson picked up a piece of fruit which looked a little like a nectarine. He bit into it and was pleasantly surprised at the sweet juice which flooded his mouth. Hant and Trent were also happily eating away. Only Dr Munroe seemed a little downcast. Johnson wasn't worried and knew that it was due to her inexperience. She would learn as she went along just as they all had.
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Counsellor Trent had been correct about Captain Larenzo. He had come to the same conclusions as soon as he had heard about the Kenzaton organic ship and the Cardassian presence. He was at that moment slightly cursing himself for being a little short with President Makell and cursing the President for cutting him off, Again!
"Well, now we all know who really attacked Kenzato," Larenzo said to no one in particular. "Any money there is still a Cardassian ship in the area."
"You wish to buy the ship? I doubt that the Cardassians would be amenable to the idea since so few of their ships survived the war."
Looking a little nonplussed Larenzo turned to the Vulcan science officer seated beside him. Her expression was blank and unreadable. Was she making fun of him?
"No Lt. Ber'an, it is just an expression which dates back to when Earth still had a monetary system," he explained after deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"If I was hiding I would be behind that sun. With all the radiation it's pumping out no one would see us. Helm take us around the sun," he instructed.
He then glanced to the tactical officer who was standing at Lt. Hant's station. "Shields up and weapons on standby."
He faced the screen and watched as the ship moved out of its orbit and moved towards the Kenzaton sun. The viewer adjusted for the brightness of the sun so that Larenzo only had to squint for a second. The ship slowly moved around the sun until finally a Galor Cardassian warship appeared on the main viewer.
"Her shields are up and her weapons are ready," informed the young officer at the tactical station. "However, it is no much for Pegasus."
"Explain," said Larenzo, knowing that Galor class ships were traditionally powerful.
"Her weapons are only at half and her shields appear to be damaged. They are only working at 40 per cent efficiency."
"Appear?" Larenzo questioned.
"The radiation from the sun is making it difficult for our sensors to determine whether or not their shields are truly damaged."
"The one thing that can be said of Cardassians is that they are efficient," Ber'an added to the relief of the tactical officer. "If their shields were capable of working at full power they would be at full power. Especially this close to the sun."
Larenzo nodded in agreement, "hail them."
"Hailing frequencies open sir."
"This is Captain Larenzo of the USS Pegasus to the Cardassian vessel. I hope you have a good explanation for being in Federation space."
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President Makell sat in his office thinking while he waited for the Gul to arrive. He was feeling so many conflicting emotions at the moment he wasn't sure what to believe. Everything the Cardassians had told him about this Federation was turning out to be false. He was told that they were barbaric and yet they were concerned about their people and wanted their safe return. The Cardassians had also spoken of their greed and that they wanted to pilfer Kenzato's natural resources. Yet they came claiming they wanted nothing more than peace. Speaking to them they seemed like such friendly, honest people.
Confused! That's what he was. And yet he was angry. He hadn't appreciated that Captain's so called friendly warning. He also wanted to know how they had known that Cardassians were here. More spying? Then there were Commander Johnson's findings. He had said the attack was done by the Cardassians. How could this be? The Cardassians claimed that they had chased off the Federation ship out of friendship for the Kenzatons. Could Commander Johnson have been lying? There was no way for the Commander to know that there were Cardassians present. The guards would have mentioned if their ship had found a way to contact Commander Johnson.
His thoughts were interrupted as Gul Sherat entered his office. "President Makell, I understand you wish to speak to me," he said with that ingratiating smile Makell was beginning to hate.
"Yes, some interesting information has come to light," Makell explained as he clasped his hands on the desk in front of him. "Before I divulge that I have to say that these Federation people aren't what you described them as at all."
"All lies I assure you President Makell," smiled Sherat. "These people are deliberately trying to deceive you."
Makell nodded knowing somehow that Sherat was going to say that. "According to these people Kenzato was attacked by Cardassians."
Still the smile didn't falter and Sherat didn't bother to ask how the Federation knew they were here. "Again lies, I urge you not to believe this deceit."
Makell now smiled coldly, "We've also discovered that it is possible to find out who the attackers are by studying the energy readings. Since you kindly gave us the ability to scan for Federation ships I'm going to have my scientists compare those readings with the attack site."
This time Sherat's smile did falter. Makell didn't know it was possible for a colourless face to drain of colour. Yet the Cardassian face did grow a few shades paler. This look however, was soon replaced by a wounded one.
"We have shown you nothing but friendship and yet you doubt us? We have given you the ability to defend yourselves. Why would we do this if we intended to attack you?"
Makell didn't bother to answer; instead he put a call through to his secretary, "Send the Federation officers back in please. Oh and have someone compare the scans of the Federation ship to the readings of the attack site."
Gul Sherat looked on startled.