Chapter 10: Toe The Strategic Line

Chapter 10: Toe The Strategic Line

Captain’s Log

Stardate 58487.2

With the shuttle S'Talon now safely off of the surface and beyond the outer atmosphere of Khii, the vessel and their passengers are now enroute for the Icarus shuttlebay with an ETA of less than one minute. Sickbay and the VIP Hall are each continuing preparations for the arrival of these battered Romulan delegates and the away team. The precise details of these arriving former hostages and their medical condition are sketchy at best. There are many issues and questions unresolved and unanswered regarding these delegates and their circumstances, but we will attempt to unravel some of these mysteries once they are in a position to engage in a dialogue aboard our ship; although I do anticipate some tight-lipped and not too friendly reactions to our rescue. Romulans hold a strong belief in their own superiority above all other species that goes beyond mere arrogance and unlike their Vulcan counterparts, they do not hide their emotions. They tend to revel in them, being kind and even loving one moment, yet violent the next. Therefore their reaction to being rescued by a couple of Federation officers will most likely not be one of appreciation, but that of possible anger and shame. We’ll just have to deal with this as best that we can.

Meanwhile, we are also making preparations onboard and among our allies for evacuating this sector; although at this point in time we are uncertain when this will actually transpire. This includes each department aboard the Icarus conducting a final level 3 diagnostic evaluation of all primary, secondary and tertiary equipment within their departmental jurisdiction. With the Caucaus no longer serving as an additional powerful escort, we will need everything on this ship performing at optimal levels prior to departure… just in case more of the unexpected somehow turns up while we are enroute.

As soon as the de-clocked Romulan shuttle landed in the shuttle bay and the large metallic bay doors pressed snugly closed, the Benzite manager engaged the com and contacted the bridge.

“Captain Sterling, the shuttle S'Talon is now secured.”

Sterling inquired “Are all passengers accounted for Mister Rondeck?”

After running a complete bioscan of the passengers still aboard the shuttle, he confirmed.

“All remaining landing party personnel and delegates are alive and accounted for Captain, although I have no idea of their actual condition. Fortunately, the medical teams are here… standing by for when they emerge.”

“Carry on then” the captain confirmed.

With that information attested, Sterling turned his attention to the helm officer.

“Mister Herek, head back toward the Neutral Zone. Coordinates 136.45 mark 9.”

Sterling notified the counselor operating the communications post.

“Mister Pasqual, transmit these coordinates with our allies.”

"Coordinates transmitted by lasercomm," confirmed the Orion. There would be no interception of their transmission this time.

Then looking at the viewscreen, Sterling stated to the helmsman.

“Engage now!”

“Aye Sir” the helmsman replied as he immediately activated helm control.

As the Icarus accelerated and began its journey back toward the neutral zone, Sterling breathed a slight iota of relief.

He then stood up and stated to the bridge crew.

“Maintain full alert… We don’t want to get caught off-guard as we head toward or travel through Federation space.”

"Sir," then interjected Ray, "we've been at full alert for well over a day now and many times under fire; and all that after incidents of sabotage and harrowing chase. We will not be able to respond efficiently if we keep this up and encounter problems in a state of exhaustion. And all our systems need some slack and maintenance as well. I recommend going down to security alert, at least until all three shifts had a time to rest and recuperate a bit."

Addressing the counselor’s recommendation Sterling replied with a smirk.

“A prudent recommendation Mister Pasqual, that is once we arrive back into Federation space again… which will not take us very long.”

He then announced to the crew “Reduce ship status to security alert once we are thirty minutes beyond the Neutral Zone and well into Federation Space.”

Afterward he turned back to Pasqual and stated “Let’s go greet our Romulan delegates Counselor” as he walked into the turbolift and kept the doors open for the half-Orion officer.

They rode the turbolift down to deck 7 and exited toward Sickbay.

As they entered Sickbay, they could see Doctor Cyl and his staff attending to the surviving Romulan Delegates that had just arrived. They looked somewhat emaciated and battered as Sterling walked over to them and introduced himself.

“I am Captain Tyrel Sterling and this is our ship’s counselor Lieutenant Commander Ray Pasqual” he stated; gesturing to the half-Orion officer standing by his side. “I want to officially welcome you to the USS Icarus. At this point in time, gentlemen, our ship will also serve as host to your summit with the Federation delegates.”

Doctor Cyl then cut in.

“I don’t believe that they are in any condition to begin these responsibilities just yet Captain. They will need time to rest and recuperate from their ordeal as captives.”

Sterling nodded affirmatively as he shifted his attention momentarily to the CMO.

“I fully understand Doctor Cyl. I wasn’t implying that they were in any condition to begin their diplomatic duties this moment… I just wanted to welcome them aboard the ship and make them aware that we have arrangements set for them to conduct their business shipboard as the expected Romulan delegation. When these meetings will actually transpire will be a matter for you and these delegates to determine.”

Turning his attention back to the delegates, Sterling added “Please let me know if there is anything we can do to make your stay and your mission more accommodating and successful.”

One elderly Romulan merely grumbled and muttered a few choice words in Rihansuu as he turned his back to the commanding officer of the Icarus.

Then another elderly Romulan delegate spoke to the captain as he looked intently at him; as if trying to recognize a long lost friend.

“Thank you Captain Sterling… for sending your team to release us from captivity and now accommodating us aboard your starship. Perhaps when I am released from the good Doctor’s care, I may have a word with you… in private.”

Sterling tried to mask the somewhat puzzled expression that somehow slipped across his face when this aged Romulan stated his request. There was something in the way that this Romulan looked at and spoke to him that was almost… familiar. He couldn’t place it though, so he merely acknowledged the request.

“Certainly, Ambassador...”

The Romulan swiftly filled in his name for the Captain.

“S’Lartus… Ambassador S’Lartus… but Captain Sterling, address me simply as S’Lartus.”

Sterling bowed slightly in respect and then responded.

“Very well S’Lartus. Just let me know when you are available.”

Then with a peculiar sense of subtle urgency S’Lartus responded.

“I will Captain… the moment I am released from here.”

Spotting his chief tactical officer also being examined and treated, they walked up to greet Lieutenant Commander Archer and his away team.

“Well done Mister Archer! You and your team have accomplished what seemed to most to be a virtually impossible mission... and you all certainly managed to cut that close time-wise... and otherwise. I look forward to reading the details of your report of what actually happened down there.”

Brian Archer was sore...his arms were sore, his legs were sore, and he had one hell of a headache. He attributed the latter to the subdermal communications implant and was definitely looking forward to getting it removed. He looked up at Captain Sterling as his commanding officer addressed him and then ignoring the captain temporarily he limped over to Cassie Strider and Zorak who were being treated nearby.

Well... not much on Starfleet protocol now, are we? Ray silently observed of the disrespectful attitude of Archer towards his commanding officer no less. As if suddenly Starfleet as a whole meant nothing anymore to him.

Did it ever? the expert psychologist now wondered, keeping a most interested eye on his colleague.

The chief of security of the Icarus placed his hand on Cassie's shoulder and she looked up at him.

"We did it again Cass," he said

She nodded with a slight smile "Yes we did, you did good work down there Brian."

"You too," He passed on the urge to hug his old friend and partner, there would be time for that later, Instead he turned his attention to Zorak

"And you Sub-Commander are one man I would go into a firefight with any time. I'm sorry about Volsikar though."

"It is not your fault Archer, and I would gladly serve under your command anytime Lieutenant Commander." Zorak straightened up and did the best he could to offer a Romulan salute. Brian returned the gesture and then stepped back over to face Captain Sterling.

"Captain, we are missing one team member and one delegate. Sub-Lieutenant Volsikar was killed in action Sir, and the the Tellarite ambassador was not among the delegates. The Ferengi informed me that Commander Sa'arvik, who was in charge of these traitors, killed the Tellarite. Sa'arvik was....killed in during the mission Sir."

Keenly studying him, the ship's counselor could not refrain from stretching a very small, very thin smile on his lips as he noticed the uncaracteristic hesitancy in Archer's speech pattern.

The missing part is the interesting one then it seems; HOW was he killed? or maybe... why? his mind wondered.

Archer hesitated for a moment knowing full well he would probably eventually have to tell the captain just what had happened down there and why he hadn't apprehended the terrorist leader. He suspected the Federation ambassador would likely tell Sterling first, but at this point Archer didn't care.

Looking with concern at the weary and bruised security chief, the captain noted compassionately.

“Under these circumstances Mister Archer, you and your team were able accomplish more than what realistically could have been expected from anyone. Now because of this, we are finally on our way out of this system… and with the Romulan delegates.”

Then Sterling whispered “Let us just hope that regardless of any favorable outcome from these upcoming meetings, that all of these efforts that transpired are appreciated out there by somebody.”

"Unfortunately, Sir, a few drops of honey won't sweeten a jar of vinegar," quoted Ray Pasqual from an Orion saying. "Despite this latest of those all too few good turns of events we managed to bring, this whole situation is ending up as nothing but a complete disaster. We will be damn lucky if this does not result in a full-scale interstellar war, much less any treaty or peace agreement. We just saved the dog and the children from burning down with the house."

then, with a glance at the Romulans on the other side of the medical room, he shook his head.

"And the dog might still be afraid and bite us."

Then with a gentle pat on the back Archer’s back the captain stated “You and Lieutenant Strider need to get fully examined and treated here in Sickbay… and afterward, just rest up during the next couple of shifts. We have a long and hopefully uneventful journey ahead of us. We’ll get by for a few more hours without you” he concluded with a subtle wink.

"Thank you Sir." Brian replied and then lowered his voice so only Sterling could hear "Just a heads up Sir, the elder Romulan, Ruwon, he's stubborn as a Klingon Sir. He didn't even want to be rescued, and I had half a mind to leave him there."

"He certainly had a full taste of all that vinegar," Ray, glancing again at the somber face of the chief ambassador from Romulus.

With that warning to his CO Archer half walked, half limped back to his biobed. It would be a couple hours worth of treatment for both Archer and Strider as their physical modifications and subdermal communications implants were removed and their injuries treated. Brian Archer laid down and closed his eyes, he didn't feel like he had accomplished anything spectacular just as he hadn't when he saved the men aboard the Neptune. Brian Archer had done what he had always done...his job.

After finishing with his visitations within Sickbay, Sterling checked back with Doctor Cyl.

“Were you able to make any headway with the Vulcan ambassador’s aide Suvik?”

Nodding negatively the doctor motioned the captain to follow him over into to his office.

Arriving in the fully modernized medical office, the CMO called up the medical file on the aforementioned Vulcan. A series of digital charts and graphs were immediately displayed on the large medical screens before them. Cyl then began using his fingers on the touchcreen to arrange the graphic data into a specific sequence as he began to explain the host of information before them.

“I have now run a series of close and remote scans on the afflicted Vulcan over time. I have yet to determine what has triggered this condition, but as you can see in the sequence of displays, the effects of the Bendii Syndrome are expanding not only biologically, but environmentally.”

Sterling gazed at him rather quizzically and inquired “Environmentally?”

“Yes Captain. As the loss of his emotional control increases as this affliction progresses, the intensity of these uncontrolled emotions can be telepathically projected to others. The Vulcans around him are easily able to resist the increasing magnitude of these emotional projections. But even now tucked away in his quarters, the effects of his affliction are spreading outward to other parts of the ship, potentially causing outbreaks of strong emotional reactions and eventually violence of any non-Vulcans aboard the ship. My hunch is that at least one of the Vulcan delegates had been clandestinely implementing telepathic control over these projections. But with them now separated from each other, the disease progressing and the Romulans now aboard for this summit… well... this just seems like a prescription for disaster.”

As Sterling listened to the prognosis from Doctor Cyl, he could literally feel the tension mounting in his body as he struggled to determine at least a temporary solution to this potentially hazardous situation.

As if housing newly arrived, foul-tempered Romulan diplomats mixed in their already challenging circumstances was not enough of a strain… now the good doctor here adds in increasing waves of uncontrolled emotions emanating from an afflicted Vulcan… to stir things up even more the captain thought, as ideas swirled around with countless others within his active mind.

“Speak to Lieutenants Hanson and Mitchell in the engineering department Doctor to see if they can create a custom version of a containment field that can be installed throughout his room to inhibit these waves from emanating beyond his quarters. If this doesn't work, then you may need to place him in a large containment chamber in an unpopulated section of the ship until we can get this resolved one way or another. That is... unless you can come up with another solution.”

Doctor Cyl only offered Sterling a trace of a scowl and a retort.

“I’m a doctor damn it… not an engineer!”

* * *

Captain’s Log

Stardate 58489.3

Doctor Cyl has our engineering team working on the containment field in the quarters of Suvik… our emotional Vulcan. If they are unable to get this to work properly and cannot determine some type of other workable solution for this escalating problem soon, then I’m about ready to place Suvik in a shuttle and tow him back to Starbase 39; although this solution may not exactly be embraced by the brass of Starfleet or the Vulcan high counsel.

With the Romulan diplomats about to be dismissed from sickbay, the VIP Hall has been abuzz virtually nonstop preparing for the imminent mixture of Romulan and Federation delegates about to commence. I can just imagine the looming bantering and debating back and forth among the delegates occurring once they arrive and finally began their appointed task at the makeshift summit table. They certainly do not need any additional stray emotions entering into this potentially volatile environment.

Each side has already lost members of their delegation prior to this upcoming provisional gathering and each has gone through their own version of perilous obstacles just to reach this point. But how the Federation and Romulan Empire expect this small group of individuals to actually resolve the magnitude of these vast issues and differences between two exceedingly diverse positions while under such duress and hostility seems unfathomable; especially considering all of the espionage, sabotage, subterfuge, and countless other acts of betrayal and fanatical division among all those individuals and factions directly and indirectly involved.

The Romulan economy continues its momentum of collapsing, while factions within the Empire are ruthlessly battling behind the scenes in a brutal quest for power; leaving them in apparent political disarray. Who knows what the hell is going on within the Federation as well? There are too many suspicious and conflicting events transpiring during this mission alone to call in doubt as to what sort of subversive power struggle is transpiring within Starfleet and the Federation itself. It really is looking more like we are all mere pawns in this huge cosmic power struggle.

I suppose there is hope… but it just seems too farfetched under these conditions and at this point in time. Too often in these types of circumstances one side or the other is toeing a line, posturing or raising a threat of some sort; striving to gain an advantage. All I can do for the moment is to present this opportunity to allow these diplomats to do their job. What they actually accomplish during this time is going to be dependent on their true intention, perseverance and perspective… which leaves me feeling rather useless to contribute anything… let alone affect the outcome of this endeavor. Yet the outcome seems to be clearly placed as my responsibly in this mission. The vicious cycle of another damned no-win scenario seems to rear its ugly head once again.

As the Romulan delegates circumspectly entered the VIP Hall of the Icarus, they could see their Federation counterparts standing along one side of the apparent negotiations table.

The atmosphere was charged as before a thunderstorm. Between the faces of the barely rescued Romulans, flushed with shameful anger, and those of the long endangered Federation representatives, darkened with outraged suspicion, it was obvious to all that all the events of the past days had all but killed their planned efforts before they had even begun.

In the wordless stares that they exchanged, keeping silent to avoid tempers flaring out in mutual accusations, it became clear to all; true peace was no more an option; avoiding all-out war and untold suffering for countless billions was all that was left between them all.

Hopefully.

D’Tan, the Romulan delegate paradoxically representing the Federation side of this meeting, sat in the awkward position between the two factions. He could readily sense the extreme tension mounting along with his role shifting more toward that of a moderator of sorts than that of a Federation representative. The multitude and magnitude of events that led to this moment had adversely affected each sides initially intended good will and potential optimism; leaving hostility, anger, doubt and distrust in its wake. Nevertheless, what remained of each sides delegation were here now and therefore a dialogue needed to commence before violence took its place.

D’Tan stood up and stated “Jolan tru” as he bowed slightly to his Romulan counterparts standing tempestuously by his side along the extended table.

"Jolan tru," answered the Romulans arriving. To the rest of the non-rihansuu present, the clear difference in meaning of the expression through the subtle tone variation went completely unnoticed. But to all natives of the Empire, the meaning and feelings were plain.

And they were not good ones.

“Please be seated,” D'Tan stated, looking at each of the delegates as he sat down in his chair; as if to provide an example to them looking around in hesitation.

The Romulan delegation complied in their typical manner; their lead spokesman sat down while the others stood rigid behind him, except another elder who sat quietly beside him as those standing continued eyeing everyone in the room and at the table while shielding his back from any potential assassination attempt... and ready to cover him up with their own bodies from a threat that could come at any angle.

For his part, their leader Ambassador Ruwon sat rigidly at the edge of the seat, hands folded before him on the table. His voice was as inflexible and uncompromising as his posture.

"Make it quick, D'Tan. Enough lives were already lost needlessly to allow us the fruitless luxury of exposing ourselves here any longer."

D'Tan nodded a respectful acknowledgement to the elder Romulan statesman who was clearly relieved to be out of their previously hostile environment but understandably rather uncomfortable in this situation aboard the Icarus. Transporting out of the frying pan and into the fire was not much of a solution from anyone’s perspective.

“It was not any easy journey for any of us to arrive here, Ambassador Ruwon.” D’Tan began as he looked slowly at each of the representatives around him and gestured as he spoke to them. "Each of us present here has endured opposition and hostility as a consequence for our willingness to participate in this discussion. We have lost allies, friends, colleagues and a ship carrying our brethren in sacrifice to allow this opportunity alone. Yet we have also gained some new allies as a result of this thorny process… and they are positioned in ships surrounding this vessel to ensure that our discussion occurs without continued hostility from outside forces.”

"If you are calling the Klingons allies, you're sadly deluded," shot back the old Rihansuu with a sneer. "They came here only because they smelled the blood."

K'Vada and his Klingon entourage openly smiled at the remark and nodded with grunts of aggressive approval heavily laced with contempt.

“Even your Federation friends are deserting now. Their most powerful warship already warped out, leaving us only with this... antique," the Romulan elder sneered again, gesturing at the ship around them. "They obviously don't want to risk anything of value here since it's all for naught.”

D’Tan then looked directly at the Romulan elder sitting irritably besides him.

“However, it is our responsibility to control and subdue the aggression simmering here and instead capitalize on this opportunity to discuss and determine the events of resistance and aggression that have transpired to subjugate the intent of these governments trying to forge an alliance of peace.”

The elder ambassador Ruwon looked skyward and laughed. But there was no mirth in his dark, hard slanted eyes.

"Peace! Who wants peace here? Certainly not the Klingons who live for war and conquest! Certainly not the Federation with subversive agents brought by a heavily armed warship disguised as an old bucket of bolts! And the Empire certainly rethought the whole prospect as it sent its own agents to derail it all! Now why are you intent on wasting any more time and possibly lives in further fruitless debate?"

"How about that?" growled K'vada to his aides but loud enough to make sure everyone heard him. "A Romulan with eyes open!"

It was no secret that the Klingons were here only to make sure that there would be no Federation-Romulan alliance. They still kept vivid in their hearts and minds the Romulan treachery at Narenda III almost half a century ago; the insidious attack of four warbirds on a defenseless civilian outpost that had formalized their alliance with the Federation when the USS Enterprise C had sacrificed itself in an act of great honor to defend the imperiled Klingon colony. The prospect of their ally now wanting to make deals with the honorless Romulans could shatter that young alliance, despite the bond strengthened by the Dominion War. Thus, the current disastrous circumstances had everything to satisfy them... unless some unforetold way was found here to salvage the situation.

Unlikely as it was, K'vada and his cohort were therefore here to watch things very closely... and see if they were about to be betrayed again.

D'Tan sighed and looked around again at each of the delegates surrounding him as he spoke.

“We need to uncover and discover the range of participants involved in these attacks… these acts of sabotage…along with a possible multitude of spies lurking in the shadows within each of these respective governments who discreetly leak classified information to receptive ears. There is an obviously dangerous level of organization and intention occurring within this resistance… but who are the key players involved in this counter movement?”

Without much time for these partakers to ponder that question, D’Tan turned his gaze back at the elder Romulan ambassador.

“And we are currently in the process of confirming in this ship’s sickbay as we speak that there may be others involved in the derailment of this opportunity toward peace for a totally different reason from outside of the Federation or Romulan influence.”

The elder ambassador of the Empire laughed again. His stare remained as hard as ever and his voice held a contempt that now matched that of the leering Klingons.

"Nicely done D'Tan, this... how does Humans put it? Ah yes; pulling this... rabbit out of your hat. Rest assured that we will find out from our end who is truly responsible. And be assured as well thatall those responsible, and all of those associated near and far to them, will pay dearly!"

The old Romulan then stood up.

"There can be no peace... not after all that happened; not until all traitors have been found, captured and punished... and as long traitors may still be in our midst."

Ruwon’s voice then became as hard as his stare, brought down heavily and directly on D'Tan and every Federation representative in the room.

"But if we all stay here any longer and lose our lives while in pointless debate... then there will be war!"

Silence fell heavily in the room. Only the Klingons were smiling.

D’Tan then stood up and faced his elder counterpart with a hint of fire in his eyes.

“Is it to this ineffectual end that we have labored and fought to get to this meeting? To stand here and expound raucous words of spite while pounding the drums of war with prejudicial conviction?”

Are there not even traces of decorum remaining somewhere in your tattered old souls?” D’Tan bellowed with anger and conviction as his focused gaze shifted from the Romulan elder to the remaining representatives attending this makeshift conference.

Then calming slightly, D’Tan continued.

“We have an opportunity here and now to take steps beyond these feckless and impulsive inclinations of your primitive instincts… to address and compare information each of us has procured or surmised related to these incidents of betrayal… to begin an operative dialogue of strategic and fundamental benefit to each member present today!”

Then looking around the room again D’Tan stated with disdain and loathing in his voice.

“But instead, we get the cowardly reaction to immediately run away and prepare for war!”

As the reactions and outbursts exploded in the room D’Tan hollered “That’s right… who here instead has the courage and fortitude to remain and fight toward a peaceful resolution to our problems? Who here has the intellect and bravery to think their way through our difficulties rather than raising fists and arming weapons?”

He then pointed an accusatory finger around the room as he stated “You that have spoken in enraged haste or nodded your heads in acquiescence with the words of reactionary trepidation have the audacity to carry the title of ambassador without demonstrating a hint of capacity to reason your way though even the beginnings of this summit! This is nothing short of dishonor to the meaning and the intent of your appointed position.”

For a moment, ambassador Ruwon simmered with obvious growing anger. Then, suddenly, he smiled.

Softly, he clapped his hands to D'Tan.

"Nice try, D'Tan. But you are not talking to a drunken, barbarous Klingon envoy here."

For their part, K’vada and his Klingon cohort remained impassive despite the passing insult, still smiling with their teeth bared and huffing quietly as the old Romulan answered the younger one.

"Selling yourself to the Federation has made you as sly and as word-twisting as they are, D'Tan. And your blood has thinned and cooled way too much if you have forgotten what honor is to us; what it means to be Rihansuu."

Ruwon shook his head as if scolding an obtuse child.

"For us, Sons of the Shavok, peace is only a tool, not an end. We do not "explore" and "colonize" like you, or "destroy" and "plunder" like the fanatics of Kahless; we conquer and we rule! We have forged an Empire among the stars no one in centuries, not even the savage Klingons nor the crafty Federation, could ever bring down. Only the stars themselves could."

Recalling the Hobus supernova catastrophe that had shattered the Romulan homeworld and snuffed out billions of lives had a sobering effect on everyone. In the silence that followed, the ambassador looked now at everyone in the room.

"All the treachery, the violence, the deaths and destruction that happened prior to these... "peace talks," even now these "sicknesses" you reveal among yourselves as a lame excuse... everything shows clearly that we are all weak, vulnerable and untrustworthy."

The Romulan's conviction in this was plainly unshakable and was reflected on the faces of those accompanying him. It seemed to fuel the old man's self-righteous wrath.

"If any of you were Rihansuu, if you D'Tan remembered anything about being Rihansuu, you would not need to be told that we are deeply ashamed by this, even more by the fact that there are traitors in the midst of the Empire and, worst of all, that they had been revealed to all; before we can even speak of galaxy-wide peace, we must first purge this cancer from within the Empire. This is our duty; and Duty is Honor!"

Ruwon’s eyes then fell back to D'Tan.

"And you, thin-blood, you should first return to your Federation masters and question the presence of sick incompetents, traitors and saboteurs among your own; all evidently planted to give Starfleet an excuse to bring in your brutal Klingon allies, well known as self-declared mortal enemies of the Empire... and to send warships into the Neutral Zone, contrary to Treaty stipulations we never violated... warships like this one."

His hand swept around them as he spoke, never leaving the eyes of D'Tan.

"You insulted us by making your duplicity so transparent! This... Icarus has revealed itself to be a fully staffed and equipped state of the art warship, disguised as an old museum piece and evidently chosen for her symbolic significance to better lure us into the dangerous complacency you are even now trying to elicit again!"

His stare bore down on the younger Romulan with inflexible conviction.

"Those "peace talks" are over. The facts are indubitable now; the only peace you offer to the Romulan Star Empire is the peace of death."

"Hear hear," K’vada said then softly in the cold silence.

The old Romulan looked at him and stretched his gaunt face into a hard, cruel smile. But he spoke to everyone in the room.

"And if that peace you seek so hard would come to pass, rest assured that we will fully share it with all of you."

D’Tan then shifted to a more threatening stance as he countered the elder Romulan.

“Don’t patronize me with your infantile insults and superfluous melodrama, Ambassador Ruwon. My blood is as thick and hot as any Romulan in this chamber; including yours! Despite what you’d like to believe or project here in front of everyone, you are no more Rihansuu than I… and it is your duplicity that is translucent… as your antagonistic words continue to bring rounds of ongoing cheers from our Klingon participants; those you emphatically state as our mortal enemy. Yet you now seem to be serving their cause as well. Are you equally acting as their marionette Ambassador?”

D’Tan held his gaze on ambassador Ruwon, but his peripheral vision could see the reaction of the Klingons.

“Just as you point the finger at me for serving the needs of the Federation, well, take your other hand and point a finger directly at yourself for currently serving the needs of the Klingon Empire! They oppose any possible alliance between the Federation and the Romulan Empire the same as you do. Your “conquer and rule” axioms are mere semantics to those of Klingon ideology, Ambassador. What I have learned being away from the homeworld is objectivity and perspective. It has allowed me to not be misled or intimidated by political or ideological dogma… as you are attempting to do here.”

D’Tan then began to move away from the elder ambassador and walk in front of all of the participants at the summit as he continued.

“This ship you now occupy and which you referred to as a warship and an old museum piece does in fact have a history of peace with Romulus… does it not Ambassador?”

Stopping in front of the old ambassador once again he persisted.

“Oh… you don’t believe me Ruwon? Well then… why not ask your colleague, Ambassador S’Lartus Radiak. He has a rather interesting and somewhat similar tale that he could share with you regarding this ship hosting our summit.”

Allowing a moment for the mummers among the group to escalate and their focus to shift to the other elder Romulan sitting quietly there, D’Tan leaned away from the ambassador as he shifted his attention to the group before narrowing his statements back to the elder Ambassador.

“It was through the perseverance of this ship and its crew members along with another Romulan that recently risked their lives to rescue you and your men from the deadly captive situation within the capital city of Khii. It’s an embarrassment Ambassador? Well… too bad! Each of our interstellar neighbors here was also betrayed by members within their own ranks… just as we Romulans were. But running away to lick our wounds alone and in shame is archaic. Our intention should be to establish some level of communication between these respective factions as we work through and strive to resolve these types of incidents. If this is too difficult for you to consider or handle Ambassador… perhaps you should consider stepping away from this role, just as you now insist on running away anyway, and allow someone with a more forward-thinking ethos than your rigid mindset to take over this responsibility.”

Through it all, the elder Romulan listened without even batting an eye. But with every word spoken by the younger man, his smile grew wider until he laughed out loud once D'Tan stopped his long-winded tirade.

But there was neither joy nor mirth in his laugh.

"You truly must believe me a senile fool to make your deceit so transparent!"

His finger pointed like a sword at D'Tan, stabbing towards him with every acerbic word.

"Don't think I am blind to what truly lies behind this "heroic rescue" by your oh-so noble Starfleet minions! Or that I am as blind to the duplicity of the Federation, using this ship to lead us all into your web of lies!"

Ambassador Ruwon then slowly turned around as he spoke, like an actor taking everyone in the room as witness to his words.

"Indeed, Behold! The starship Icarus comes to us in its old, venerable outer shell of honor and prestige, bringing smooth-talking, smiling and bowing sycophants offering words of peace... while she carries under that soft mantle a full complement of the most powerful fighter shuttles ever fielded by Starfleet, bristles with the most destructive phaser arrays and torpedoes available, all of it manned by former criminals, spies and crack soldiers safeguarding infected and sick puppets with empty promises and excuses! Behold this "ship of peace" which came out of several deadly engagements with barely a scratch on her ancient hull, each time coming closer to the Empire's border while assembling other predators around her as it left death and destruction in its wake! I know the human term, D'Tan: "a wolf in sheep's clothing." Now, wolves drew enough blood from us!"

Drawing his robes around him in a final gesture of defiance, the ambassador Ruwon looked down at D'Tan once more. He took a long moment to obviously simmer down before he spoke again.

"We may decide to believe your word, D'Tan, weak as it is; that you were as much a victim of circumstances as we were, despite what the huge losses in Romulan lives and so little from your own side scream at us. But your present procrastination and denial of the truth only serve the enemy, whoever he truly is, in finally succeeding in what he had planned all along; turn this incident into the first day of a war neither of our people would ever survive. Word went beyond the Neutral Zone and blades are already been sharpened as we speak."

As if on cue, all the other Romulan delegates assembled behind him, their countenance as stern as that of their elder.

"I must go back to the Imperial Senate at once and try to convince them that all of this has not been a huge deception from you to trap our people. And you did not give me much to help me here, as I hoped you would; quite the opposite. A pity..."

He shook his grayed head with sincere sadness.

"But still, I will try. I suggest you do the same... because it truly seems that you were betrayed as much as we were... and like us, still not really knowing by whom."

Bowing his head a fraction in salute but still keeping a steely gaze on the younger man, ambassador Ruwon spoke one last time with a sigh.

"There can be no peace now... All that is left for us is to make sure there will be no war. Jolan tru, D'Tan of the United Federation of Planets."

And with a dignified turn, he walked out of the conference room with all the rest of the Romulan Empire delegation following behind.

Behind them followed a team of Icarus security officers as well.

As they entered into the hallway a bit of a scuttle emerged between the two elderly Romulans causing them to eventually stop in the middle of a corridor.

The security team allowed them a bit of distance to heatedly confer.

“I require but ten minutes of time, before we depart Khaiel… certainly I have earned that!”

Ambassador Ruwon just snared at the proposition.

“For what S’Lartus? So that you can pay homage that Federation captain? It’s not only insulting S’Lartus, but this is beneath you… and an offense to us. We must leave this ship at once. I’ve already been in touch with Terrah and the Akhiy’ae is awaiting our arrival. We have urgent business with the Imperial Senate, and we are not going to sit around and wait for you to make a social call with that incompetent hevam!”

Ambassador S’Lartus merely glared back at Ruwon.

“I am not your minion Khaiel and you are no longer posturing in the VIP hall in front of the Federation. You are free to go on and board the Akhiy’ae. I will be there to join you shortly.”

Ambassador Ruwon grunted “Foolish old ke'rhin… take too long with this lunacy and you may find yourself a permanent guest of these Federation simpletons!”

Ruwon turned away and continued marching down the corridor with his entourage closely behind him. Following behind them was the majority of the security team.

Ambassador S’Lartus just smirked as he walked slowly in the opposite direction in search of a turbolift. He knew Ruwon’s threat was mere bravado and that he would not dare leave an important member of the Empire, even an elderly one like himself, stranded on a Federation ship for a mere ten minute delay; especially since this Federation ship and members of its crew assisted in the repairs to the ship that would carry them back home.

Inside the VIP hall, standing indiscriminately behind the Federation delegation still wearing the uniform of a senior year cadet, Thran heard the entire exchange between the three delegations and watched as the Romulans turned and stalked out of the meeting. Discreetly the Andorian stepped to one corner of the room away from other prying ears and tapped his combadge

"Thran to Archer,"

Brian Archer was sitting in the ship's security office composing his report to Captain Sterling regarding the happenings on Khii when the Andorian Cadet's call came through.

"Archer here,"

"Sir, you asked me to keep you appraised of the situation up here."

"Yes, what is it?"

"The Romulans are leaving Sir."

"What do you mean they're leaving?"

"Leaving Sir, as in leaving the ship."

Archer sighed, sure that the elder Ambassador Ruwon was behind this. The man was unreasonable, and Brian had suspected that after what had happened when he'd freed the man from Khii that the negotiations were not going to go well.

"Thank you Mister Thran, I appreciate the heads up. Archer out."

Brian saved his report so that he could finish it later, and left the security office. He used the ship's computer to locate the Romulan delegation and intercepted them as they were preparing to enter the Icaurs transporter room.

"Hello Ambassador Ruwon, I believe the last time we met I looked quite different. Commander Brian Archer, Chief of Security."

The elder Romulan ambassador stopped in his path for a moment as he slowly turned to face the the Icarus security chief with an imposing scowl.

“Oh… the lowly Romulan impersonator… now exposes the true face of his terran heritage. Come here to bother me once more before I leave human?”

"No Sir," Brian replied and took in a breath because he knew he was about to do something he never did "Not to bother you, but to apologize if I seemed harsh on the surface. I was very concerned with getting everyone out alive. I had already lost one good man, and I didn't want to lose anymore. That said Sir, I understand you want to leave what's left of this conference, and frankly I don't blame you. I am no diplomat Ambassador, but even I knew this conference was in trouble the minute the first saboteur struck. What I would ask of you Sir is not to waste the work that has already been done. Sub-lieutenant Volsikar gave his life so the rescue mission would succeed, Captain Picard nearly sacrificed the Enterprise to stop Shinzon, and Commander Data gave his life to stop him. Sir I was at the Battle of Cardassia where Federation, Romulan, and Klingon fought together against the Dominion so I know it can be done Ambassador. You might leave here today, and as I said no one would blame you, but Ambassador do not go back to the Senate and tell them it cannot be done. If you do that, then the terrorists and cowards win because they will have accomplished what they set out to do. You don't have to like me Ambassador, and I'm okay with that, but letting these traitors win, that is unacceptable."

For a moment, the old Rihansuu looked at the Starfleet officer with inscrutable eyes. Then a small smile stretched his thin lips.

"Officer Archer... you alone have done in a few words what all your sycophant ambassadors failed to do in there; give me not only a reason to plead for peace, but the proper words to do it. I will reflect on them... and make the Senate see the wisdom in them... if not, at least how they serve our interests. My duty is to the Empire, it's prosperity and in these days, to it's very survival. And I m Rihansuu; my duty is my life. Thanks to you, I might keep my life, end it in honor... by ensuring that of the Empire, against all odds."

He nodded politely to the Icarus chief of security then stepped up onto the transporter platform. Turning to face him one last time, he bowed.

"Jolan Tru, Lieutenant-Commander Brian Archer of the federation starship Icarus."

Then, on a sign from Archer, he disappeared in a sparkling shower of lights.

And he was still smiling.