Cardassian Holiday

[Sevolth Sidega 0]

The two Ambassador's materialized on the street corner of the largest market on Cardassia Prime. It was an impressive site, one of the last great Habitian markets to still stand and not be plowed under by the old Cardassian war machine or Dominion occupation. But, the great causeways and bridges had but just a few lonely shoppers gracing their roads. Many shops and stalls looked like they had not had tenants in many years.

 

 

Sevolth slowly began to move forward towards the central levels which seemed to be where all the open shops had converged. Ambassador Joy followed along, scanning a planet new to her, attempting to correlate the jumbled chaos of a working present with the more abstract linear teaching that is history. There seemed to be a question on her mind, if slightly distracted by the approaching merchandise. "You mentioned information and shopping. This is a world new to me. Information here in plenty. I don't know, though, what it is that seems important to you." It did not seem properly diplomatic to say, 'Give me a hint.'

 

 

Sidega just continued his steady pace forward. Joy glanced up to see if she could read anything more on his alien face. She couldn't, at the moment, outside the baseline. Cold blooded. Slow. Patient. Able to move with surprising speed and strength when the moment was right. Her sister Seven's experiences in San Francisco had taught her much about reading the emotions of various races. Still, the Gorn were new to her.

 

 

Reaching the open shops, Joy slowed as they came to the door of a glassware's merchant, comparing local glass spinning techniques against what she had learned at Tiffany's. The Gorn moved on. Turning, he said, "Believe it or not I'm hungry." Joy mentally added 'hungry' to the defining properties of the Gorn. She followed, though she sensed he had another intent.

 

 

Finally he stopped at a produce stand. The shop keeper looked up nervously at the looming Gorn, seeming to fear "She" was the meal he was after. Looking at the bins he took stock of the merchandise. One large crate held but a few square shapes wrapped in leaves. Another had only three little things that might be confused for avocados. A few of this and a few of that attempted to fill out the shops inventory. The only thing of any abundance were the bins of a rice like grain, the standard filler for the refugee's plate.

 

 

Joy was no expert on food, but this was not right. "Is this everything?" The shopkeeper nodded quickly.

 

 

"This was the information I was talking about. Cardassia has come a long way since the war, but it is still a fragile place." Sevolth reached down picking up a large yellowish fruit. With his other hand he handed over a slip of latinum to the merchant. As she turned to store it safely away he sat the produce back into it's bin and slowly walked away.

 

 

Walking with Joy again he glanced over at her. "I could really use that against Starfleet, especially considering the feast they provided me back on Aegis." He paused just brief enough for Joy to ponder on that but not long enough to respond yet. "But, I know the traffic hold isn't the sole cause of this. It could be made to look that way by those with certain political aims. That is why we are here." Ambassador Sidega picked up his pace and turned towards a large building that stood high over the commercial plazas. "There's someone we need to talk with while we can. Don't worry," he smiled, "we'll get back to shopping soon enough."

[Joy 0]

 

Joy decided she really did need to go shopping. She was wearing her Roman Holiday outfit, simplicity itself, a loose blouse, long flowing skirts and sandals. On the station, it had seemed the right thing to wear. She had been growing angry. An ambassador's duties -- to protect lives, to enforce the Constitution, to resolve conflict -- tended to drive the Joys into emotion chip overflow. The cost of failure was too high. The Roman Holiday outfit was the best antidote. Of all her background personalities, Princess Ann, the most gentle and innocent of diplomats, was the best aid to countering the high gain settings of her Asimov Processor to emotion chip feedback loops.

 

But she had not anticipated visiting an ancient city with a big strong handsome male. Handsome? She examined Ambassador Sidega again. On the station, she had not noticed his close physical resemblance to Gregory Peck. Ach. The problem was that Roman Holiday was a romantic comedy. She would have to fight temptation to quote Shelly, steal a light transport vehicle and buzz the city, jump into a river, or wield a guitar as a club. If the Ambassador saved her from a hoard of security people in black, she might fall hopelessly into an impossible tragic love.

 

And this particular time and place was not right for romantic comedy.

 

"I can not tell a lie, you know." Would he have heard of George Washington? "Why should I? If you were manufacturing an ideal servitor species, would you allow them to lie? Do you think this odd in a diplomat?"

 

"Depends if you have anything to hide." He smiled at her but could see her mental gears, literally, still turning on her current thought.

 

"The flip side is trust. It is amazing what one can do with truth, with trust." She paused, thinking back to the food seller's stall. "I know it is otherwise for other races. It is part of the game to distort, to emphasize. I really won't object if this is how you wish to play the situation. It is just that I am part of a hive mind. What I know, my sisters will one day know, as we meet and exchange memories. One of my sisters sits on Council. For the sake of polite society, among organic beings, it seems proper to act as if she were Seven and I am Two. We pretend Six is the professor, Eleven the dancer, Three the tour guide. In fact, in many ways, we are all Joy. At any rate, for several reasons, my reports to San Francisco will be true."

 

"I could ask for nothing better than a true and honest report of what goes on here." Sevolth said with a certain determination in his voice.

 

Joy noted the determination. Her own tone and posture was less obviously firm. Her walk was the walk of the runaway princess, a dancer's walk, lost in the wonder of a strange place. And yet, there was a strength behind the grace, both mental and physical. Foam titanium bones. Fiber servo systems of a strength to match. Unlike most true human females, she walked beside the Gorn male without a trace of fear. If her voice was musical, flowing with an archaic European accent, she spoke now with just the slightest touch of iron. "We share a common interest. We both wish a functional diplomatic community working here. I have another interest, internal to the Federation. There is a political divide, within the Federation, between Pragmatists and Idealists. The Pragmatists tend to see the Federation as a single political entity. They see things in terms of power struggles of various flavors, military, economic, political and scientific. Pragmatists tend to congregate in Starfleet Admiralty, and in the Federation's executive branch.

 

"The Idealists see the Federation as an alliance of sovereign independent planets. The noninterference principle, the Prime Directive, the Federation Constitution, state that the Federation may not interfere with the culture or government of the planets. To maintain this principle, all branches of the Federation over government are controlled and overseen by ambassadors representing the planets. As Pragmatists are frequently found in Starfleet Admiralty and the executive branch, Idealists are quite common in Council and the Assembly. There is a shifting balance of power between Federation and planets, between executive and legislative branches, between Starfleet and Council. Unfortunately, the Dominion conflict created a perceived need for central authority and adversarial military thinking. In the aftermath of war, there is usually correction, as civilian authority and legislative oversight are restored. What you are seeing on Aegis reflects that this restoration is not yet complete."

 

Joy looked up to meet Sidega's eyes. "We Joys are accustomed to seeing Starfleet Admirals from an unusual perspective. They really are different when viewed from inside a Council booth. We have grown accustomed to being treated with respect. We have grown accustomed to complete and truthful answers to questions. We have grown accustomed to adjusting the attitude of little Admirals who don't meet these expectations. While you aren't of the Federation, and don't have my security clearances, if this effort at Aegis is to work, you are owed all of the respect, and a good deal of the answers.

 

"But thank you for bringing me here," she continued, relaxing again, looking out again at the history and the dust. "Idealists like me will battle for ideas. It is enough to say sentients cannot be detained without cause, or to propose freedom of the space lanes for its own sake. The practical consequences -- a stressed economy, hungry children -- matter too. If you intend to pressure San Francisco, pragmatic arguments as well as idealistic will serve. We need fifty one percent. It matters not which fifty one percent."

 

Ambassador Sidega looked a little reserved. "I will keep all this in mind when it becomes time. At the moment we must deal with those who don't feel they have the luxury for idealistic notions." He stopped and looked up at the large building now in front of them. "And pragmatic thought doesn't include a peaceful ending."

[Sevolth Sidega 0]

The Cardassian secretary stepped into the office. "Ambassador Sidega and Ambassador Joy are here to see you." The two dignitaries followed closely behind and came to the center of the office as the administrator behind the desk looked up.

 

Motioning towards the secretary, "You may leave." As the door closed he looked from Joy to Sidega. " I was unaware you wanted the Federation in on our governments dealings."

 

Sevolth showed no emotion. "We can discuss those issues later." He didn't react to the glancing look the Mudd Ambassador gave him. "That's not what we're here for."

 

"That you are even here is remarkable seeing as Starfleet has decided to shut down all commerce and travel in and out of the system." Contempt almost visible dripped from his lips at the mention of Starfleet. The whole time his eyes were locked onto Joy. "But I see the dignitaries of the Federation have free passage wherever they like."

 

Joy spoke softly, though clearly. "Ambassador Sidega created his own freedom. I am here as his guest. I believe those with diplomatic credentials may now come and go to Aegis freely."

 

Turning back to Sevolth. "I told you Starfleet thinks it runs or should be running the entire galaxy. Allowing them here only increases their arrogance."

 

 

Joy found herself dismayed to be agreeing with the Cardassian view of a domineering Starfleet, though she suspected Starfleet too saw itself surrounded by a sea of arrogance. At some point, the various parties would have to start actually listening to one another. As she considered how to say this, however, Sidega stepped in.

 

"Enough." There was an imposing nature to his tone. It was not something Joy had seen yet from the otherwise cordial Gorn. "It is reckless posturing like that we've come to prevent." The Cardassian looked coldly back at Sidega but remained silent. "I am more than willing to work with you to achieve the full measure of independence you want for Cardassia. But, if you press the issue now I will not support you. Your following is growing but you still need outside help or it all falls to dust."

 

The Administrator leaned back in his chair in thought. Joy stood intrigued at the details she was not privy to yet. Sevolth remained motionless as he waited for the Cardassian to finally speak.

 

"It is the reliance on others that turns Cardassian pride to dust."

 

"Pride has gotten your people into enough troubles lately."

 

The Administrator sighed heavily, making no attempt to rebut the point.

 

"Give us time. We do wish to help Cardassia, both Gorn AND the Federation. But don't use this one mistake of Starfleet to press for something that isn't going to happen yet."

 

Recollecting himself and sitting up straighter in his chair, "I am afraid I am not the only one you have to preach to now." He took a brief moment rearranging padds on his desks before looking back up at both of them. "A Consul-General has been assigned to your Aegis facility. This does not effect what we've already prepared Ambassador Sidega, but you will have to discuss such grander aspects of diplomacy with him."

 

Sidega paused briefly. Quietly, "We will see to that in time." He could tell this was a posting the Administrator had sought. Some of the desperation in his voice earlier made a little more sense now. "I still believe in your vision for Cardassia's future." Cautiously, "Don't let rash actions destroy it. Don't think desperate steps are needed to keep it safe."

 

He didn't look up at either of them. "If you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do."

[Sorehl 0]

What a great log series... keep it up!

[Sevolth Sidega 0]

They were out in the open air again, walking ancient streets. Joy thought she felt the reality of it, now. Somewhere, she would have to find the numbers. Not all who made decisions would find the time to walk among the people they were supposedly here to help. Thus, spreadsheets and reports, clearer in some ways, totally detached from a dusty reality in others.

 

 

She turned to her large companion. "Have I prattled enough of ideals, today. Would I be forgiven for rephrasing the problem from the abstract?"

 

 

"We've had enough action without thought. There can still be some thought without actions to balance the equation."

 

 

"The Prime Directive. Do not interfere with the normal development of any society." She shook her head. "So many exceptions. The aftermath of war is traditionally one of them. Provide aid to the defeated to help recovery, while meddling to create a reshaped culture such that the war need not be fought again. Always, the reshaped culture thinks itself ready to fly before the falconer is willing to let it free. Never, the reshaped culture thrilled to be treated as clay. Do you think them nearly ready to fly?"

 

 

"I think many people forget that the last legitimate government Cardassia had was a civilian one. If not for the idiotic invasion by the Klingons, Cardassia would never have accepted Gul Dukot's alliance with the Dominion. So we are not talking about some featherless chick trying to leave the nest. The Cardassians have been caged by their own military and they freed themselves. Then they were caged by fear of the Klingons which just chased them into the Dominion's cage." Sevolth stopped in his tracks and looked over at Joy. "Cardassia was liberated not defeated." Pausing a moment, "I just want to help them not be afraid," he said and continued his forward pace.

 

"I would be interested in knowing how you were going to help. You mentioned some arrangements already made."

 

"Just a beginning." Not looking at her, "I'd hate to spoil the surprise."