The door to Commodore Rick Hunter's office burst open and a large, extravagantly-attired, mottley-skinned alien thundered through followed closely by a petite human woman in Starfleet red.
"Commodore Hunter!" bellowed the alien. "I will speak with you!"
The petite woman pushed her way past the bellicose alien and said, "I'm sorry, Commodore. He just wouldn't believe me when I told him you were busy!"
Rick Hunter reassured the young woman with a kind smile and said, "It's okay, Jamie. I was just about to call Commissar Rutilar and discuss the current situation with him, but since he's decided to visit in person it'll be that much easier." He now favored the huffing G'kra High Commissar with a temperate smile.
Yeoman Jamie Piper backed a few steps towards the door and said, "If you say so, Commodore..." then turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Hunter turned his full attention to the impatiently waiting G'kra. "High Commissar Rutilar, thank you for coming to see me, but it wasn't necessary to come all this way yourself. I would have--"
"Spare me your pat assurances and carefully phrased excuses, Commodore!" said Rutilar, interrupting Hunter's speech. "I have just learned that someone has attempted to assassinate your President. I want to know what is being done to assure the protection and safety of the G'kra on this planet!"
"There's no need to worry," replied Hunter as confidently as he could. "I promise you that every measure is being taken to make sure nothing else happens, especially to our newest allies."
"Specifics, Commodore," demanded Rutilar. "I want specifics. Details. Not just vague promises. Or myself and my people will evacuate this planet immediately and never return. After all, what would be the point in joining a Federation that cannot even protect its own leaders or their invited guests?
"Now hold on, Mister Commissar," said Hunter, beginning to feel a little exasperated by the G'kra leader's difficult attitude. "There's no need to call off the treaty signing. I'm sure it will be held on schedule. In the meantime, you and your people will be protected by Starfleet's best officers."
Rutilar shook his head. "Not enough. Your President Carlyle was protected, and he was nearly killed. I am afraid that I must order the immediate evac--"
Rutilar's denouncement was interrupted at that moment however, by the office door once again slamming open, this time by a fiery red-haired woman in hazard gear, and once again followed closely by a seriously frustrated Yeoman Piper. The poor girl was nearly in tears by now.
"I'm sorry, Commodore, but she just burst in and almost walked over me to get in here--"
The fiery redhead stopped in front of Hunter and Rutilar. Falling into an easy parade rest, she addressed the Commodore. "Lieutenant Commander Hall reporting for duty, Sir!" she stated. It wasn't hard to sense the surprise coming from Hunter, or even Rutilar.
"What is this?" asked Rutilar on the verge of exploding. "Another one of your insubordinate officers, Commodore?"
Hunter didn't respond. Not only was there an angry Rutilar accusing distrust present, but now his assistant Jamie was on the verge of breaking down, and to boot, Starfleet's pride and joy Aegis-Hall had just knocked on his office door, more or less.
"I was informed that you had a situation here, sir. Captain Clark had recommended that I speak with you to assess the situation immediately," she stated in a manner made famous by Seven of Nine, not paying any attention to Rutilar.
"Hah," chuckled Rutilar shaking his head, "this is pointless, as you can see, whoever you are, the Commodore and I are in the middle of a meeting. Come back later, woman," he insisted.
Hall then turned her attention to him shooting him a gaze indicating that she was not the least bit intimidated. In fact she stepped closer to him in hopes that he would show signs of intimidation, or even hostile action.
"Mister Commissar," Hunter began, "I'll talk with you in a moment, perhaps I may have a solution for you if you give me a few minutes with Commander Hall here?" he said hoping that even he would believe his own words.
The G'kra looked at Hunter, a little more calm now bowing his head slightly before turning back to Hall. She could sense it. Rutilar wanted to believe Hunter with what faith he had left.
The door shut as Piper and Rutilar both exited.
Hunter fought to keep his frustration under control. He silently counted to four before speaking to Hall. "Commander, he said with forced calmness, "normally I would have you clapped in irons for bursting in on a private meeting with the leader of an alien government like that -- and don't do it again, by the way -- but under the circumstances, you may be just what I need to solve this crisis.
"The G'kra High Commissar Rutilar," he explained, pointing to the door through which the alien had gone, "was just about to order the evacuation of his people because he is afraid of further terrorist attacks, and frankly I don't blame him. "I want to put you on the case."
Hall nodded. "Very well," she stated. "Do you have any sort of leads on who is responsible for the shooting down the President?" she asked.
"Nothing too conclusive. The surface-to-air missiles that struck Starfleet One were skippers, using cloaking technology to phase in and out of sensor contact on their way to the target. That suggests either Romulans or Breen. In addition, Breen vessels have been spotted recently in the system, so I'd say your best bet was to look for a Breen presence somewhere on the planet."
Hunter paused a moment and considered. "There's a more important way you can help though." In response to Hall's questioning expression, he thumbed the intercom and said, "Yeoman Piper, please have High Commissar Rutilar rejoin us."
"Yes, Commodore."
Two seconds later, a thoroughly disgruntled Rutilar re-entered Hunter's office and squared off in front of the Commodore. "Well?" he demanded.
"High Commissar, I'd like to introduce you to Commander Aegis-Hall. I'm sure you've heard of her..."
Rutilar's eyes narrowed as he inspected the woman standing beside Hunter. "Yes... We have heard of the exploits of Aegis-Hall even in the G'kra Republic. Are you telling me that this warrior is to be responsible for our protection?" Though speaking to the Commodore, Rutilar had asked the question looking directly at Hall.
Hall smiled. For the first time in a long time she actually put a smile on her face. Usually she never got caught up in her own glory, however, to have some distant race hear about one's accomplishment was truly something special, even to Aegis-Hall.
"In a sense," said Hall, "my job will be to locate those responsible. Apparently there may be a presence on this planet, an unwelcomed one at that," she said.
Rutilar nodded. "Who?"
Hall ground her teeth looking back at Hunter indicating that perhaps that it were best that he explain what lead they had. But Hunter just said, "Don't worry, Mister High Commissar. The matter is as good as taken care of. Now, about your evacuations...?"
"There will be no need," replied Rutilar, smiling and casting a glance at Hall. "We trust that all is in hand now." The G'kra leader straightened to his full, considerable height and said formally, "Until we meet again at the treaty signing, Commodore Hunter." He bowed his head slightly and turned to leave.
"Until then, High Commissar," said Hunter with a polite inclination of his own head.
With that, Rutilar left the office, leaving only the two Starfleet officers.
"Well, now that that particular crisis is averted," said Hunter, turning to the woman still standing beside him, "I suggest you get busy. You can collect any equipment you might need from Supply downstairs."
"Aye sir," she stated heading out the door a few seconds behind Rutilar. Hall sensed Hunter's appreciation for her being there and actually making the matter with Rutilar a little smoother. Hall was also impressed by Hunter with the fact that she was not the subject for discussion, only as a means for resolving a minor conflict, nothing more.
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