Chapter 7

"Why is it," Captain Riker stated, frustration leaking into his tone, "that every time the Romulans invite us to visit, they leave us waiting on the front porch?"

Beside him, and to his left, Commander Christine Vale, the Titan's first officer, suppressed a smile. The Captain's irritation was almost palpable, and she couldn't blame him for it. "It's only been forty-five minutes, hardly any time at all in comparison to your last visit."

"The question may not be when the Romulans will contact us, but whom it will be," Deanna pointed out. "The government as a whole extended this invitation, but there are factions that would like nothing more than to have the Federation locked firmly out of their affairs. The idea of peace, or even a continued cease-fire, with the Federation is an anathema to them."

"Not to mention," Riker pointed out, "that the power struggle at play here is fluid. For all we know in the time it took us to get here from the Neutral Zone, Commander Donatra was removed from the Imperial Fleet, and any hope we had of diplomacy is already gone."

That was the only reason that these talks were even going to be happening, and they were all aware of it. On Romulus the Praetor's power had always been dependent upon the Imperial Fleet. Senator Tal'Aura's claim on that position was tenuous at best. Their intelligence reports indicated Donatra's fleet was not supporting it. For himself, sitting there, on the bridge of his ship, their presence in Romulan space felt like a double-edged sword. The last time he was there he was forced to stand on the sidelines, to watch as the would-be conqueror that called himself Shinzon had attempted to steal the sense of self that his Captain, his mentor and friend had so long fought to hold on to. After encounters with the Borg, the Cardassians, and so many others, it felt inconceivable to Will that it was a battle he could not directly assist with. Then, to make matters worse, there had been Shinzon's fascination with Deanna, his need to possess her, and Viceroy Vkruk's telepathic violation in that attempt at conquest. A part of him would never forgive himself for not being able to protect her, nor would he ever regret his part in Vkruk's end.

Will felt Deanna's eyes on him and silently grimaced. She had sensed the dark and savage turn that his thoughts had taken. He met her gaze, and his eyes were apologetic. He knew she tried not to eavesdrop on his emotions, and would not directly involve herself unless she felt it was needed, but he felt badly for having inflicted that on her.

A small smile curved her lips. Deanna looked away again, back toward the silent view screen and the image of Romulus below them as Titan moved in synchronous orbit. This was not easy for her either, for many reasons. A chill had gone down her spine when they had achieved orbit and she recalled the last time they were here, on another ship, so many weeks ago. The loss of Data was still fresh and raw, but it was the memory of that cold, dark mind touching hers that had given her pause. She would not begrudge Will his feelings on the matter, but they would not be helpful to this situation.

"Captain," The ops officer to his right turned in his seat. "We are being hailed."

"It's about time." Will stood up and straightened his uniform. He walked toward the center of the bridge. "On screen, Ensign." The image of Romulus was immediately replaced by that of the familiar visage of Commander Donatra. Riker kept his arms lowered to his sides as he met her gaze via subspace. "Commander, it's good to see you again, under much better circumstances."

"Captain Riker." The Commander bestowed a small, polite smile in greeting. "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Coordinates are being sent to you now. I'm afraid, as you know, matters on my world are not as straight forward as many of us would prefer. Praetor Tal'Aura has agreed to meet with us, along with those who have put forth their names for consideration to join the Senate when it is reconstituted. We can only thank you for assisting us in this matter."

"Commander, it was the least we could do after the risk your fleet took to save our lives. We look forward to speaking with you, and I hope that our two peoples can come to an agreement." Will knew there was much that she wasn't saying, and couldn't say, but he read the tension in her face. It appeared that affairs on Romulus had degraded further than their intelligence reports indicated. They were going to have their work cut out for them in untangling it all.

"I look forward to that too, Captain. I will see you soon." The call was ended and the image of Romulus returned.

Will shifted where he stood and did a half pivot to cast a look over his left shoulder. "Counselor?"

"The Commander believes what she is saying to be true. She genuinely wants to reach some kind of stability for her people. I think her feelings about the new Praetor are readily apparent. Commander Donatra defected from Shinzon's rule, and why she supported him to begin with, we can only theorize. I believe she knows more than she has revealed thus far, but we already knew that." Deanna shook her head at him. "We won't know more until we meet with the Romulan delegation on the planet."

"Coordinates have been received," Commander Vale reported. "You'll be beaming down to the Imperial Senate, but the instructions that were sent indicate you are to transport into a small council chamber. They will not be holding these talks in the Senate Chamber."

"That isn't surprising," Deanna stated. "Shinzon wanted to use it as an example of his power, proof that he had demolished the Romulan Government as we knew it." She rose from her station and moved toward the Captain. "It's a good sign. They're taking these negotiations seriously, at least on the surface."

Riker nodded. "Well, let us not keep them waiting." He reached up and tapped his combadge. "Riker to Janeway. Admiral, we've just heard from Commander Donatra. Transport coordinates and meeting instructions have been transmitted."

"Understood, Captain. Ambassadors T'Kara, Naral, and I will meet you in the transporter room."

"The Counselor and I are on our way now. Riker out." He turned. "Commander Vale, you have the bridge. Inform Captains Mason and Harris that we are transporting to the surface and they are to stand by for further instructions." Upon their arrival in Romulan space, the ambassadors that the two ships had been sent to retrieve were beamed aboard Titan. Until the initial talks began, and an agreement was reached as to the aid that the Federation would be supplying, the two support vessels would remain in a holding pattern.

"Understood, Captain." Commander Vale rose and clasped her hands behind her back. "Good luck. We'll keep the porch light on for you."

"See that you do," he quipped back. Will held out an arm in the direction of the turbolift. "Counselor, after you."

The antechamber they were beamed into had stunningly high ceilings, and walls built of a composite that looked like a mix of granite and marble. The windows, with glass in varying hues of green, were set high so that the rays of light that flowed into the room cascaded down upon the occupants, casting a pale green glow over the room.

Commander Donatra and two other trusted members of the Imperial Fleet stood present to greet their guests. Praetor Tal'Aura joined them, along with the two members of the Romulan high caste that she had chosen to represent her interests in holding on to the highest position of the Romulan government. Joining them, too, was the imposing faction who presented themselves as representatives of the people, although Donatra's operatives informed her that the Tal Shiar had placed them there.

The Tal Shiar, whose agents were largely unknown within both the military and the government, had long ruled both entities with secrets and fear, by dispatching those who would oppose them or otherwise threaten their power. Whole families had been known to disappear, their wealth and lands redistributed among those who remained loyal to the Tal Shiar's cause. Donatra eyed the two representatives with polite disinterest in an effort to disguise her distrust.

The Imperial Fleet would not support Praetor Tal'Aura. Commander Donatra had made certain of that, but already there was growing dissent within her ranks. The Tal Shiar had started their campaign of fear, sowing the seeds of discontent amongst her fleet commanders and their crews. Raids along the Neutral Zone had done little to dispel the growing unease. That, too, was the work of the Tal Shiar. The Commander just had not found the proof she needed. She was hopeful that the Federation representatives would assist with that matter.

Her ships had reported the presence of Starfleet ships at the border. They were holding position, waiting for permission to cross the zone that had so long separated their people from the Federation. They came with the promise of security and aid, and she would not deny her people that.

When their guests arrived, Donatra stood straighter. She immediately recognized the Captain, recently promoted, and the Counselor that had previously visited her planet. Donatra stepped forward in greeting. "Captain Riker, Counselor Troi, welcome to Romulus. I would like to introduce Praetor Tal'Aura."

"Captain." The newly installed Praetor stepped forward. Her smile was cold and hawkish. The very presence of Starfleet and the Federation in their space, on these Imperial grounds, left a bitter taste in her mouth. "I hope you will find this visit to our proud Empire more enjoyable."

"Praetor." The Captain nodded. "That is our hope too." He shifted where he stood and held out a hand toward the officer at his left. "Allow me to present Admiral Kathryn Janeway, she will be the official Starfleet representative during our discussions. Ambassador Benar Karal of Trill and Ambassador Sorpham T'Kara of Andor have been sent by the Federation Council to extend offers of peace and aid."

"Admiral, Ambassadors, we welcome you to Romulus." Tal'Aura stated. She gestured to her right, and those representatives who had, thus far, not been introduced. "Muran of the southern province of Lonara, and Denel of the city Nithraz. Our Senate has yet to be reformed, and as we move toward that goal, and to creating peace between our peoples, Muran and Denel will represent the people of Romulus who have nominated them to represent their interests here, and perhaps one day in the Imperial Senate."

"Join us please," Muran extended an arm toward the four curved tables that had been placed in the center of the room. The tables faced one another and created a forum for their coming talks.

With the formal introductions out of the way, the group took their places. Each separate faction was clearly outlined in the seating arrangement. Admiral Janeway stood while her officers took their seats on one side of her, and the Ambassadors on the other. "Before we begin," she said, "your sensors and Imperial Fleet have no doubt noticed our starships, waiting at the edge of the Neutral Zone. We are aware that there has been trouble for your border outposts these past weeks. With your permission, those ships can cross the Neutral Zone to provide aid and security for your people."

"Admiral, surely by now you must know that our investigation of those attacks has resulted in a Federation energy signature being uncovered. How do we know that your ships will not attack our people," Muran asked.

"My fleet will not allow that," Commander Donatra stated. "Many of our ships were damaged fighting Shinzon. Others have been pulled back closer to Romulus to protect the planet in these troubled times. Our forces are stretched thin. It would be prudent to accept Starfleet's aid at this time."

Tal'Aura considered it for a moment. To allow Starfleet vessels into their space could be folly, but if they could, in some way, prove that it was Starfleet committing those acts… Commander Donatra's position would be weakened. She would lose support within the Imperial Fleet. The Praetor nodded. "I will allow it. Along our border and no further, you have already brought two Starfleet ships into our space. You can understand how we would be nervous. The Romulan Empire and the Federation have not had this much interaction on this side of the Neutral Zone in quite some time."

"Our two governments were able to work together during the Dominion War," Kathryn pointed out, "I think that sets a precedent for our ability to cooperate. Refuges are flooding your interior planets from the outposts. People have been injured and frightened. Their homes have been destroyed. In addition, the Remans, who are angry at the destruction of the Scimitar and the loss of their champion, Shinzon, have started to rebel; Reman forces have attacked two of your interior worlds in recent weeks. We would like to provide aid here as well, if you will allow us. The Jamestown and the Gryphon are prepared to offer relief to the worlds experiencing an influx of population. They can also assist in resettlement, by helping to transport refuges to locations of your choosing. I think this would also help in assuring that your fleet is able to focus its attentions on other matters." Her attention moved to the Commander, who nodded her assent.

"My ships are dispelling the Reman threat," Donatra reported, "and have no time for relief efforts." They were fighting a battle at two separate ends, both of their own making. The Remans despised them, and they had earned that hate.

"Very well," The Praetor nodded. "Commander Suran," she indicated the man seated at Donatra's left, "will coordinate with your ships' Captains."

"Captain Riker will coordinate with our ships from our side." Kathryn took her seat then and folded her hands in her lap. Now the hard work began, diplomacy.

The meeting almost ended before it could truly begin when Ambassador Karal asked the question that the Romulans had, apparently, hoped would be ignored. Why was there not a Reman representative present?

Commander Donatra inclined her head. She did not attempt to suppress the small smile that curved her lips. She had expected the Federation to ask this. It was in their nature to consider the wellbeing of all the people within Romulan Space, and the Remans were, after all, their people too. They had been subjugated, enslaved, and treated as nothing more than manual laborers, and in times of war, attack dogs. The recent uprising was not the first time the Remans had attempted to gain their freedom, and Donatra was certain that it would not be the last. If they were to prevent further hostility an agreement would need to be reached. Surely the Remans had achieved the technological skills and knowledge to oppose their enslavers.

In truth, it was the Remans who would be able to reveal how deeply the new Praetor's deception had gone. Where some had felt the only way to protect their people was to join Shinzon, Tal'Aura had chosen Shinzon as her weapon. She had never intended for the Reman Conqueror, and human clone, to remain in control of the Romulan Government. Commander Donatra was not willing to allow Shinzon and his forces to bring the wrath of the Federation down upon the Romulan Empire. Power was all well and good, but there were times when it came at too high a cost.

"The Remans were not invited," Tal'Aura explained. "There are many who believe that we should not reward them for their treachery."

"The Remans belong on Remus," Muran stated imperiously. "They are ill-equipped for being anywhere else. I would think that the Federation, of all people, would understand this after the recent display of Reman civility."

"Perhaps the Remans would be less inclined to wage war to gain their freedom if they were simply allowed to have it," Commander Suran stated. "It is clear that they are not willing to remain on Remus indefinitely."

"How often will the wealthy politicians of Romulus risk our fleet and our people to quell the Reman uprisings?" Commander Donatra spread her hands in front of her. "It is not conducive to the continued prosperity of the Empire. The next Shinzon of Remus may not be so easily defeated, Praetor. Should we be willing to risk war with the Federation, or the Klingons, or another Dominion, and sacrifice all that our Empire is to an enemy of our own creation?"

"Reman forces are already attacking your worlds in opposition to being pushed back to their own planet," Troi pointed out. "Your people are already at risk, and are the Remans not your people too? Their planet is within your Imperial borders."

Suran glanced at Donatra beside him and the pair shared a look. "Had I been asked even a few months ago," he said, "if I would find myself in agreement with a Starfleet officer, I would not have believed it. Our Empire, our very way of life is at risk, and what the Federation says is true. We are as responsible for the safety of Remus as we are for any of the worlds of the Romulan Star Empire."

Tal'Aura's lips thinned. She stared at the Fleet commanders, disapproval evident in the very stiff posture of her spine. She did not appreciate being backed into a corner, particularly one that could make her continued rule difficult. "Who among the Remans would you presume to invite, Commander Suran?"

"Who is currently leading the Reman rebellion?" The Admiral asked. "If we extend an invitation to these proceedings, the Remans may agree to a ceasefire."

"There are many clans among the Remans," Donatra explained. "Each has their own leader. There are elders among them, however. We may be able to secure a cease to their hostilities if we reach out to the elders. We should allow them to choose their own representative."

"This would be amenable to the Federation," Ambassador Karal said. "Peace is our objective here. In pursuing that cause, we wish to assist in rebuilding your government, if only by providing mediation."

Tal'Aura considered for a moment how she might make the situation work in her favor. Perhaps there might be a way to remove the Reman Clan elders. Without their leadership, the warriors would be in disarray, and more easily defeated. "Very well. We will reconsider extending an invitation the Remans."

Many sections away from the council chamber, on the other side of the Imperial Senate, Proconsul Tomalak silenced the transmission that was secretly recording the meeting. He rose from his seat and moved to the thin, tall window. From where he stood he was able to look out upon the Imperial Capital. "Donatra is proving more troublesome than we anticipated."

"The Federation is as arrogant as we believed." Taeg, the Proconsul's most trusted aide, curled his lip in disgust. "They should be sent from our space immediately."

"All in due time." Tomalak turned and fixed his aide with steely look. "It would be foolish to underestimate the Federation and their envoy. Starfleet would not be here without certain assurances already in place. No, we must be patient. An opportunity for removing their presence in the Empire will present itself. We will deal with Commander Donatra first. Contact our operative within her fleet. I want her movements watched. I have a feeling it will lead us to the means for dispatching our Federation guests."

"Proconsul." Taeg nodded.

Tomalak returned his gaze to the city. They had come too far to relinquish their power now. If Tal'Aura would not listen to his counsel, she too could be replaced. Tomalak would keep his options open, and he would hold them very close to his vest.

At the edge of the Neutral Zone tension had grown thick aboard the ships waiting for orders to cross the border into Romulan Space. In his seat to the left of the Command Chair, Tom Paris shifted and sighed quietly. He glanced at the Captain beside him, who had gone silent more than an hour before. They had received confirmation from Titan that the Admiral's delegation had beamed down to the planet, but no further information had followed.

Tom waited until he simply couldn't stand it anymore. He looked at the man beside him. "Does it ever feel like maybe we've learned to expect the worst?" When Chakotay's dark gaze focused on him, he shrugged. "We're sitting here, waiting for an invitation to sail into Romulan territory, and it feels like just another day at the office."

Chakotay grinned when the young Lieutenant at the helm turned and fixed the Commander with an incredulous look. "I don't think the entire ship feels that way, Tom. We've been here before with the Kazon, the Borg, the Vaadwaur."

"Species 8472," Harry supplied helpfully, from where he stood at Tactical. "The Hirogen…" When both officers turned to look at him, Kim shrugged. "Okay, maybe not the Hirogen."

"The point being," Chakotay continued, "most of this ship might have experienced a war while we were dealing with constant situations of first contact, conflict, and diplomatic relations, but this, the anticipation of it?" He shook his head. "This is new for them. For us…" He shook his head. "You may be right."

"We won't have to wait much longer." Harry looked at his console when it beeped. "We're receiving instructions from Captain Grant aboard the Hamilton," he reported. "The fleet has been granted permission to cross the border."

Chakotay straightened in his command chair. "Alright. We know what to do. Lieutenant Bieh, take is in, full impulse, heading 428-mark-5. Assume patrol pattern Beta-4."

"Aye Captain," the Lieutenant's fingers moved over the helm console with practiced ease. "Heading 428-mark-5, full impulse."

"Do it," Chakotay ordered. He cast a look at his first officer beside him. "You have to admit, it's a bit nice to have an invitation or once."

"At least we'll be closer if we have to…" Tom smirked, "engage in any rescue operations."

"For the record, Mr. Paris, when that comment eventually finds its way to the Admiral's ear, I am going to make certain that she is aware of exactly where it originated." Chakotay grinned, but he did not dispute the Commander's statement. If anyone could manage peace talks between the Romulans and the Federation it was Kathryn, of that he had no doubt. He just hoped she had left her reckless side in the Delta Quadrant.

He had a feeling they were going to find out soon enough. In the meantime, they had work to do. "Chakotay to Astrometrics, we've crossed the Neutral Zone. Lieutenant Marks, start scanning the area."

"Understood, Captain."

Chakotay drew a breath and let it out slowly. They would either pick up one of the small ships that were attacking the Romulan outposts, or they would receive a low-band signal from the Intelligence operative that had been sent into the region weeks before. "Let's keep our eyes open, people. I don't want any surprises."

Reports from the Enterprise had indicated that the Scimitar's cloaking device was near to perfect. Their scans were unable to penetrate it. That was disconcerting when they had no way of knowing how many other, similar cloaks existed inside the Romulan or Reman fleets. It was possible that a ship could be right on top of them, and they wouldn't know it until they were fired upon and by then it might be too late.

"Commander," Chakotay glanced at his first officer. "Make sure that Counselor Cambridge is making the rounds of the crew. I have a feeling this situation isn't going to get any easier." He hadn't dealt with the Counselor much since the man had come on board, but when Voyager was first returned to duty several months before, Starfleet had seen fit to assign Hugh Cambridge to the crew. Chakotay decided they might as well make use of the man.

"I'll get right on that," Tom nodded. It wasn't a terrible idea, he just wasn't used to having a Counselor on board yet. They had gone seven years without one, but he supposed that was probably the exception that should never be the rule.

Voyager moved silently along, sensors working as the ship moved into its first patrol pattern. The wait began again.

-TBC-