Fancy Meeting You Here - Part 2

Posted on Fri Mar 6th, 2020 @ 12:47pm by Lieutenant Commander Aeryn Jameson & Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor

1,305 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 3: Diplomacy, what’s that?
Location: Executive Officer's Office

Arriving in the office, Telhas looked at it at a glance. The last time he had been in this office when Commander Prescott had been XO. It was not in Prescott's style any more, instead it had something neutral, standard Starfleet, maybe with a touch of influence from M'Mira. "Not your personal style yet, but you arrived just recently." He smiled. "You know, whenever I got a new office, I gave it a personal touch and made the place a little comforting. At least comforting to me."

“I intend to get it decorated to my taste” Aeryn motioned to some boxes on the floor. “I haven’t got to unpack my things as yet but I will.” She motioned him to a seat. “Please, sit and let’s talk.” She smiled more warmly now she was feeling more at ease around Telhas.

Telhas settled and thought for a moment with which topic he should start. "You probably know that a terrorist group supported by the Faltean governor Taga had attacked my embassy when it was under construction, just after my arrival. And that they abducted my wife. After the situation was back under control, I decided that it was necessary to enhance the embassy's defenses. As you know, the embassy is more than ten miles away from this station. So, first thing, we have no longer half a mile in diamter around the embassy building as perimeter, but a full mile. We did not ask for approval by Starfleet because since you were not able to protect us, we rely on ourselves. Please take this to your files as information. It had been unclaimed, unsettled land."

Aeryn nodded and picked up a PADD upon which to make notes. "Actually I didn't know about that, I hope that you managed to get your wife back safely?"

"Yes, of course I did. And it is months ago. As another result of this incident, I have a cruiser and a warbird in orbit. Both stay cloaked until action is necessary. Furthermore, I have stationed two hundred guards in my embassy." Telhas watched Aeryn for any reaction to this information. He opened his mind so that he could detect unshielded thoughts from Aeryn, although this would make his presence detectable. He just wanted to be sure that her words were identical with her thoughts.

Aeryn looked at Telhas curiously, he was now giving off a very strong telepathic presence yet she still couldn't read his mind if she wanted to. "You do realise that I'm going to have to report what you just told me? If I don't and it comes to light that I knew, then Starfleet would think my judgement is clouded. Being half Romulan does carry a certain amount of stigma, it's something I've had to contend with all my life." She made notes on her PADD for her report. She had never been curious about her Romulan heritage until now. "May I ask you something?"

"I am well aware that you have to report this. If I would have a problem with that, I would not have told you." Telhas smiled gently. "Please, ask your question."

Aeryn smiled. "Would I be permitted to visit your embassy at some point? I realise that as a Starfleet Officer it may not make your government very happy. I'll admit, up until now I've never really had that much of an interest in learning about my Romulan half. I guess it's time I learned more about who I am."

"My embassy was built as a place where people if different cultures can gather and learn about Romulan culture, besides the usual diplomatic and consular role of an embassy. It is a pity that the current situation transformed it into much more of a garrison than an embassy." Telhas kept a polite smile while he talked. "So, of course you are welcome to visit. And do not worry about my government. I am a senator. I built the embassy with my private money and the guards are my house guards, as are the ships in orbit. Here, in this embassy, I have a maximum of freedom to rule as I wish to rule."

"Then may I make a formal request to visit the embassy at your earliest convenience Ambassador?" Aeryn offered a smile.

"Whenever you want, all I need to know is if you visit as an officer or in private. For officers there should be a proper ceremonial welcome. But for now, back to business. The reason why I informed you of the military abilities of ny embassy is because that I want to offer a deal. I offer you an agreement of mutual military assistance, limited to this planet." Telhas gave her a second to process the offer. "Of course I know that you cannot decide this, but Commander M'Mira can. So please, make your mind as a Starfleet officer first before you talk with the commander about it. Should she deny it, I am fine. Should she acceot, I am also fine. Oh, and just to avoid misunderstandings, it is a purely defensive offer. Only effective if one of us is attacked."

Aeryn nodded as she listened. "I think that would be something that Commander M'Mira might appreciate, I will speak to her with regards your offer." She made more notes on her PADD so she could give M'Mira accurate details. "With regards the Embassy visit, I would prefer to visit on a purely personal basis."

Telhas nodded. "Good, this makes things easier. The next thing on my list. Transporters. There had been an offer from Starfleet to establish a protected transporter connection from Faltan Station into my embassy. At that time I refused, since it was not clear if there were any Faltean spies within Starfleet ranks on Faltan Station. I am still doubtful, but I would like to set up a transporter room in the second defense perimeter of my embassy. To ensure proper safety, I would need to talk with your intelligence department. Please check and arrange a meeting, if possible."

"Certainly Ambassador, I'll arrange for Lieutenant Cosantior our Chief Intelligence Officer to contact you." She tapped her PADD and made a note for Shannon to contact Telhas. "I'd like to make relations between yourself and the station as well as the Federation, as pleasant and cooperative as possible."

Telhas nodded. "I see this place as an opportunity to show that the Federation and the Romulan Empire can work together without prejudice. If this works, it could serve as an example for a larger scale of cooperation."

"I certainly hope so" Aeryn nodded and smiled. "We could start something very significant here and I'd like to see it work elsewhere as well."

Telhas smiled politely. "Time will tell. From my side there are no open points left. Do you have any issues left open?"

Aeryn shook her head. “None that I can currently think of, no.” She smiled politely. “On a personal note I’d like to arrange that visit to your embassy, you have me intrigued.”

"Not before today's lunch," Telhas stated, "but besides that I have no appointments. If you want to be sure, you can give a call half an hour before you visit." He stood. "So, if you do not mind, I would allow you to catch up to your probably busy schedule."

Aeryn nodded. "Thank you for your suggestions and offers, I will send a message to Lieutenant Consantior to let her know to contact you as soon as possible. I will also speak to Commander M'Mira."

Telhas gave her a slight nod. "See you at my embassy then. Take care." He left the office.

Watching him go Aeryn smiled to herself before picking up the PADD she’d made notes on and heading to see M’Mira.

{OFF}

 

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