Chapter I
Captain's Log: Stardate 53017.32. Following the collapse of the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance and the disappearance of Captain Benjamin Sisko, the crew of the Enterprise-E has been assigned to take over the negotiations in the hope of settling the animosity between our two governments. We are currently approaching Deep Space Nine, where we will rendezvous with the Federation Ambassador along with the representative for the Klingon Empire; who also happens to be a former member of this crew. I look forward to this reunion and hope that we can achieve a solution to the hostility that has existed for many years between our cultures.
The clouds of the planet below shimmered in a magnificent display of colors as their shuttle cruised towards the space station. Captain Jean-Luc Picard glanced up at his vessel as it hung near the outer edge of the Bajor system, glad that he had chosen this means to travel to the outpost. There weren't too many places to transport on Deep Space Nine itself, or so he recalled.
It had been quite some time since he had been here, ever since before the loss of the Enterprise-D.
That had been four years ago, he thought. He looked forward to seeing how Colonel Kira Nerys was handling the job since Captain Sisko had gone missing a few weeks ago. The Federation intended to send someone to continue assisting matters, though he suspected they would wait until after these initial overtures to the Cardassians were completed due to the feelings of most Bajorans regarding their one-time conquerors.
He wondered just what had happened to Sisko and only hoped that his colleague would be safe, wherever he might be. If he recalled correctly, the Prophets had once designated Benjamin as their Emissary.
He wasn't sure if that was the reason behind what had happened or not, but was certain that his fellow Captain would be fine no matter what since he had proved himself countless times during the extended conflict with the Dominion.
"A credit for your thoughts, sir?" a voice rang in his ears, bringing him back to the present and he turned to the android who was piloting their shuttle as it neared the docking ring of the station.
"Oh nothing, Data. I was just regaling myself with reminisces of my last visit here. Wondering how the place has changed," Picard answered. "If you would like I can point out the modifications they have made as we go along," Data suggested.
The older man chuckled and said, "That won't be necessary." Data nodded, then turned back to the comm to address the officer at Ops as per standard procedure. The process was soon finished and the pair quietly left the shuttlecraft.
"Captain Picard, Lieutenant Commander Data; welcome aboard. We've prepared quarters for you since our latest update indicates that the Federation Ambassador will be delayed," the Colonel said as she walked towards them with her hand outstretched. Picard accepted the gesture and then replied, "I can see that you've grown accustomed to your new position."
Kira nodded and then the Bajoran gestured for the two of them to follow her. "I hope your visit will be more productive than the last one," she stated. "Yes… Colonel, we're on a tight schedule as it is and I believe that it might be simpler for us to meet our passengers halfway and then proceed to Cardassia," he answered.
They all entered into the turbolift and she called out their destination before replying, "Well, I wish I had time to explain the developments since the Dominion War ended; but clearly your mind is on other things. Do you believe that the Cardassians will follow through on this overture?"
"I try not to give out my political opinion on anything. I only hope for the best and pray that the Federation is doing the right thing," he answered sternly. Clearly, the middle-aged Bajoran had read up on his previous encounters with the Cardassians; so there was no need for him to explain to her his personal feelings in this matter. If it was true that the government was ready to put aside their differences, than he would do so as well. Only time would reveal the answer. As the turbolift came to a stop, the Colonel led them to a sparse conference room and gestured to the familiar face standing before them.
"I believe that you both know Ambassador Worf," Kira stated. Picard smiled, suppressing a chuckle at the fact that the Klingon was wearing the full regalia which befitted a warrior in the art of peace.
He still well recalled his surprise at hearing the news about his friend accepting the position. Worf nodded in respect to him and then the Captain said, "I knew that you would be coming along, but not in such an official capacity. Why didn't you tell me before?"
"With all due respect, sir; you never asked me," his old security officer replied.
"Point taken," Picard said with a smile. "Does not the Chancellor feel that is inappropriate for a member of his house to speak for the entire Empire?" Data inquired. "On the contrary, by suggesting that I take this position; Martok has shown his high regard for me and belief that I will place the interests and honor of the Klingon Empire before my own," Worf answered.
"If you will excuse me, I have other duties to perform," Kira told them, leaving briskly. "I believe that Alexander is well?" the android asked when they were alone. "He continues to serve with honor," the Klingon answered.
"I think we'll have plenty of time to talk upon returning to the Enterprise. With any luck, we can still reach Cardassia Prime on schedule," Picard noted.
The three comrades left the chamber, heading for their shuttlecraft. "I have read the reports of your stay here, Commander. What is your opinion regarding the chances of our success?" Data asked as they walked along. "Is this another attempt at small talk?" Worf inquired, evidently recalling that his comrade had been working on such a program many years ago.
"After careful observation, I have determined that while the process does help to alleviate a certain amount of tension; it can also generate a degree of boredom. In essence…" the android began. "Data, I think he was pulling your leg," Picard interjected.
"Ah… in that case, might I remind you that such an attempt at disassembly has been declared an infringement of my rights?" Data said.
"I would never…" the Klingon began, then frowned and he smiled thinly as his former security officer realized what the android had done. Just then, they reached the hatch and stepped from the dark and utilitarian corridors of the space station into the sleek and modern confines of their transport.
As they took their seats, Worf proclaimed, "I prefer to keep my opinions private for now." "Politics can be a nasty business which calls for exceptional bravery," he commented as the docking clamps were released and the shuttlecraft sped towards the bulk of his starship. The vessel grew silent as they flew along, each lost in their own thoughts; although for Data that amounted to a great deal more than anyone else could understand.
Within a short period of time, they reached the bay of the Enterprise and settled to the deck. The door in the side of their craft opened and they stepped out of it rapidly. Although it would have been possible to simply beam Worf aboard, Picard had wished to anticipate the possibility of trouble by taking the shuttlecraft.
After all, one never knows what might come hurtling thru the wormhole at a moment's notice, he mused. Waiting outside was their current chief of security who looking over the group briefly as though ascertaining whether they were the same individuals who had been expected to arrive.
Fortunately, the security precautions had lessened somewhat after the formal treaty had been established between the Federation and the Dominion. Whether the Founders would hold to it or not was another matter. As he had stated earlier, there was always hope.
"Captain Picard, Commander Riker expresses his regrets that he couldn't be present to greet you; but anticipated your desire to leave at once so that this mission could get underway," his security officer proclaimed. He nodded, turning to Data and suggesting, "Lieutenant Commander, please show the Ambassador to his quarters. I'll be on the bridge."
As the Klingon and android left, he made his own way to a nearby turbolift and ascended thru the interior of his vessel to his destination. As usual, the room was a buzz of activity and already he could see the familiar starlines which accompanied travel at warp speed. His first officer stood, relinquishing the central chair into which Picard graciously sank.
"Estimated time of arrival?" he asked. "Two hours, sir… then three days to reach Cardassia," Riker replied. He nodded, knowing that things weren't officially supposed to begin until four days from now.
But the last thing he wanted was to aggravate the Cardassians at this point in such a delicate process. "How was your trip?" Counselor Troi asked pleasantly, to which he answered, "Brief and uneventful, two words that I am hoping shall describe this mission."
"Somehow I don't get the impression that Starfleet assigned us to the job because they expect things to go smoothly," Riker observed. He nodded, knowing that dispatching the Enterprise was a display of strength as much as anything else.
The vessel had stayed off the front lines in the recent conflict precisely because many Admirals had felt it prudent to place the starship in a position where it could oppose any invasion. They had seen some action to be sure, at Deanna's home planet and elsewhere; but it had survived the war virtually unscathed. In fact, their little excursion to the Briar Patch had been more than a year ago and Picard hoped that his crew would remain free from any further troubles down the line.
Rising, he stated, "I'll be in my ready room. Inform me when we've crossed the border. After that, I don't expect any further disturbances until we're in their solar system." As he entered the adjacent chamber, he took a seat at his desk and called up the sparse package he'd been sent regarding the individual they'd be meeting with. The file was rather sparse, which meant that someone had pulled some strings to get a particular person the job. Probably an Admiral's daughter or something, he decided; knowing that there were those in Starfleet who still engaged in such favoritism.
Let's just hope her ship can meet up with us before some remnant of the once-powerful Cardassian military decides to take potshots at us or something worse comes along, he thought. Sighing and rubbing one hand over his face wearily, Jean-Luc rose and went to the replicator where he soon produced a cup of his favorite tea; which he then took to the window to sip and gaze at the stars.