Title: Hope
Rated: T
Codes: R/T
Time Line: Titan, a few months after the events in "I'm Not Afraid"
©2005
Author's Note: When I first began to write "Keep on Loving You" and "I'm Not Afraid" I had no intention of writing an additional piece. With kind words from Mriana I have decided to do just that. So I am dedicating this one to Mriana. If it were not for her I may have left this at a stand still.
Summery: After the death of their daughter Kiara, the commanding team finds a glimmer of hope in a most unexpected situation.
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Chapter One
Riker and Troi are both getting ready for work. Will is dressed and pressed while Deanna has yet to get in her uniform. I had been six weeks since they both buried their daughter on Betazed and seemed to be it good spirits. Deanna continues to fidget with her hair while Riker looks in on her.
"Are you ready yet? You have to get your annual physical today and I don't want you to be late."
"I just can't get my hair right of all days why does it have to be so stubborn now? Not only am I required to take a physical, which I hate, but we are meeting with the Breoins as well as the Theolins who after 500 years of war want peace."
"Deanna, they won't care what you look like. These two races haven't spoke to one another for over 500 years all they're going to care about is finding who will occupy different planets in their solar systems. What you look like won't matter to anyone in that room."
Deanna places her brush down and reaches for the uniform in Riker's hands. Closing the door behind him he waits outside for his wife to come out. A few minutes later she's ready and they both head out the door. A short time later they have reached the transporter room.
"Are the Breoins and Theolins ready to transport to the ship?"
"Yes sir, however the Theolins refuse to be transported with the Breoins. They are requesting separate transports; they believe that the peace treaty with the Breoins isn't what it appears to be."
Deanna looks at Will and he looks are her tapping his com badge on his left shoulder.
"Riker to Security, please assemble two teams to transporter room two. One team is to be stationed on the outside of the transporter room; the other inside. There are some suspicions on what truly is the reason they wish for peace."
"Aye Sir, we will have them there immediately security out."
"This is going to be hard then we ever expected."
"That's why Starfleet assigned you to the Titan Will."
When the security team arrived the transporter began to transport the Theolins. The steady humming of the transporter and the glistening of light the Theolins are the first to arrive. When the light dies down Riker and Troi get the first glimpse of a rather unusual species. Three Theolins transported all very colorful and decorative. They were tall and thin their white skin glistened with the overhead light like glitter. They had long hair down to the middle of their back a vast majority of colors like a rainbow on a rainy day. Though they look very human they resembled what many would consider as fairies. A very beautiful race with a very ugly past Deanna wondered what went wrong to cause them to hate the Breoins so much. She tried to read their emotions but they would bring a shield of protection up. Riker extended his right hand and the Theolins took in with a firm grip.
"I'm Captain William Riker of the Federation starship Titan welcome aboard. This is our chief counselor and a member of my senior staff Deanna Troi she will be assisting with the negotiations with the Breoins"
The Theolin looked deeply into Deanna's eyes and quickly asked a question.
"You are an empath?"
"Yes, I am."
"Our species has telepathic abilities though not as advanced as your own. I hope that this does not affect the way we will negotiate."
"I never let my abilities affect my work. I am a good counselor and I hope that this will not cause you to do the same."
"We only want peace my name is Braiden I am the leader of the Theolins this is Brighton and Sage my counsel man they are here with me to negotiate and to make sure I don't get out of hand."
"It's very nice to meet you…Braiden."
Deanna extends her right hand and Braiden takes in gently and shake it with a soft grip. Deanna shuddered at the warmth of his hand.
"Please escort Braiden to the conference room and stay there until I arrive."
The young security officer nodded and took Braiden, Brighton, and Sage exited the transporter room. A few moments later three Breoins transported onto the Titan. They were almost identical to the Theolins but instead of bright colors they were bold. An older man stepped off the transporter pad and placed his hand out. Riker took in firmly and introduced Deanna again.
My name is Nediar I am the leader of the Breoins these are my assistants, Ntohgir and Egas if you don't mind I would like to this meeting to begin at once.
"As you wish."
Though they were very much alike the Theolins and Breoins were very different in their mannerisms. The Breoins were cold while the Theolins were gentle. Perhaps this is why they were at war with each other for 500 years. Will thought as they five of them and two security officers exited the transporter room and headed to the conference room.
TBC…Chapter 2