Negotiations (Part 4 of 5)
Posted on Wed Mar 13th, 2019 @ 3:51pm by Admiral Zachary O'Connell
Mission:
Alrakis Updates
Location: USS St. John Talbot, Conference Room
Timeline: May 30, 2389
Once the Alrakis members had left the room, Magnus let out a deep sigh. He turned and sat casually on the conference room table as he looked to the Federation and Starfleet personnel still present. “Well, this has been interesting.” He commented with a slight grin.
Heather, who remained in the room with her boss, looked to him curious to his own reaction. She wondered what the pact would discuss. Part of her hoped it was a change of heart but the practical side of her doubted it.
Admiral King looked at the exasperated Exterior Secretary. “Mister Secretary, it seems these ambassadors are merely angered by our presence and I am afraid nothing on our end will change that. I am not a diplomat, yet I would advise retaining emergency humanitarian access and establishing a schedule of observation patrols. The latter was actually done in ancient Earth history when two superpowers inspected each other’s destructive nuclear weapons during the period known as the Cold War under a treaty called Open Skies. If we allowed the Alrakis Pact similar access to the Federation, it could be an olive branch to further negotiation.”
“And how far exactly are we willing to allow the Alrakis Pact to venture into Federation space?” Admiral O’Connell asked, having joined the Federation delegation at the table. As the head of Task Force 72, Zachary had supervisory access to several sensitive projects. “Vidal Fleet Yards just opened near the Tzenkethi border, and it already has a full production and upgrade line, not to mention our Long Jump assets at Minos Korva, despite its closer proximity to the Cardassians than the Confederacy.”
“I am also concerned about such an idea,” the Grazerite said, joining the conversation. “As Admiral O’Connell has so clearly pointed out, there needs to be firm and immutable boundaries to what the Pact has access too. And, even then, the risk of espionage is very high. I cannot imagine Starfleet Intelligence being at peace with such a possible threat.” He rose from his chair and plodded towards where Temple sat perched on the end of the table. “I don’t believe that the President would be very settled with such an arrangement either and my recommendation to her would be to not accept such an agreement. Not without guaranteed, fairly immediate, long-term success in maintain Federation access to the Expanse.” He stood in front of Admiral King, held his hands behind his back, and looked the Admiral in the eyes. “Can you guarantee that, Admiral?” He looked to O’Connell next. “Can you?”
Admiral King looked at the critics. “If we are to gain anything from today, gentlemen, then we may need to give a little. The historical treaty I referenced provided for flight plans being filed far in advance and observers were restricted to that flight plan.”
Tapping her nail on the table, P’niia was troubled at the direction of this meeting “I got to agree with Amsterrr, President Bezarrr won’t agree which such agreement secretary Temple…” She leans a bit on her elbow and looked at Magnus “We are being baited to theirrr terms, we got to find a counter in some fashion” She narrows her eyes a bit as the Caitian shrugs “Maybe old tactic, but place the ball in theirrr court. Ask what they want from us, aside from us leaving theirrr space”
“They’ve already demonstrated their awareness of our QSD,” Zachary observed. “It may be one way to find out what they already know, but then again, they might continue their hard line. Do we have any bargaining chips of our own? Aside from offering up tours of Federation space?”
Taking a deep breath “Neethia System would be an option as a neutral zone. I know Admiral, there is a new immense class in construction due to losing DS7, but if we can bufferrr between the two forces orrr create some airrr then it creates an opening?” P’niia knew it was not a favorable approach but it had some merit.
“The Neethia System would make a great diplomatic sector,” Admiral O’Connell confirmed. “It will be some time before the base is completed, but we could speed up the inhabitable areas.”
The Secretary had listened to the conversation, nodding silently. He didn’t agree that they were being baited to the Alrakis Pact’s terms, which had been suggested, as he was only ever giving words of diplomatic significance and had made no concessions to them apart from the vague promises of future relations. But that was how these negotiations went; a back and forth of ideas was shifted through until they found something that worked for them. Or, ideally, worked best for the Federation.
“Our main goal was to maintain the Federation’s current access to the Expanse.” Magnus spoke up. “Or at the least, increase the time limit placed upon us. If the Neethia System can be established as a stop-gap measure, with potential for a permanent exchange in future, that would give the appearance of our willingness to cooperate.” He paused for a moment, and frowned, “But as they have so-far been unable to gain anything from us, I don’t doubt they’ll come back in this room and attempt to hard-line us further. We will need a suitable response in that scenario.”
“There’s not much else they can hard line us with,” Zachary remarked. “We’re less than two weeks from the eviction deadline, and aside from them opening fire on our assets still in the Expanse, there’s not much else they can hard line us with.” As he was no diplomat or politician, he looked to the Grazerite and the Caitian for further suggestions.
“The Alrakis Pact has the upper hand. If we violate their terms, they could seek to exact a cost from us that could involve territorial violations or even firing upon our vessels in our own space,” King noted.
“We will ensure our people get back safely. That will be our priority.” Magnus replied with a firm nod, “But let’s not lose faith in our position either. These four powers didn’t suddenly stop fighting each other just to start a war with the Federation. They’re spooked and defensive, they’ve come together out of necessity and they will not risk opening hostilities with us. They need to come out of this meeting with a peaceful agreement just as much as we do. That is our advantage.”
Malcolm stayed silent yet could not help but wonder if the Secretary had even heard them. The Pact had the upper hand. They didn’t even have to sit down at this meeting with them.
The Grazerite pondered the discussion occurring. “Agreed, Mister Secretary, about the importance of the safe return of Federation citizens. And assets. Still, I remain cautious about their state of mind. They might be new allies, but to assume they are not willing to engage in hostilities could prove foolish on our part.” He looked at the Humans in the room. “There is some Earth idiom about making assumptions, if I’m not mistaken. ‘You know what happen when you assume. You make an ass out of you and me.’ Let’s not be asses,” he offered with a smile.
His face then took a far more serious appearance. “If, however, they do start shooting, I have every faith that you,” he said looking first to O’Connell, then to King, “will teach them not to do that again.”
“Sir, if it comes to a shooting war, then the Secretary’s words will ring true and the Alrakis Pact was all for nought. Perhaps that is our play here. We let them know it will take longer for us to leave the sector and if they attempt to force us out, we will defend ourselves,” King thought aloud.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Magnus replied with a dry tone.
LT Kowal had received notice from one of her Masters-at-Arms that the representatives of the pact were prepared to return to the room. She moved forward from the wall, “excuse me, sirs.” She spoke up loud enough to be sure she got the attention of the room.
“Our guests have indicated they are ready to return my team will escort them back when we are ready.”
“Bring them in.” Magnus nodded politely to the Lieutenant, before turning around and placing himself back down in his seat. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“I’ll signal them now, sir,” LT Kowal said. She tapped her commbadge and let the team assigned to escort duty they were clear to return. She returned to her position against the bulkhead and near her boss.
~To Be Concluded In Part 5~
