Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 26

[Founder]

-DSG, OPS-

A smirk crossed Jone's face.

"Yeah, one," He replied, "Gurz..."

-DSG, Mess Hall-

The Tellerite representative looked at Archer in disgust. His obese frame shifted as he replied.

"It is thanks to us that you're not under Cardassian rule suffering under their policies." He commented.

Terrance looked over at Ian, a sad look on his face.

"Your father was well known in the Federation captain," He said, "A man of integrity, but he was assigned to DSG. No offense, but this is a rather...distant position to have. He was not aware of the inner workings of the UFP."

Ian felt uncomfertable when others mentioned his father. The man was killed by the Elerrans nearly four years ago. One of his last communiques to Ian was about Starfleet and how it's corruption grew. It shook Ian to the core, but he ignored it, thinking it was only paranoia.

"My father knew something," He said, "I saw things. I know it. There is proof that Starfleet is taking a toll for the worst and to make matters worse, you all confirm it and even glorify it. This is wrong. You can't simply abandon principle-"

Terrance interrupted quickly.

"We are not abandoning anything," He said, his voice raising, "I'm telling you that we are simply focusing on the problems of resources, rebuilding, and this new war. We don't have time to run investigations on each and every captain and member of the Federation council. Do you understand?"

He looked at both Ian and Archer.

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Ops

Benson smirked back. He hated that smug bastard, he met him a couple years ago. "I don't suppose you don't have any evidence?"

DSG, Mess Hall

Archer sat there, delaying his response. He shook his head, it was no use, these people were stuborn and pig headed. Archer looked to Ian, then back to terrace. He nodded slowly. Archer picked up his glass and started at it. Oh, how lucky these men are that Archer was remembering his oath of Loyalty.

[Valathous]

~ Mess Hall, Deep Space Guardian ~

Blake listened intently to the conversation, all the while eating his meal, though, which was spaghetti and meatballs. This made him rather content. He hoped not to be dragged into this conversation which was why he continued eating rather than looking antsy and wanting in. His own personal views were much more far-fetched than anything being conveyed at this gloomy table, though if he were to be asked anything he would claim a mostly neutral position if only to maintain his status quo in terms of trust.

Blake couldn't wait until all of this was over. Russ had undoubtedly given him a datachip with some form of instructions for something, and once all this commotion and the magic show were over Blake would have Dagenais and the team escort the President while Blake talked to Russ in private, or hopefully even before then so he would not have to have the President leave his site while on board the station.

[Founder]

-DSG, OPS-

Jones frowened and shook his head.

"Not really," He said, "Other than the coincedence that while his show was going on, thefts were reported. When it ended, the thefts stopped. Although, that could be argued in HIS favor. I mean, the perpetrator may simply be using the show as a cover..."

-DSG, Mess Hall-

An awkward silence filled the room as Ian and Archer remained silent. He could feel all eyes on him and his best friend. His hands gripped the utensils and he cut into the tender meat on his plate. He ate only to divert attention and look busy. Ian didn't want to look at the others in the room. He felt so much anger and hurt. The betrayel he felt was strong. This was not the Starfleet he knew. Terrance may have proved a point that they simply don't have the time to investigate the corruption in Starfleet, but he felt that Terrance should have at least said he would look into it. Even if the words were hollow, they were still there. Wasn't that what politicians did? Say lies to comfert people? Then again, Terrance was voted in for his honesty and brutal way of conveying the truth. Ian brought the piece of steak into his mouth and chewed. It was tasty, but that did not deter his mood. He had no doubt that some of the officials at the table were corrupt, but he wasn't sure about Goddard. Maybe he was simply dissallusioned with everything he had seen? Ian didn't know. He wondered if he would keep his position or would be demoted for the way he acted. A scary thought crossed his mind that he would be killed...

[Talking Rain]

DSG, Mess Hall

Shanna was sitting at the table with her captain, and was looking back and forth from Captian's Xavier and Archer and Tellerite. Shanna looked at the Tellerite and thought for a moment. "So your saying that because of you, your people saved us from the Cardasians. Well I hate to bust your bubble sir, but I firmly believe that it was people like Captain's Archer and Xavier, my old Captain on the USS Saratoga, and my father. Who might I add is a Starfleet Admiral and also Ambassador to Federation. Not that I don't think your people can do something like that. But don't you think we all worked together to win that war." Shanna said as she as ate her pasta and ceaser salad.

[La Forge]

DSG, OPS

Melina looked over to Commander Benson, with a scowl on her face. Melina had never been the most friendly of people.

"And..." Melina began, sounding annoyed. "Who might you be?" Melina asked, harshly.

DSG, Mess Hall

Juliana had watched the entire interlude between the two Captains and the President, in silence.

All the while, Juliana had her head down, focused on her food, which consisted of a salad and Klingon blood wine. An odd combination, sure, but, sitting next to that Klingon for so long had brought out the Klingon inside of her. She was in the mood for something a little Klingon. She had even considered ordering some racht, but, Juliana didn't dare go that far. She didn't want to be eating something that was still alive. Plus, worms were not Juliana's bag.

Juliana didn't want to get dragged into the argument. Juliana, while being a huge history buff and an active political speaker, back at the Academy, was not one to get into a debate with her superiors...And, most certainly not with the President of the United Federation of Planets, that's for damn sure.

However, with time, the Juliana had built more and more confidence. She was dying to speak, to share her views...

"I'm sorry, Mister President, but, the Captain has a point." Juliana blurted out, dropping her fork onto her plate, clanging against the ceramic plate. "The Federation is not the same. While I don't have the same expertise or knowledge as the Captain does, nor does my family have a military record, I can say that this Federation is different than the one that I read about in the Academy. And, that was only a few years ago. Ever since the Borg and the Dominion came around, nothing has been the same. It doesn't make sense to me. We managed to survive those incidents. We will survive this war with the Nautolians. And, still...the government seems to believe that we need to resort to under-the-table, shady techniques to get the job done. Personally, I don't like this Starfleet operation that Major Katran is running. I don't believe that what they are doing is right. Plus, I was on Akiama. Not a pretty sight. If the Guardian and the Hippocratic Oath hadn't been there, things would have not turned out the way they did. And, you have the nerve to abandon planets just because they are unimportant? How...heartless. If you keep this up, we'll have another Maquis on our hands. Plus, Ensign Taylor, over here. Her superior officer raped her and he got away with it because of a simple bribe. And, what...? She is demoted for it. What? Does that make any sense to you, Mister President? No...I don't think that it does. And, more and more of this is continuing to happen. If this...treachery...doesn't end soon, I wouldn't be suprised if the Federation falls apart...These kinds of actions could even result in a..." Juliana gulped. "...civil war, of sorts. To be frank, you and your friends in the government need to get your act together."

By the time that Juliana had finished, her face was flushed and her breathing rapid. She wondered what sort of consequences her words would bring upon her...She had spoken against the President of the bloody United Federation of Planets!

[Founder]

-DSG, Entertainment Room-

Terrance's utensils hit the plate hard and he rose from his seat, an unfamiliar and angry look on his face.

"I did not come here to debate policies with a crew that serves in the backwaters of space," He said, "Good night."

He turned away, a scowl on his face. Various security officers and aides rushed after him. Other diginitaries rose from their seats and left the room. Russ sat in his seat as the other admirals rose to leave. He stared at Ian intently and then quietly spoke.

"You were right about one thing," He said, "Your father knew more than he let on."

Ian looked back at him, but Russ didn't explain what he meant. He simply stood up and walked out, leaving Ian alone with a few others...

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Ops

Benson turned. "Oh, forgive me Ma'am, I am Commander Benson. You must be the Bajorian Liasion officer..."

DSG, Mess Hall

Archer sighed. He looked down at the plate and thought a moment. He then nudged Ian, and motioned for him to follow him, alone.

[Founder]

-DSG, Mess Hall-

Ian slid his chair back and stood up, following after Archer. As the two walked out into the now empty corridor, Ian spoke before Archer could.

"I know what you're going to say Jon," He said, "But I had to say something."

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Corridor

Archer sighed and shook his head. He patted his friend on the shoulder. "Ian...you were right to." Archer sighed again and looked out the viewport. "After that...'show' in there, I know we are in trouble." Archer looked back. "And we are in trouble." Archer turned to face Ian, a dead serious look on his face. "I am reminded by the saying: 'Put a Frog in boiling water, and he'll jump out. Put a Frog in cold water, and heat it up gradually, and he will sit there and slowly boil to death.'" Archer took a step closer to Ian. "We're the frog in the gradually heating water...."

[Talking Rain]

DSG, Entertainment Room

Shanna could hear father in her head saying bad forum. She got up and followed Terrance. "Excuse me Terrance was it?" Shanna asked. "I just want to apogloice for what I said. That was bad forum on my part. The word Cardasian is so touchy is because I lost my eldest brother to the Cardasians. My father is Admiral Russel "Bold Wolf" Taylor. And the best dipolomat in the federation. You see he had to be the one tell me the Recce died." Shanna said with a sad tone. "If you see my dad, tell him for me that I'm ok." Shanna said as she started to walk away but Terance's voice stopped her.

[Founder]

-DSG, Corridor-

Ian slowly nodded his head while leaning against a bulkhead.

"So it seems," He replied, "I'm not sure what will happen to us, if anything. I'm just more disturbed that even the highest echelons in Starfleet are looking away..."

-DSG, Another Corridor-

Terrance stared at the peculiar woman.

"I know who your father is," He replied, "And I shall relay the message."

He turned away and began to head back towards his quarters.

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Corridor

Archer stood a moment then nodded. "Who can we trust? I don't mean the higher ups, or in command, I mean, who do we personally know that we can trust?" Archer steped closer and whispered. "If something happens...."

[Talking Rain]

DSG, Corridor

"Recce give the strength." Shanna said to herself. As she walked around the corner. She once again ran into someone, which wasn't Captian Xavier. She looked at the man that she knocked to floor. It then dawned on her from the face that he was the man she had hit in Ops. "I'm so sorry. Captian is it?" Shanna said as she got up and then held out to a hand to help him up. Once we they were both righted she spoke again. "My name is Ensign Shanna Taylor sir. And of of course we met before." Shanna said. Shanna pointed first to herself, then to him, then his eye, then she made a punching motion.

[Founder]

-DSG, Corridor-

Ian stared at the soft carpet of the floor. He contemplated Archer's question for several minutes before finally responding.

"I know of a friend," He said, "Unfortunetly she is serving in deep space mission in the Beta quadrant. I know several admirals that were friends of my fathers. Maybe my family, a few others. None that would really matter if it all hit the fan. I don't know..."

[Lord Borg]

((Hahaha! yay! a T'Sa refernce )
DSG, Corridor

Archer nodded slowly. "I know a few to I'll--" Archer felt the bump and turned back and looked. He recognized the woman as she spoke. He nodded. "Of course, Ensign Taylor." Archer bowed slightly. "Captain Archer..." He looked over to Ian with the look 'we must continue this discusion at some point.' He smiled at Shanna. "I trust your feeling well?"

[Omet'Ikilan]

-Deep Space Nine-

MU Merik, who now went by the name Sailus shimmered onto the OPS section of DS9. Many officers raised arms at him, but noticing his Commanders uniform they put down their weapons and kept working. Sailus walked to the Oyets office door.

He signalled his arival

"OYET OPEN THE DAMN DOOR" he shouted.

[Founder]

-DS9, Sisko's Office-

The doors swooshed open and the Cardassian looked up.

"Come in." He beckoned.

[Omet'Ikilan]

-DS9, Sisko's office-

Sailus walked into "Sisko's" office with rage on his face.

"Oyet, look. I will not sit idly by, with a fleet under my command." He snapped. "My men are becoming restless, they are starting to threaten mutiny!, If this continues any longer, I may take matters into my own hands"

[Founder]

-DS9, Sisko's Office-

Oyet looked at the mirror universe counterpart, who now serves Fito. A smirk was on the Cardassian's face.

"Shut up Sailus," He said, "You will address me with the proper tone of respect. I am the leader of Cardassia and can have you easily executed you mongrel."

He called them that due to his half human, half Romulan genes.

"Your fleet is of no consequence," He said, "Emperor Obsidian has a new task for you."

He slid him a PADD.

[Hitchhiker]

-DSG, Engineering-

Grey grunted. Then that junction would not be working anytime soon. "Fetch replacement gel-paks from storage," he told Macabee.

Then he brought up the internal sensor logs and looked at them. Grunting again with dissatisfaction, Grey tapped his combadge. "Grey to Security. We have a problem. Someone has stolen several bio-neural gel-paks right from under our nose, directly from the system."

[Talking Rain]

DSG, Corridor

Shanna grinned back at Archer. "I'm feeling much better, but not so for duty just yet." Shanna said. For some strange reason she felt a calm peace being around this man. In fact both of them. But Archer the most. He would be what the Cheyenne called, "Wa-do-mai", meaning "Blood Brother". She thought of Archer as a blood brother. "I hate to ask this, but how's your eye?" Shanna asked as she winced sympthically.

[Lord Borg]

DSG, Corridor

Archer chuckled. "It's fine, good as new thanks to sickbay." Archer moved his shoulder blades to relive some of the tension from earlier. "It's good to see you up and about ensign, perhaps we will run into each other again in the future."

[Omet'Ikilan]

-DS9 Sisko's Office-

Sailus read over the first few lines in anger, then looked up at Oyet confused.

"This will not be an easy task." he said angrily. "But I suppose it will give me something to do while my fleet awaits orders."

He litterally threw the pad back at Oyet,

"I will send word from Deep Space Guardian" He said as he tapped a button on his sleeve that initiated his transport back to his main ship.

[Valathous]

~ Corridor, Deep Space Guardian ~

After all of the guests, now angered, got up and left the table Blake waited a moment. He took a few more bites out of his food seeing as a big man needs his nourrishment...

Blake needed to speak with Admiral Russ. It had to have been important if Russ made the trip all this way under the simple guise of wanting such trivial and tasteless entertainment. Blake had been one of the few who did not applaude the act, in fact, he was rather bored the entire time.

Blake was now outside the messhall in the corridor where he met Admiral Russ who had been walking slowly, knowing that Blake would make his way over to him.

"So Admiral, care to discuss any of those old security techniques you think could trump mine in efficiency?" Blake said with a smirk to Russ seeing as there were other people around.