A Final Piece of Diplomacy

Posted on Sat Jul 15th, 2023 @ 6:29pm by Dreyem Taga & Nevala thu'S'Terion Ko-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor

1,257 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 4 - Like a Thunderbolt
Location: Seantorial Warbird Cheleb-Khor
Timeline: MD02 - 0900

As her husband was back on Rator III to attend some Senate meetings, Nevala was in charge of the embassy. Actually, she was in charge of the ambassadorial building still on the surface, and of the provisional embassy, which was actually the D'deridex-class warbird Ket-Cheleb, a part of her husband's senatorial commands. The Senate had given her full diplomatic status, so that she could negotiate. And she had to negotiate.

"Computer, open a channel to Governor Taga of Faltan. Send the subject removal of Romulan structures on Faltan's surface." She leaned back in her office's chair and waited.

It took some time for the Governor to come online. Elegantly dressed, her expression cool and assessing, she gave no sign of what she knew had happened. "I am here," the Governor said smoothly, nodding her head slightly. "And I apologize for keeping you waiting. You wanted to discuss removing your embassy?"

Nevala had prepared herself to play the kind person, so she smiled gently. "Yes, indeed. You may be happy to hear that my husband could arrange a disassembly team coming for our quantum singularity core. I am sure you do not want to keep it on the planet. After all, a single mistake could turn your planet into a part of a black hole. However, we would need some guarantees that we get all the support Faltan can offer."

The governor nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Idryn Arbei, her Spymaster, had briefed her thoroughly on the Romulan Embassy and she was glad, beyond glad, that the quantum singularity core, which should never have been installed on her world given the danger it represented to her people, would be removed. She said none of that though but instead, said only, "What would you need from my people, Duchess?"

Nevala noticed that Taga addressed her properly. It could be a sign that the Faltan did not want to push her to the limits. Maybe Telhas' threats had also done their job. Nevala continued to be polite. "Security guarantees. Or better, a security force which makes sure that nobody approaches by more than twenty miles unless my staff and the extraction team left the planet. We do not want the extraction of the singularity to happen under stress of demonstrations or attacks of any locals. Stress leads to mistakes and mistakes could be fatal. Don't you agree?"

"For the sake of my people, Duchess, as well as your own," Taga said, "I agree. I can arrange to have the area cordoned off. How long will your team need and when did you want to do this?" To remove the violator, the raper of minds, she would mobilize every citizen on the planet if necessary. Privately, in the no longer safe confines of her mind, she thanked Idryn for his wisdom and guidance. Now, they played the long game. "I can have my forces in place within the hour."

"The team will arrive around noon. And they will need four to six hours." Of course, Nevala had an answer to this question. It had been clear that it would be asked. "As your are not accustomed to Romulan technology, I should inform you that the quantum singularity will not be deactivated here. This will be done at a specialized facility in Romulan space. Therefore, you should also take care that the supply ship will have a safe trip into Romulan space." She should better not share the information that the ship was on a mission and already had one or two quantum singularities on board, plus its own. This would possibly scare Taga. And fear was never a good advisor.

"As you are no doubt aware, my people do not control the system, Duchess," Taga said. "My forces will ensure that you can work safely while you are on Falta III and until you leave orbit. There's little more that I can do." She dropped her gaze for a moment, in thought, and then looked up. "Perhaps you can talk to Starfleet? I understand they've moved into a station within the system."

Nevala thought about the question. At the moment, she had no clue what Taga intended. "Maybe. I am sure they also do not want to have a singularity in this system. Thank you for granting us a safe passage within your realm, Governor. I am sure this will be beneficial for the outcome of the upcoming debate in the Senate."

Taga nodded. She had learned these past years. Starfleet and the Federation. The Romulan Ambassador. None of them held any respect for her people or the sovereignty of their world. "You are welcome, Duchess. If Starfleet proves unwilling to help, I can offer a small fighter escort. Not much, considering what I know the ships you've had in this system can do, but ... it is there if you need it."

Nevala smiled gently. "Thank you, Governor, this is very kind of you. One final question: Do you want to keep the embassy building, although it will be scrapped of any technology? I know it is in the middle of nowhere, but maybe you have some use for the hull? If not, we will level it."

"I appreciate the gesture, Duchess," Taga said, smiling slightly in return, "but I will go with the second option. Level it."

Nevala nodded, but her smile faded. After all, the building was her design. "Sure, as you prefer. Let us hope that our people may have better relations in the future."

Taga's smile faded as well though for vastly different reasons as her mind went back, again, to a darkened room and an unwelcome intrusion. She repressed the shudder that swept through her through long practice and instead, nodded politely. "As do I," Taga said smoothly. "A future based on mutual respect and cooperative endeavors is always to be preferred."

Mutual respect... Nevala knew too well that a minor world such as Falta would never be treated as equals by the Senate. The Romulan Star Empire was a major power. And after their recent losses, they acted even more arrogant than before. To her it seemed to be a way to reassure that they were still powerful. Her husband was different, but he followed an ancient path where he had to retaliate for the attack on the Romulan Embassy - his embassy - and her. If it was a major crime already to attack his embassy, attacking his wife was even worse. And Nevala did not believe Taga being as innocent as she seemed to be. Nonetheless, war was not an option and Nevala preferred peace anyway. So she just smiled. "Farewell then, Governor." She doubted that they would ever meet again.

"Farewell, Duchess," Taga said in return. She held no illusions with respect to either the Federation or the Romulans. She imagined two dancers in the marketplace, circling each other, one moving forward as the other stepped back, their movements synchronized, rehearsed. This was much the same. A sort of dance that said very little but still, if one could learn things. And she had.

Nevala terminated the connection. She was not sure if she could trust Taga. Telhas always told her not to trust Taga, but probably the prospect of accidently releasing a black hole was something Taga was going to avoid. Nevala sent a message to the disassembly team that they could proceed.

Taga sat staring at the screen for a moment that stretched into minutes. The Romulans would be gone and that abominable reactor as well. "One step forward," she whispered.

 

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