Troubles of the Universe Options

[Cptn Corizon]

She’d long since given up having an actual vacation. As president of the Federation, there was not a single day that went by that she didn’t have some new crisis to solve, some new political issue that needed addressed, or some new threat she needed briefed on. Still, she did attempt, once in a while to escape the lunacy that was her officer in Paris. Her most recent attempt on the island of New Zealand wasn’t going so well.

Looking out the window of the elegantly appointed L-shaped drawing room, sitting on a period early 20th century pink couch, she sipped absent mindedly at her tea. It was late, or early depending on your perspective. Nanietta Bacco exhaled deeply and put the tea down. She’d become accustome to sleepless nights, to be wakened at all hours, to making hard decisions that effected the entire quadrant – but it didn’t mean she liked it.

“Madame president,” Hirishi Santon said, “Mister Shapron is here to see you.”

“Good, send him in.”

A few moments later she was joined by a white-haired man with sparkling blue eyes that had just a touch of age around them in the form of crow’s feet. It was clear he’d been up late too.

“Madame president,” he said making his way over to the window, where he was waived into an adjacent green chair.

“Thank you for coming Alex.”

“Of course,” he said, setting down a leather bound document holder.

“This is a mess,” she said simply. “I’ve got people pulling me every which way. The Scorpiads are angry. The Dominion isn’t exactly pleased with us, and oh did I mention that the Council is even more perturbed?”

He grinned. “Hazards of the job.”

“I suppose,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Bhuren brought you up to speed with the latest then?”

“Yes. Got to say some of it’s actually good news.”

“If you say so. Ambassador t’Salik seems very pleased with her discussions on Granar Minor, I hope they can bear fruit that’s not going to poison us later.”

Shapron lifted his brow for a moment, but decided not to press. “I think anything that saves the lives of civilians is a good thing.”

“Yes,” she said honestly. “And for now it’s distracted the press from this whole mess with the Excalibur, though how long that’s going to last…”

“Yeah,” he said. “I imagine until they reach Camelot Station.”

The President glanced sidelong for a moment, considering her counsel. He’d been a Starfleet officer for nearly twenty years before becoming political, and he knew about tough decisions.

“They want to turn them over to the Hundred.”

Shapron opened his mouth before closing it several times. “I do hope this is some ill-conceived joke.”

“I wish,” she said wistfully, “it were.”

“We can’t do that, they’re not even a real government. They’re a bunch of disaffected misfit children acting out against their parents, who apparently have decided to go on vacation and leave the older kids to baby sit the younger kids.”

“I know that,” she said incredulously. “Believe me I know that.”

Shapron frowned and opened the leather bound document holder. As the President’s chief federation security advisor, it was his job to help with these situations where other advisors were more restricted in what they could and couldn’t “officially” know.

“I am assuming that’s why you haven’t told anyone who we’re planning on turning them over to.”

“That would be correct,” she said. “Though in fairness, we have told a few select councilmembers and senators, but on a strictly off the record basis.”

“That’s a good move. I wish you would have told me sooner.”

“I didn’t know until about five hours ago.”

“I see, well its best if we keep up the narrative we’ve set then.”

“Yes,” she said. “We’re letting Captain Corizon handle the negotiations.”

“That’s good, it gives you some plausible deny ability.”

“I hate that word and you know it.”

“Sorry,” he said honestly. “Listen Nan, I know you don’t like this cloak and dagger stuff. I know you’re intent is to act as transparently as you can, but sometimes…”

The white-haired female glanced to her male associate with a whither glare. “Alex, I didn’t get to where I am without knowing political realities. We both know this is the best we can do, or I wouldn’t be having this conversation, I’d be shutting this whole operation down faster than a Dwarbian Weasel can steal an egg. “

“Of course, I didn’t mean…”

Softening, she sighed again. “I know. This is all just a mess.”

“Nothing for it.”

“I know, and that’s the problem.”

“Fozzolo assures me we can trust Corizon on this. He’d better be right, or there’s going to be hell to pay.”

“You think the Hundred will be game for this little scheme.”

“Of course. They want our respect and anything they can do to get it, and to ###### off the Vorta Council they’re game for, why do you think they’ve been so helpful?”

“So what are you going to do? Continue saying we’re working on it?”

“It’s not a lie.”

“I don’t suppose. You’d better have damage control ready to go if this all goes FUBAR.”

“Oh,” she said dryly. “I know that. I have a meeting in about an hour with Ambassador Joy.”

Shapron suppressed a groan. Space robot lawyers.

“Well,” he said. “That’s a good place to start.”