The Favor
The following story line is mine. Don't try to copy it cause I'll get mad
In a like vain, Star Trek The Next Generation and all characters are the sole property of someone other than me.
The meeting chambers were dark. The Cardassians preferred it that way. The table was round so that they would all be able to face each other, giving them a feeling of all being on equal ground. The Cardassians had demanded a number of strictures for the talks. For instance, the Federation was only to be allowed their three delegates in the conference chambers. That meant no security. Lt. Data had objected, being Chief of Security, but the stricture was agreed to by the Federation Council. Jean-Luc, Lwaxana and Spock were all well able to take care of themselves.
"I wish I could go down with you" Raylyn said that morning before they transported down.
"I'll be fine" Jean-Luc assured her.
"Oh I know you'll be fine" Raylyn had answered, "I just wish I could be there to hear what kind of absurdities the Cardassians demand!" She laughed and Jean-Luc shook his head in that way only parents did.
"Captain" a familiar voice said from one side of the table, "Welcome to Bajor" Ro Laren looked different. She was beautiful as ever, but there was a softness about her eyes that she didn't have in his universe. The eyes of...a mother? Mon Deiu! It was just something about her, Jean-Luc wouldn't have sworn on it, but he would have bet Will Riker a hefty sum. She wore the traditional ear piece that she always did and she had let her dark hair grow very long so that it hung like a cape down her back.
"Thank you Ambassador Ro" he replied. Ro raised an eyebrow.
"You are familiar with our name custom" she said with an appreciative nod, "You honor me" Then she turned her attention to the other delegates with him. "Ambassador Troi, Ambassador Spock, an honor to meet two such distinguished persons" Jean-Luc wondered where his rebellious young Ensign Ro was hidden in this stately figure before him.
"The honor is ours Ambassador Ro" Lwaxana answered with a simple nod of her head. The honor was hers? Jean-Luc could barely keep from letting his jaw drop in astonishment.
"Indeed" Spock added with his own nod.
"Where are the Cardassians?" a low growl accompanied the gruff question.
"They will join us momentarily, Ambassador Worf" Ro told the disgruntled delegate. He did not like that the Cardassians had not arrived at the same time as the other delegates. He saw a conspiracy in it. His wife had rolled her eyes at the suggestion and he had let the matter drop. It seemed he was still unhappy about it, however.
"You must be Ambassador T'auri" Ro turned her attention to the Romulan woman standing behind the rest of the group. She stiffly pushed herself to the front and stood stock still with a disdainful look upon her face.
"I am" she answered brittlely. Just then three columns of dazzling light appeared for a few seconds to the group's right and then Ambassador Ro was introducing the three Cardassian delegates.
"This is Dar'kon" she introduced the largest of the delegation to them. Beside the normal physical characteristics of Cardassians, the large necks and bone plates, there was nothing extraordinary about the man.
"Ambassador Dar'kon, this is Ambassador T'auri of Romulus" Ro said, introducing the Romulan first because she was at the front of the group, "Ambassadors Worf and Ka'lar of the Klingon Empire" Ka'lar nodded politely enough, a hint of a smile pulling her lips up, but Worf did not respond at all.
"And these are the Ambassadors from the Federation" Jean-Luc and his group moved forward and both Spock and Lwaxana nodded.
"Ambassador Spock, of Vulcan, Ambassador Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betezed" Lwaxana looked incredibly pleased with her introduction. Finally, Ro turned her attention to Jean-Luc, who was debating whether or not to smile. He did not have too much experience with Cardassians and he was not sure whether it would be appropriate or not.
"Then this" Dar'kon emphasized the last, "must be the famed Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise"
"A pleasure, Ambassador" Jean-Luc replied to the man's obvious disdain.
"I can not say the same, Captain" Dar'kon replied, his lips dripping acid. He sucked a breath in through his large nostrils and half turned toward the two Cardassians behind him.
"This is Ambassador Nar'Lan" A woman took a step forward. She wore her long black hair in twin braids that hung over her shoulders and down to her waist. She gave the group a curt nod and stepped back again.
"And this is our aid, Karchock" The third member of the party seemed to be relatively young, though it wasn't easy to estimate an exact age for the Cardassian. Still, compared to the two Ambassadors Jean-Luc would have guessed he was perhaps in his mid-twenties. No longer a child, but still not wise enough in the ways of the galaxy.
"Shall we move to the table?" Ambassador Ro suggested. All of the delegates took seats around the circular table, the Cardassians on one side, the rest of them spread across the other with Ro and a single empty chair in between the two groups. Jean-Luc felt the arrangement was perhaps not the best, but there was nothing to do about it.
As the talks began, he was very glad that Mr. Data, and indeed the rest of the command crew, had made plenty of time to do all of that studying. Though there were many parallels to his own universe, it was the details that the Cardassians preferred to focus on. They began immediately to make demands, most of them mildly outrageous. Jean-Luc recognized the demands as tests. The Cardassians were trying to see how each of the delegates would respond to these demands. If they were hoping for a fight they were, for the most part, disappointed. The two most volatile members of the delegation were Worf and T'auri. Worf was held in check by his wife quite well and had as of yet to make any sort of scene. T'auri seemed to be seething inside, yet she kept her contempt to herself for the most part, only occasionally grunting or murmuring small curses under her breath that only Jean-Luc, sitting on her left, could really hear. Jean-Luc was not sure how long that would last, but he was grateful nothing detrimental had happened on that all important first day.
Nothing was really achieved. Ambassador Ro was not required to step in, or to declare a break until midday, though, and Jean-Luc left the council room feeling good about where the talks were headed. It was true the Cardassians were nigh impossible to reason with, but that was why Spock was there. He could always point out the illogical in any point of view.
"What were your impressions, Lwaxana?" Jean-Luc asked as he escorted his sister-in-law to her quarters. There was an Ambassadorial Dinner to be held on Bajor that night, which their entire family was invited to. Both elder members of the family (Jean-Luc and Lwaxana) had decided the children should remain on the ship and Laal was to be employed in babysitting the four rambunctious children. The Captain was told she was well enough capable, being an android, of keeping them all in line. Geordi, being the only member of Jean-Luc's command crew that was not part of the family, had also been invited.
"Ha! They're single minded conquerors, Jean-Luc" Lwaxana declared with her usual flourish, "But they're very willing to ally themselves with us if it will protect them from the Dominon and Borg"
"Do you think they will follow whatever guidelines these talks produce?" the Captain inquired.
"Are you asking if they are honest, Jean-Luc?" Lwaxana said in her teasing voice.
"I suppose I am" he admitted.
"I don't detect any subterfuge" Lwaxana said, but then bit her bottom lip before going through the doors that had just opened to her quarters, "Dar'kon certainly doesn't think much of you, but he's made that clear enough. Nar'Lan is more open minded I think. No, it's that young one I'm not sure about"
"Karchock?" Jean-Luc said in surprise, "The aid?" Lwaxana flipped her hand.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just boyish fantasies I'm sure, but I don't think he particularly likes this idea of an alliance. I think he thinks the Cardassian Empire is strong enough to repel the Borg on it's own" Jean-Luc nodded solemnly.
"Idealistic youth" he agreed, "I'll see you in a bit" She nodded with a huge smile and went in, probably to try on a dozen outfits before deciding on the most outrageous and intricate.
"Ray to Picard" his daughter's voice beeped over his com badge. She used her first name when calling for people because it just got too confusing with all of the Picards and Rikers. Likewise, that was the major reason Beverly had not changed her name to Picard. It was less confusing.
"Picard here" the Captain replied, continuing on his way to his own quarters.
"Papa, do you want us all to wear our dress uniforms?" Raylyn asked. Jean-Luc thought painfully about the dress like dress uniforms of his own universe.
"Yes, I'm afraid so, Cherie" he answered, "It is an Ambassadorial function"
"Okay, but I'm telling Will it's your fault" she laughed and Jean-Luc allowed himself to grin.
"Ah, Jean-Luc" Beverly was already getting ready for the event, apparently. She was standing in a form fitting, knee length black skirt and bra in front of the mirror pushing pins into her red locks to hold it artistically piled upon her crown. She had curled a few strands which she was allowing to hang down her neck and behind her ears.
"How did the talks go?"
"Well" he answered, chucking his uniform and stepping into the shower stall for a quick rinse off.
"I set your dress uniform out" she told him as he emerged. She was clasping a string of pearls around her delicate throat. Jean-Luc sighed, suddenly wishing he could spend a quiet night at home instead of going to what was probably going to be a painfully stiff dinner. He turned to the bed where clothes were laid neatly out, ready for him to don. He grudgingly did so, and was happy to find that his top did not reach his knees. Indeed, it was a nicely cut jacket buttoned over a short sleeved green shirt, of which only the Nauru collar showed. The jacket itself was black, with only a thin streak of the dreaded green cutting across the shoulders. In fact, Jean-Luc thought the dress uniform was rather smart looking. He couldn't imagine why Raylyn had told him she was going to lay the blame on him for having to wear them. Surely Will wouldn't object to this much more toned down uniform?
But then he turned around and saw Beverly finally fully dressed. Raylyn hadn't been talking about her husband's discomfort, but his jealousy! Indeed, Jean-Luc suddenly had the feeling that he would not be leaving his own wife's side very much this evening. The black skirt showed off her long sleek legs quite elegantly, her feet encased in delicate black heels. The blue jacket that she wore hugged every soft curve and was not buttoned up to the neck as his was, but instead cut in a "v". The cut was not deep, only just enough to show off her string of pearls nicely, but it revealed enough creamy skin to entice.
Raylyn would look every bit as succulent in her green uniform. Perhaps even more so for she never wore her raven locks up on her head, but always let the soft waves fall down her back and around her face, just as Deanna did.
Neither Will or Wyatt was going to be very happy with their Captain. At the moment, Jean-Luc wasn't exactly happy with the Captain either.
The following story line is mine. Don't try to copy it cause I'll get mad
In a like vain, Star Trek The Next Generation and all characters are the sole property of someone other than me.
The meeting chambers were dark. The Cardassians preferred it that way. The table was round so that they would all be able to face each other, giving them a feeling of all being on equal ground. The Cardassians had demanded a number of strictures for the talks. For instance, the Federation was only to be allowed their three delegates in the conference chambers. That meant no security. Lt. Data had objected, being Chief of Security, but the stricture was agreed to by the Federation Council. Jean-Luc, Lwaxana and Spock were all well able to take care of themselves.
"I wish I could go down with you" Raylyn said that morning before they transported down.
"I'll be fine" Jean-Luc assured her.
"Oh I know you'll be fine" Raylyn had answered, "I just wish I could be there to hear what kind of absurdities the Cardassians demand!" She laughed and Jean-Luc shook his head in that way only parents did.
"Captain" a familiar voice said from one side of the table, "Welcome to Bajor" Ro Laren looked different. She was beautiful as ever, but there was a softness about her eyes that she didn't have in his universe. The eyes of...a mother? Mon Deiu! It was just something about her, Jean-Luc wouldn't have sworn on it, but he would have bet Will Riker a hefty sum. She wore the traditional ear piece that she always did and she had let her dark hair grow very long so that it hung like a cape down her back.
"Thank you Ambassador Ro" he replied. Ro raised an eyebrow.
"You are familiar with our name custom" she said with an appreciative nod, "You honor me" Then she turned her attention to the other delegates with him. "Ambassador Troi, Ambassador Spock, an honor to meet two such distinguished persons" Jean-Luc wondered where his rebellious young Ensign Ro was hidden in this stately figure before him.
"The honor is ours Ambassador Ro" Lwaxana answered with a simple nod of her head. The honor was hers? Jean-Luc could barely keep from letting his jaw drop in astonishment.
"Indeed" Spock added with his own nod.
"Where are the Cardassians?" a low growl accompanied the gruff question.
"They will join us momentarily, Ambassador Worf" Ro told the disgruntled delegate. He did not like that the Cardassians had not arrived at the same time as the other delegates. He saw a conspiracy in it. His wife had rolled her eyes at the suggestion and he had let the matter drop. It seemed he was still unhappy about it, however.
"You must be Ambassador T'auri" Ro turned her attention to the Romulan woman standing behind the rest of the group. She stiffly pushed herself to the front and stood stock still with a disdainful look upon her face.
"I am" she answered brittlely. Just then three columns of dazzling light appeared for a few seconds to the group's right and then Ambassador Ro was introducing the three Cardassian delegates.
"This is Dar'kon" she introduced the largest of the delegation to them. Beside the normal physical characteristics of Cardassians, the large necks and bone plates, there was nothing extraordinary about the man.
"Ambassador Dar'kon, this is Ambassador T'auri of Romulus" Ro said, introducing the Romulan first because she was at the front of the group, "Ambassadors Worf and Ka'lar of the Klingon Empire" Ka'lar nodded politely enough, a hint of a smile pulling her lips up, but Worf did not respond at all.
"And these are the Ambassadors from the Federation" Jean-Luc and his group moved forward and both Spock and Lwaxana nodded.
"Ambassador Spock, of Vulcan, Ambassador Lwaxana Troi, Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betezed" Lwaxana looked incredibly pleased with her introduction. Finally, Ro turned her attention to Jean-Luc, who was debating whether or not to smile. He did not have too much experience with Cardassians and he was not sure whether it would be appropriate or not.
"Then this" Dar'kon emphasized the last, "must be the famed Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise"
"A pleasure, Ambassador" Jean-Luc replied to the man's obvious disdain.
"I can not say the same, Captain" Dar'kon replied, his lips dripping acid. He sucked a breath in through his large nostrils and half turned toward the two Cardassians behind him.
"This is Ambassador Nar'Lan" A woman took a step forward. She wore her long black hair in twin braids that hung over her shoulders and down to her waist. She gave the group a curt nod and stepped back again.
"And this is our aid, Karchock" The third member of the party seemed to be relatively young, though it wasn't easy to estimate an exact age for the Cardassian. Still, compared to the two Ambassadors Jean-Luc would have guessed he was perhaps in his mid-twenties. No longer a child, but still not wise enough in the ways of the galaxy.
"Shall we move to the table?" Ambassador Ro suggested. All of the delegates took seats around the circular table, the Cardassians on one side, the rest of them spread across the other with Ro and a single empty chair in between the two groups. Jean-Luc felt the arrangement was perhaps not the best, but there was nothing to do about it.
As the talks began, he was very glad that Mr. Data, and indeed the rest of the command crew, had made plenty of time to do all of that studying. Though there were many parallels to his own universe, it was the details that the Cardassians preferred to focus on. They began immediately to make demands, most of them mildly outrageous. Jean-Luc recognized the demands as tests. The Cardassians were trying to see how each of the delegates would respond to these demands. If they were hoping for a fight they were, for the most part, disappointed. The two most volatile members of the delegation were Worf and T'auri. Worf was held in check by his wife quite well and had as of yet to make any sort of scene. T'auri seemed to be seething inside, yet she kept her contempt to herself for the most part, only occasionally grunting or murmuring small curses under her breath that only Jean-Luc, sitting on her left, could really hear. Jean-Luc was not sure how long that would last, but he was grateful nothing detrimental had happened on that all important first day.
Nothing was really achieved. Ambassador Ro was not required to step in, or to declare a break until midday, though, and Jean-Luc left the council room feeling good about where the talks were headed. It was true the Cardassians were nigh impossible to reason with, but that was why Spock was there. He could always point out the illogical in any point of view.
"What were your impressions, Lwaxana?" Jean-Luc asked as he escorted his sister-in-law to her quarters. There was an Ambassadorial Dinner to be held on Bajor that night, which their entire family was invited to. Both elder members of the family (Jean-Luc and Lwaxana) had decided the children should remain on the ship and Laal was to be employed in babysitting the four rambunctious children. The Captain was told she was well enough capable, being an android, of keeping them all in line. Geordi, being the only member of Jean-Luc's command crew that was not part of the family, had also been invited.
"Ha! They're single minded conquerors, Jean-Luc" Lwaxana declared with her usual flourish, "But they're very willing to ally themselves with us if it will protect them from the Dominon and Borg"
"Do you think they will follow whatever guidelines these talks produce?" the Captain inquired.
"Are you asking if they are honest, Jean-Luc?" Lwaxana said in her teasing voice.
"I suppose I am" he admitted.
"I don't detect any subterfuge" Lwaxana said, but then bit her bottom lip before going through the doors that had just opened to her quarters, "Dar'kon certainly doesn't think much of you, but he's made that clear enough. Nar'Lan is more open minded I think. No, it's that young one I'm not sure about"
"Karchock?" Jean-Luc said in surprise, "The aid?" Lwaxana flipped her hand.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just boyish fantasies I'm sure, but I don't think he particularly likes this idea of an alliance. I think he thinks the Cardassian Empire is strong enough to repel the Borg on it's own" Jean-Luc nodded solemnly.
"Idealistic youth" he agreed, "I'll see you in a bit" She nodded with a huge smile and went in, probably to try on a dozen outfits before deciding on the most outrageous and intricate.
"Ray to Picard" his daughter's voice beeped over his com badge. She used her first name when calling for people because it just got too confusing with all of the Picards and Rikers. Likewise, that was the major reason Beverly had not changed her name to Picard. It was less confusing.
"Picard here" the Captain replied, continuing on his way to his own quarters.
"Papa, do you want us all to wear our dress uniforms?" Raylyn asked. Jean-Luc thought painfully about the dress like dress uniforms of his own universe.
"Yes, I'm afraid so, Cherie" he answered, "It is an Ambassadorial function"
"Okay, but I'm telling Will it's your fault" she laughed and Jean-Luc allowed himself to grin.
"Ah, Jean-Luc" Beverly was already getting ready for the event, apparently. She was standing in a form fitting, knee length black skirt and bra in front of the mirror pushing pins into her red locks to hold it artistically piled upon her crown. She had curled a few strands which she was allowing to hang down her neck and behind her ears.
"How did the talks go?"
"Well" he answered, chucking his uniform and stepping into the shower stall for a quick rinse off.
"I set your dress uniform out" she told him as he emerged. She was clasping a string of pearls around her delicate throat. Jean-Luc sighed, suddenly wishing he could spend a quiet night at home instead of going to what was probably going to be a painfully stiff dinner. He turned to the bed where clothes were laid neatly out, ready for him to don. He grudgingly did so, and was happy to find that his top did not reach his knees. Indeed, it was a nicely cut jacket buttoned over a short sleeved green shirt, of which only the Nauru collar showed. The jacket itself was black, with only a thin streak of the dreaded green cutting across the shoulders. In fact, Jean-Luc thought the dress uniform was rather smart looking. He couldn't imagine why Raylyn had told him she was going to lay the blame on him for having to wear them. Surely Will wouldn't object to this much more toned down uniform?
But then he turned around and saw Beverly finally fully dressed. Raylyn hadn't been talking about her husband's discomfort, but his jealousy! Indeed, Jean-Luc suddenly had the feeling that he would not be leaving his own wife's side very much this evening. The black skirt showed off her long sleek legs quite elegantly, her feet encased in delicate black heels. The blue jacket that she wore hugged every soft curve and was not buttoned up to the neck as his was, but instead cut in a "v". The cut was not deep, only just enough to show off her string of pearls nicely, but it revealed enough creamy skin to entice.
Raylyn would look every bit as succulent in her green uniform. Perhaps even more so for she never wore her raven locks up on her head, but always let the soft waves fall down her back and around her face, just as Deanna did.
Neither Will or Wyatt was going to be very happy with their Captain. At the moment, Jean-Luc wasn't exactly happy with the Captain either.