The Negotiation

Posted on Tue Dec 6th, 2011 @ 9:24am by Lieutenant Commander Jonathon Bastin PhD & Captain Alexander Gunning

Mission: The Pak'Leth Problem
Location: Paak

[ON]

The expression on the reptilian face of the Pak'Leth Foreign Secretary hardened as he saw the three Starfleet officers sitting in his office. Office was a kind description of the tiny building in which the Foreign Ministry was housed, resembling more closely a backwater police office with its drab decor and lack of any sign of social mobility. It was an instant marker of how the Pak'Leth thought of their Foreign concerns.

His long turn to the communication panel was marked by a long, rasping intake of breath. "Starfleet do not usually come out this far." His tone was dismissive, at best. "You must need something. Or want something."

"We're actually here to root out a smuggling operation we've recently encountered at a Federation installation," Lt. Cmdr. Bastin said rather bluntly.

"Smuggling?!" The Reptilian was affronted, but not enough to allay the suspicions of the shuttle's crew. "How dare you come to our home world and accuse us of some form of government condoned smuggling operation?! What evidence have you of this?!"

"We have a long-standing agreement with the people of the Ritorian Confederacy. There is no secret in that, you odious Starfleet types," the Reptilian said, "we provide them with trade links in your territory of Galactic South as well as opening up lines for their wares outside of their territory. There is no smuggling of anything going on within our sovereign space."

"Our search of a certain vessel under you sovereign authority indicates otherwise, and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but this isn't the first time it's happened. I've found six separate installations over the last few months who have had similar issues with your people. Either this is a very strange coincidence or someone is operating in your names but without your knowledge..." the diplomat retorted.

"I find that hard to believe. What is the name of these... installations?" The Foreign Minister said, shifting nervously in his seat. It was true, it was all true. They had been licensed by an agent claiming to be in the employ of the Ritorians to smuggle cargo through Federation space. Unfortunately, the unreliable nature of their craft meant that they were facing more problems than they had anticipated.

Reinhart spoke up for the first time. "Lanarra was one." He said, plucking the name from the air. "We have also had sworn statements from the Commissar of Ferellan Station that you've been through there."

"Nonsense!" The Foreign Minister snorted, "My craft's routes took them nowhere nea-" He stopped himself, realising that he had already said too much. Tricked! Duped by the scum of the Earth Starfleet. He stared down the camera. "What do you want?"

The response was clear and to the point, "Tell us where the supplies were destined for."

"Thane." The Foreign Minister replied, dejected and feeling as defeated as if he had gone thirteen rounds with a Klingon.

Reinhart deactivated the communications relay and took a long inhale of breath. "We have to get back to the Starbase. Bastin, call ahead and inform Admiral Gunning that we have information of the utmost importance."

[OFF]