3

“So what do we know about Gour II?” Sheppard asked. He sat at the end of the conference table, facing his senior officers. With Deep Space Nine behind them, they would be arriving at the planet in less than a day.

Ch’qahrok spoke up first. “The easiest way to describe Gour II is what happens to a planet when the Prime Directive is not there to protect a culture,” the Andorian said with no emotional inflection in his voice. He really has spent too much time with the Vulcans, Sheppard thought. “They emerged from a dark age a hundred years ago as a warp society. They have no recollection of their history before that time, other than that they were servants as those they refer to as The Oppressors. Their world served as a massive manufacturing colony for these oppressors until the Gourans overthrew them and drove them from the planet. They left in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to collect or eradicate the technology they’d had them produce. The Gourans already knew how to make it and how to use it, so they quickly became a warp capable society. They joined the Federation fifty four years ago.”

“So for half of their recorded history, they’ve been part of the Federation?” Nod asked. The sinewy Bajoran frowned, as though this very notion was difficult to believe. He glanced at Tavika, and the captain noticed that she flashed him a borderline hostile glare for a fraction of a second. Sheppard could tell that there was something unpleasant between those two. He would stay out of it unless one of them came directly to him about it, or it became a disruption to the crew’s morale.

“That is correct,” Ch’qahrok said.

“Then why would they want to leave the Federation?” Turner asked.

“That’s part of what we need to figure out,” Sheppard said. “Jellico’s mission briefing states that thinks it’s because we don’t have enough of a presence out there, particularly after the Dominion War.”

“Have they announced their intention to leave?” Turner asked.

“No. This comes from intelligence sources from within the Federation,” Sheppard said.

“If they aren’t talking about it openly, how are we supposed to figure out what’s going on there?” Adriana Cunha asked. Sheppard noted how her voice wavered slightly, as though she was unsure whether she should be asking the question.

“That’s what we need to figure out,” Sheppard said.

“Given their distance from Breen space, is it possible that they’re being influenced by them?” Tavika asked.

“We can’t discount that possibility,” Ch’qahrok said. “While planetary governments are capable of making such moves on their own, it isn’t at all unusual for other powers to be influencing them.”

“And if that’s the case, is it really our place to stop them from leaving the Federation?” Bashir asked.

“Of course it is,” Turner replied. “We fought a war to preserve the Federation. What good was our sacrifice if our member worlds start leaving?”

Bashir cleared his throat. “Just because they joined the Federation doesn’t mean that they’ve lost the right to self-determination. If we start interfering with our member world’s rights to be or not be part of the Federation, how are we better than the Romulans?” He glanced nervously at Tavika. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Tavika replied.

“We’re better because we’re a free and open society,” Turner said.

“Without the freedom to leave, are we truly free?” Bashir asked.

“Let’s get one thing established,” Sheppard said. “If Gour II decides they’re going to secede, we will not stop them. We’re here as envoys, not the military. We aren’t going to coerce, threaten, or demand that they stay.”

“With all due respect, that seems to run counter to Admiral Jellico’s orders,” Turner said. “He said to stop them from leaving by any means necessary.”

“Gour II leaving the Federation would constitute a threat to the security of the Federation,” Nod agreed. “Not to mention the fact that other Federation worlds would look at this as a sign of weakness and be tempted to leave themselves.”

Sheppard cleared his throat. “Let’s just say that this mission was placed in my hands, and I’m going to execute it the way I feel is best. The United Federation of Planets is dedicated to peace, not war.” He looked at his first officer. She was tough as nails, he decided, but he wouldn’t have chosen her to be his number one if he didn’t think she could command the ship as he would in his absence. “We will do everything possible to keep Gour II in the Federation, but we will play by the rules. If, after we’ve tried our best, they decide to leave, we have to accept that. If any further actions are to be taken, it will have to be decided by the Diplomatic Corps and the Federation Council.”

“Fair enough,” Turner said.

“But I appreciate your commitment to the mission,” Sheppard said. He turned to Tavika. “So there’s a good chance we’re going to run into the Breen on this mission. Is there anything we can do to better prepare ourselves against them?”

Tavika shook her head slightly. “Some Breen vessels can cloak, they use organic technology, and they use energy dampening weapons. All Starfleet ships are already equipped with countermeasures against the energy dampening weapons, but that doesn’t change their effectiveness if those systems go down. I’m fairly confident in our ability to fight them off if we’re faced with a single ship. If we’re outnumbered, we should consider a tactical retreat.”

Sheppard nodded. It was the answer he’d expected. He’d seen the Breen in action and they were a terror to behold. They fought without hesitation or consideration for their own lives, and negotiating with them was a fruitless effort.

“So we should come up with a method that doesn’t rely purely on the combat capabilities of the ship,” Nod said, irritation clearly evident in his voice.

“That would be within your area of expertise,” Tavika said, clearly just as irritated as Nod had sounded. “What do you have in mind?”

“We could use a couple of class two shuttles to deliver boarding parties to the Breen ships. They’re fast and maneuverable, which would give them an advantage against enemy weapons, and if we equipped them with multi-phasic phase emitters, we could punch a hole in their shields large enough for them to get close. From there, the boarding parties could blast a hole in their hulls, disable their shields, leaving them vulnerable to our attacks.”

“Based on similar strategies employed during the war, the chance of failure of such a strategy would be sixty eight percent,” Ch’qahrok said. “If they did prove successful, we would still see casualty rates of fifty percent or higher.”

“If we’re outnumbered, it would be a valid strategy,” Nod said.

“Those odds are too steep,” Sheppard said. “We should only resort to those tactics if we’re presented with a definite no-win scenario.”

“We should be prepared, just in case,” Nod argued.

“I concur with Mr. Nod,” Tavika said. “We should have a strategy for a worst case scenario.”

Sheppard had to admit that they were both right, and that they agreed despite the fact that they clearly didn’t care for one another added weight to their argument. “Lieutenant Nod, come up with a plan, outfit the shuttles, and prepare the boarding teams. But we’ll only resort to that strategy if the situation becomes desperate.”

“Sir, I have a thought as well,” said Cunha.

“I’m listening,” Sheppard said, hoping that she caught the hint that she didn’t need to hesitate when offering up ideas to the captain.

“Gour II has two moons. If the battle isn’t going well, we can vent drive plasma into space and ignite it. While doing that, we can simultaneously beam out a load of unprocessed refuse. We then warp behind one of the moons. The plasma explosion will blind their sensors while we make our escape, and it will destroy the refuse, leaving trace matter behind, which should lead them to believe we’ve been destroyed.”

“I like that idea a little more,” Sheppard said. “Less loss of life, and it would allow us to back off, contact Starfleet, and regroup. Doctor Bashir, could you tell us what the medical situation is on the planet?”

“About eight months after the end of the Dominion War, a virus started showing up on the planet. The rate of infection is now up to about forty percent, and those who become sick have a zero percent survival rate without retroviral medication. Gour II is simply not capable of producing enough for the entire planet, which is why we’re shipping four full bays of the stuff. Once it’s been diluted, there should be enough to cover an eighty percent infection rate.”

“Are the retrovirals a cure?”

“For now,” Bashir said. “As with anything, the more we treat it, the more likely that we’ll accidentally create a super strain of the bug that will require a new treatment. With luck, we’ll be able to wipe it out before that happens.”

“Well, it sounds like we have our bases covered,” Sheppard said. “Let’s get to it.”

The senior officers stood up and started to leave. Sheppard noted that Nod stayed behind as the others filed out. Here it comes, he thought. “Mister Nod, is there something I can do for you?”

“Captain, I seem to be having a problem with a member of the senior staff.”

“Let me guess. You and Tavika don’t get along.”

“I feel she’s a security risk to this ship,” Nod said tersely.

“Because she’s Romulan,” Sheppard said.

“Yes. The Romulans may have switched sides during the war, but that doesn’t mean they’re our allies now. I don’t trust them and I don’t trust her.”

Sheppard sighed. “You do realize she was never part of the Romulan Empire. Her loyalties are to the Federation, and she has served in the fleet for over twenty years.”

“Yes, sir, I have read her personnel profile. I’ve familiarized myself with the files on all the senior officers and the various section heads.”

“Mister Nod, let me make this as clear as I possibly can. She is not the only Romulan to serve in Starfleet. She has done so for years with distinction, and her advancement through the ranks have been hampered by her Romulan blood, which just happens to be one of the things about her she has absolutely no control over whatsoever. Your attitude is the height of xenophobia, it’s unbecoming of a Starfleet officer, and it’s not something I will tolerate in my crew. If you persist with this attitude, I’ll give you a field demotion and promote the next guy in line to take over your responsibilities. Do I make myself clear?”

Nod paused for a moment. “Permission to speak freely, sir?”

Sheppard could feel his face grow warm with anger. “Lieutenant, I’m denying that request. Just answer me one thing—can you do your job according to Starfleet protocols, or do I need to replace you?”

Nod straightened up and looked straight forward, avoiding eye contact with the captain. “I will carry out your orders as you’ve directed.”

“I suggest you look past her appearance and try to get to know her as a person before you entertain any further notions about where her loyalties might lie.”

“Aye, sir.” Said Nod.

* * *

Tavika sat at a table in the farthest corner from the door in the crew lounge. Her jaw was clenched, and her fists were shaking. She had spoken to that Bajoran prior to this and she’d thought she’d set him straight. Apparently she not only hadn’t, but he took that as an invitation to increase his harassment.

She barely noticed when a short bald human in civilian clothing approached her table. “You look like someone who needs a drink,” he said in a friendly yet awkward voice. “What’ll you have?”

“Romulan ale,” Tavika said.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t serve that in the lounge,” the man said. “For that you’ll have to talk to the captain,” he whispered in her ear.

“Then get me whatever the strongest fake alcohol you can serve in this establishment,” she said.

“You sound rather irate,” the man commented. “Care to talk about it?”

“No,” Tavika replied. The last thing she wanted was someone she didn’t know prying into her life.

“Well, if you change your mind, my name is Aurelio Caruso. I run this place.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tavika said dismissively.

A short time later Tavika sat with her synthehol beverage that tasted somewhat like petroleum. It was what she asked for, so she sipped it cautiously, trying not to taste too much of it at one time. While she did this, she noted Caruso bouncing from table to table, engaging the officers in small talk. Every once in a while he’d throw his head back in a hearty laugh, and then lean in for more conversation. He was quite the friendly one, and possessed a charisma that transcended his unusual speech pattern and short stature.

She watched as the main doors parted and Kevia Turner entered. Tavika averted her gaze and took a torturously long sip of her drink. As the only other senior officer in the lounge, she suspected Turner would want to sit with her, which was exactly what she didn’t want right now.

Her wishes didn’t seem to matter at the moment. Turner walked straight to her table. “Mind if I take a seat?”

“Why not?” Tavika replied.

“What was going on between you and the Security Chief?”

Tavika sighed. She really didn’t want to talk about this right now, but she reported directly to Turner, so she felt it best to just answer the question. “Apparently he doesn’t trust me due to the fact that I’m of Romulan heritage.”

Turner frowned. “Are you sure about that?”

“I’m quite certain,” Tavika replied. “I’ve dealt with this kind of behavior my whole life. You’d think I’d be used to it by now.”

“No, you should never have to just be used to it,” Turner said. “It’s true that there aren’t many Romulans in Starfleet, but you have nothing to do with the Romulan government, and there’s nothing in your service record that would show that you’re anything by loyal to the Federation.”

“I’m glad you see it that way,” Tavika said. Just hearing someone say that openly and unequivocally felt as though it took a weight off her shoulders. “I’m accustomed to having to prove my loyalty with every new assignment. People don’t want to trust me because of who and what my parents were.”

Turner smiled. Tavika decided that she liked the look of the Commander’s face when she showed warmth. “I hope you don’t take offense, but when I saw the way the two of you were looking at each other in that meeting, I thought there had been something romantic between you.”

Tavika laughed. “Impossible.”

“You never know, sometimes it’s the people who seem to be immediately at odds who end up together.”

Tavika smiled herself and looked into Turner’s warm brown eyes. “No, you don’t understand. That would be absolutely impossible.”

“Why? Because you can’t stand him?”

“No, because I only have relationships with women,” Tavika said.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“Why be sorry? You’ve actually brightened my mood already. Tell me Commander, do you have a husband and children?”

“No,” Turner said. “I’m married to my…” she paused for a moment. “You’re very direct, aren’t you?”

“It’s in my nature,” Tavika said.

“No, I’m not currently in a relationship, with a man or a woman. I’m not really looking for it right now either.”

“A shame,” Tavika said. She wasn’t sure if she should be disappointed, or if she should make a point to spend more time with the first officer in the future.

“So, I was thinking, this place needs a name,” Turner said with a smile.

“Horizon seems to suit it just fine,” Tavika said playfully.

“No, the lounge. Do we really want to serve aboard one of those stuffy ships where they don’t bother naming the Officer’s Lounge?”

“Are you looking for suggestions from me? How about The Watering Hole?”

Turner cocked an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound quite right. I was thinking something a little more… festive, like the Merry Tap Emporium.”

“I think we should keep working on it,” Tavika said. “Maybe something a bit more understated, but not as utilitarian as my suggestion.”

“Let me know if you have any good ideas.”

“I can’t guarantee any good ideas, but I’ll give it some thought,” Tavika said.

“Look, one thing you should keep in mind with Ipesh Nod is that he spent quite a bit of the war in a Cardassian prison camp. From his point of view, the Romulans were the enemy. Before he was captured, it was kill or be killed by them. I think he might be having a hard time adjusting to having one so close to him.”

“Commander, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you’re making excuses for his behavior. And believe me, I’ve heard them all. My life might be easier if I had been born to parents from a different province on Romulus… ones without the brow ridges… who can pass as Vulcans. But I wasn’t, and I will not apologize for how I was born. If Ipesh Nod has a problem with me, I suggest he visit one of the ship’s counsellors to get over his issues.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Turner said. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the hardware built into my skull and my arm. Some people see that and start having Borg flashbacks. I can’t control that. Half of my frontal lobe and most of my right arm was blown out in a fight with the Jem Haddar. I’d be dead right now if it weren’t for cybernetics, but when some people see that, all they think of is what the Borg have done to the Federation over the years. They’re afraid of me.”

“Just like Ipesh Nod is afraid of me,” Tavika said.

“And some people handle fear differently,” Turner said.

“Yes, they do,” Tavika said. “I still refuse to accept his behavior.”

“Just give him some time. If he doesn’t start treating you with respect, I’ll talk to the captain and have him moved to a different assignment.”

“That I can do, Commander,” Tavika said. Turner had given her some things to think about. She took another sip of her drink, winced, and then decided to give up on it.