Dinner Party

Grant looked sombre as he sat at Captain Devore's desk. The chair was comfortable, physically at least. Emotionally, it was hard as a rock. He was still trying to sort through the details of what had happened in the past several hours. The door chimed brining Commander Harris back to the real world, "Enter."

Toran entered with a PADD in his right hand.

"Ah there is the treaty I hope." Harris said seemingly pleased with his officer.

Toran took a seat."Sir it's more of a trade agreement, than a treaty."

Harris was obviously disappointed at the news."A trade agreement, why ?"

"Grant..." Toran began addressing Harris informally."...Captain Devore made it clear that we are not to become involved in the affairs of the Catatonians"

"Commander what do you know of Section 31 ?" Harris asked gravely.

Toran was obviously puzzled."Well Grant, I've been in Starfleet some eighty years, but all I've ever heard are rumours. They're kinda like the Mist, no one will believe in them until they mess with someone prominent."

"I was a member of Section 31 for seven years and have done horrible things for the good of the Federation." Grant said slowly."Section 31 knows things that even the Federation President doesn't know about."

Toran nodded slowly as he took in the story that Grant was laying before him.

"Twenty-three years ago the USS Hornet and a Klingon task force left for the heart of the Beta quadrant and was destroyed by The Barien Confederacy." Grant said recounting part of the tale he was told by Kar'Ok, "And now the USS Lynx, Leary and Captain Devore, plus his wife are all heading into Barien space. The Klingons are here to right a wrong and we are a lonely pawn in their game. Toran, we are already involved in Crys's problems."

The enormity of the situation finally hit Toran."We are in a position to blow the Beta Quadrant wide open." He stated.

"True." Harris said with feigned confidence."And we have to handle it."

[Bridge to Commander Harris.] Phanan's voice called interrupting the pair's conversation.

"Go ahead." Harris replied.

[Sir, we've lost the probe.] Phanan responded. [It appears to have been destroyed].

"Thank you Captain." Harris replied. "Harris to Engineering." He said tapping his comm badge.

[Yes sir.] Came the response from Engineering.

"When will the standard warp core be online ?" Harris asked.

[We're having problems with it sir.] The engineer replied. [Lieutenant Shaka thinks it has something to do with the Slipstream drive.]

"Keep me posted." Harris responded again. "Harris out."

"One other thing..." Toran said as he rose to leave."....Kar'Ok wants to have a dinner party on the Leviathan."

"Schedule it for 21:00 hours in the officer's mess." Harris replied."All senior staff must attend. Dress casual, I know Kar'Ok will."

*Kar'Ok will help sort things out with me.*