"I'm truly sorry, but the Companion is just too small to take on more passengers. And even if is was agreed upon to stay in a cargo bay the ship is very raw, there are opened parts in the inside and other things that can be easily moved out of alignment," Quatre explained patiently.
"Than what ship do you propose should be used as neutral ground?" Rikers voice stated a hint of annoyance graced his features.
Quatre frowned on the inside but kept his face diplomatic. Riker was not as easy to deal with as Picard and for some reason the Enterprise's caption seemed to just be sitting in his chair on the bridge deep in thought.
"I have only seen your ship, so I am not the best person to judge, but according to our data the Enterprise is set up for diplomatic missions. It is the largest and most experienced ship in these matters," Quatre answered, trying to keep his voice from sounding condescending.
"I would offer my ship, but I have yet to get Zech to come aboard," Treize politely added, his face giving a trusting but unnerving smile.
"And you would no sooner enter my ship," Zech replied calmly. "I understand the trouble with the Shiroy, Cassandra only allowed two people aboard at a time, however the Federation has a bounty on my head…"
"You could just come on as Milliardo Peacecraft, then the Federation could turn a blind eye," Treize smoothly replied.
"I have long lost the right to that name, as you well know. The Federation…"
"You will go under my protection, brother," Relena interrupted. "As an ambassador representing the Federation my word is law, you will not be pardoned but you are a necessary part of a new alliance and hence shall be treated as such. Prepare you vessel Caption Picard, and double security."
"Relena I don't want you involved in this," Zech said. He stood with his words and reached out for Relena's arm.
"I am not a child and right now I am exercising my diplomatic power, brother, this is my decision. Caption Picard, do you agree?" Relena said as she stepped away from her brother and toward the screen. Picard's face looked up at the screen for the first time; clear eyes looked out of wrinkled sockets.
"If all parties are in agreement, that we will do our part," Picard stated.
"The Companion agrees," Quatre quickly stated.
"As does White Fang," Relena responded.
"I'm sorry Relena but you still do not speak for me, but I will agree none the less sense there is no other choice," Zech's voice came from behind Relena who was taking up the screen.
"Romefeller agrees, on the condition that body guards can be brought which I believe is acceptable according to Federation policies," Treize stated.
"It is acceptable; the Enterprise will be prepared to accept people in one hour. Enterprise out," Picard stated. The Enterprise's screen soon went blank followed quickly by White Fang and Romefeller. Quatre gracefully fell back into one of the chairs in bridge and rubbed his temples. He jumped slightly when warm hands began rubbing his shoulders.
"I hate politics," Quatre stated his voice tired.
"But you are so good at them," Trowa's dead voice stated. Quatre relaxed as Trowa's hands found a knot in his neck and began their work.
"That is because I have to be, if everyone could just get along than no body would need them," Quatre said. He felt his eyelids starting to drop.
"Hum," Trowa said so quietly that Quatre almost missed it. He was about to ask but suddenly Trowa's hands stopped their work on his shoulders and scooped him out of the chair with ease.
"Trowa, I can walk," Quatre said as he grabbed onto Trowa's neck for dear life.
"We need to tell everyone else that we will be making trips to the Enterprise regularly and work out a bridge schedule," Trowa said evasively.
"Right, where's Heero?" Quatre questioned more to himself than Trowa. The white crystal began to glow on his staff. "We need to know what Cassandra's plans are." Quatre wiggled out of Trowa's arms to the disappointment of the taller man.
Everyone needs to be on the bridge in 15 minutesTrowa suddenly heard Quatre's voice in his head. "I'm going to go make the schedule," Quatre announced as he took Trowa's hand and led him back to the bridge.
An hour later
"Sir we can still change our minds," Riker stated as he, Picard, Troy and Worf entered the main transporter room.
"It will work out #1. I have heard of Relena's diplomatic abilities and she it not to be taken lightly, we can't back out now even if we had a choice," Picard answered. Ricker shook his head; he couldn't believe that the girl of no more than 18 could possible have any ability in diplomacy.
"Energizing from Romefeller," the engineer working the panel announced.
Ricker watched as three bodies slowly materialized onto the brightly lit platform, each to their own circle. The man in the front most circle was obviously Treize and not just because he was the only male. His form was taller in person than Riker had thought, his uniform was pristine and he held himself like a king.
On his left was tall woman, her skin pale against the dark top of the uniform. Round glasses covered a clearly manipulative face and the backs of them disappeared under two braided low buns. On his right was a shorter young woman, about the same age as Relena. Long blond hair fell down past her waist and split eye brows gave her bright blue eyes a cunning feel. She was dressed in a long purple dress, the top cut low but covered in a light mesh that still hid her charms. A black choker looked to be painted onto her neck.
"On my left is my second officer, Lady Une. And on my right is my niece and security officer Dorothy Cadilonia," Treize introduced.
"Welcome aboard the Enterprise. Lt. Worf will show you around," Piccard said pleasantly. Worf stepped forward prepared to speak but Dorothy beat him to it.
"The pleasure is ours. I would be delighted to hear more about Klingon culture while we are on tour," Dorothy said as she stepped down and took Worf's arm. "War is one of the most beautiful art forms…" Dorothy started as she pulled Worf toward the door. Worf glanced behind to see Lady Une and Treize following and then continued. Riker tried not to show his pity for his friend on his face.
"Energizing White Fang," the engineer stated again. Riker turned his attention once again to the transporters.
As if it was the magic number, three people slowly materialized, Zech in the center flanked by two females. Zech was not at all what Riker had expected to be the leader of White Fang, on screen or here in person. His military training and honorable atmosphere seemed to bleed into the walls around him, like Treize he was taller than he looked, and Riker could now see that his white blond hair fell almost down to his knees.
"I maintain diplomatic peace, any violence against Zech Merquise will be immediately noted and court-martialed as offence toward me," Relena's clear voice pulled Rikers attention to the girl. She looked even younger in person. Long dirty blond hair was tied back by a braided half pony tail, she held herself with strength but was still modest which matched her simple short skirted gray half suit that had been favored back in the 20th century.
"I understand, and will up hold my end. Councilor Troy will show you around the ship," Picard stated.
"Thank you, Caption. As you know this is my sister Relena Peacecraft and to my right is my security chief and second in command Commander Noin," Zech stated. His voice was lower in person.
Noin was just a little shorter than Zech, unnatural blue hair covered half her face and perfectly matched the White Fang uniform that disguised her body enough that she could easily be mistaken as a male soldier, if her face had not been so feminine and opened.
Riker's eyes followed them as they followed Troy. He raised an eye brow as Relena stopped and sternly insisted on staying behind.
"Relena, this is stupid," Noin's soft voice was heard for the first time.
"You have no right to tell me what is right and wrong, I am waiting for Heero!" Relena's voice took on a whinny tone that made Riker want to cover his ears and blink. What happened to the strong diplomat that they had been talking to?
Apparently Relena's last statement had been the final word, for Zech and Noin walked out of the room, shaking their heads while Relena smugly leaned against the wall.
"Energizing the Mages," the engineer stated.
Riker watched as five forms materialized, the youths with the power to destroy planets.
"HEERO!" A voice screeched from behind Riker. Riker didn't even get a chance to turn around before a blur of gray and dirty blond streaked past him and latched itself onto Heero. There was a moment of still and then suddenly Heero's muscles seem to work on their own accord and Relena was pushed toward Riker who caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Heero, that is not the way you greet your future wife!" Relena snapped as she righted herself and stomped forward.
"Future wife? Heero why didn't you tell me you were engaged?" Duo's voice joked. Heero's eye brows furrowed for a moment as he seemed to try and understand the situation.
"I don't have a future wife," Heero eventually dead panned into the silence.
"Of course you do, silly. Now come over her and escort me through the ship - you have been on it before – like a good betrothed," Relena said coming forward again. Heero's body tensed and quickly took up a fighting position. Duo intervened, easily stepping in front of Relena.
"Look lady, no one here knows what you are talking about and Heero very clearly doesn't want you to touch him, so for your own safety, you need to back off now," Duo said. He voice was no longer joking but coaxing as if talking to a rabid animal.
"Heero doesn't know what he wants because he can't get past his conditioning, and only a woman's touch can cure him of that. Now you should back off before I count this as an act of evil intent toward an unguarded ambassador and have you court-martialed," Relena stated, her voice mimicking Duo's. Duo blinked, and Rikers jaw dropped. Originally he thought that Relena had multiple personality disorder but now she was using her diplomatic knowledge to black mail Duo.
"Lady, I don't even know what…" Duo started but Quatre cut him off.
"Heero, this is an order, while we are on the ship you are to escort Relena as she has asked. Act as if you are her personal body guard and don't hurt her," Quatre's voice was firm. Duo's face dropped as if he had just been shot in the back while Relena began to shine with triumph.
"Shall we go than," Riker said a bit absently as he watched Relena wrap her arms around Heero's arm. Heero flinched as if he was going to react but suppressed it; Relena's happy face seemed deceptively oblivious to the entire situation.
The Tour
I can't take this! Why Q? WHY!?!?!Duo finally shouted in Quatre's mind. One hand was yanking his braid so hard that he thought his hair was going to come out while the other fingered his staff. For the last 30 minutes Relena had had her hands all over Heero. She dragged him around as if he was a puppy asking him stupid question and then demanding an answer as if the world depended on it. Duo's one solace was that Heero was on guard the entire time, controlling his reactions to match Quatre's orders.
I know it's hard but…Quatre started.
"I don't think so; you could be conspiring behind my back. No talking unless everyone can hear it," Relena suddenly popped up between Duo and Quatre before bouncing back to Heero's arm. Heero seemed to brace himself for impact as she latched back on.
"I asked Quatre why he ordered Heero to do what he is doing," Duo said extremely loud and sarcastic. Relena seemed to be completely absorbed in what ever she was doing to Heero and made no reply.
"This is a very touchy situation, we don't have to be nice to Relena because we can't be court-martialed - which is like being punished by the law enforcement of this dimension - however we need White Fang to defend our homes, and if Relena doesn't support them than they will be forced to leave because the Federation will arrest them. So we need Relena's support and that means Heero has to put up with this for the next week," Quatre explained.
"No! It's not fair," Duo wailed as he put most of his weight on Quatre's shoulder.
"Oh it's so true! You feel my pain, Heero and I only have a week to get married. It's not enough time!" Relena suddenly said as she danced back to Heero's side. Heero blinked at Quatre a few times before resuming his normal look and following Relena.
"You can't let them!" Duo cried into Quatre's shoulder.
"Duo, get a hold of your self. Heero has to say 'I do' and I doubt that they will ever happen. He is very clearly into you," Wufei suddenly said. Duo whipped up from his position on Quatre's shoulder… eyes magically dry.
"Fei! You really love me too! You are right; I will survive the week besides we can always just keep Heero on the Companion because this is the only time all five of us are coming down at once. Heero can have bridge duty for a week!" Duo said excitedly.
"I don't think so, Heero must come down an even number of times or else you are breaking diplomatic policy," Relena suddenly popped up in front of Duo. Duo clutched his heart as it skipped a beat as the scary appearance.
"Show me this diplomatic policy," Duo shot back, puffing up with pride.
"Gladly," Relena stated. She suddenly stood her full height and a pair of black thick rimmed square reading glasses came out of the front of her suit pocket followed by a one of the mini computers out of her purse. Duo shrunk as Relena scrolled down.
"Section 8 paragraph 3-7: No parties, persons, beings or tasks shall be excluded from original scheduling due to any circumstance other than a breaking of contract…" Relena started to read. Duo's moan drowned out her talking and this time all seven people stopped to see what was wrong.
"Duo, are you funct… feeling well?" Heero dead panned. Duo looked over at Heero just as Relena came and draped herself over his back. Heero's face remained passive as if no one was there.
"I'll survive, He," Duo stated as he watched Relena's mouth get dangerously close to Heero's ear.
"Riker, if we could finish this up," Wufei suddenly said into the silence. Riker managed to pull his confused face into order and nodded.
"This way please," Riker stated. Relena pulled Heero around and once again began chatting and commenting. Duo couldn't take his eyes off her and would have run into something if not for Quatre and Trowa on either side of him.
Epyon, 5 days till attack
Zech folded his white gloved hands together and rested his elbows on the desk in front of him. His clear blue eyes reflected the glow of the computer terminal, as he leaned in closer, placing his chin on his hands. The dimly lit room faded from his attention as his monitor flickered and then faded out. A small deliberate movement caught the corner of his eye, alerting him to the presents of another in his room. There was only one person who could get past his ships shields and mass of security to end up in his personal quarters undetected.
"Why are you helping the Mages?" Zech's low gruff voice commanded an answer.
"Stop spying on my ship," Cassandra's cold ambiguous voice stated in return.
"This is how the game is played," Zech answered. His eyes never left the crackling terminal, the signal now scrambled beyond repair.
"Games," Cassandra's voice echoed into the ghostly eeriness. Zech shivered, the room suddenly seemed cold, even for the emptiness of space. "Games riddles and rhymes. Toil, trial and time," Cassandra's voice took on arterial undertones as it became thinner. Goose bumps popped up on Zech's arms, even under his grey trench coat. "Keep my out of your game," Cassandra's last word was eaten up by the sound of Zech's chair skidding around as he stood. But Cassandra's form had already disappeared.
Zech slowly turned a circle, eyes scanning the outline of his sparse furniture and then coming to rest on the stars outside his window. They sparkled and shown, a few tinted from the planet closest to them.
"Computer, Lights… Zech what's wrong?" Noins voice asked behind him. It carried more on it than an officer to a commander should… or was that Zech's imagination? Zech widened his eyes; he had closed them when the bright lights had made their initial assault.
"Noin, how can the person providing the fuel not have anything to do with the ship?" Zech asked.
"By not accepting payment so at the same time not accepting fault," Noin answered slowly. Zech grabbed the side of his coat and flourished it as he turned.
"But she still provided the fuel. And I am still missing a piece of this puzzle," Zech responded. He looked up into Noin's face and smiled at the carefully masked confusion shown by the ever so slightly down turn of her lips.
"Did you come to give me a report?" Zech asked. Noin nodded slowly. "Good, than give it. War is a game Noin, and I am suddenly unsure weather I am a queen or just another pawn."
Enterprise 3 days till attack
"Explain to me one more time why Heero is not present at this meeting," Relena's steady condescending diplomat voice had the barest hint of a whine to it.
"Because, Miss Relena, Heero is needed on the Companion. He is in charge of Engineering which has fallen behind and needs to be in top shape in the next few days," Quatre very patiently explained. "Trowa, would you please get me some tea," Quatre asked under his breath. Trowa gave his shoulder a squeeze as Relena began to speak again.
"And he can't take a break for an important strategy meeting?" Relena asked exasperatedly.
"No, and even if he could he wouldn't," Wufei cut in. "Heero is not known for his strategies in group fighting. Although he executes his orders perfectly if every move is not dictated he often forgets he has allies. Which is why we are having this meeting which will begin now with only these people present," Wufei said his voice stern. He stood with his mini computer in hand and walked to the main screen. All heads turning with his movement. Seated around the table were Picard, Geordi, Data, Troy, Wufei, Quatre, Zech's, Relena, Treize and Lady Une. Standing behind their affiliated were the security officers and various red shirts to make sure there were no repeats of the incident on the Companion.
Quatre's eyes glanced over as Trowa set down his tea and retook his position at his back. He absently sipped his tea as Wufei gave a short presentation basically refreshing everyone presents memory of the last three days worth of information sharing. It was short sweet and to the point… much like Wufei himself. As the Chinese mage took his seat, Piccard took control of the meeting.
"Our sensors have picked up the approaching fleets. They are fewer in number than originally thought and a few are damaged," Piccard stated.
"My ships are doing their job," Zech's added before Piccard could continue. "Like we discussed earlier most of my ships are not made for opened combat so they are using hit and run tactics to stall and minimize the approaching threat. I have 20 ships out there."
"How many ships have you lost?" Treize asked.
"None, although two have taken enough damage to put them out of commission," Zech's answered, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Treize, your fleet has also shown up on sensors," Piccard once again took control of the meeting. "The federation has sent all the ships in the area toward us, as you already know, three of them are orbiting with us while four more are in long sensor range… however with the speed our enemies are approaching it will be doubtful that the main body of the fleet will arrive in time."
"The heads are all still discussing how to interoperate the prime directive, no doubt," Treize began. "So that still leaves out ships out numbered: 18 from White Fang, 25 from Romefeller, 7 from the Federation, and 5 from the Companion. Against 75 known ships all war birds or their equals."
"More from the Federations may still be just out of range," Worf interjected.
"It is a good thing to hope for but not count on," Wufei began. "We shall assume we have the 55 ships counted as of now. This is not enough ships to form a wall to protect the planets if they are targeted."
"What if we set up some kind of shield," Geordi threw out the idea.
"It would work in theory, but we would have to find the power to sustain it," Data's quick mind was already done with the calculations.
"How much power?" Geordi asked.
"Approximately four warp cores would sustain it for two hours," Data calmly returned.
"We need every ship we can get in the fight," Treize interjected. "What about Mage power?"
"We need more time to study your technology if we are to make shields against it. In the demonstration Heero had his magical shields up but every none magical weapon thrown at it went through… only the Gundanium kept him from being blown apart. Trowa, what is your understanding of the warp core?" Quatre asked.
"It is not a living energy, like ours, instead it is a reaction between chemicals which will be difficult to match with our bass elemental magic," Trowa explained. His one green eye rested on Quatre the entire time. "Heero has done more with it than I."
"See, there is a reason for him to be here!" Relena said triumphantly. The room was silent for a moment, the awkwardness of her childish out burst almost breathable.
"The point is, not in time at least, our staff magic and your technology is not compatible," Wufei broke the silence.
"Cassandra has the ability to generate the power and the shield," Zech suddenly stated.
"But she is not here," Treize's voice seemed to be asking a question instead of the statement he had just made.
"How can she generate that kind of power?" Wufei asked, he leaned forward trying to get Zech's to answer faster.
"Who is Cassandra," Data's innocent questioning voice made Wufei turn his head.
"Cassandra gave us the ship," Quatre answered. The usual uncertainty crossed his features at the mention of the ships acting ghost. "And she is still on board, although we rarely see her. For some reason I have no doubt that what Zechs says is true." Quatre felt a shiver run up his spine. Trowa's warm hand on his shoulder stopped it from penetrating his brain and his reached up one of his own to hold Trowa's there.
"I get a very fearful feeling from you, Quatre, when you talked about Cassandra," Troy pointed out.
"My Uchuu no kokoro can not sense Cassandra, and I question her loyalties and motives," Quatre responded.
"Cassandra's loyalties are never in question, for they are only to herself," Zechs quietly added. "If you have a way of asking her, do so. The worst she can do is say no."
"Wait, if this Cassandra person can generate enough power to shield a small galaxy, than why are we worried about the approaching fleet?" Geordi suddenly asked.
"Because Cassandra won't help in the fight, and it is pointless to ask her for help in shielding," Treize responded. "Lets get down to strategies before the meeting gets away from us."
mtc