"Before we get down to business, how are things going with all of that? I
find
it hard to believe that Dr. Brennan would ever try and hurt anyone,
particularly
someone he has such a close *working* relationship with." The tone in
Golan's
voice made it clear that he was sincere, but also that he knew something
more
than what was being said.
"Things are going as one would expect, Ambassador. It is my hope that the
press will exercise restraint. But I am not getting my hopes up." M'Rrenn
replied trying to be diplomatic with this topic. It was a hot one at the
moment, and he realized there would be questions.
The Cardassian nodded. "In my experience, the press has never been knowned
to exercise restraint. At the same time, I wish you and your doctor the
best
of luck." Golan realized that he was not going to get much out of the
CinC's
assistant on this topic.
"Thank you, Ambassador. I do appreciate the well wishes."
"I guess I should move along to the topic that I asked to speak with you
about. I do not want to waste too much of your time, Commander."
"Of course, sir." the cat replied.
"Well, I want to start with some of my official business. I have been asked
to express my government's severe regret at the attack on Admiral Lasiter at
DS9. We would still like to offer whatever assistance you might like in
bringing in the culprits."
"I will pass your offerrr along to both Admirrral Lasiterrr and to the
officerrr in charge of the investigation at DS9. I am surrre that you will
be contacted again about it. You offerrr of condolences will be verrry much
apprrreciated too. Howeverrr, pasing this along is all that I can do. I am
not in a position that I can make policy decisions. I hope that is
acceptable?..."
"I understand, Commander." Golan paused for a few moments. What he was
about
to say next would put him in great danger. He was cautious but knew that it
had to be done. "Commander, what would you say if I told you that my people
may not be completely in the dark about the matter?"
'Well the Cardassians not being completely honest about something. Who
would have thought?' M'Rrenn thought to him self. "How do you mean,
Ambassadorrr?" he finally said his curiousity tweaked just a bit.
"Well, I received an interesting communique a few days ago from an old...
'friend.' I was not left feeling comfortable after the conversation."
"And....."
"I can't put my finger on it. It was not much more than an arrogant Gul
flexing his muscles, but it reminded me of some of the feelings I had when I
heard our government representatives speak prior and during the Dominion
War."
'So this is all supposition and conjecture. Damn, I thought he may of
had something more tangiable.' M'Rrenn thought to him self yet again. He
replied, "I see. So you feel that yourrr people may be moving back
towarrrds theirrr old ways of militarrry agrrression, and away from the
peacable government that preceeded the Dominion take over."
"There has always been a power struggle on Cardassia Prime between the
civilian, military and intelligence leaders for control of Cardassia. We
are
at our darkest when the military and intelligence hold greater sway. I
think
we are moving into another period like that. This is the reason why I have
worked so hard to formulate the Council."
" I see."
"I think my people may have, in fact, been involved in the attack on Admiral
Lasiter ... and perhaps in even more that I feel is undesirable."
"Ambassadorrr, I thank you forrr yourrr candorr in this matterrr. It
means morrre to us than you could imagine. In that spirrrit, I must ask
these harrrd questions. Please underrrstand." M'Rrenn replied.
{response}
"What proof, if any, do you have that yourrr people arrre involved? I
underrrstand this may cause you some trrrouble at home, but we must know.
You must also know, that the going belief is that this was 100% a
Carrrdassian assult on the UFP's Starrrfleet Commanderrr in Chief. The
people of the Federrration will demand a strrrong reprrriasal if the
investigation indicates that it was an attack backed and supporrrted by
Carrrdassia Prrrime. While this is not the opinion of Admirrral Lasiterrr,
the investigation is almost complete, and his actions will be dictated by
the outcome of that."
{response}
"About this Council and yourrr goverrrnment leanings. What can we,
Starfrrleet do to help? "
{response}
"Please do nor misunderrrstand my questions. I am not indicating the
supporrrt forrr you orrr governmental rrreform of Carrrdassia Prime, orrr of
this Council. I am only trrrying to get the inforrrmation that my
superrriorrrs will want. They will decide wheitherrr orrr not to give
public, orrr prrrivite, supporrrt." M'Rrenn did not want to speak for
anyone, nor did he want to paint anyone into a bad spot. however, he did
want the information. The Ambassador knew this. He knew that the Caitian
was asking to be better able to answer those questions that Lasiter and
other may have. To be better able to relay the message.
