Before Bolerov could say a word, Ensign Bristol had already plotted a mirror course, and engaged the warp engines of the Warlord. Stars elongated to lines of white growing longer and longer until, at once, they retracted to their original images of pinpoints flying past on the view screen. "Captain," Tyler began, "we're following the Cardassian ships to Cardassia Prime at warp six. We should be there in just under two hours."
"Expertly done, Ensign," Bolerov replied. He desperately wanted to leave the bridge and grab a quick drink or two. They were heading straight to his worst memories. The ghosts he thought he had left behind had been haunting his dreams for weeks. Now, he was heading, at warp six, to their resting place. He closed his eyes to force the images back again.
The doors to the turbolift slid open. Commander Kirk stepped out and greeted everyone briefly. He was greeted with a warm handshake from Admiral Picard. Happy to see someone who could 'officially' take over his seat, Bolerov waved Kirk over. "Commander, thank you for coming up early."
"No problem, Sir." Stephen replied.
"We have just under two hours before we reach Cardassia Prime. We're just following our escorts. If you don't mind, Commander, I think I'll duck into the ready room and take a quick nap." Bolerov stood to leave. "Ladies and gentlemen, I temporarily take my leave of you." The guests regarded him politely. Andrei turned to Stephen.
"I relieve you, Sir." Kirk said officially.
"I stand relieved, Commander... and thank you. I will make certain the computer wakes me well before our arrival." He walked off slowly to the ready room.
Kirk sat down in the captain's seat and looked around, noticing the guests who were standing. Slightly confused, he offered, "You know, we have spare chairs around here. The first officer's seat next to me is available and we have four seats built into the walls just in front of those doors there and there." He motioned to the door to the ready room and the door to the bathroom. "You just have to pull them out. You don't have to stand the whole two hours." He added with a smile.
The group thanked him and went to take seats. Admiral Picard was already sitting at the spare command seat to Kirk's left. Admiral Callis sat in the seat to Kirk's left. The other three diplomats pulled out the spare seats from the walls and sat down. Another several minutes went by in awkward silence.
Admiral Callis finally broke the silence. He recognized the Texas accent immediately. He had an unusually low voice that really didn't seem to fit his build. Kirk wondered how he had ever become such a key negotiator in Federation history. He neither looked like, nor sounded like, someone who would have much success in areas of diplomacy. "So, Commander, tell me... how does it feel flying around in the most butt-kicking starship in the known galaxy?" He asked with a big smile.
Other than twentieth century literature, Stephen didn't think he had ever heard the phrase 'butt-kicking' in his life. Taken a little off guard by the question, he had to smile. "It's... um... well... it's been... interesting." He said finally.
"This ship has already combat twice in its short life," Picard added, "and performed magnificently both times."
Callis waved him off. "Bah. A ship is just a pile of bolts, plates, beams and circuits. It's the crew that makes the difference." He motioned to the bridge crew, who had turned to look at him. "Y'all remember that, okay? You're the ones who make the difference, not this thing. Without you, this thing would just be taking up space."
"I stand corrected," Picard concluded with a smile. The crew smiled as well, then turned back to their stations.
"Do you know Admiral Leonard?" Kirk asked Callis.
The portly admiral nodded. "He's one of the best in the business... and smoked my rear end in chess more times than I can count." The whole group chuckled. He looked around pleadingly. "No one TOLD me he was a fleet tactics specialist!" The group laughed louder. In mock frustration, he pushed himself back into the seat. "Some of the shortest chess games I've ever played..."
Kirk had been dying to get this group together and ask a few questions. Now would be a good a time as any. He turned, still light hearted, to Picard. "Admiral, if you don't mind my asking... do you know why the Cardassians are wanting to join? I thought they just wanted to be left alone."
"They realized they can't afford to," Doctor McIntyre answered from her seat next to the ready room. Picard nodded in agreement. McIntyre continued, "Once the Cardassian military turned on the Dominion, they were slaughtered. Their fleet has been reduced to nothing and all their major shipyards were destroyed. The military leaders who came to power during the war were all killed. What's left of the Detapa Council prior to the war has finally come out of hiding or exile. The few people left of the Obsidian Order have gone INTO hiding to avoid the lynching raids by a number of civilian vigilante squads who hold them responsible for what happened. They are small, defeated, and defenseless... and that won't be changing any time soon. They have no choice but to ally themselves with a group that can better protect them." He speech sounded rehearsed, as though she had given it at least a dozen times before.
Kirk looked more confused. "If they're in such chaos, why are we even going?"
"The current governing council claims they have control of the majority of the population, and enough control to make the request. That's why we're going. We're going to ensure they have the control they say they have. If they do, we'll help them form a charter of alliance for the Federation and get them incorporated. Once they are formally part of the Federation, we'll be able to provide must more assistance than we currently are."
"Ah," Stephen replied, nodding. It sounded WAY too political for him. "How long are you planning on this taking?" In the back of his mind, he was still holding out for catching the Super Bowl in person.
"Oh," Admiral Callis started, "it'll probably take at least six months to get it all rollin'. Then, we turn everything over the bureaucrats."
Kirk's eyes bulged. "Six months?"
Picard gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We're just needed for a week or so... to make the initial determination of governmental stability." Kirk let out an audible sigh of relief, which made Picard smile. "After we give our reports and recommendations to the Federation Council, they'll send another team out."
The rest of the crew let out a sigh of relief as well.