CHAPTER 7

"We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction."

- Aesop – Earth (Human)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE, EARTH

SEPTEMBER 2269

Sooth, confronted with the face from her nightmares exclaimed, "I killed you!" as Jons said,

"I saw you die!"

Wilkes said, "What the hell?!" and a pair of gendarmes came charging into the bar.

Jons, recovering his composure first, held up his now empty hands and spoke to the gendarmes, "Monsieurs, I am Colonel Sir Jons Seins, business attache' to the Hydran Embassy with full diplomatic credentials. I can explain everything." and proceeded to do just that. When he was done giving his account of the little brawl, the corporal asked the barman, "What do you want done with these?" nudging The Wit's unconscious form with the toe of his boot.

"Not a damn thing as far as I'm concerned."

The corporal looked at Wilkes and Sooth, "From what the Colonel says, you can bring charges against them if you wish."

Anxious to avoid any further excitement or difficulties, Wilkes said, "No, thank you. They got what they deserved. Just, maybe, get them out of here?"

The young corporal, glad to be relieved of having to fill out paperwork said, "As you wish." And with a smile he and his partner began rousing the protesting group of young toughs and throwing them into the street.

Jons turned to Sooth, offered his hand and said, "M'lady, will you two please join me at my table? I had often wished to have met you under different circumstances and it would seem that wish has been granted through circumstances too strange to be anything but Providence. I would consider it a privilege to replace your meal – I assure you the Embassy can afford it."

Sooth was dumfounded as she allowed herself to be lead back to the table in the corner. Wilkes was so completely confused he didn't even know where to begin. As they sat, Jons at his most charming, said,

"I must insist upon coffee for all. It is Earth's greatest contribution to the galaxy and I find it has a calming effect after these little excitements."

"Thank you, I usually take tea, but coffee is good too." Wilkes said. Sooth couldn't take her eyes off of Jons.

"Oh, I can remove all preference for tea. There is a little cafe in Paris, La Sencerre, that makes absolutely the best coffees anywhere. I'm afraid it has become a habit of mine when I am in Paris. But please, you now know my name and I do not yet know yours?"

Wilkes, somewhat more composed said, "I'm Lieutenant J.G. Thomas Wilkes, USS Hood, and this is my mate, Crew Leader Sooth, also USS Hood."

"A Dosadi? Assigned to the Hood?" Jons studied them both for a moment, "And you, you wear the Warrior Pendant, and both an earring and an Honor Tattoo, yet you say you are in Starfleet? I am unaware of any human ever being granted the right to wear those decorations. And how did Crew Leader Sooth find her way to Airdrie if she serves in Starfleet? And you say she is your mate? That is also a first to my knowledge."

Wilkes, aware that he was talking to a foreign diplomatic officer, was trying to be sure that he didn't give out any confidential information while he explained the outline of his Starfleet career, his tour aboard the Delos and his relationship with Sooth. Jons, however, was a skilled interrogator and during the course of their conversation learned much about Federation training, relations with the Dosadi Imperium, and even tactics.

Turning to the still silent Sooth he said, "M'Lady. I must congratulate you on your skill in battle. In my culture, women stay home and take care of more tranquil pursuits. I confess to being shocked at learning that the Marine who defeated me in hand-to-hand combat and shattered my face was a woman."

Sooth, having had time to regain her mental balance said, "I thought I had killed you. I've never fought anyone who moves the way that you do – I couldn't get you off my rifle! Things got very confusing after that."

Recognizing that the very young woman had not yet come completely to terms with what had happened to her he continued, "I can only imagine, my dear. The wounds you suffered were...severe." he finished delicately. He paused, gave a very gallic shrug and added "I can tell you that the Gorn are, to this very day, astonished at your actions. The tapes of the ballroom fight have, in fact, entered into Gorn training routines. You conducted yourself with great honor and a tremendous attention to your duties. I am proud that you were my enemy and hope that now, you can be my friend." And he extended his hand.

Sooth looked at it, and Jons explained, "An Earth gesture. Its history is to indicate that one is unarmed and wishes to be friends. Each of us in the course of our duties has killed many of the other's friends and comrades. I think, perhaps, it is time for that cycle to end."

Smiling, Sooth reached out her own hand to his and clasped it gladly.

Jons said, "Alas, I must return to my duties. My ship leaves for home within the hour. I wish the two of you every success – And hope that you will tell me when M'lady here gives birth to your child. Perhaps some day we can all meet at La Sencerre in Paris and I can convert you from tea, to coffee."

Wilkes laughed and said, "I'd like that, Colonel. I...I am honored to make your acquaintance."