Star Trek: Absolution
Chapter IX: Groundwork
Since Bajor was the host planet, General Kira was naturally up very early on the morning of the first planned peace conference. She scrupulously checked the main conference room one last time, making certain that pitchers of ice water and raktajino were strategically placed on the large table in the room's center. There were also four very large viewscreens, one in the approximate center of each wall… the installation of which was managed as well as possible considering the rather unique aspects of Cardassian architecture. Upon her first inspection of the room she had contacted the huge Xindi aquatic vessel and verified that each of them was functioning properly.
Curiously she stood next to one of the room's windows, watching the large streamlined ship slowly orbit the space station. Up until yesterday she had never even heard of the Xindi, but upon seeing the enormous starship and its distinctive blend of escort vessels she had begun wondering just what had brought them all the way out here. Although Commander Hazelton had mentioned that both Bajor and Cardassia were going to be matched up with other Federation allies who had offered aid in their rebuilding effort, she hadn't realistically expected to see one of those governments send an entire fleet.
"You're up early General," Admiral Janeway commented from behind her. "The Xindi certainly know how to make an entrance, don't they?" She entered the room and walked over to stand next to Kira. "Thanks for completing all of the official paperwork so quickly – I will send Bajor's latest petition for Federation membership to Starfleet Command immediately after this morning's meeting." The General nodded silently in response and both of them observed the large Xindi starship quietly for a moment.
"I don't know a whole lot about them, but they certainly know how to build spacecraft," Kira said with interest.
"The large vessel has many compartments that are completely filled with water and simulate an oceanic environment. It is crewed by a sentient aquatic species that is biologically linked to five others, one of which is sadly extinct due to wars fought between them long ago."
"Are they part of the Federation?" wondered Kira.
"Kind of," Janeway mused, trying to find the best way to explain the situation to the General. "Like Bajor, they aren't officially a member yet, but three of their five surviving species settled on colony worlds within our space. We helped them relocate there over a period of time after a conflict between our governments almost two hundred years ago nearly resulted in the destruction of Earth."
"Only three?"
"Early in their history, the Xindi destroyed their home world fighting amongst themselves. In the process, their avian brothers – at that time masters of the sky – became extinct. Determined never to repeat this mistake, the remaining five species of Xindi banded together in an effort to cooperate jointly for the benefit of all."
"Something must have gone wrong, since two of the species are no longer cooperating," Kira pointed out.
"That's right. When Starfleet first ventured into space and began its long-term exploratory missions we encountered an unstable area of space spanning almost 2,000 light years that the Vulcans called the 'Delphic Expanse'. A serious investigation of this region revealed that an inter-dimensional species of alien was trying to cross into our universe and terra-form a vast area of the alpha quadrant into an environment poisonous to us but habitable to them. The Xindi called these aliens 'the Guardians' and many worshiped them as deities since the aliens had helped them resettle and regroup after their internal wars wiped out their home world."
"I've heard of terra-forming planets and moons, but 2,000 light years of space?" Kira shook her head, continuing to watch the aquatic ship through the window in front of her. "That sounds like an incredible undertaking."
"It was, and supported by their Xindi friends the Guardians were well on their way to conquering that entire area," the Admiral continued. "The environment there was severely damaged and still hasn't completely recovered to this day. Severe waves of gravometric distortion damaged or destroyed any ships that dared travel there during a time when many ships had limited shield capability. In some areas the normal laws of physics simply didn't apply. There were many deaths, and as it turned out the Guardians could also see forward and backwards through time. They knew about the alliance between Earth and Vulcan and also that Starfleet – unchallenged – would eventually stop them before their project was completed."
"They didn't like that, I'm sure."
"No they didn't," said a grim-faced Janeway. "The Guardians next move was to contact the Xindi Council that represented all five of their species: aquatics, primates, arboreals, reptilians, and insectoid alike. They lied to the Xindi and told them that Starfleet was going to eventually exterminate them. Thus manipulated by the inter-dimensional aliens, the Xindi built a prototype weapon that killed over 7 million people on Earth."
"7 million people?" the General gasped. "What an absolutely terrible tragedy."
"If Starfleet hadn't stopped them it would have been worse. They were planning to destroy all of Earth and very nearly succeeded." Janeway was silent for a moment as she recalled the first time she had read about the attack as a child. "A starship Captain named Jonathan Archer managed to find proof of the Guardians' real intentions and convinced all of the Xindi except for the reptilians and the insectoids to help them stop the attack."
"Obviously they were successful."
"Yes, and the Xindi paid a heavy price for their error. The reptilians could not be reasoned with even after clear proof was presented that they were wrong. The Xindi Council was disbanded and the reptilians and insectoids left to find home worlds of their own. Up until recently, we had no idea where they were or what they were up to – but the other three species have kept in constant contact with the Federation over the years in an attempt to maintain good relations. When they heard that Bajor and Cardassia were having problems purifying polluted oceans and rivers as an ongoing result of your planet's occupation and the fallout from the Dominion war, their government approached ours and offered assistance. The aquatics are experts at decontaminating water supplies, and allowing them to contribute positively for the benefit of the Federation and its allies will help heal a lot of old wounds."
"I bet it will at that," Kira decided.
"Someday, we hope to invite them to officially join the Federation as your world is doing. But there are always lots of issues to address in any political forum, so the best thing we can do for now is prioritize them all and address the most immediate dangers first."
"What was it like being stranded in the Delta quadrant?" Kira asked curiously.
The Admiral's expression became somber. "Lonely," she said with a shrug. "From the outset, we had very little hope of ever seeing the Alpha quadrant again and we lost way too many people during our long trip home. In a sense Voyager's crew became my children… I care deeply about each and every one of them." Her eyes teared up and she laughed. "All of them still send me a message or personal letter now and then. I guess when you're completely isolated in hostile, unknown territory like that the people working side by side with you each and every day inevitably become part of your family." She looked respectfully at Kira. "You're Bajoran, so I would wager that you've been through some tough times yourself."
"I lost a lot of people I cared about too during Cardassia's occupation of Bajor," the General admitted. "Like you said, you either end up trusting other people around you and hold on to your faith or you don't survive long in a situation like that." She smiled a little bitterly at some of the memories that touched the edge of her mind before she quickly forced them away again. "The day the Cardassians left was the happiest of my life, right before I found out that the Federation was being invited in at the request of our improvised provisional government. You should have seen the first time I met Captain Sisko."
"Were you gentle with him?" Janeway inquired with a smirk.
"Too gentle," decided Kira. "He ended up taking my office!" They both laughed and then grew silent, continuing to watch the parade of Xindi ships circling Deep Space Nine. Kira couldn't remember how long they stood there just watching the stars when suddenly she saw the wormhole open. It flared to life with a brilliant burst of gold and blue energy, swirling beautifully like the perfectly organized, remarkable phenomenon that it was. The Bajorans called it the Celestial Temple and no matter how many different ways Starfleet came up with to explain its existence Kira decided that she would never think of it as anything else.
Kira's Comm-badge chirped for attention. "Ops to General Kira," said Hazelton's voice. "A heavy cruiser containing the Dominion delegation just came through the wormhole and is requesting permission to dock. I'm going to route them to upper pylon two and thought you would want to know."
"Thank you Commander," said Kira gratefully. "I'll meet them at the airlock." Unusual, she thought quietly to herself. She had fully expected to receive the usual representatives already stationed in the alpha quadrant.
She hadn't seen much of the Dominion since the end of the war, so it was an extraordinary experience for the General as she watched a pair of unarmed Jem'Hadar walk out of the airlock and take up a protective stance in front of the Vorta that followed them. He was a tall, spindly man with oily black hair and he greeted her warmly with about as much sincerity as she felt he was capable of feeling. He casually introduced himself as Mendau and she bowed in response before confirming to him that she was indeed General Kira Nerys.
Tensions between the alpha and gamma quadrant races were still reasonably high and she personally hadn't found much reason yet to trust any of them. She felt quite safe with the Federation security officers that stood on either side of her and was very grateful to have them with her. The Dominion had, after all, only backed down after losing a brutal, bloody war and even then had refused to do so despite the fact that the Founders who ruled them were on the verge of succumbing to a deadly disease that would have wiped them out entirely. Would have, that is, if it had not been for Dr. Bashir and…
"Odo!" Kira shouted with delight as her old shape shifting boyfriend proudly followed the Vorta out of the airlock. She watched him curiously run a finger up and down the edges of the red airlock door and pretend to check for dust. Grinning at her, his expression took on a look of concentration for a second and suddenly the dark blue civilian clothing he was wearing blurred and changed into a black tuxedo complete with bow tie.
"I heard you were throwing a party and simply couldn't resist visiting the station again," he said with one of his typical, nearly non-existent smiles. "It's good to see that you're keeping up the place… how is my replacement doing?"
"It will never be the same without you and you know it," Kira grinned, hugging him warmly and giving him a quick kiss. "I'm glad you made it back – even for a little bit."
"You would be astonished at just how fast things have changed on my home world," Odo said with the most optimistic expression she had ever seen on his face. "The moment I first linked with my people and healed them of the disease that was killing them they began to realize what their version of 'universal order' has been doing to so many innocent people over the centuries. Keeping themselves linked and protected on their own private planet was a great way of ignoring the solid species of the galaxy but it definitely wasn't an enlightening point of view. Once they learned of the time that I spent here and the friendships I had formed there was a profound and immediate change."
"They're not perfect and neither are we," Kira decided. "You should know… you certainly arrested enough people during your time here."
"That I did," he said with pride as his clothing reverted back to the simple blue civilian outfit that he had previously been wearing. He watched the look on the General's face and could not help but notice her reaction. "What?" he inquired curiously.
"It's just…" Kira started laughing and had to take a deep breath. "Odo, I can't remember ever seeing you wear anything that wasn't brown or a tuxedo." She bowed in welcome to the entire Dominion delegation before gesturing toward the corridor. "Our first meeting starts very soon and I'll take you there if you'll just follow me."
"First things first Nerys," Odo suggested. "Before all of that, why don't you take us by the Promenade for a moment so I can scare the pants off of Quark."
The peace conference officially began on time and General Kira took a few minutes to introduce everyone. On one side of the table sat the Cardassian delegation being led by a Gul Mullis who had been recently appointed to power by the surviving members of his government's civilian Detepa council. Seated next to him was the very familiar face of Garak, and she noted that he looked extremely weary and exhausted from all of the responsibility he had taken on since returning to his home world. Next to him sat Odo and an uncomfortable looking Mendau. Obviously, the changes being implemented within the Dominion were some new ways of thinking that the elitist Vorta was simply not accustomed to dealing with.
On the other side of the table sat General Kira, Admiral Janeway, Captain Picard and Commander Hazelton as representatives of Bajor and the Federation. Once Kira finished her introductions, Janeway introduced the two Xindi representatives who were also present. The first was a primate named Jommyn, a tall well-built humanoid with jet black hair. His eyes were an imposing brown and he smiled peacefully at his introduction and bowed to everyone present.
The arboreal Xindi looked a bit rougher, had long sandy blonde hair and strongly resembled the Tellarite species. His name was Pykiim and he also smiled and nodded at the others surrounding him at the conference table. With an enthusiastic grin Janeway sat back down and then glanced toward one of the monitor screens to size up the medium-sized, whale-like aquatic species that could be seen swimming around in the foreground. There were two of them, each of which had a long tail and two arms with webbed fingers on them. One of the creatures waved happily at them through the optical imaging sensor.
"I'm not exactly sure how to introduce you," the Admiral said as her words were instantly translated and relayed to the Xindi vessel. "Perhaps I should just say welcome to Deep Space Nine and leave it at that."
"We are the aquatics," one of the whale creatures said, his voice instantly translated back through the speakers next to each of the four monitors circling the room. "And we are extremely grateful to Admiral Janeway for presenting us with the opportunity to work with the Federation again in an effort to improve the quality of life for people who have undergone tragedies in their past similar to our own. We have a great deal of water purification technology at our disposal, much of which the Admiral has already reviewed. Your replicators should make the construction of the equipment needed a simple process."
"Pykiim's people are also experts in forestry," said Jommyn with a pleasant smile. "They will be able to evaluate the eco-systems on many of your war-torn worlds and determine which plant species will help speed the elimination of pollution and other toxic substances from your food supply. We have been looking to officially reopen negotiations with the Federation and its allies for many years so I too would like to offer my thanks for your invitation."
"This is all nice and pleasant so far," Gul Mullis commented, "But we have some very immediate threats to deal with, not the least of which are the Breen. Many of the resources that we need in order to rebuild our member planets are on those Colonies that were ceded to us in our treaty with the Federation. As long as the Breen hold them then our reconstruction efforts will proceed much more slowly. I've already sent Starfleet a briefing noting just how many radiation damaged people we have to care for."
"That's where I can offer some assistance," Odo spoke up. "The cruiser I arrived on is carrying a large supply of anti-radiation medication specifically designed to counter the after effects of the weaponry used against your planets during our occupation of the Cardassian Union. We will also provide your doctors with the necessary data to manufacture more." He shrugged. "I considered asking the Admiral if I could bring a convoy through, but she felt the presence of another large Dominion fleet in the alpha quadrant so soon after the war might raise a few eyebrows over here."
"Well the Federation could certainly deal with that issue," Picard mused thoughtfully. "But I'm not so sure that the Klingons or Romulans would approve. After all, they took just as many casualties as we did, and they're known for being a bit less eager to trust."
"Aside from your permanent delegation stationed here in the alpha quadrant, I would also feel more comfortable if the bulk of the Dominion forces remain on the other side of the wormhole," decided Gul Mullis. "Many of my people would become very nervous if they did not, and another confrontation between our two governments would be only a matter of time."
"Believe me, we have our own rebuilding to do," Odo admitted. "The Founders have officially ordered the cloning facilities that manufacture the Vorta and Jem'Hadar to be shut down. From now on, they will have to reproduce the old fashioned way – and they will do so living on their home worlds. Working with information provided by Dr. Bashir and Starfleet Medical we have also managed to break the addiction that kept the Jem'Hadar dependent on Ketrocel White. For the duration of this crisis, we have made certain that those drug manufacturing facilities will continue creating the medical supplies as they are needed by the Cardassian Union in order to treat its citizens."
"Odo, perhaps we could send our own cargo vessels through the wormhole to pick up your medical supplies," suggested Garak politely. "That would prevent the need for a large number of Dominion ships to venture into the alpha quadrant, and we would still be able to get the medicine that we need."
"I will arrange for that immediately," the changeling agreed. "When they arrive in the gamma quadrant, simply have your ships contact the colony in the Dalanda system. I will make certain that all of our food and medicine is delivered to their storage facilities until they can be moved to the alpha quadrant for mass distribution."
"So what do we do about our mutual Breen problem?" repeated an irritated Gul Mullis. They are occupying some of the planets on your side of the demilitarized zone also. Doesn't the Federation defend its member planets?"
"We have urged restraint for the moment so that the situation can be tactically evaluated," Janeway spoke up. "The Breen entered the war in its latter stages and they still have a significant number of ships at their disposal to fight us with if we decide to engage them." She looked to Picard who sat silently listening to the conversation and sincerely wished she had gotten the news in time to brief him prior to the start of the meeting. "In addition to that, we have also learned that they are not acting alone."
The image of one of the aquatics swam closer to the optical pickup. "We were always the objective bond that held our former Xindi council together, particularly when the reptilians or insectoids were upset," the creature commented. "They knew that they could look to us for an unbiased decision… once we got around to issuing it, that is. After our initial conflict with the Federation several hundred years ago, both of their races decided to venture out into the galaxy on their own. Eventually we sent out long range exploratory vessels and attempted to contact each of them so that we could ask them to return home."
"What we discovered has not exactly been positive," Jommyn said flatly with a disappointed look on his face. "We are sincerely hoping to heal our old wounds with the Federation this time around, and that is why we felt it was imperative to offer our assistance on this project. In a sense, we are also involved with your… problems."
"What are you talking about?" Garak asked curiously.
"We were unable to locate the insectoids," the aquatic who had previously spoken continued. "But we were able to determine that our reptilian brothers settled on a planet in a star system near the Breen home world. Although they are keeping their presence quiet for the moment, we have discovered that they have allied themselves with the Breen and are assisting them with their efforts in the Dark Nebula. Whatever is happening within the boundaries of that spacial anomaly, they are active participants."
Picard stiffened in his seat. "The reptilian Xindi are helping the Breen?"
"Yes Captain Picard, and the purpose behind this newest exploit of theirs has yet to be determined." The aquatic waved its arms in a very good simulation of a human shrug.
"Why was this information not shared with us?" Gul Mullis said loudly, standing up angrily and glaring at Jommyn. "With outside assistance at their disposal, the longer we wait the stronger the Breen will become and the harder they will be to remove from our Colonies!"
"Sit down Mullis," Garak said gently. Despite his soft tone the Gul looked obediently at him and immediately complied with the request.
"Up until this morning we did not have any intelligence data to confirm that this alliance does indeed exist," Janeway said with a bit of regret in her tone. "All information that the Xindi and the Federation have acquired will be made available to you for review at the conclusion of this meeting. In the meantime I urge you to have patience, since the combined forces of the governments sitting in this room are more than enough to remove the Breen if a military option becomes necessary. Captain Picard and I do not feel that it will be."
"What do you have in mind?" Pykiim asked with extreme interest.
"Since we arrived here, I have been carefully reviewing the intelligence that we've gathered in the former demilitarized zone," Picard said informatively. "Both Cardassia and the Federation already have people on those Colonies whom we can contact to keep us updated as to what's going on there." He surveyed the faces sitting across from him. "Simply put, those Colony planets are a supply line that is being used by the Breen to provide resources to the effort that is underway in the Dark Nebula. If we cut off those supplies then it follows that the project they are working on will be affected as well."
"It sounds like you already have a preliminary plan of attack," Garak said intently, watching the Captain carefully.
"Two of them actually," Picard responded. "The first will be to determine the Breen's ultimate objective… that you can leave to me. The second thing we need to focus on is getting the occupation force out of the DMZ as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish that we're going to need everyone's help."
"What you propose sounds simple," Gul Mullis said cautiously. "But many lives have already been lost. How do we get the Breen out of our Colonies without provoking another bloody war that will cost us more ships and resources."
"That objective will be more difficult, but it is achievable," Admiral Janeway said confidently. "We make them want to leave, and as quickly as possible."
Gul Mullis leaned forward intently. "Quickly is the operative word, Admiral. As you pointed out, I am also in contact with our civilians in the demilitarized zone and I can assure you that they're not going to wait much longer before they take matters into their own hands. I would be lying to you if I said that I felt this was a bad thing, since I strongly support their right to defend themselves and protect their homes."
"Perhaps your plan could be modified so that both the Cardassian and Federation citizens could assist us," Garak suggested. "They're already on the ground in the danger zone, so it makes sense to include them in whatever plan we end up implementing."
"We will need their help, in more ways than I can count," Picard said firmly, watching Garak nod respectfully to him. "Any response on our part to this occupation is doomed to end in bloodshed if it is not efficiently organized." He looked Mullis directly in the eye. "I have already spoken with my friends there, and they are willing to cooperate with whatever we decide to do."
"My people will as well," Mullis promised.
"Then both of you should get in touch with your contacts and give them a heads up," said Janeway, glancing from Picard to Garak and Mullis. "Tell your people to get their cargo ships ready for action – they're about to get a workout." She visually surveyed all of the faces in the room. "Is there anything else?"
"Just one small item," decided Kira. "During the war, Cardassia and Bajor managed to maintain and respect the fragile treaty that we signed prior to the outbreak of hostilities." She looked intently at Garak. "But I do not think that it is any big secret that there is still a lot of hard feelings that exist between our two cultures."
"What is your point, General?" Garak asked with interest.
"Recently we rescued one of the greatest spiritual leaders that Bajor has ever known from a planet she was marooned on in the gamma quadrant."
"Kai Opaka… yes, I believe I read the news report on her return. Congratulations," said Garak with sincerity. "But I fail to see what this has to do with our current situation."
Kira was silent for a moment. "I don't know how else to say this except to say it," she said finally. "We can help Cardassia rebuild its cities and heal its people, but the emotional damage will take much longer to repair. Kai Leos is currently Bajor's elected spiritual leader, and as a result Opaka has personally asked me if she could accompany Gul Mullis back to Cardassia Prime and live with your people as an emissary of Bajor."
"What?" Mullis said with astonishment. "That is not a good idea. Guaranteeing the safety of a Bajoran in Cardassian territory at this time would be an extremely volatile security issue, not to mention the simple fact that we don't believe in Bajor's prophets."
"You don't have to believe in our prophets Mullis," Kira reassured him. "Opaka has grown used to working away from Bajor and sincerely wants to assist the Cardassians in rebuilding their homes. She is offering to trust you with her life as the first step toward forgiveness between our people for our past hostilities."
"I still cannot guarantee her safety."
"Protect her as best you can," the General said with a smile. "Even though we've been separated until recently, I've known this woman for years and I think that your people will respect her once they hear what she has to say. If not…" Kira chuckled with amusement. "… then they'll discover quickly enough that she has the unique ability to rise from the dead."