Chapter 3 – Part Four – Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Even deep in Minbari space she had her little pleasures, music, but hers was rather unlike most other Star Fleet officers – most like some form of classical music. But it was her taste that set her apart, made her ….…unique. She sat in her Ready Room relaxing, listening to the old human band, U2, while sipping Yorkshire tea. Hoping no one was going to interrupt allowed herself one other luxury, of putting her booted feet upon the desk. Repairs were continuing but she felt positive that the Minbari would notice – how could they not? She knew then their chances of survival would be slim to none.
Right now though she was not sure if escape was even a option as the likelihood of it causing an interstellar incident of truly woolly mammoth proportions was reasonably high - one that would likely lead to war. Somehow she had to try and prevent that. Every bit of her Starfleet training urged peace, if somehow there was a solution - but she would not sit by defenceless. Her pontificating was interrupted as door the chimed, quickly she took both feet off the desk, "Come."
The XO walked in, "Captain"
"What can I do for you Commander?"
"Nothing just wanted a break and thought we could talk"
"Always. Is something wrong?"
"Yeah you could say that. Why is it we never seem to get a break?"
"You mean somebody not trying to kick us when we're not looking?"
"I think most just do it when we are looking nowadays," his smile rapidly evaporated when it was not returned. "Since I started my career it's been one bloody war after another, how much longer can we stand it?"
Knowing her Xo was just blowing off steam she stayed silent.
Walking towards the window Leanne pointed out the plethora of cruisers preventing their escape. "Tell me Captain, what do you actually see out there?"
Turning in her chair, stared out of the window thoughtfully, then she stood, "Stars Commander, lots of stars"
"Exactly, how do you do it? All I see is someone else trying to lay some smack-down on us," she paused turning to face her CO, "When as the last time we visited a new one, explored, or encountered a new peaceful race?" She watched as the Captain gestured non-committedly. "In the last century Captain we've been challenged by every local species whether it's the Klingons, Romulans or Gorn- and that's not to mention others outside known space"
"You've got a point to make Commander?" Her tones were gruff.
"Yes Captain I do. They've all caught the scent of death on The Federation, we've clung for so long to outdated ideals and perceptions that we need to adapt"
"Mmm…..go on…." She urged, calmer now, deep in thought, not daring to reveal that she and many other Captains had voiced similar thoughts in clandestine meetings.
"We need to spread our wings to other galaxies, form large expeditions so if things here end, the Federation will at least survive elsewhere"
"Interesting idea"
"Plus I've been talking with some of the marines and they also want a few changes, in both us and them"
"Not this again…"
"I'm sorry Captain but neither I nor they will relent on this….."
"That's fine in wartime"
"We are at war every goddamn day!" Her gaze was hard.
Unable to meet her XO's eye for long turned away ashamed.
"In fact Captain I would say that it's imperative …." She paused, licking her lips, "This is all off the record of course"
Anastasia placed her hand on Leanne's elbow, looking her directly in the eye. There was nothing sexual in the gesture it was more familial almost like an older sister to her younger sibling. "Seriously?"
"'Fraid so in fact this is going as high as the Sub-Quadrant Commanders. We have a lot of backing on this."
In such a personal space the use of the more personal family abbreviation of her name made the statements more poignant somehow, more real. In for a penny she thought, "Okay once we're fully operational I want you to arrange for it personally," pausing to see the time on the chronometer, "In fact I'm due in Engineering to help with some repairs."
"Very good Captain."
Both paused as the door chimed again, the Captain shouted for whoever it was to enter. The Chameloid's dark features appeared. "Captain we've had a transmission from Captain of the Minbari vessel, he's even more furious"
"What about?"
"They've spotted we're doing repairs and he's on comms now"
"On my way," she said, "After you Commander"
Composing herself in front of the view screen nodded to the Lieutenant Catharia to re-open the channel. "Shai.."
She never finished as Shakiri ranted almost immediately. "I knew you would make repairs and run away from Minbari justice. If you even try it will mean war!"
"I'm well aware of that Shai Alyt," as she began to think furiously. She always remembered Admiral Kirk's lessons at the Academy, not just because like many female cadets many of whom found him desirable – but it was also that hidden quality, that fire, the desire never to be beaten. His voice rang through her mind, 'Change the conditions of the test' the solution came to her like a bolt from the blue. "Fine I have a solution. Bring Minbari soldiers aboard but do not interfere with our repair efforts. You may watch, supervise, to a degree, but do not stop us making our ship fully functional"
"Then you will have hostages, I do not think so"
"Then prepare to go to war," she said belligerently, signalling Catharia to close the comm-channel. Sitting down her face was a grim mask, "Raise shields, arm weapons. Let's see if he's as fully committed as he says he is."
Systems powered up all over the ship.
"Captain the Minbari hull armour is still scattering our sensor locks"
"As anticipated. "Lock onto fuel emissions and track your targets that way," recounting the tactic McCoy and Spock had used to track a cloaked Klingon Bird of Prey. "Helm I want a hard dorsal 180. Point us directly at the bastard. I don't wanna miss," a rueful smile lit her features as she turned to look at each of her officers, her family.
Shai Alyt Shakiri watched in abject horror as the smaller Federation vessel flipped 180 degrees onto its stomach so that it was directly facing his ship.
"Do we fire?"
"Order all ships to fire every weapon we have" he screamed.
"Yes Shai Alyt."
Before any could activate the crystal controls another voice boomed from down the corridor.
"No."
Many knew those basso tones anywhere. He watched as the faces of his crew turned towards the approaching footsteps, inclining their heads as a sign of respect, many still awed by his presence – as indeed was he.
"Dukhat" responded Shakiri. "What are you doing here?"
He shook his head reproachfully, eyes full of disappointment. "Still you do not understand them." He admonished, "Do we not approach with gun ports open –as both a sign of respect and of our power?"
"Yes…but"
"There are no buts Shai Alyt Shakiri. It is what we do. I have heard your communications with the Federation. They attempted to make peace, to find a suitable alternative and yet all you do is bay for blood. Why?"
He felt small and insignificant under the Leader of the Grey Council's scrutiny – and he resented it - greatly. Aware that he shuffled uncomfortably suddenly found strength in his conviction by thinking of all the dead at their hand, the ash cloud spreading over their home world. "Our world will suffer another Ice Age because of them!" spittle flew from his mouth. "They must be destroyed and brought to justice"
"Warrior Caste justice perhaps?"
"Yes. They must pay!"
"I have read some of the files from that Federation ship you captured without provocation. After you had killed and butchered their crew," he rebuked, "By Your Code of Justice they would within their rights to attack us. Yet there they sit," he gestured at the holo-image of the battlefield, "Weapons and defensive fields ready but they do not fire. Why? Answer me"
"Because they are weak. There will be no peace in our time – not now"
"I believe a highly decorated Klingon officer said that, look where that got him," he rebutted. "No Shakiri they are wise, and it this wisdom that will not allow them to fire first"
"Their ship is damaged"
"Yet they have a lock on us but still they refuse to fire"
During this exchange Shakiri felt like a small tree that if it did not bow before Dukhat's mighty wind he would be torn from the earth and destroyed, so he acquiesced, there was no choice – he bowed his head acknowledging this fact.
"Order all ships to stand down" ordered the Leader of Grey Council. "Take two dozen Rangers across to their vessel. Signal them I wish to speak to the Federation Captain"
The image of the bridge showed much battle damage but the Captain seemed startled to see another Minbari. "I am Dukhat, Leader of the Minbari Grey Council and I wish to apologise for my officers actions"
"Perfectly understandable," she replied. "Do you wish to discuss terms?"
"Yours or ours?" he joked. "Your offer of Minbari aboard your vessel, is it still open?"
"It is. May I ask what the correct form of address is for the Leader of the Minbari?"
His laugher rang like a bell causing many Minbari to jump in alarm. "Why Dukhat, of course!" Watching as the human Captain shared the joke.
"Please call me Anastasia. Perhaps as a sign of good faith I should come aboard your vessel in the hopes of easing relations between us"
"A good idea, I await your arrival Anastasia," watching as a Minbari nodded that the Federation vessel had powered down all offensive and defensive capabilities.
On Betazed Arayata Pierce sat outside enjoying the warm weather. She adjusted her hat to a favourable angle to prevent the sun from blinding her as she watched her husband toil away in the garden. Sweat beaded his forehead and well muscled physique. Quenching her thirst on lemonade, watching as light refracted through an ice cube creating a rainbow along the table. Occasionally her thoughts drifted to the stars, genuflecting that perhaps she should have joined Starfleet too, like her daughter, Anita who was currently stationed on the USS Formidable, a Legacy class starship. The idea was dismissed as quickly as it had risen - it was far too much hard work preferring to languish at home in the lap of luxury.
A majority of the time her husband did the gardening, some days she even helped out, bending occasionally to pick up the odd weed. The rest, the servants took care of – allowing them plenty of free time to go for walks, to see the tranquil and beautiful sights of Betazed. She could not resist a small smile, sometimes her husband actually went to work, joking that he worked for some secret agency – not that she ever believed such nonsense.
The few times she had attempted to read his mind only to find extremely strong mental blocks in place yet no matter how hard she had tried breaking or slipping by them, it had proved impossible – so she gave up still none the wiser for what his occupation was. Taking another sip changed her position on the sun lounger to one slightly more provocative, hoping Markus would notice. He didn't as he was taking extreme care in cutting the bushes so as not to sever any fingers, or limbs. For some reason he had a preference for using old outdated equipment, not wanting to use what he termed a lazy man's tool, having always exclaimed that gardening was 'an art form' so in a slight huff at not being noticed reached down and picked up her PADD and began reading.
"Dear would you get me a nice cup of tea?" Markus requested.
Angrily she put her reading material down and stomped towards the kitchen. Unlike her he was completely human and loved old Earth tea, refusing to touch any of the 'fancy pants stuff' that most Starfleet officers drank. His pleasures were simple. Five minutes later she emerged with his tea noticing that their neighbours were out, a gay male couple who seemed to as equally relaxed in their garden as she was in hers.
Affably one waved at her, "Good afternoon Arayta."
"Hi Olly. How are you two today?"
"We're good," he pointed a finger at her husband, Markus, "Is he gardening again?"
"Seems to be all he does nowadays"
"It's as good a reason as any to spend time outdoors," he smiled wryly. "Why don't you both come round later?"
"That sounds nice. I'll see if I can tear him away from his garden, maybe about six?"
"Sounds good," Olly turned as a noise caught his attention, over his shoulder could see that a couple of sun beds were being set up. "Gotta go," he smiled cheerfully.