<USS Eagle> [Fwd: Sliders: The New Odyssey - Post # 1984: The Conversation]
- From: Lukas <captfyrstk@xxxxxxx>
- To: usseagle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:11:39 -0500
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-------- Original Message --------
Jack Archer exited the chambers to the Federation Council. As
he'd expected, the members weren't happy with the news about the
Romulan Scimitar-class still carrying the Thalaron
technology. The member from Tellar had been most adamant about its
existence......claiming it was an act of war. Not even the amendments
to the Treaty of Algeron with regards to the Federation's use of
cloaking technology had been enough to quiet the members down.
Jack sighed. This entire session had left him with a corker of a
headache. He knew he was going to have to talk to Enriov Rohnok
again. As it stood now, the Council wanted to close off all
interactions with the Romulan Senate. Only Ross had managed to keep it
from happening already......but even he would have to accept the
majority decision if and when it came to a vote.
Arriving at his office, he smiled at his Personal Assistant. "Cindy,
I need you to set up a secure channel for me. I'm going to be making a
call to the Romulan Empire."
Cindy's eyes went wide. "You're kidding?? Tell me
you're kidding."
Archer shook his head. "I'm not. I'm deadly serious.
Get that channel set up for me ASAP please. I need to speak to an
Enriov Rohnok."
He entered his office and pulled off his uniform tunic and tossed
it on the chair. He poured himself a drink and sat back to wait.
Could things get more complicated? Enriov Rohnok tr'Fyrs'tk stared at the different reports on his desk. The Empress was demanding more information on the loss of ch'Bloodwing, Enriov Tn'Laav had tested the slip-stream drive without proper authorization, and the test failed miserably. The ch'Ourai Sienov, another Scimitar-class ship, lay badly crippled in the far reached of the Beta Quadrant. Fortunately the Athena had detected their drop to normal space and were now with them, but it would be yet another matter Rohnok would have to deal with. Add all this to the continuing turmoil between Empress Donatra and Praetor Tal'Aaura, it was all enough to make a man want to go find a nice quiet agriculture coony and get lost there. Rohnok suddenly wished for the days when he was in command of his warbird. "Enriov Rohnok," came the voice of Riov Sihek, his personal assistant. "I have a communications coming in on a secure channel from the Federation." "The Federation?" Rohnok said, with a brow raised. "Very well. Put it through." As the computer screen changed from the Rihannsu State Empire symbol to that of Admiral Jackson Archer, Rohnok did not hide the surprise. "Admiral Archer. You have to be my most interesting call this morning." Jack smiled. +Well, you're my most interesting call for
the evening here. I hope you're keeping well, and I apologize if I'm
catching you at a bad time Enriov......but I'm taking some pre-emptive
action here. As I suspected, the Federation Council was none too
pleased to see the Thalaron system still in use aboard one of your Scimitar-class
ships. I've spent the better part of the last twelve hours
trying......along with President Ross......to put out the brush fire
it's caused on my end.+
Archer actually chuckled. +I'm sure you'd enjoy the
antics of the member from Tellar. Remind me to send you a copy before
we close the channels. Anyway, the reason I'm calling is quite
simple. From what I've been able to learn about you, you seem to have
a similar ideaology as I do regarding the real crisis......yet you also
seem stuck with the duties of playing politics as well. I'd like to
discuss with you how we can mutually come to some arrangement that will
satisfy both our governments......as I'm sure once yours hears how mine
currently feels, things will go downhill very quickly as far as
relations go.+
Rohnok nodded. "I am
certain we both share similar ideas of what to do with the politicians,
especially the Tellarites." He chuckled, then his look
turned more serious. "Admiral, I am sure your intelligence
source have kept you apprised of the turmoil here in the Empire. I
personally feel that weapon is too powerful for any one warbird
commander to have at his or her thumb. I am open to suggestions how I
might better convince my government."
Jack smiled. +Back in
the mid 20th Century on my homeworld, there was a geopolitical
situation known as the 'Cold War'. There was never any official
declaration of open hostilities between the the two major powers of the
time, but it was a constant game of chess for roughly fifty years.
Move, counter-move, spygames, you name it. In a lot of ways, our two
governments remind me of that time. Maybe......we might have to make
some moves that will somehow convince our respective governments about
a balance of power, therefore maintaining the status quo. In other
words, I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.+
"Ahh yes," Rohnok said. "The struggle between the... " he paused a moment trying to remember the proper names. " ... United States and the.... Soviet Union. Some VERY interesting reading. It is also a philosophy used here in the Empire. Which part of my 'back' would you prefer 'scratching,' Admiral?" Archer smiled.
+I see you're up on Earth history. I'm impressed. As for what
needs scratching......well, from my perspective, anything about the
Thalaron Generator would probably appease the Council. If we both have
it......detente, as they used to say. Now......I'm sure that in order
for something like that to occur......we'd have to 'pony-up' something
of equal value.+
"Let me see if I
am reading you correctly on this... 'pony--up' _expression_," Rohnok
said, leaning in towards the screen. "Much like the Cold War, on
your planet, should we continue the use of the Thalaron weapon aboard
our ships. the Federation will have to answer with a weapon of equal or
greater destruction capacity. Does that sound correct?"
Jack chuckled at
Rohnok's attempted use of Earth-slang. It was comforting that his
Romulan counterpart was trying very much to fit in with him. +Not
quite Enriov. I'm not suggesting an escalation of technologies, but
rather an equalization of them. In essence, if we both have the same
thing, chances are neither of us will ever use it. That was the
argument back during the 'Cold War' on my world. So, what I propose is
that each of us takes an offer back to our respective governments where
each side offers a form of technology the other currently does not
have. To that end, I am willing to offer up complete technical
schematics for our 'sliding apparatus' in exchange for technical
schematics for your Thalaron system. I must tell you though, our
sliding apparatus is quite tricky. The technology was designed around
installation in an Excelsior-class starship. Due to the
delicate nature of the device, it took nearly a year to adapt it to a Nova-class
starship. But, you'd have all the technical data and equations we
have. This, in my humble opinion, would be a benefit to all of us as
it would allow you to develop early-warning detection systems against
quantum incursions, like we've begun to do. That would also be
included in the data by the way."+
Rohnok sat back in his chair. He contemplated Archer's offer. There had been rumors the Federation had been messing around with this sliding technology. The use of this technology as a weapon was also learned about. Rihannsu intelligence sources in Starfleet reported back about Admital Mallory's use of it with the USS Columbia. That area of space is reported to still be un-navigable at warp speeds.. He also looked down at the data reader, and the report on the ch'Outai Sienov, then back at Archer. "Admiral. I would prefer neither side had access to this weapon, but, I do see your side of this. The sliding apparatus does seem appealing, but one of your ships, that I know of, is utilizing a slip-stream drive. Now, if I could put this technology, or the sliding technology on the table to my superiors, I just may get the response you are looking for." Archer considered the stakes of the game for
a moment. +I'll agree......if you add cloaking technology to
the list. With the T'Kil threat, the use of your latest cloak from the
Scimitar would be invaluable.+
Rohnok raised an eyebrow. "Would you like me to throw in the secret entry codes for the Empress's bed chambers as well?" Rohnok steepled his fingers, and looked at them for a moment. "I believe I can safely say the cloak will not be on the table." Jack steepled his fingers as he leaned into
the screen. +Rohnok, it is that kind of thinking that will
destroy us all. You know what is out there. You know what it can do.
We need to be allies here, and as such, we need to share everything
that can give us any chance to survive. What good are our little
'military secrets' if we all end up extinct?? It was that kind of
thinking that predominated my world during that 'Cold War'. It was
that kind of thinking that has kept our two governments at odds for two
centuries. It was that kind of thinking that nearly allowed my
government to drop the ball with regards to the T'Kil. We thought we
could handle it all. We can't. You can't. The Klingons can't.+
Archer considered one better. +I'll
show my good faith here Enriov. I'll also include our recently
developed Transphasic Torpedoes and Ablative Armour
Generator......which are systems that are easily adapted to most
classes of spacecraft. They will aid your fleet in maintaining some
semblance of safety I hope.+
Jack
reached out to implore his Romulan counterpart. +We have to
try to put old practices to rest. We have to truly work
together......not like our 'Allies of Convenience' pact during the
Dominion War. This isn't about subjugation Rohnok. It's about
extinction. We can't afford to not help each other. Not this time.+
Rohnok knew Archer was right. This threat was bigger than all three powers combined. He, himself, did not need convincing. Nor did he need much convincing to be able to put his trust in his Federation counterpart. But, it wasn't he who needed convinving. With Empress Donatra and Praetor Tal'Aaura at odds with one another suspicions were already running amok. "Jack," Rohnok finally said. He figured the two of them were now to the point where they could drop the formality of titles. "I will take your proposal to the Empress, herself. I will push FOR this exchange, for I truly believe in it. It is why I. personally pushed for the join mission aboard your ship, the Athena. I propose we meet in ten days at a neutral spot along the Zone. Will that work? You can even choose the spot." +Neutral Zone Outpost Four. I know the
commander quite well. I'll bring everything I have on the
T'Kil......all reports and tactical data as well.+
Rohnok gave a satisfied nod. "That
sounds fine. I will see you there. Rohnok out."
+See you in ten days. Archer out.+
Jack smiled. That had gone much better than he'd dared hope.
Rohnok seemed to be a reasonable man who truly believed in what they
were trying to do to stop the T'Kil. Archer found himself looking
forward to meeting his Romulan counterpart.
Perhaps......finally......they were on the road to an actual peace with
the Romulan Empire.
+Cindy, prepare for a little trip. Notify the rest of the
staff. Also, I'm cutting new departure orders for USS Challenger.
Once I've dictated them, please forward to the Commander and his Exec
as well as the Yardmaster. Then, get me President Ross please.+
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