Talk of Treaties

Posted on Sat Feb 7th, 2026 @ 3:17pm by Riov Olmex Thikoho [Reece] & Captain Gary Taylor & Consul Andrinn Orin & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: USS Elysium
Timeline: MD 2 / 1000
1701 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

At the agreed upon hour, the petty officer running the transporter controls, straightened up, as the doors slid open, and three of the senior staff walked. He nodded to the Commodore, the Executive officer, and the Chief Diplomat, in order.

"Anything we should know going into this? What have the Romulans said about even helping us out?" Andrinn asked, curiously as they walked into the Transporter Room.

"Prisoner transfer and help with repairs." Phoenix said. "Which will give them a chance to see our systems of course. But beggers cannot be choosers, I believe is the human expression. "

"You are correct Commodore ." Gary answered. "Here's another one. "Better the devil I know than the devil I don't. The Romulans are a known staple."

"Well, at least we'd be able to see a bit more about more modern Romulan technology. Especially since they've become a little more isolated over the last few years," Andrinn said as he waited to see when the Romulan ship signaled for them to transport over.

The transporter operator nodded at all three senior officers as they entered. As everyone stood ready, the transporter console beeped. "The Havarha is signaling ready to transport, Commodore."

"Energise." She ordered.

The chief nodded as she worked her controls. In seconds, the transport chamber lit up, and sto beings began to solidify. One was the Romulan commander, Olmex, the other was a young male, with the Romulan version of Chief Petty Officer.

When the transport cycle ended, Olmex stepped forward and stopped in front of Phoenix. "Commodore, thank you again for agreeing to our two crews working together. I sincerely hope that this experience will leave a better taste in your mouth, than the last time you encountered my people."

Gary was quiet as Olmex addressed Phoenix but he was thinking. *Can't get a worse taste, than the last time we tangled.*

Andrinn stayed close behind both Gary and Phoenix. He didn't say anything yet, as he hadn't been addressed by the Romulan delegation, nor had Phoenix had a chance to speak. Not only that though, Andrinn was curious to see what Olmex had to say. Romulans usually held their cards close to their hearts, so anything Andrinn could gleam from the conversation was better than nothing.

"Riov, this is our Lead Ambassador, Consul Andrinn Orin." Phoenix said with a nod. "He will be involved moving forward, as we want to make sure everyone is happy."

Olmex dipped his head respectfully to Andrin. "Ambassador. As my ship does not have an ambassador of our own, I will have to fill the role. It is an honor to meet you, Sir."

Andrinn dipped his head and replied, "Jolan tru. It's nice to finally make your acquaintance. Thank you for meeting us and coming onboard. We hope that you find the facilities onboard to your liking. We've made some preparations for you."

Olmex nodded and politely grinned. "If it's as before, your observation lounge, that id adequate. I am not a career diplomate, who insists on being pampered, Sir. I am a warrior, one who has given the majority of his life protecting the Romulan Empire. We can discuss our various terms plainly."

Andrinn couldn't help but let out a small chuckle because he knew exactly what Olmex was talking about. He looked at Olmex and said, "That I can understand. The first person that came to mind when you said that was Lwaxana Troi of Betazed. Wonderful woman, but...very demanding."

Andrinn looked at Phoenix and the rest of the people assembled and said, "Well, with your permission Commodore, I'd say we can head on up to the Observation Lounge and start working on this treaty. Unless we have something else in mind for Olmex?"

Phoenix shook her head. "No, lets get this sorted."

Andrinn led everyone out of the transporter room and up to Deck Two, where the Diplomatic Conference Rooms were located. Andrinn had pre-selected several dishes from everyone's homeworld, including Olmex. He looked at everyone before turning to Olmex and saying, "I've managed to get some treats from around the universe. I even managed to get my hands on some Romulan Ale that we somehow had in storage. So, before we begin, if you'd like a little bite to eat, be our guests."

Olmex smiled politely as he responded. "With respect, Sir," he began carefully, clearly not wanting to cause any insult. "I am not a diplomat. While I understand that a cee5ain amount of...fluff, I belive is the word that the Humans use...in regards to any diplomatic talk, I would rather we just speak clearly and stick to the facts of the issues. Unlike when we were back home, out here, we are both alone. Together, we stand a better chance of surviving, than we do apart. Let us simply talk of how to best ensure both of our crews survive as best as possible?"

Andrinn couldn't help but smile a little bit. He tried to hide it a bit because he didn't want to seem disrespectful or anything. But, Andrinn liked it when people were blunt sometimes. It cut out the red tape and trying to figure out how much or little of talks were...fluff. Taking a seat and offering up a seat for Olmex, Andrinn said, "I can appreciate the no fluff. But, like you said, we're going to have to be factual with each other, since we're going to have to work with one another. Do you and the rest of your crew think you can be honest and open with us? We'd be honest and open in return, of course. Both sides are going to need information if we are to truly get back home and it's going to be best honest information. Not half baked truth from one side or another."

Olmex sat across the table, facing Andrinn. Nodding slightly, the warrior replied cautiously. "It will be difficult transition, obviously, given the history of our two peoples." He pa7sed to take a breath, thrn continued. "Personally, I do not have any ill feelings against you, Starfleet or the Federation. We may have a difference of looking at the universe we share, but at the end of the day, we are only doing what is best for our people."

After taking another breath, Olmex continued. "Given that we both possess certain technological and military secrets that would not be shared, at least not yet, I feel that, generally speaking, we can be open and honest in our dialogs and exchanges, provided that you are equally honest with yours."

Andrinn shrugged and said, "Yeah, that's understandable. I can understand wanting to keep certain things under wraps, such as military secrets. But, no beating around the bush either. Like, I'm sure that we've both scanned the other vessel and know some of their capabilities. So, we know the other is equally matched."

Getting up and walking out the viewport for a moment, Andrinn finally looked back at Olmex and said, "Tell me something. Honestly. Have you had much luck with any of the local species around here? We've....had some run ins with several of them, but others have been gracious to us."

Olmex shrugged slightly. "We have had a few interactions with some of the natives, however, we are a ship of war, not an explorer, like Elysium." He took a quick breath, then continued, handing over a data rod. "Here is a detailed list and biographical information of the four species we encountered. That isn't including the slavers whom you ecountered and subsequently crippled."

Andrinn took the data rod and looked it over once. Then again. He pulled out a isolinear chip from a nearby station and handed it over to Olmex before saying, "Here's a list as well for you. It includes the same information about the people and species that we've encountered. Maybe, something that we could do is look over the information and come back together to see what we can't figure out about this region and maybe, a way to either get back home or go from here. I'm sure that neither one of our people truly loves the idea of spending eternity out here, becoming a generational ship to get home."

"Maybe, what we can do is look over the information and maybe meet sometime in the next day or so to figure out where both crews stand on everything. Compare notes and go from there. Unless there's something more?" Andrinn asked, putting his hands behind his back, studying the Romulan.

Olmex took the offered chip and considered the offer carefully. After a beat, he nodded as he replied. "That sounds like the best plan that we can pursue at this time. And no, we do not relish the idea of never seeing our home again. Especially as our ship is not designed for long term operation, such as you are describing."

"Okay, how about we meet up again in a few hours or even early tomorrow to go over everything? Compare some notes and maybe find a way to get home sooner rather than later," Andrinn offered up as a solution to Olmex.

Olmex nodded once in agreement. "That would be acceptable, Sir." He paused a beat, then asked, "As my vessel does not possess dedicated diplomatic spaces, perhaps it would be best to conduct our discussions here, aboard your vessel?"

"It works for me, as long as it's okay with the Captain and the Commodore? If it's good with them, it's good with me!" Andrinn replied with a small smile as he offered it up to Captain Taylor and Commodore Lalor.

Phoenix nodded. "That works for me." She had her own issues with the former Riov of the Romulan vessel but she considered this a clean slate.

"Okay, then we can meet back up in a few hours to see what we might be able to come up with," Orin said with a soft smile.

Olmex dipped his head respectfully to all present, and the meeting broke up, everyone going their seperate ways. It was a good first step between the two former enemies. Hopefully, there would be many more after today.

~OFF~