Chapter II
As the stars continued to stretch out in front of him; he glanced briefly at his old comrade who stood like a statue behind Deanna, clearly trying to look the part that he was playing. Riker thought that Worf looked a trifle silly in the uniform he was currently wearing, but decided it might not be best to bring it up here.
He recalled that his old friend had just recently lost his wife due to one particularly nasty Cardassian who had since been vanquished. He still found it hard to believe that the Klingon had been able to agree to come along for this mission, especially since the incident had only happened a year ago.
"Number One; would you attend to the needs of our guests?" the Captain asked, interrupting his thoughts. Riker nodded, rising from the central chair and then gesturing towards the transport, "After you, Ambassador."
Worf glared at him for a moment and then entered the turbolift with him following. "Do you find my appearance humorous, Commander?" the Klingon asked after he called out their destination.
"Oh, no; just sort of wondering how it is you even fit in those. Is that the style these days on Qo'noS?" Riker replied. "I feel honored to be given such a position. Comfort is not of importance in politics," Worf stated as the turbolift came to a stop and then Riker spotted Geordi and Barclay as they walked down the hallway towards the lounge.
"Well, look who's here," the chief engineer said, smiling and then glancing at the Klingon for a moment before stating, "It's times like these that I miss the VISOR."
Worf merely growled under his breath as they all entered the room. "I thought that the Captain told you to tend to my needs? I would prefer to prepare for my mission rather than engage in unnecessary diversions," the Ambassador stated. "I just thought you might want to relax a little; it's been quite some time since we've seen you," he stated.
"Do we have stories to tell," Geordi commented, shaking his head. "That and I'm sure you wouldn't mind sharing a drink with us," Riker commented.
"Sir, if you don't mind; I'll return to engineering," Mister Barclay stated and then La Forge replied, "Sure thing, Reg. I'll be there in a minute."
The nervous officer left, nodding to Worf as he passed by and then the three of them were alone. Riker went to the nearby replicator and then ordered them all drinks. "Prune juice for you, sir. Two cups of raktajino for us," Riker said as he sat down.
"I see that you've not forgotten my usual preferences," the former security officer commented and then drank the beverage quickly. "Nice to see you again, but I better get back to engineering for my shift. Catch up with you later," Geordi said, checking the time; then downing his raktajino and departing.
Once they were alone, Riker finished his own drink and then said, "Well, that didn't take too much time from your hectic schedule." "Are we now going to devise our strategy for these negotiations? Or do you expect to get me to share my innermost feelings with you?" the Klingon asked.
"In something of a rush?" the Commander said with a smirk and then led his friend back to the turbolift. "I just wanted to remind you of the life you had here. If you ever want, we could use a steady hand at tactical. We've lost more security chiefs than I can count since you left," he commented.
"Thank you for the offer, sir, but I have my obligation to the Chancellor to think about," Worf answered. Didn't hurt to try, he thought as the transport stopped and then led him back to his room. "Anyway, Deanna thought you might want to speak with her. She's been worried about you for some time now," Riker stated.
"Indeed," his companion said with a nod and then closed the door, leaving the Commander alone in the hallway. Same old Worf, he thought as he returned and made his way back to the bridge. Tapping his combadge, he said, "Riker to Picard; I'm on my way up."
"Actually; I want you to rendezvous with Mister Data at cargo bay four, Number One. The Ambassador is docking as we speak," Picard answered. "Understood, Riker out," he replied and reached the transport and requested, "Cargo bay four."
In another few moments, he standing inside the cavernous chamber as the small craft finished the landing procedure. Mister Data arrived soon thereafter and then commented, "I had been certain that I had timed things so I would be here first. What floor were you on, Commander?"
"Is this some sort of race, Data?" he asked the android. "On the contrary, sir… when I received my instructions from the Captain, he mentioned that he had not yet spoken with you. Perhaps my internal chronometer is out of sync," his subordinate considered.
"I'm sure I was just closer than you were," Riker commented and then the two of them approached the vehicle as their guest stepped out. The middle-aged woman walked towards them, carrying in her right arm a male orange Persian cat who seemed to stare at his companion as she neared them.
Her hair was just starting to gray and she wore the usual uniform befitting her post. "A boy and his robot; this is my welcoming party?" the Ambassador commented as she glanced over them both. "I am Commander William Riker and this is Lieutenant Commander Data. Welcome to the Enterprise, ma'am," he said, extending a hand; but she ignored his offer and then replied, "I'd like to talk with Captain Picard in regard to our mission as soon as possible."
"Very well, if you would like; Mister Data can take your pet to your quarters," Riker offered. "That won't be necessary, Ramses goes with me everywhere… don't you, boy?" she answered. He cocked an eyebrow at her stubbornness in that regard and then shrugged, figuring it was another quirk typical of those who attained such posts.
Maybe Worf gained the position because of his rather daunting personality, he thought with a smirk. "Well, since regulations don't prohibit it; I don't see why not. But I'd advise you to keep a tight grip on him. I highly doubt that Captain Picard would approve of having an animal underfoot while we attempt to perform our duties," he declared.
"Most kind of you… I must say that my last visit to a starship wasn't nearly this pleasant," she remarked. "According to our records, you have never served on one previously," Data remarked.
"Oh, I was a civilian then and it was decades ago. It was my first trip outside the solar system, too," the Ambassador replied. The trio left the bay, making their way to the turbolift where he called out, "Bridge." As it moved along, he turned to face her and noticed a stylish pen inside a pocket on her outfit. However, they reached their destination before he could ask about it and Picard rose in greeting upon their arrival; extending his hand and saying, "Ambassador, welcome aboard… my crew and I will do everything in our power to attend to your comforts."
"Thank you, Captain, and you may refer to me as Miss Lincoln if you like. Now, may I have a word with you?" she asked, gesturing towards the ready room. His superior glanced significantly at the cat, to which Riker could only offer a shrug.
"Of course, follow me. Number One, you have the bridge," Picard instructed, departing with the Ambassador and her feline cargo in tow. Even as he took the central chair, he noticed Data standing gazing after them. "Something on your mind?" he inquired.
"As you know, I am always contemplating numerous subjects," the android answered. "I meant with regard to the Ambassador," Riker clarified. "Some aspects of her behavior puzzle me," the Lieutenant Commander admitted.
"Humans tend to be contradictory," he agreed. "Yes… her fondness of the cat, for instance. Captain Picard is well within his authority to keep her from bringing it along, yet he does not. I can understand her affection for the animal from my own experiences with Spot; but I have never brought her with me to the bridge during my shift, even at night," Data went on.
"Nor should you… serving aboard a starship requires a stricter set of rules than the diplomatic corps. Sometimes, we have to compromise," Riker admitted. "I shall do further research into her background. Perhaps that will shed some light on matters," the android declared, moving off.
The Enterprise was coming about, driving for Cardassia Prime with all the speed they could muster. "Counselor Troi, would you come to the ready room?" the Captain's voice intruded over the intercom and Deanna rose, moving to join Picard and their guest.
He suspected that a conference would have to take place between the two Ambassadors, especially since the Klingon Empire might have different things that they wished to discuss with the Cardassians. "Approaching the border, sir," Data called out from the conn.
"Any sign of an escort?" Riker inquired. "There are no ships within range of our sensors," the Lieutenant Commander answered. He found that somewhat unusual, despite the fact that the government now ruling was ostensibly guided by the people. In the past, having a strong military had been a fact of life for the Cardassians for many years.
"Send out a signal advising any vessel which receives it of our identity and intentions to notify them that we have been invited to ferry a peaceful mission thru Cardassian territory," he directed. As his command was obeyed, Riker waited for a few minutes while the transmission spread outwards from the Enterprise; then he said, "Ahead, warp factor 5."
As the starship crossed the invisible line, none of the stark orange craft which comprised the fleet that patrolled this space appeared to challenge them and he had to resist breathing a sigh of relief. Still, it made him wonder whether certain portions of the Cardassian government opposed these negotiations.
After the fallout with the Maquis which had been ultimately resolved by their alliance with the Dominion, he'd thought that maintaining their standing within the galaxy was important to them. Either his interpretation had been incorrect, or something else was going on. Perhaps they lost more ships than we imagined during their fight to throw off the Dominion, he mused. At that moment, the turbolift doors opened and Doctor Crusher stepped onto the bridge with a tricorder and medical kit in hand. "Where's the patient?" she asked.
Riker frowned, then heard a cry from the ready room and rushed in with Beverly following. The Ambassador was clutching the cat, looking at Deanna apologetically as the doctor saw to cuts on her cheek left by the animal's claws. "I'm afraid that we'll have to ask you to keep your pet confined," Picard stated and their guest nodded, stating, "I'll trust the doctor to look after Ramses."