Diplomatic Entanglements

Posted on Sat May 25th, 2019 @ 6:31am by

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Subspace Links
Timeline: after Briefing
1607 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Standing alongside Albright in the Ready Room, Anje awaited her Aunt. To say she was uncomfortable with Albright was saying the least, to say that she couldn't believe this buffoon had attained the rank and position he did was on the nose. She looked nervously to Albright, knowing he was getting impatient as well, ~She's never left me waiting this long.~ Anje wondered, ~Something's up. Maybe this time she'll let me know what it is.~

A stunning young woman with short, sandy blonde hair, appeared on the screen, ~Lieutenant Stanford? No, Stafford.~ Anje remembered, taking the young woman in, ~Why does my replacement have to be that much more attractive than me?~ She wondered with a soft smile, "Yes, Lieutenant Stafford?"

"Commanders, the Ambassador and Colonel Tate have been informed of your call." Rebecca answered, looking over and quietly analyzing the two across from her: her predecessor was obviously capable, though the man beside her didn't look like he knew what end of the phaser to point towards the enemy, ~Damn desk jockeys.~ "I'll put you through to her now."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Anje nodded, watching as Stafford was replaced, first by the UFP Diplomatic Corps logo, then the face of her Aunt, Kerri Tate standing like Cerebrus behind her, "Madam Ambassador, Colonel." Anje extended the proper military greetings.

"Commanders, good evening." Zhukov answered, Tate remaining silent and staring at this Albright fellow, "I understand there's some sort of.... diplomatic situation that's arisen."

"Yes, Madam Ambassador." Anje replied, going over the situation, starting with the capture of the shuttle by the Romulans and then the newly arisen situation with the Erisians, "So, that's the broad strokes, though Commander Albright will fill in more details regarding the Erisian situation now."

This was one of the parts of the job Zhukov hated. No, it was the part she hated most, not being able to be open and honest with those she loved. She couldn't be transparent with Little Anje even when her niece served as her aide and now, now when Little Anje was doubtlessly losing her mind anguishing over her missing Liselle, she had to sit there and pretend she didn't already know what was going on, like she wasn't already making moves, ~Poor girl deserves better than this, but it's just not in the cards. Sorry, Kiddo.~

"Yes, I look forward to hearing Lt. Cdr. Albright's slant on this issue. I most look forward to hearing what.... motivated him to call the Erisians at all." She said with a weary expression, "Please, do tell, Commander."

"Sir. Madam Ambassador," Percy addressed each in turn. He stood tall, though he could not help but swallow uncomfortably. "With the reported absence of Captain Phoenix Lalor, a question of custody for her younger sister, Miran Lalor, was at stake. As per our standing diplomatic treaties in place with the Erisian government, I invoked Section 4 Clause 17, and advised them that Ms. Lalor was without proper representation in this manner and invited them to attend to her custody. Sir."

"And were you not aware, Commander Albright, that Section 4 Clause 17 and all existing treaties fall by the wayside when the minor in question is a recipient of asylum?" Zhukov sighed, this new diplomacy was pathetic at best, insulting at worst, "So, essentially, Cdr. Albright, you were going to turn over a teen here in asylum to people who were, most likely, going to execute her. Kind of an epic blunder, wouldn't you agree?"

Zhukov didn't give him time to speak, instead turning back to Little Anje, "And I guess you've called me to fix this mess, Commander Brett?"

"Yes, Madam Ambassador." Anje nodded, sending a message to Tate's PaDD to share with her aunt; now that she knew Aunt Anje was going to handle the Erisians in her own very special way she needed to work on saving Jaeih's ass, "I don't believe Commander Albright acted with malicious intent, Madam Ambassador, I feel he had the Federation's best interests at heart, even if the intel presented to him was faulty."

Zhukov smiled slightly enough not to be noticed, her niece had just stolen a page from the Cowboy Diplomacy playbook, ~Now he owes you one, well played.~ She thought, steepling her fingers as if in deep thought, wondering who or what Anje had made that move for, ~It's not in her usual repertoire, so she has a reason.~ A quick look to Tate told her that reason was on the Marine's PaDD, "Alright, I'll accept your version of events, Commander Brett. Tell me, Commander Albright, whom in the Erisian government did you contact? I figure it will be for the best for everybody if they remain our point of contact."

"Sir," Albright cleared his throat once more. "The message was sent to the Erisian Ambassador for diplomatic affairs. She was indicted as the appropriate contact for unsolicited diplomatic matters. Her name is -- " he checked his trusty PaDD "-- Sindra Enya."

"Then I'll make contact with Ms. Enya once we're done here." Zhukov nodded, then turned her attention back to her niece, deciding to speak to her in Russian, not standard or Vulcan, knowing that the odds of him speaking Russian were basically nil, whereas Kerri and Anje spoke it fluently, "This guy's a moron." She began, "And I hope saving his ass doesn't come back to bite yours."

"Don't let her bullshit, Little Wolf." Tate added, years with the Wolf Queen made her Russian perfect, "She's very impressed by how well you did the Zhukov gambit a few minutes ago."

"He's probably wondering what we're saying." Anje stated the obvious, "What should I tell him?"

"No worries, little one." Zhukov replied, switching back to standard, "Commander Albright, I'm sorry, no intention of being rude, just my niece and I needed to discuss a highly personal matter..."

"Pon faar." Anje interjected, expecting Albright to lose interest in being part of this conversation in a hurry now, "The fever will hit me soon. It was.... difficult last time, so my Aunt is helping me prepare myself to face it again."

Percy's face turned several shades of red at her explanation. He noticed that he had been idly tapping away at his PaDD while she spoke her reasons, and he was very careful to make it clear that he had stopped taking notes, pulling his hand well away. "Yes, well. Very well. Good -- good luck with that, Commander."

"Thank you, Commander Albright." Anje replied, turning back to her Aunt and taking it back into Russian, "Funny how the round ears get so weird about Pon Faar isn't it?"

"Not all of us." Kerri protested.

"True." Anje nodded and smiled, "And I can never thank you enough."

"Anyway, stuff I didn't want to know about..." Anje the Elder shook her head; Little Anje had been in a bad way and Kerri had really come through for her, making her one grateful aunt. Didn't mean she wanted to think about it, "Any idea who did this?"

"Aside from the Romulans or someone with Romulan equipment, no." Anje shook her head, "Was hoping you could find out."

"I can." Zhukov nodded, "And hopefully we can find them and unleash hell before anything happens to our people."

Anje nodded to her aunt, saying softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And it will be fine. So will Liselle." Zhukov reassured, returning the conversation to standard, "Live long and prosper."

"Live long and prosper." Anje replied, giving her Aunt the Vulcan salute before she and Tate vanished from Anje's screen.

When the screen finally went dark, Percy lingered by the desk. "Commander," he said finally, and he looked up at her. "I appreciate you vouching for me just now. You went out of your way to express that you did not believe me to be acting maliciously. In your position, many other people aboard might have used the opportunity to bury me."

"Well, there's no point in burying you." Anje shrugged, adding, "Just like there's no reason to bury Jaeih." She hoped that her intent was plain enough for Albright to pick it up, "People make mistakes, rash decisions in the heat of the moment, sometimes we act illogically. That's something that's just a part of being human, so to speak. Surely you understand, Commander."

"Of course," he affirmed with a nod. "I've often found that it can be difficult for people -- even decorated Starfleet officers -- to remember that everyone deserves a chance to be heard." He reached into his pocket even as he started toward to the door. "Even if what's being said is in Old Earth Russian."

"Well, my aunt is more comfortable with it; she's an old woman and set in her ways." Anje sighed, that was at least partially true, her aunt was definitely set in her ways, "Also you seem okay, Percival, and I decided that I would spare you my female troubles."

"Yes. Well. I should go," he said quickly. He took his hand from his pocket, revealing his comm badge which he promptly attach to his uniform once more, re-enabling the use of his universal translator. He had first removed it when the Russian exchange started, his intention being to afford Anje a modicum of wanted privacy. He felt he owed her that much for standing up for him. "Again, thank you, Commander."

With those words hastily spoken, Lieutenant Commander Percival Albright scurried for the door.

OFF

Lieutenant Commander Percival Albright
Adjunct / Aide to Commodore Mountbatten

Lieutenant Commander Anje Brett
Chief Operations Officer, USS Elysium
Pup of a Proud Wolf Queen