Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [31]
“Yes. As will the Romulan diplomatic delegation. Their own ship arrived a few hours ago.”
“Ah,” said Tabor, bobbing his head agreeably. “I trust that they have sent their best diplomats?”
“The leader of their group is a woman named T’Alik. I do not bother to remember those of her subordinates.”
“T’Alik can be very persuasive,” Tabor said soberly.
“I think she will not persuade our First Protector much,” Curince said. “The Romulan presence is tolerated only because they have not struck against us. They claim neutrality, but Falhain’s minions-the so-called ‘Army of Light’- have allied themselves politically with the Romulans. We feel that taints the Star Empire, showing them as the enemy of the duly proper government of our world.”
One of the Chiarosan escorts let out a discreet clicking sound, holding up a smaller version of the padd-like device Curince had given Picard. The senator looked at it briefly, then back to the landing party. “The location has been announced. Security will be minimal, so it is our fervent hope that Falhain’s people will act honorably in this matter.” She paused for a moment, before looking pointedly at Tabor and Picard. “I am hopeful that the presence of an outside arbiter at this meeting-and that of the Federation-will allow for a sense of security, and begin a closure of this difficult rift among our people.”
Tabor smiled warmly. “Madam Senator, I believe I can promise you that the détente that we are about to inaugurate today will change the future of Chiaros IV-for the better… and forever.”
Picard stared at Tabor for a moment. He hadn’t liked the ambassador much, but he had to admit that the man had both charm and a persuasive demeanor. Perhaps he could help to bring an end to the Chiarosan political struggle.
As they stepped forward, Tabor leaned in toward Picard and whispered. “Senator Curince is telling the truth about the Archimedes. At least as far as she knows.” Picard did not need to question how the Ullian ambassador was aware of what Curince knew or did not know. He also knew that Ullian telepathy tended to be more intrusive than one of Troi’s empathic scans.
Picard wondered: If the man would enter the senator’s mind with so little compunction, then what else might he be capable of?
Curince didn’t explain what their meeting place had once been used for, and neither Picard nor Tabor asked. The circular arena had many columns and benches in the main part, with shadowed recesses and rows of stadium seating rising up on every side. Although it seemed almost like a sporting or gladiatorial arena, Picard was under the impression that it might actually have been used for lectures or debates of some sort. Given the visible dust, it had not been used in quite some time.
Standing in the well-lit center of the arena was First Protector Ruardh and her bodyguards, while the perimeter of the room was ringed with a dozen or more soldiers. A stately matron, Ruardh was wearing an auburn dress that complimented the long plaited braid of brown-blond hair that curled down her shoulders. The dress was split in the center, wrapping around each leg, allowing for more ease of movement.
Senator Curince introduced Tabor to Ruardh, and the ambassador performed the elaborate hand greeting again. Picard stepped forward as his own name was called, bowing slightly to the Chiarosan leader. “I’m sorry that I cannot greet you in the manner of your people, First Protector,” he said, echoing Tabor’s earlier comment. He also knew better than to introduce his “subordinates” this time.
“No slight is taken, Captain. And your very presence here suggests to me that you will be much more… successful than the previous delegation the Federation sent.”
“Captain Picard is often successful, First Protector,” said a strong voice. A robed Romulan woman stepped toward the group from a side entrance, three other Romulan functionaries at her sides. “He commands Starfleet’s finest warcraft, the vaunted U.S.S. Enterprise.