The Low Orbit Option

[Ambassador TSalik 0]

From behind, a firm hand clamped down on the shoulder of the Vulcan diplomat. “You take a lot of chances coming without an escort,” the brusque voice admonished.

 

With all the discipline of her m’neimon-ahr training, the Federation Envoy-General to Cardassia Prime avoided bristling at the human’s touch. “As one of the few Vulcans on Cardassia,” T’Salik explained without turning around, “it would be difficult to move discretely by any means.” She glanced over to her shoulder, a subtle prompt to cease the uninvited contact. “Nevertheless, as we both know,” she added, “I have a faithful attendant keeping careful watch.” She felt the hand withdraw.

 

Robert Muldoon puffed his cigar, circling around until he was in front of the Vulcan diplomat. “Vogel must be losing his touch,” the former-Marine major observed, looking off. “I told him to stay undercover.” Muldoon dropped into the nearest padded chair, putting his boots up on the table between them. "You're observant. I should never underestimate a blonde."

 

“Hopefully, your efforts have been more successful,” T’Salik prompted.

 

“It’s a big, chaotic planet,” he offered. “More than enough to hide a single blue diplomat.” Muldoon took another puff.

 

“But you have leads on Ambassador Raumuk.”

 

“Plenty,” Muldoon agreed, blowing a plume of smoke. “All conflicting: The Centrists hold him hostage. Freedom Party wants to make an example. Reunion front captured him as a terrorist. Secret negotiations with one or all of them. He’s rebuilding Z’lo with his bare hands. Those are the less fanciful ones.”

 

T’Salik leaned forward, lifting a cup of red leaf tea to her lips. “Then you are no closer,” she surmised.

 

Muldoon put his feet down. “We’ve got a lot more leads than Starfleet has.”

 

The Vulcan observed him. “Your methods are more discrete?” she asked.

 

“Hardly,” the former-Marine admitted, “but thanks to you, I’ve got a warm blanket of diplomatic immunity."

 

She set down her cup firmly. “Don’t make me regret it, Mr. Muldoon,” she cautioned. “Those credentials make you a representative of the Federation Assembly.”

 

“This ain’t Federation space,” he countered, putting his feet down, “and I’m not Marshall here. We both know why you asked for my help.”

 

He let a long pause lapse between them.

 

“Yes,” T’Salik finally agreed. “I’m well aware of your qualifications – and the risks. I seem to recall you got your last commanding officer imprisoned.”

 

Muldoon ignored the halfhearted taunt. “It would take less groundwork locating your Andorian friend if we could use low orbital scans.”

 

“We have no such option,” T’Salik replied, shaking her head. “Sky Harbor circles the central star independently, between the third and fourth planets. It is currently a quarter orbit away, an unlikely distance for isolating a single life form.”

 

Muldoon considered, puffing. “But a ship could. My sources say Yorktown is back in the system. You could always use your diplomatic skills on Halloway… he even has a weakness for blondes.”

 

T’Salik dismissed the suggestion. “You’re suggesting putting a warship in orbit just months before free elections? Are you aware of the political ramifications? I seriously doubt Admiral Meve would support such a deployment. He does not seem to share my priorities.”

 

Muldoon looked off for a moment.

 

For that same moment, her Vulcan mind considered whether the former-Marine was plotting exactly the kind of incident that would support such a deployment. Although he’d been instrumental in foiling the assassination of Governor Briel, Muldoon had also been known for less principled actions during the war. She readied stern warnings, but instead heard him ask, “The Klingons never moved their little orbital outpost, did they?”

 

She blinked, betraying none of her previous thoughts. “Unless I’m mistaken,” she responded, “it was abandoned in place and remains unoccupied.”

 

Muldoon merely smiled, tilting his cigar up at an odd angle before taking it from his mouth. “Then it sounds like we do have an option.”

Edited March 18, 2005 by Ambassador TSalik