Around the table the interested parties were assembled. Kitty sat at the head of the table, with Tarik as acting First Officer at her right hand. Paul Deveraux sat to her left, and to his left sat Tara Carmichael acting as Chief of Security. Kassia sat to Tarik's right, and to the right of Kassia sat Dr. Cherrin. Across the table from Kitty sat Jonas Mallory; to the right of Jonas sat two Mulluran aides.
Kitty and the rest of the Starfleet officers reviewed the PADD containing one hundred and fifty-two seperate demands of the Mulluran Empire. She carefully kept a neutral frame of mind as she addressed Jonas.
"Of course, Ambassador, most of these demands are patently out of order. The Federation cannot and will not abandon its position in the Briar Patch, nor am I empowered to make such a decision on its behalf. Nor will we surrender individuals who seek Federation asylum to the Mulluran Order Police without bona fide evidence that they've committed any crimes. As for your demands regarding the G'kar, I will remind you that the G'kar Socialist Republic is a sovereign entity recognized by the Federation and several other quadrant governments. You must address your concerns regarding the G'kar with that body, not with the Federation."
"The so-called G'kar Socialist Republic is a rebel body in illegal governance of the Imperial Colony of G'kar. The Mulluran Empire finds its presence an insult and regards the Federation as aiding and abetting an illegal colonial rebellion," Jonas replied in a neutral know-it-all tone that caused most of the people at the table to immediately want to rip his throat out. "Since this illegal body is considered by the Mulluran Empire to be a proxy of the Federation, we will conduct our negotiations appropriately."
"And we will take that under advisement," Kitty replied. "As for your other demands, I'll let my officers answer those in turn."
"Ze Federation eez always willing to exchange scientific information," Deveraux replied. "Any exchange weeth properly accredited Mulluran scientists will be welcome, provided zhat a similar exchange occurs on your side."
"Of course," Mallory said. He'd sized Deveraux up and didn't think much of the station's Chief Science Officer.
"Your request to inspect all Federation science vessels operating in zhis sector eez denied," Deveraux continued. "Since you do not consent to a similar inspection program of Mulluran vessels, we cannot accede to such a demand on zhis side. An' further, we will not allow use of our scientific instrumentation and data een ze detecshon an' capture of fugitives from ze Empire!"
"So you assert that the Federation will aid and abet the escape of fugitives from Imperial justice? This is intolerable!"
"Ah make no such assershon, Mr. Ambassador," Deveraux replied, although he'd personally participated in the processing of three such refugee flights in the past week. "Ze use of Federation equipment for such a mission exceeds our scientific mandate, regardless of how ze interpretation of Imperial law lies," he said, with a slight emphasis on the word 'lies'.
"And likewise will I not consent to the use of Starfleet Marines in interdicting refugee ships leaving the Empire," Tarik added. "Unarmed civilian vessels may traverse Federation space freely without fear of molestation by Starfleet forces or anyone else, as I'm sure the Nausicaans can remind you of late."
"Yet you allow the G'kar to run roughshod over our outer rim colonies!" Jonas replied. "Do not pretend that the Federation is not behind these raids by the La'kon Legion!"
"I can neither confirm nor deny the activities of the G'kar," Tarik replied neutrally. "As Captain Mallory stated, the activities of the G'kar should be addressed independently by the G'kar government."
Jonas snorted. "And what assurance do we have that Mullurans will be able to travel to this station without molestation?"
"In response to your request that I confine the Marines to barracks, the answer is no," Tarik said, cutting Jonas off at the pass.
"Nor will Starfleet Security lower its enforcement posture or grant immunity to all Mulluran citizens on the station. Your diplomatic immunity extends only to you and your accredited staff," Tara added. "Upon evaluating your security requirements, I will authorize two--and only two--Mulluran security personnel armed with sidearms only for the security of your legation. Of course, should your accredited staff increase, we can discuss this matter further, and as always Starfleet Security is happy to assist you in your needs."
Jonas grinned. "Two will be sufficient. The Mulluran Order Police are most efficient--"
"No. No Order Police. Draw your security staff from the regular Mulluran military, or from a reliable civilian contractor," Tara interrupted. The Mulluran military was not a band of angels by any means, but they were somewhat more restrained than the Empire's secret police. And less likely to use their position for espionage. "No member of the security detachment may be above the rank of Subaltern Third Class, and all are subject to registration with station security."
"Absolutely intolerable!" Jonas stormed. "Diplomatic immunity extends to our security detachment!"
"He's right," Mallory said, detesting the thought of agreeing with Jonas on anything, even standard diplomatic practice. "But we do have the right to inspect their credentials on demand." Tara nodded.
"But your inspection rights are limited," Jonas said. "You may not use any telepathic or other psychic means of evaluating my staff without my permission," he continued, shooting a look at Kassia.
Kassia looked a bit uncertain, then said her piece. "My position as station counselor is already subject to the tightest possible controls by Starfleet Medical. If you feel and can assert that I am misusing my powers, you are free to contact the Surgeon General's office through the appropriate channels."
Jonas groaned. Kitty was the point of contact for the Surgeon General's office.
"Alternatively, if you don't wish to make an issue of the situation, you may report any undue conduct on Lt. Kassia's part to me," Cherrin added. "And while we're at it, Starfleet will not provide separate medical facilities for Mullurans at its own expense. Your physicians are welcome to use our facilities with full residency privileges--and to exchange medical knowledge under the same condtions Mr. Deveraux posited for scientific exchanges. Or if you insist upon your own facilities, you may lease space and build suitable facilities at the Mulluran government's expense. But we are not obliged to provide separate medical facilities when the currently existing facilities are adequate for the same purpose."
"But the Mulluran government's concerns about foreign contamination are most insistent," Jonas replied. 'Foreign contamination' was a buzzword in the Empire these days; even in more open, less confrontational days the phrase was a euphemism with racist implications.
"If you have any concerns about the cleanliness of the Sickbay or the suitability of its facilities you are welcome to contact the Surgeon General's office," Cherrin finished.
Jonas looked around the room, a bit nervously. "And what of my request for a permanent office space for the legation?"
Tarik handed him a PADD. "Sections 34A-36A, Deck 15. This is the largest office suite currently available that would be suitable for the august presence of the Empire," he said with a half-concealed smirk. The suite was immediately next door to the Ferengi legation. While Starfleet would never be so crass as to bug the Mulluran legation, he was fairly certain that the Ferengi had no such qualms...and an arrangement with a certain Mr. Liteboulght ensured that Starfleet Intelligence--and the G'kar irregulars--would receive whatever the Ferengi were able to get.
"Next to the Ferengi? Are you insane?"
"They're actually quite good neighbors," Tarik said. "I'd let my daughter marry one." At least, before I'd let her anywhere near you, he thought to himself. "Besides, the only other available space was next to the G'kar legation, and I'm sure you would not want to have your outpost of Greater Mullura contaminated by such an unclean presence! After all, their government is in violation of Imperial law, and associating your embassy with such lawbreakers would be an insult!"
Jonas shot Tarik a dirty look.
Kitty spoke up. "If this meeting is concluded, we'd like to welcome you aboard the station. I look forward to a productive relationship between our two governments."
"As always," Jonas replied.
As soon as Jonas and his aides left, Tara summoned a security officer to stand guard outside the conference room. "Okay, people, I want impressions of Ambassador Mallory and his staff," Kitty demanded.
"Jonas doesn't really seem like he wants to be here, despite his bluster," Kassia said immediately. "He still bears you a great deal of personal animosity but I got a very clear impression that he can't really do much without prior authorization from Francona or one of Francona's general staff."
Kitty smiled. I guess it's time for you to be the bitch, eh, Jonas? "How about his aides?"
"Falut's a senior clerk. He's career civil service dating back to before the Francona takeover. He's loyal to Mullura but I got the distinct feeling that he doesn't care much for either Francona or Jonas."
"We might be able to turn him," Tara said. "In my universe when the Taelons tried to take over Earth there were many among them who were loyal to the Commonality but had animosity toward specific leaders and policies. They formed the basis of the Ta'az and provided a great deal of help to the human resistance."
"Point taken," Kitty said. "Have Security keep an eye on Falut discreetly and see if there's something we can use to flip Falut. How about Mazal?"
Kassia looked distinctly uncomfortable. "There's a lot I don't like about him. He's just as malevolent as Jonas but quite a bit more cunning. He was listening to everything Jonas said very carefully and will be writing a report for his superiors."
"An Order Police plant!" Deveraux exclaimed.
"Or a real Mulluran diplomat, placed there to make sure Jonas doesn't muck things up too much," Tarik added. "Either way, Mazal's a serious threat."
"We need an Intelligence Officer on this station for situations like this," Kitty said. "In the meantime, all of you are to look for information on Mazal from any source available. Find out who he's reporting to, or who he used to report to. As much detail as you can get. We're going to pigeonhole this guy."
"And then what?" Kassia asked.
"Then we're going to spoon-feed him," Kitty said with a mischeivous grin.