Star Trek: Absolution
Chapter XVIII: Occupation
A stab of fear ran up Malib's spine and he hesitated, deciding whether or not he could initiate the final sequence to intensify the portal before the newcomer shot him. "I take it Starfleet has arrived," he said arrogantly, holding up his hands as though surrendering. A small distraction would be all he needed, since getting home was his secondary objective after all. Carving a permanent doorway into subspace for use by his people was still first on his list of things to take care of before the entire base and its systems were shut down for good.
"No, I'm not from Starfleet actually," the man behind him said. "Most people call me Sloan, and I'm not here to talk, beg, or open diplomatic relations with you. I am here to make certain that your project ends right here and now."
Malib spun around quickly and reached for the work station, but a hot orange phaser beam beat him to the punch and disintegrated most of the console before he could even touch it. That was most fortunate for him as things turned out, since the hair on his arms stood on end as the blast passed close by and his forearms suffered minor burning from the extreme heat of the blast. The leftover molten metal glowed bright orange and white for a moment as it flowed steadily down to the metallic suspending flooring, where it crackled with heat, smoldered, and gradually began cooling.
The blinking gold lights at the base of the pedestal dimmed and Malib once again heard the distinctive sound of the subspace emitters shutting down. The Breen scientists had programmed it that way specifically so that loss of control from the computer systems above would keep the underground antimatter reactor below from overloading and exploding – and thereby taking most of the planet with it. Still, the sound was extremely troubling to him as he studied the row of overloaded work stations and noted that all of them were now dark and powerless.
"You absolute fool!" Malib screamed at him. "That was the last working computer link to the subspace emitters. Without them the portal will collapse within a matter of minutes… I doubt very much that the other end of it even leads to the proper location that it's supposed to on our side of the subspace tunnel anymore. You've trapped us all here in this universe."
"That's right," Sloan said savagely, "You're all trapped here… every single one of you." He stepped forward and leveled his phaser at Malib. "You were really going to do it," he said with a look of pure disbelief. "One power plant is not nearly enough to keep those force fields in place while you create your permanent rupture. You were willing to vent all of the new radiation you generated directly into the atmosphere and sacrifice everyone on this planet for your stupid, fouled up invasion plan that has been doomed to fail for some time now." A wry grin appeared on Sloan's face. "I'm not the biggest fan of Starfleet myself, but I have to admit they sure clipped your wings fast enough."
"You fool," Malib repeated as he rubbed the burned areas of both arms. As he spoke, Sloan looked past him to a lengthy table behind him – specifically at the objects stacked very carefully along its surface.
Noticing his gaze, Malib turned his head and cringed at the dozens of boxes setting on the table, each of which contained fifty of the portable transfer devices. The internal power lights were active and winking bright red, indicating that each of them held in storage the complete personality of a Guardian from the trans-dimensional realm. There were at least fifteen hundred of the miniaturized computer units sitting in the various boxes, and Malib abruptly realized with extreme frustration that none of them were ever going to reach their pre-selected targets. Truthfully, he was no longer certain if his friends stored on the devices would ever find themselves in a physical body again.
Anger boiled up within him and he furiously glared at the short, stocky Section 31 agent. A series of electronic chirps sounded as Sloan reset his hand phaser. Raising it the covert Federation operative fired it again, directing a searing hot energy beam into Malib's right leg.
"Aaagghh!" Malib gasped as a dark smear appeared on his thigh. He fell to the floor in agony as small wisps of smoke rose from the blackened area around the phaser wound. He cried out again in pain as a second shot caught him in the upper left shoulder. With tears running from his eyes in response to the intense burst of pain he fell to his knees and then flopped backward, feeling the cold metallic surface of the floor press up against his back. "Who are you?" the Guardian gasped with surprise. "Even on the most primitive human planets within the Federation, in this quadrant your government respects people's rights."
Again Sloan adjusted the setting on his phaser, this time back to a higher power level. "You have already murdered many of us by stealing our bodies on this planet, and you have also seized power by killing those in authority using this same tactic on more than one world here in our galaxy. You and your kind are invaders, pure and simple, and I have come here to kill you and then them!" Again he glanced at the boxes of portable Guardian units sitting behind Malib. Without a hint of emotion he raised his phaser and pointed it at Malib. "First you answer to me and then your friends on that table are next!"
The look on Sloan's face went abruptly blank as he stiffened from an unexpected phaser shot that caught him from behind. The force of the blast spun him around and – completely surprised – he could see the android officer from the Enterprise standing by with a phaser rifle pointed his way. Captain Picard was next to him and quickly shot Sloan a second time to make sure the Section 31 operative had no chance to carry out his threat and execute Malib. Stunned into unconsciousness Sloan fell to the floor, his own phaser tumbling from his grasp and clattering away across the cold metal surface.
Janeway, Data and several of Worf's heavily armed security officers followed Captain Picard through the wide open doors to the massive central control chamber. Behind them, dark smoke from fires still out of control was everywhere and had shrouded the entire base in near darkness. In the distance they could hear the sounds of Federation phaser fire as Worf, Riker, and the Enterprise security crew continued to take care of any remaining enemy troops still foolish enough to offer resistance. As he walked inside the spacious command center, Data curiously glanced up and admired the construction of the domed structure and the sturdiness of the foundation upon which the soaring tower above rested.
"Please… please," Malib begged, grabbing his wounded shoulder and trying not to pass out from the pain. "Please help me."
"Why of course," Picard said, leaning down and checking Bemuu's pulse. He tapped his Comm-badge. "Doctor Crusher, as time permits I need medical assistance from one of your staff in the central tower. It's nothing life threatening, so be sure and see to the other wounded members of the camp first."
"Acknowledged."
"For all your famous Federation talk about respecting rights, it's pretty clear to me how you plan to treat your prisoners," Malib sneered in response. He tried to remain defiant, but fresh pain burst through his nervous system and he grabbed his wounded leg in response.
"Oh I assure you, the Breen and reptilian-Xindi on this base will be treated quite well," Picard commented back to him. "Those people that have not been converted to Guardians, that is. As for you," he shrugged his shoulders, "The Federation Council will have to make a decision on that one. I've worked closely with them for years and trust their judgment."
"No… What you are going to do is listen to me," Malib said between hysterical gasps of pain. "I'm ordering you to gather up all your men and leave this planet immediately. You're also going to withdraw all Federation, Klingon and Cardassian troops from the colonies in the demilitarized zone and let the Breen there return. If you don't, the Guardians that we placed in charge of the Breen and reptilian home worlds will order the starships orbiting above to exterminate the civilian populations on both worlds."
Picard glanced back at Janeway with a look of complete astonishment and she simply stood there quietly with her arms folded, giving him a confident nod. Smiling, the Captain turned back to the injured prisoner at his feet.
"It is obviously quite isolated here within the Dark Nebula amongst all this gravity, invisible matter and radiation," Picard said to Malib. "So I guess you don't get news updates on the rest of the alpha quadrant often enough. Because if you did you would already know that your threat is an empty one. By assigning starships to the DMZ and in this nebula, you have spread the Breen and reptilian forces too thin and left their home worlds extremely vulnerable by doing so." Picard enjoyed watching his reaction. "Additional coalition fleets have already invaded and seized control of both star systems." He glared fiercely at Malib's shocked reaction. "Our Xindi allies have captured the reptilians' new home world, and Starfleet has landed troops on the surface of Breen. Your people may be here in the alpha quadrant, but they're not in charge of anything."
"What?" Malib said in astonishment. "But you…"
"Starfleet always negotiates first and shoots later – isn't that right?" Janeway interrupted him with a wry smile as she stepped forward. "Is that what you were going to say? The Federation follows a policy of non-interference – we don't engage in pre-emptive strikes or take part in regime change." She stopped next to Picard and stared intently down at their cowering captive. "It looks to me like you wagered heavily on history repeating and lost all your chips. I'd feel sorry for you, but what you're about to endure are called the consequences of your actions. We've worked for over two hundred years to build a peaceful blending of unique cultures. You barging into our universe and murdering our citizens is a disruption to that way of life we simply cannot tolerate."
"Our Doctors have figured out how to detect your presence in all alpha quadrant species," Picard said with a scowl. "The fact that your transfer process completely wipes out the life force of your prisoners made solving that problem very easy for us. And I'm not lying to you – currently Starfleet forces are taking complete control of the Breen and reptilian governments. And everyone else in the alpha quadrant is being warned as we speak how to check for your presence." His expression hardened. "Some of those governments have some pretty nasty labor camps for spies and criminals… it looks as though you lucked out."
Groaning, Sloan's body began moving again and the groggy Section 31 agent sat up and tried to shake the dizziness from his head. As he slowly stood up Data pointed and a team of Federation security men moved into the tower complex, confiscated his electronic armband and took Sloan into custody.
"What are you… doing?" Sloan wondered, his lightheadedness quite obvious.
"We're putting you in prison Sloan," Janeway told him. "Since Section 31 apparently can't follow its new orders without us making an example of someone, it's going to be you. You're going to get a fair trial on charges of conspiracy and murder, at which time all the evidence that I promised you we have will be presented. I have little doubt as to the outcome – when all is said and done I'm pretty sure that both you and most of your colleagues on this project alone will find your personal freedoms restricted for some time to come."
"You wouldn't even have stopped this project in time if it wasn't for me!" Sloan shouted, pointing at the smoking remnants of Malib's work station. "Do you realize what he was trying to do? He was going to tear a permanent subspace rupture between his universe and ours!"
"We were here," Data informed him. "Our transporters were linked to yours and we beamed down to the surface at the same instant you did." He studied Sloan's reaction closely. "I believe that the Captain and Admiral Janeway wanted to let you attempt homicide and thereby implicate yourself in front of witnesses one last time."
Sloan looked at Data with disbelief. "Fine – arrest me then," he seethed. "But you must permit me to destroy those devices first," the Section 31 operative insisted, pointing to the open cartons setting on the long table behind the row of powerless computer work stations. "We cannot take the chance that someone else in our universe may find them and re-establish the Guardians as a threat to us. The minds stored on those devices can recreate the technology on this base…" Still dizzy from the multiple stun blasts, his feet almost came out from under him and he had to reach out and steady himself by grabbing onto one of the guards standing next to him.
Picard took a long and careful look at the boxes setting on the table as he immediately grasped their significance. Casting a disgusted look at Malib he went over and picked up the first container and the fifty portable transfer devices it held. With a flash of anger he carefully read aloud the name stamped on its front. "Betazed," he said heatedly. Walking along the table he continued reading the names on each box. "Ferenginar, Earth, Kronos, Cardassia, Tzenkethi, Romulus, Bajor, Vulcan, Andoria…" he paused and the rage in his expression was obvious. "My but you Guardians do have ambitious plans for our alpha quadrant, don't you?"
"Please," Malib begged, trying to pull himself into a sitting position. "I beg you… don't hurt them! Some of my people's finest minds are stored on those units."
"Why would I hurt them?" Picard asked acidly. "I think we should simply send them back where they came from…" Without another word he threw the box he was holding across the room where it struck the perimeter of the still-fluctuating portal and vanished inside. His anger was flowing freely now and he picked up a second box of the devices and repeated the action.
"Stop!" Malib cried, helplessly watching Picard. "I stabilized the wormhole, but I didn't get my new settings finalized in time for the subspace emitters to make the latest set of adjustments. The other end of the portal could be anywhere on my side now… certainly the conduit doesn't lead where it's supposed to any longer. You've just sent one hundred of my people to an unknown destination."
"Then my suggestion would be that your people stop wasting their time trying to poke holes in our universe and start looking for these devices," the Captain said as he threw a third box into the portal. "My engineer tells me that the power supply on each unit will last a long time, but not forever." He continued to pick up and throw the cartons of transfer devices into the artificial doorway until every one of them was gone. The portal itself was gradually beginning to fluctuate less quickly while it noticeably grew smaller with each passing minute.
"You have no right!" Malib said weakly as he continued to cry, watching the last box disappear into the portal. "You have no right…" A thought occurred to him. "What are the people already here supposed to do now? We're trapped in your universe?"
"Oh I'm certain we can find something to occupy your time," Janeway decided as she smiled reassuringly at Picard. He was as emotional as she had ever seen him, but he still hadn't lost his Captain's poise. "After all, you worked so hard to get here and steal the bodies of our people that I think it would be a shame if you left so quickly. I'll make certain that you personally get a first hand look at the Federation's process for prosecuting war criminals."
Doctor Crusher and a squad of additional Starfleet troops entered the large chamber surrounding them. She knelt down next to Bemuu and – as Picard had – checked the woman's pulse. A quick analysis with her tricorder confirmed that the human woman lying on the floor was dead. "She went into cardiac arrest, probably from a severe electrical shock," Crusher said, holding up one of Bemuu's arms to inspect the burns on it. "If only someone had been here, they could have administered CPR and saved her life."
Picard gave the Doctor a frustrated look. "Someone was here," he said angrily, "But he had other priorities to attend to." Without another word he simply pointed at the cowering, emotionally spent creature that was now Malib. His wounds had been cauterized by the heat from the energy beams so he wasn't bleeding. Crusher moved over to inspect his injuries, noting that the Guardian in human form flinched several times as she examined him and then began treating his phaser wounds.
An hour later Picard walked slowly out into the sunlight, followed almost immediately by Data and Janeway. Some of the smoke was beginning to clear and they could see dozens of enemy prisoners lined up in large groups around the camp. The Species 8472 aliens were standing alongside the armed Federation security personnel, making certain that the Breen and reptilians caused no further trouble. Large shuttles were continually descending from orbit to pick up the prisoners and transport them to secure facilities where they would be interrogated and then quite probably allowed to return to their home planet. What sanctions would be imposed against their governments as a penalty for the devious plot that had unfolded here was just one more decision that the Captain planned to leave up to the Federation Council.
A shimmering blue transporter beam appeared off to their right and Geordi materialized with a tricorder in one hand and a tool kit in another. "Mr. LaForge, it looks like all of the scientific work stations inside that tower have been destroyed or heavily damaged by our attack. Will it be possible to figure out how all of this claptrap of theirs works without a functioning terminal?" Picard watched the engineer's reaction with interest, since Geordi had thoroughly studied the shuttle mission's sensor readouts of the planet and so far was their resident expert.
"I don't see that as presenting a problem Captain," the engineer decided. "The access points provided by their computer stations would just have extra security that I would have to bypass anyway. As things stand I should be able to focus on disabling the firewalls that directly protect their database. Data can assist me." He headed past them into the tower with a noticeable air of curiosity, anxious to take a close up look at the alien technology.
As Picard carefully surveyed the quieted camp and its smaller fires that continued to burn in the immediate area he noticed Commander Riker walking toward them with a phaser rifle hoisted against one shoulder. Behind Riker was one of the domed power plants, still primarily intact except for the scorched hole on its surface where an orbital phaser beam had pierced it. The Captain waited patiently for his First Officer, continuing to take a detailed first-hand look at the secret base that was the source of so much post-war trouble in the region.
"I think we got here just in time Captain," Riker told him, surveying at close range the tower that seemed at first glance to reach almost as high as the clouds in the sky above. He also found himself unable to resist studying the massive structure, since he had only glimpsed it from a distance on his first trip to the planet.
"I've been in that tower Number One, and I can tell you for certain that we got here just in time." The Captain took a deep breath and glanced at his First Officer. "Casualties?"
"We were lucky," Riker decided. "We've had very few ground casualties on both sides, thanks to Admiral Janeway's Species 8472 friends. It's mostly a lot of broken bones where the enemy is concerned." He stood alongside Picard and the two of them continued to watch the smoke still drifting throughout the rapidly emptying enemy camp. "Sparing so many of the Breen and reptilian soldiers will go a long way toward winning us some support during our occupation of their home worlds. If we had simply wiped them out the way Daniels and Sloan suggested, I doubt we'd be able to sway public opinion amongst their people to our side any time soon."
"Surprise, we were right and they were wrong," the Captain stated flatly. "Trusting our own judgment has always been the best option. What is our fleet status?"
"Our losses were minimal there too. The Bellerophon and the Atlantis took the heaviest damage but our aquatic friends used their huge starship to protect most of the fleet. The Vendetta's warp drive is temporarily offline but her Captain expects to have them up and running within twelve hours." He shook his head with disbelief. "Even so, once those bio-ships from fluidic space showed up I'm told the fighting ended pretty quickly."
"Did I hear someone mention the Bellerophon?" Admiral Janeway asked, walking over to join them. "I believe that's an Intrepid-Class starship – I'll have to use my pull with Starfleet to have it bumped to the top of the repair list." She glanced at Riker and he sized her mood up instantly, noticing the concerned expression on her face.
"We lost people, but not as many as we could have," he informed her. "Your friends from fluidic space really saved the day."
"I wish we could have used them on the Breen and reptilian home worlds," Janeway mused thoughtfully. "That's going to be a much tougher nut to crack, I'm afraid. Establishing a more peace-based philosophy at the head of those two governments will take lots of time and patience."
"Having seen Species 8472 up close and personal, I think their appearance alone would scare the living daylights out of most civilians in this quadrant," Riker observed.
"So what do you think, Jean Luc?" Janeway asked him.
"It all seems like an endless circle sometimes," Picard observed, standing beside her deep in thought. "We finally got the Bajorans and the Cardassians talking peacefully and someone tries to stir up trouble in the DMZ. So we work to quell the chaos in that area and now we've had no choice but to land troops on two more alien worlds."
"This quadrant would be a lot worse off if the Federation weren't around," pointed out Riker. "It may seem endless sometimes Captain but you and I both know that the Federation has accomplished an awful lot, during our lifetime alone. We've literally helped keep trillions of innocent people safe and free."
"If you'd ever like to see what life without the Federation is like, I'll let you review my log entries on the delta quadrant," the Admiral suggested. "I can tell you from firsthand experience that you have to do some serious searching over there to find people who care about anything other than themselves. There are still good societies to be found, but they're few and far between. Usually the concept of the common good is found only under the severe restrictions provided by a Borg collective consciousness."
"I have to admit, that armor technology of yours worked like a charm Admiral," said Riker gratefully. "It's too bad we can't keep it around on a full time basis."
Picard harrumphed at his First Officer's comment. "As long as I command the Enterprise, it will be a ship of exploration first except during war time," he said emphatically. "That armor – like the Romulan's cloaking device – is a first strike mega-weapon. We shall not carry it so long as I am in charge. Exploring the galaxy must be conducted by people of good character, and contacting new species will always begin with sincere acts of trust and good faith negotiation."
"Then the Federation is in good hands," Janeway proclaimed cheerfully. "You are an honorable man and I have complete faith in you." She put a hand on his shoulder for emotional support as she noticed how troubling the DNX-920 incident had been for him. "C'mon, Jean Luc – let's go home."
Later that evening the Admiral sat in her quarters on board the Enterprise, deep in thought. She held a data pad containing mission status reports and was still reviewing the rapid-fire series of events that had occurred earlier in the day, knowing that once she returned to Starfleet headquarters she would be required to advise the Federation Council on how best to proceed next. A successful military campaign usually tended to help politicians breathe easier, particularly when casualties were minimized. Dealing with the aftermath, however – now that was something just as unpredictable and she was finding it required an equal amount of study and carried with it the same amount of unpredictability mixed with risk.
Her Comm-badge chirped. "Admiral Janeway, we're receiving a subspace transmission for you," said Commander Data from the bridge. "Shall I route it directly to your quarters?"
"Please," she responded, setting her half empty cup of coffee down on a tray next to her and moving to the room's desk and work station. She activated the computer and screen in front of her and the image fuzzed over for a few seconds. Once the visual steadied itself she found herself looking at Boothby, the elderly gardener from Starfleet Academy.
"Things seem to have gone just as you planned Admiral," said the man who appeared to be Boothby. "I've never seen a military campaign go better than that one did."
"Much of it thanks to you," she replied. "We never would have gotten the drop on them so quickly on the planet if it hadn't been for the distraction provided by your people." The Admiral paused, staring at him with a wondrous expression on her face. "You look so much like the real Boothby," she commented. "It's still difficult for me to believe that you're actually one of the Species 8472 aliens mimicking a humanoid form."
"This method of communication between our two species seems to work best."
"Tell me," Janeway said curiously, casting a smirk his way. "Were you one of those creatures I saw on the ground today, or did you simply direct things from within fluidic space?"
"I'll never tell," he said, smiling back at her.
"Our casualties were extremely low, but we still have a few letters to write to families," the Admiral said with a hint of sadness. "I sincerely hope that you didn't lose anybody."
"In your environment we're nearly indestructible," Boothby told her. "Since our bio-ships live in the biological fluid that comprises most of our space, our molecular structure is much denser and tougher to pierce with directed energy weapons. That's one of the reasons our own vessels carry such heavy firepower – anything less powerful is often completely ineffective." He shrugged at her. "So far the nanoprobe technology that you developed has been the only thing that has really put a scare into us… I'm continuing to study the data you gave me during our first meeting in the delta quadrant."
She picked up her cup of coffee and took a quick sip. "Your people don't fight many wars in your universe, I hope."
His reaction to her comment was a warm smile. "Not any longer," Boothby said with pride and satisfaction. "Our own differences were set aside for the common good long ago, and – as you so eloquently pointed out yesterday – we haven't heard from the Borg in your universe since you destroyed their uni-complex. The truce that your people and mine have formed could quite possibly be a lasting one… that is my sincere hope anyway."
"It is mine as well," Janeway replied with a cheerful expression. "There's something about having a powerful ally who can suddenly show up out of nowhere that appeals to me, particularly during this time when the Federation's authority is constantly being challenged." She nodded to him. "Starfleet's goal is to contact new life forms and new civilizations and initiate positive relations with them… if you ever need our help with anything, we owe you one."
"Our discussions have been very productive for me as well," the Boothby alien decided. "I look at this as simple repaying the favor that you indirectly did for us Admiral – not having the Borg continually trying to poke their noses into our fluidic environment has restored a lot of stability in this realm. I do plan to check in with you once in a while – if for no other reason than to maintain our positive relationship."
"I will look forward to that," Janeway said. "And thank you again for all your help." He nodded, smiled one last time and then closed down the channel. The Admiral watched the screen go blank with a huge sigh of relief. Things were finally back under control – for now, at least.
Captain's log, Stardate 55429.6: After making certain that everything is in order, both the Enterprise and the Defiant have left the Dark Nebula and resumed course for Deep Space Nine. We have a peace conference to conclude, after all, and things should proceed much more smoothly now that the disruptive influences in the region have been properly dealt with. The rest of the fleet will stay behind for now to oversee the dismantling of the Breen encampment on the second planet in the DNX-920 system. I have to say that the decision to deploy additional troops on the Breen and reptilian home worlds is a very troublesome prospect for me, but to this day I do not see any other option given the circumstances. I have historically not been a fan of hindsight and do not plan to give in to it this time either.
The Breen have broken their policy of isolationism on two occasions, both of which have resulted in Federation casualties. The Admiral and I talked at length before choosing our present course of action and decided together that continuing to sit back and do nothing would only embolden them further. I would therefore like to extend my sincere compliments to the Federation Council and thank them for trusting us on this matter. Resistance to our presence on both planets was heavy at first, but not after we revealed their governments' top officials as the Guardians that they truly are. Needless to say, the civilian population of both worlds was a bit angry upon discovering that their plan to subjugate others had secretly left them the conquered.
Once again my senior officers performed magnificently, and I do not know how I could possibly command so effectively without their ongoing support. Therefore I would like to enter commendations for Commander William T. Riker, Doctor Beverly Crusher, Lieutenant-Commanders Geordi LaForge and Worf. As usual, the ship's Counselor Deanna Troi filled in most efficiently with the tasks of running the bridge while I was gone and also at tactical. It is not her preferred duty, but she performs it with professionalism and expertise each time I call upon her so I would like to give her special mention as well. A final note: I realize that Commander Data has accumulated plenty of medals to his credit already during his time with Starfleet, but if he does not receive another for his brilliant and compassionate handling of the crisis on Stadia then I will find myself extremely disappointed.
The Captain picked up a pitcher of hot coffee and poured the Admiral a refill. He reseated himself and leaned back in his seat as he listened for a moment to the light music he had playing in the background. He took a sip of Earl Grey from the cup in front of him and then tried to read Janeway's expression as she sat quietly across from him. She had listened to his log entry without giving away any of her own feelings and he was extremely curious to hear how she felt. "What do you think Admiral?" he finally asked her.
"This was a big gamble on our part, full of risk and unpredictable outcomes. I think that there will be a lot of chaos and disruption on both the Breen and reptilian planets for some time to come," she predicted, setting the coffee cup she held onto the small table in front of her. "I'm not crazy about it and I think we're going to lose people trying to keep the peace, but history will unfold much less violently now that those two governments aren't trying to stick their noses into everyone else's business for their own personal gain."
"This is the most aggressive stance I have ever encouraged the Federation to take," Picard decided. "No matter how you slice it, we're part bad guy in this one. But there's no way around the facts of the situation, and those facts show irrevocably that our response was initiated by the actions of those two governments. They chose to make this our problem, so I still think it is our right to choose how we best protect our interests." He shrugged his shoulders for emphasis. "The people at the head of government are always so concerned about politics – I truly believe we caught them completely by surprise when we proposed this plan and put the long-term interests of the Federation ahead of our own careers… and theirs."
"Agreed," she said with a nod.
"Do you think the Breen will resent our presence or appreciate it?"
"Look at it from their point of view for a moment Jean Luc," suggested the Admiral. "They've been sitting there, secretly hiding their true intentions from us for years. And during all of that time, not once has either of those races offered to assist in defending the alpha quadrant against the multiple threats we've faced. They've sat back and watched, knowing that if we were conquered an opportunity might present itself for them to annex some of our worlds. In my opinion the final straw was the Dominion war – the Breen actually tried to make a last minute alliance with the Founders during the time when it appeared that they were winning so that once again they could try and seize additional territory for themselves. They're like on of those trap-door spiders on Earth… they hide in the sand until you forget they're still around and then they suddenly pop out and attack while your back is turned."
"I don't like the idea of losing people trying to clean up the mess they've made of their own governments. However, I don't see them abiding by any additional treaty proclamations that we ask them to sign."
"Neither do I Jean Luc. Unless we get the Breen civilians to step forward and take control of their own future there will never be a motivation for change on their world. As long as there is violence in the demilitarized zone or within the Federation itself there's no reason for their people to care – it's not their world or their people who are suffering. Now that the disruptions and enemy troop presence have been confined to their home and population, it may take some time and patience on our part but they will come around to a more reasonable way of thinking. They certainly won't cherish the same values that we do but if nothing else – we'll remind them that we have a big enough stick to make them blink if they mess with us. They won't be in a hurry to wake up and find us on their front lawn again."
Picard stood up and walked over to one of the windows on the outer wall of his quarters. He watched the undersized, overpowered Defiant flying alongside them for several minutes, thinking over Janeway's words carefully. "I'm told that the reptilians don't even have a civilian population of the sort that we're familiar with. Virtually everyone in that culture is bred and conscripted early on and trained throughout his or her lifetime for military duty."
"That's why I'm willing to let Jommyn, Pykiim, and the aquatics deal with the reptilians," commented the Admiral. "If they can't reach out to their Xindi brothers and convince them to adjust to a more peaceful philosophy I don't realistically see us as being able to either."
"The reptilians were pretty upset when they found out their entire command structure had been secretly converted to Guardians," Picard said with a small chuckle. "If the trans-dimensional aliens were truly deities of some sort, virtually anyone with common sense would want to know why they would need reptilian bodies."
"It just goes to prove how deeply the beliefs of a populace can reach," observed Janeway. "They had hard evidence presented to them by Starfleet over two hundred years ago that the Guardians were terra-forming the alpha quadrant for colonization, yet they still chose to follow the lead of people who helped them through the destruction of their original home world. They hung on to the belief that somehow their gods were real. A bucket of cold water like the assassination of their leaders is indeed a very sad thing, but it's exactly the shock that was needed to demonstrate to them just how badly they were being duped."
Picard found himself chuckling a bit as he continued to gaze out the window and watch the sleek form of the Defiant continue to slice through the stars streaming by them. "At least our mutual friend Q stayed out of this," he said with a small smile. "This is exactly the type of crisis he is notorious for poking his nose into. Sometimes I actually find myself starting to believe that he may be gaining some faith in the human race after all."
"Be careful Jean Luc," Janeway warned. Hearing the concern in her tone, Picard quickly turned around. Next to his teacup two cigars had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. "He may be busy with parental responsibilities these days, but Q will always be watching Starfleet in some way, shape or form. Despite his claims of omnipotence and his praise of the continuum as the greatest race in the universe, I don't think he can help himself."
The Captain picked up one of the cigars. "Well, at least this time he didn't send the mariachi band," he commented with another chuckle, holding up the cigar to examine it more closely. "If this becomes his preferred method of meddling you won't hear the usual complaints from me." He smiled and set the cigar back down next to its twin. "Now about that peace conference we have left…"
"This time I think we can both get some rest," the Admiral promised with a smile. "I'll send a report to your work station and you can read all about it later. I think you're going to like the decision that the Federation Council has come up with." She stood up and thanked him for the coffee, then moved toward the door.
"It's been a pleasure serving with you Admiral Janeway," Picard said nobly, nodding his head and giving her his warmest smile.
"Likewise Jean Luc," she said. "People of sound principle and good judgment are difficult to find these days. Everyone with great responsibility has no choice but to break the rules at some point in a career – the trick is to have the knowledge, experience and common sense to know when a situation requires one of those tough decisions."
"Some day I would like to hear more about your time in the delta quadrant."
"We'll leave that for another day then," she promised, stepping out into the corridor. He watched the door slide shut behind her and then turned back to the window and silently continued to watch the Defiant.
Author's note: This is NOT by any means over! What will happen now? Who will show up next? Find out very soon!