Keeping up with the Cardassians

Posted on Tue Dec 4th, 2018 @ 9:58pm by Rakena Kejaad & Candy Templeton
Edited on on Mon Mar 11th, 2019 @ 2:24pm

1,981 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Cardassian Embassy to Faltan
Timeline: MD03 - 0830

Candy had spent her travels researching everyone that would be coming to the ceremony at Faltan Station. There were a number of people that she wanted to meet with, especially with the Faltan government. However, beyond them, the Cardassian Ambassador interested her the most. For reasons unknown, she preferred human garb to traditional Cardassian. What was their purpose here? Cardassians were practically irrelevant after the Dominion War. This was a mystery that she simply had to solve. A character like her was irresistible.

She sent a message to the Ambassador on the night she arrived to request an interview. She did not receive an answer. However, Candy was never to take "no" or no response for an answer. She went up to the Embassy and looked at the security at the front desk. Proudly she told them, "My name is Candy Anise Templeton, FNS reporter. I am expected by the Ambassador."

Gul Reskat guffawed as he rounded the corner into the main atrium. “Expected. That’s a bit of a reach don’t you think?” He peered directly at Candy.

The Cardassian officer who had been manning the desk took the Gul’s involvement as a cue to step away.

Reskat smiled a toothy smile. “ What can I do for you Miss Templeton?” His voice dripped with amusement and contempt.

Candy ignored the Gul's comment, knowing that Rakena would eventually come. "I have come to speak with the Ambassador. I believe that she desires this interview as much as I do. Please let her know that I have arrived so that we can proceed."

The Cardassian man seated himself and leaned back in the chair. He kept his toothy smile. “ I’m not sure I can clear you to meet with the Ambassador.” He gave a shrug and put his feet up on the security desk.

"I think that you will find that all of my press credentials are in order," Candy replied patiently. She would not be intimidated or cowed by anyone.

Taking his feet down, Reskat sat forward to address Candy “ That’s just it, you’re the press.” He laughed. “And for the Federation of all things.” He shook his head.

"Have you not seen my reports?" she asked Reskat. "I often make the Federation look like the fools they are.”

The Gul nodded. “Yes, Miss Templeton, we have seen your work.” The man sighed, clearly not amused by the woman’s persistence. “ I will let the Ambassador know you stopped by. She’ll be touched.”

"I will wait, while you let her know that I am here," Candy replied with an innocent smile. "Unless you wish to be featured in my next report...."

“Unfortunately, the Ambassador isn’t in.” The Gul smiled and stood. “ But I’m sure Undersecretary Korin would be happy to take you on a tour of the Embassy.”

"I do not require a tour of the Embassy," Candy said with an equal smile. "If the Ambassador is not in, then you could tell me where I could find her. I am sure she would love to know that her personal assistant had been so helpful."

“You mistake me.” Said Reskat. “ I am charged with the Ambassadors safety” he paused. “ Which is precisely why I can’t disclose where she is.”

"I do not mistake you. However, she is either here or somewhere on the station and she is expecting me. Your games are not particularly amusing." She took out a PADD and started writing some notes.

By now Gul Reskat was entirely bored of the woman’s insistence. “ you see that’s the thing. The Ambassador couldn’t possibly be expecting you, as she never received your correspondence.” He sighed slightly. “ Now that we’ve cleared the air, if you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you out.”

"Do you mean to call me a liar? Or are you telling me that you intercepted it and made sure that she did not receive it?" Candy answered, her hands now firmly on her hips, emphasizing all of her curves.

"Stretching again." Reskat laughed and rounded the security desk. He approached the Human woman. "Now, time to go. I have more pressing matters to attend to.

As the last word left his lips the sounds of heels clicking resounded of the walls of the Atrium as Ambassador Rakena Kejaad descended the grand staircase. "Why was I not informed we had a guest?" She asked, stopping a few steps from the bottom.

Gul Reskat was dumbfounded, searching for a hasty answer.

Rakena stepped down and approached the pair. "Hello," she said with a smile . "Who might this be?"

Giving a sly, victorious smile to the Gul and then looked back at Rakena. "Ambassador, my name is Candy Anise Templeton, Federation News reporter. Gul Reskat was just informing me that my message did not reach you regarding an interview. I hope that I am not troubling you, coming at this hour. We could reschedule if that would suit your schedule better; however, I was hoping to speak to you before the ceremony today."

"Oh course." Rakena gestured for the woman to follow her, and she began to lead the way across the Atrium to a small sitting room.

"Wonderful!" Candy exclaimed as she followed the Ambassador to the Atrium. "Thank you again, so much for your time. I have anxiously been awaiting to meet you."

Rakena allowed Candy to enter the sitting room ahead of her. “I’m always happy to speak with the press.” The door closed behind her and a small click could be heard of one listened closely. The Cardassian woman gestured to a rather stiff looking couch.

Cindy sat down demurely on the couch and waited for the Cardassian to do the same. Once they were both seated, Candy began, "I have read so much about you and I have to admit that you fascinate me. I find you to be an incredible woman. However, I was hoping that maybe you could tell me about yourself. After all, the books and records are just facts and even those can be distorted by those who write them. I would rather hear about you from you."

“I suppose you want all the salacious details.” The Cardassian sat rather rigid-backed in a well appointed chair adjacent to the couch. “ The scandals, the affairs, the embezzlement, and the embarrassments?”

"That would be appreciated. But even so, I would like to know why you are here. Why would you be interested in this particular station?"

"My darling, I live my life in service to the Cardassian Union . I go where the Castell an decides I'm needed." Rakena peered directly into the reporters eyes.

"And you have done great services for the Cardassian Union. However, I do find it odd that you would be sent to this place where there is much tumult. It seems like a waste of your talents," Candy told her admiringly. "What interests do the Cardassians have here?"

Rakena laughed.”I’m one of the oldest Ambassador still working for the Union,my talents are nearly worn out. As I said, I go where I’m asked.” She smiled.

"Worn out? Hardly!" Candy replied enthusiastically. "You look like you are in prime shape to handle just about anything."

Rakena laughed again. “So you’ve come here to flatter an old woman?”

"I have to admit that I am a bit of a fan," Candy said gushing. "But you are a curiosity.... Your desire for human fashion. Your willingness to continue to serve the Union after the death of all of your family. Many would have just given up. Your work on Romulus, was amazing. I was saddened that I did not have the opportunity to interview you there when the evacuations were occurring...."

“Now I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have a desire for human fashion.” Rakena shifted in her seat. “ I take inspiration from many cultures.” She purposely avoided discussion of her family and of Romulus.

Candy noticed the sudden shift in Rakena's chair. She wondered if it was for the Cardassian's comfort or whether she had hit a nerve somewhere. Deciding that she would circle back to the original conversation at some point to figure out what never she hit, Candy continued, "Is that so? Which cultures do you take inspiration from? And could you tell me what attracts you to them?"

“Every culture has a story; Cardassian, Human, Andorian. These stories spawn beautiful art and that is what draws me.” The Cardassian woman smirked.

"So, you are drawn to art? Do you consider yourself an artist?" Why did she avoid Romulan culture? She spent so much time there.

Rakena laughed. “ I’m no artist, but I pride myself of knowing art when I see it. Clothing just happens to be my favourite type.” She pushed herself up. “ Would you like to see my dress for the Ceremony?”

"Indeed, I would!" Too bad that I do not have the time to put up a fashion story before the ceremony. So much to do, so little time. "I'm more that a little curious as to what you have in mind."

Rakena turned and made her way across the room, there was a sheet covering something about the same height as the Ambassador. She pulled the sheet back revealing a cranberry coloured sari with bronze toned accents . The material was luxe and seeming very ornate.

"Very nice!" Candy replied admiringly. "The cranberry and bronze will definitely compliment your skin tones. You have an exquisite eye."

The Ambassador bowed her head slightly in thanks. “ I can’t take all the credit of course, I have a team of tailors and dressmakers who bring my ideas to life.” She thought a moment about the group of Cardassian outcasts and Bajoran who worked tirelessly on all of her clothing. “You see I never wear anything twice. Once I’ve worn a garment, it is archived for reference, sometimes they are recycled into new pieces.”

"The respect for you must be great back home," Candy replied in slight awe. "And yet, you are given this assignment on a Station that is barely functioning. I find it mystifying. Have you lost favor? What is it like back home?"

Rakena pursed her lips. “I’m not sure I know what you mean Miss Templeton, the Castellan requested I take this posting herself.” She smiled. “ So no, I’ve not lost favour . If anything, with the new administration, I’ve gained the war of the Detapa Council. And they are wise to listen.”

The Ambassador glanced at a rather ornate chronometer on the wall behind the sofa. “I’m afraid I must cut this short.” She shrugged slightly. “ If you’d like, we can continue this another time.”

Although she was disappointed, Candy knew that pushing things now would lose her favor later. "I understand that you must have a busy schedule. I will look forward to discussions later, perhaps even at the party after the ceremony if that would be acceptable to you."

“If I’m to be plain with you Miss Templeton, in the future your questions will need to be approved by Undersecretary Korin prior to our meetings.” The Cardassian moved to the doorway and pushed the door open. “ Gul Reskat will show you out.” She smiled and left with haste.

Almost immediately she was replaced by the imposing figure of Gul Reskat.

Candy looked at the Gul, "I know my way." She left without argument, wondering what she possibly could have said that hit a nerve with the Ambassador. She did not know now, but she knew that she soon would.

THe Gul smiled and watched the woman cross the atrium. “ We shall see you soon Miss Templeton.” He said with mock anticipation. “Very soon.” He added under his breath.

 

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