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Star Tron: Louder Than Words Chapter 2: Proposals
In Castle Control, Coran was busying himself at the main console, checking the sensors, scanning the maintenance logs, incoming messages, and flight reports, and performing all of his usual morning duties. Coran took pride in always knowing exactly what was happening on Arus.
As he scanned his instruments, he paused a moment when he noticed the small, blue blip labeled "U.S.S. Berlin." Many on Arus saw her arrival as an omen of good things to come. But although the assistance from her crew was greatly appreciated, Coran wondered how much better things could be if the ship and her crew could take a more active role.
The humanitarian aid coming from the Federation was wonderful, but they needed more. They needed military help, too. During the years of Doom expansion, many old alliances had crumbled as the Galaxy Alliance's influence waned, planets were conquered, and those that remained free looked increasingly to their own interests. If the Berlin or other ships like her would only help to fight Doom, as well as healing the damage, the war could be brought to a much swifter end.
Just then, Lance came in to relieve him. Coran quickly brought him up to speed, then headed for the conference room.
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Commander Keith Mendoza watched as Gredar and Driscoll took their seats. The two Starfleet officers were the last to arrive at the conference.
Keith himself had found himself little prepared to represent the Alliance the treaty negotiations. He was a soldier, and diplomacy was not part of his training. Luckily, Coran had helped him to prepare for the negotiations. He would rather Coran had represented the Alliance himself, but the Prime Minister decided to serve as mediator instead.
Coran cleared his throat. "I believe both sides have progress to report this morning?" He saw nods from Driscoll and Allura. "Very well. Who will start?"
"I will," said Driscoll. "The Federation Council hasn't finished reviewing all of the preliminaries, but they've approved the Alliance's request for free passage in Federation space, access to our spaceports, and use of Federation communications systems, assuming that all ships comply with standard security measures."
"All right," said Allura. "The Alliance is willing to agree to the same for the Federation. However, there is a problem with your request to establish bases in Alliance territory."
"Like what?" the captain asked.
"First of all, what sort of bases will these be? Military?" Keith asked.
"Well, yes and no. Our starbases serve a lot of different purposes. Administration, science, command, that sort of thing. The sort of bases we'd put here would be mostly logistical, supporting both civilian and Starfleet ships. They'd be equipped with defensive systems like shields and phasers, but they ain't got much for offensive capability."
"Can you give us some specs?" Keith asked.
"Not off the top of my head, except, 'big'. I'll send down some non-classified stuff later," Driscoll replied.
Keith nodded. "And how many are you looking to build?"
"I dunno. Probably around ten. With the speed advantage, we won't need a lot of 'em." One interesting discovery the Berlin's crew had made was that intergalactic travel was possible, and indeed commonplace in the Alliance. At top speed, the Berlin could cross the Federation in a few weeks. An Alliance ship could cross between galaxies in the same time, and the Berlin could do it in a few days. Mordock suspected that this was due to different laws of warp physics being at work, but hadn't made a positive conclusion. "But we'd like to locate a shipyard at one of them."
"A shipyard?" Allura asked.
"Why?" asked Keith.
"We're at war, Keith, and the Dominion has hit several of our key shipyards with suicide attacks. Putting one here would give us a nearly, uh, untouchable base."
"Maybe. But what if this 'Dominion' manages to attack a shipyard in the Alliance? What's to stop them from assuming the Alliance is an enemy as well?"
"The only way you'll see a Dominion ship on this side of the wormhole is if the Federation falls."
"And what if it does?" Keith asked.
"I'll close the wormhole before that happens."
"You'll close it?"
"Yeah. I created it, and I can destroy it." Adam noticed Allura looking at him with a confused and thoughtful expression on her face.
After a pause, Keith said, "I'll forward the information. But your starbases would have to act in accordance with Alliance regulations. You can't do anything that would make the Alliance a target."
"Like?"
"Illegal weapons research, biological experiments that violate the Hotasa Pact…"
"Okay. No prob," Driscoll cut in, before Keith could elaborate further. One thing the captain had picked up on quickly was that Keith was not afraid to go into excruciatingly minute detail.
"I assume you would want one near Arus?" Allura asked.
"Yes. We would need to keep an eye on the wormhole, so we would put a base near Arus' orbital path. With your permission, of course, Princess."
The discussion continued like that for more than an hour, before shifting to other topics. Each side spoke on what had been approved, and what still needed adjustment or review. Finally, Keith said, "The last thing I have is to renew our request for military aid."
Driscoll shook his head. "Keith, I told you, we can't do that. To give the Alliance military help, we'd have to be in a state of war. We can't handle a two-front war right now. Besides, Doom would have to make the first move.
"Believe me, I sympathize with you. If it were up to me, the Berlin would shoot down every Doom vessel that we see. I'll resubmit your request, but don't get your hopes up. Food and medicine is one thing. But starships are strictly rationed right now."
"Understood," Keith replied, but the look in his eyes didn't match the words.
On that note, the meeting broke. Driscoll asked Allura to stay a moment, while Coran and Keith left the room, and Gredar beamed back to the Berlin.
"What is it, Adam?" Allura asked.
"Well, I was looking over the debriefs from the last few missions, and, well, you need help."
"Excuse me?" Allura sputtered. "Captain, I may not be the best pilot on the Force, but I resent…"
"No, no, no, no, no, Princess, wait," said Driscoll, holding his hands up defensively. "It wasn't a dis. What I meant is, if you want, I can help you out. You know, give you some extra training."
Allura regarded him with a cold look.
"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it that way. And yeah, you're a decent pilot. But you ain't got all the dogfighting skills you need. You're great against robeasts and ships, but the fighters…" he held up his hand and wobbled it side-to-side. "Not so good."
"So I can't fight?"
"That's not what I said. What I said was that you need to work on your dogfighting skills, and I'd like to help you. You've got talent, but your training was rushed. I'm offering to help you refine your skills. That's all. No other insinuations or accusations intended."
"Oh. I see. In that case, I apologize for my reaction."
Driscoll nodded. "Understandable."
"What do you propose?"
"Well, like I said, your dogfighting needs a little work. So that's what I'd help you with. Maneuvers and tactics. From what I've seen, it's the fighters that give you the biggest problem."
"Yes, they do."
"Right. So, do you want to?"
"Yes, of course. But don't you have to clear it with Keith?"
"Already did. He told me it was your choice. The only thing I'm concerned about is Nanny and Coran."
"I haven't let them stop me yet," Allura replied with a devilish grin.
Driscoll smiled. "Okay, then. How about we start tomorrow? Say three-ish?"
"I hope you mean in the afternoon," Allura quipped.
"Yeah, right. Like I'm gonna set my alarm that early. I ain't the masochist Keith is."
The Princess giggled at Driscoll's comment. "No, I don't see how anyone could match him there."
"Yeah. Anyway, if we're all good on that, I'm gonna head back up."
Allura nodded. "All right. Will you be coming to dinner?"
Driscoll shrugged noncommittally. "Sure. Same time?"
Allura nodded.
"Okay. 'Till tonight, then." Driscoll stepped back and tapped his combadge. "Driscoll to Berlin, one to beam up."
Allura smiled at him, and he returned it as he disappeared in a shimmering column of light.
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As Driscoll walked through his ship, en route to the bridge, he thought about what Keith had said. The way he saw it, the Federation Council was acting foolishly. Keeping the peace with Doom was simply not possible. It would only be a matter of time before Doom took issue with the Federation. Then there would be war.
But the Federation was so worried about the Dominion, albeit with good reason, that they took a "see no evil" approach to Doom. But that was the problem. The Drule Empire, of which Doom was a part, was evil. This wasn't a simple clash of cultures, as had happened between the Federation and the Klingons. This was a battle of good versus evil. It was that simple.
Now if only the brass could see it that way…
Arriving on the bridge, Driscoll surveyed the scene as Jacobs rose from the command chair. "How'd it go, Skipper?"
"Fine, T.J. Status?"
"Nothing to report. We've been in normal station-keeping since you and the Commander left," Jacobs replied.
"Good," Driscoll said, taking his seat as Jacobs returned to the tactical station. The captain scanned a few reports on the small viewer mounted to his armrest.
About twenty minutes had passed when Mordock announced, "Doom vessel approaching."
"Where away?" Driscoll asked, rising from his seat and walking over to the science station.
"Bearing three-four-one mark six. It's a star-cutter."
"Alone?"
"It appears so, sir," the Benzite replied as Gredar stepped off the turbolift.
"Notify the Castle of Lions. Go to yellow alert. Raise shields, standby phasers." The captain walked toward the main viewer, stopping between the helm and ops consoles. "Onscreen, Maria."
Lieutenant Singh complied, and the image on the viewer changed to show a small, blue-gray shape against the starfield.
"Magnify."
The image changed again, and the shape of the small, angular ship became clear. It drew steadily nearer, and finally stopped just outside of phaser range.
"We're being hailed," Jacobs reported.
"Forward the audio to Arus. I want them to listen in," Driscoll said, returning to his chair. "Onscreen."
The picture of the ship on the main screen was replaced by that of a blue-skinned man with angular features, yellow eyes, and white hair. On his head was a helmet reminiscent of a battle-axe. "This is Prince Lotor of Doom. To whom am I speaking?"
"Prince Lotor, I am Captain Adam Driscoll of the United Star Ship Berlin. I believe we've met before."
"So we have," Lotor replied bitterly. "I have come under a flag of truce. I wish to speak with you."
"Well, I'm here. I recommend that you don't approach Arus any further. I'm not sure the Voltron Force would trust your intentions."
"Very well. I have come to offer you a proposal. Doom does not want a war with the Federation. We have no quarrel with you…yet. But we understand that you are negotiating a treaty with the Alliance."
"That's correct," Driscoll admitted.
"You
must cease all negotiations immediately.
If you join with the Alliance, it will be interpreted as an act of war
against Doom. Many worlds have learned
the hard way what the consequences are."
"Prince Lotor, that sounds like a threat," Driscoll growled, rising from his seat.
"It is a warning. Do not meddle in affairs that don't concern you." Then Lotor smiled, an ugly sneer full of hate and treachery. "But if you join with us, you would benefit far more than you would with the Alliance. Doom troops and robeasts to help you against your enemies. A universe of prizes and resources in which to share. The Federation could become truly powerful."
Driscoll regarded Lotor with a look of cool indifference. "We are powerful, Lotor. And we don't need the spoils of war to prove it. I'll forward your offer, but don't hold your breath."
Lotor was irritated by Driscoll's remark. "I warn you, Captain, we will not long tolerate your aiding our enemies. There is much to be gained by joining with us, and much to be suffered by defying us. Consider my words well." With that, the channel closed, and the star-cutter came about and left.
"Gredar, you have the bridge." Driscoll headed for the turbolift. As he passed Jacobs, he said, "Get me Nechayev, and put it through to my ready room."