Negotiations: Opening Gambit
Posted on Wed Aug 19th, 2026 @ 8:22pm by Captain Erik Norsgaard & Lieutenant Bartholomew Hale & Lieutenant Daegan Baas
1,826 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
The Invisible Hand
Location: Bridge | Deck 1 | USS Thunderbird
Timeline: MD005 - 0800
Ambassador Tasat stepped onto the command deck of the Ocett just as it dropped from warp. On the screen, growing larger was the Federation starship carrying the Federation delegation for the negotiations. He planned on pushing the Federation very very hard. The Maquis were giving them the excuse they needed and he was going to use that to their advantage.
Stepping to the side of the command dais. "Gul Zelar. Let's ignore their hails for a time.
Zelar had been watching the Thunderbird draw closer and rose to his feet as the Ambassador arrived. "Interesting," he said softly. "Do you think it will make them more eager to negotiate?"
"No, but by proceeding on our schedule and not theirs we establish dominance early. Plus it will make them curious, wondering what we are up to, and I want them anxious...if even only a little."
"Very well," Zelar said thoughtfully as he studied the ship on the view screen. He'd had some experience with this ship; his son was recovering, true, but still, if intelligence had it right, the Federation was not what it once was. Torn apart by internal conflict might present opportunities that could be exploited. He liked that idea.
[Meanwhile, On The Thunderbird]
"They're not answering our hails, Sir," the Operations officer said. "Shall I continue?"
"Hold off for now," Erik said. "And ask Ambassador Oryx to join us on the Bridge."
"Aye, Sir," the Operations officer answered. "Ambassador Oryz, the Captain requests your presence on the Bridge. The Cardassians have arrived but they aren't answering our hails."
A few moments later, Oryx emerged from the Thunderbird's observation lounge. She had been studying her notes, reviewing service histories and the past decisions of diplomatic endeavours. On the viewscreen, the Ambassador saw the Ocett drifting in space. The cobra-like vessel sat in darkness, its CONN beacons flashing against her golden hull. She clasped her hands together, joining Norsgaard in the center of the bridge. "A lack of reply is not entirely unexpected, Captain."
"Trying to make us nervous," Erik mused. "The way my father did when we misbehaved. We just wait them out, I take it?"
"Yes. Their silence is a message, Captain. They'll leave us to our own devices to make us uncertain, to start guessing, or to make a mistake." She approached the helm station and rested a scaly hand upon it. "The Cardassians consider the first to speak as the one who concedes the initiative. Have they tried to scan the Thunderbird yet?"
"Not as yet," Erik said, "though I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do, still, the dangers we're facing right now aren't ones that show themselves up on a sensors, are they?" He shook his head slowly, his expression turning thoughtful. "We could end up being here quite a while, if no one is willing to make the first move."
"Correct. In all my years, I've never met a bearer of goodwill more cunning than a Cardassian, Captain. Although their lack of scans is promising, it shows an unusual level of restraint. Either that, or they're deviating from their usual doctrine, perhaps under orders not to provoke us. My recommendation is to commit to operations as usual." Her forked tongue flicked out and tasted the air, "We must show them we are unbothered by their silence and are confident in our position. Is there an anomaly or other object of interest nearby that would justify dispatching a shuttle?"
Erik smiled at the Ambassador, "Science is always begging time to investigate something or other. I'm sure they'll be happy to give me several suggestions."
"Indeed. On Cardassia, I would often file paperwork or contact colleagues when this occurred. I will do the same now." Oryx pursed her scaly lips. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you please have your people open an unsecure communications channel to Minister Fraser on Ivor Prime."
"Where would you like to receive it," Erik asked turning toward Ramirez, the current on-duty Operations Officer, "whatever the Ambassador wants."
"Unsecured, Ma'am," Ramirez asked. Young in the position and eager to do a good job, he thought it best to be certain and thus prevent getting yelled at later. Not getting yelled out was a good thing in his book. Maybe a great thing.
"Unsecured, my young friend. Please patch it through to the observation lounge." Oryx replied.
"Yes, Ma'am," Ramirez answered. "Patching it through now."
"Thank you both." Oryx bowed to the pair of officers and started for the observation lounge.
While the Ambassador talked to the Minister while Cardassian ears were sure to be listening, Erik returned to the command chair and started reviewing requests that had come in recently and found one from stellar cartography to do a bit of mapping of a nearby nursery. "Captain to Commander Hale."
=^= "Hale here, Captain." =^=
"Science wants to take some scans of a nearby stellar nursery," Erik said. "We're going to need a shuttle."
=^= "I can spare the Hackenbacker, Captain. She has the full sensor package. Perfect for the job. =^=
"Excellent, Thank you, Hale. Captain out." The arrangements were soon made and, under the watchful eye of the ship, the Hackenbacker with a bunch of happy scientists aboard her, began doing their survey. Norsgaard, meanwhile, remained in his command chair staring out at the silent Ocett and settled into what was amounting to a game of chicken. He shook his head, a minute movement, as he sighed. Politicians, he thought. My nephews play less games than they do.
[Back on the CDS Ocett]
Some time later Tasat had returned to the Ocett's command center after not having been informed of any arrangements or timeframes for transporting to the Starfleet ship. "Gul Zelar, when are we to transport over?"
"Unknown at this time, Ambassador," Zelar said calmly.
The frustration was clear as he took a very deep breath. "I said to ignore their hails for a time...not indefinitely." Huffing he thought momentarily on how to come out on top. He could openly blame Zelar; that he was still angry with the Thunderbird's crew concerning his son's injuries... No, they needed to remain a unified front in their dealings. He could blame the lack of reply on a malfunction... No, that would reflect badly as well, he would just have to deflect the issue if they asked. "Hail them."
"Well, that's the thing, Ambassador," Zelar said as he nodded toward the viewscreen. "They haven't hailed us back. As a matter of fact, they're going about their business as if they have all the time in the world." He nodded toward one of his officers. "Hail the vessel."
Tasat took that bit of information with a bit of a smirk...was it possible that they were playing the same game he had planned.
[Meanwhile On the Thunderbird]
Communications were quickly established. "Captain, the Ocett is hailing us," the Operations officer said. "Ambassador Tasat wishes to speak to Ambassador Oryx."
"About time," Norsgaard muttered. "Notify Ambassador Oryx. I think she's in the Conference Room."
[Conference Room, USS Thunderbird]
"She's incubating twins... again?" Fraser chuckled on the conference room screen.
"Again! That makes eighteen grandchildren." Oryx smirked. She glanced at her PADD, a message coming through that the Cardassians had finally returned the Thunderbird's hails. "They're very close to hatching."
"Very good. Don't forget to send that recipe for biscuits, my kids used to love them!"
"Excellent. Oryx out."
The Ambassador cut the social call to short. In the reflection of the bussard collectors, she could see the Ocett sitting in space. She sighed to herself, aware that somewhere deep in the bowels of the Ocett, an intelligence officer would be scrutinising her communications to within an inch of its life.
[Bridge, USS Thunderbird]
Oryx entered the bridge, her gown's hem fluttering as she returned to Norsgaard's side. "How progresses your scientific investigation, Captain?"
"There are several ecstatic scientists out there taking all sorts of readings," Norsgaard said, chuckling lightly, "who didn't dare hope they'd get a chance to study the nursery this time out. And it would appear that the Ocett is finally answering our hail. Their ambassador wants to speak with you."
"There is no time like the present. It seems we've waited for each other long enough. I am also ready, Captain." Oryx gave a nod, which turned into a slight bow.
"Put them through," Norsgaard ordered. The connection was made and, for the first time, the two Ambassadors faced each other. Zelar stood beside Tasat and Norsgaard remained beside Oryx.
"Ambassador Tasat," Oryx began. "Thank you for answering our hails."
Dropping his chin slightly, he lifted his chin as he spoke. The Ambassador stood in stark contrast to the broad-shouldered Captain. "Greeting Ambassador, Captain..."
Even though the conditions of the talks had already been agreed to Tasat decided to use recent events to cast doubt on those assurances. "...We stand ready to beam you both aboard so that we can get these talks started."
"Ambassador, our agreement had the Thunderbird hosting these talks." The Selay Ambassador's eyes darted between Norsgaard and the Cardassian on the viewscreen. "Is there a challenge with you coming aboard the Thunderbird?"
Glancing to Gul Zelar before speaking. "Given recent events aboard the Thunderbird, including the attack on Gul Zelar's own son while under your protection you can understand our...concerns. We prefer to conduct these talks in a more secure location."
"Ambassador, I remind you, our negotiation terms explicitly stipulate a written proposal for a change of venue at least twelve hours prior. The Federation expects that any further alterations will comply with our agreement." Oryx stepped forward. "However, given your valid concerns, we are willing to make this adjustment."
Tasat raised his hand. She had yielded and offered a concession that he had honestly not expected, "You are correct and this was a very... eleventh hour issue, if I'm using that correctly. Plus I'm sure The Captain's personnel have already prepared your typical Federation accouterments and indulgences. I'd hate for them to have wasted that effort." Glancing to the Gul to his right before looking back at the viewscreen, "I believe an additional security detachment of our own people should be an acceptable middle ground."
"That would be more than acceptable." Oryx nodded. "We appreciate the consideration of the Federation's efforts, Captain Norsgaard and his crew look forward to hosting you. Would one hour be agreeable?"
Tasat nodded, "In an hour then."
"Unless there are any further matters to discuss, Ambassador, we look forward to your arrival on the Thunderbird." Oryx gave a slight bow to the Cardassian.
"Close the channel," Norsgaard ordered and added, after that had been accomplished, "let our scientists know that it's time to come home."
Captain Eryk Norsgaard
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird
Ambassador Oryx
Federation Ambassador
(Written by Lt. Bartholomew Hale)
Ambassador Tasat
Cardassian Ambassador
(Written by Lt. Daegan Baas)
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