Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Posted on Thu Oct 28th, 2021 @ 4:33pm by Commodore Jacob Kane

Mission: With Gleaming Eyes
Location: Ithaca II - Administration
Timeline: MD-02 1800hrs
945 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Gul Dara's invitation for a return visit wasn't necessarily unexpected. The timing, however, was. Barely a few hours after Kane had returned to the ship, she had sent a diplomatically-worded message in simple text implying that they should discuss the initial progress his team had made. Despite his Security Chief's better judgement, Kane had accepted - and felt comfortable enough making the visit solo.

Beaming into the administration building for the second time, he picked up on the fact that it felt even quieter than it had earlier. There were very little sounds from adjoining sections; it was semi-deserted. Within seconds, the Cardassian garrison commander appeared in her office doorway. Instead of motioning him forward, she approached him by descending the short flight of steps.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet, Captain." She indicated towards another passageway that led away from the administrative quarter. "Given the timing, I thought it would be prudent to arrange for some nourishment to accompany your report."

Although still naturally suspicious, Kane had to admit she was being incredibly hospitable. First a tour and now dinner. If he were a politician he would swear she was about to lobby him for something. He followed her silently as they walked into a separate structure that appeared a more like living quarters. Inside it looked like the Cardassian equivalent of an apartment one might find in a reasonably luxurious part of an Earth city. Well furnished, clean, and separate from the rank-and-file. Likely a senior officer's living space. Almost certainly it was a private space for the Gul herself.

"Kanar?" she asked, immediately striding off towards a nearby cabinet. He shook his head, though she continued to pour one for herself.

"I suspect you're interested in my crew's initial findings?" he inquired, remaining standing for now despite his own curiosity.

"I'm sure they have some theories. Your Starfleet scientists always have plenty of those." She smirked and relaxed into a lounge seat. "No doubt it's a seasonal ailment grown out of hand. The Metis tend to kick up a fuss about the smallest of things."

"Perhaps. My medical team sounded concerned that it might be more than that," he answered.

"Predictable." Dara nodded as she sipped her drink. "Of course it is all just early conjecture. They'll need more time to formulate a true diagnosis."

"Yes." Kane's eyes narrowed a little. She'd anticipated the lack of data and limited time in which to study it. Expecting a more detailed report this quickly was foolish; unless she knew that and was looking for an excuse for another conversation. "You knew that we wouldn't have much to say at this stage. So...why the urgency for another meeting?"

She smiled. A thin, smug expression. "Very good, Captain." She put her glass down on the nearby table. "I must admit to having been intrigued by our previous conversation. It has been a long time since I felt as though someone was able to speak so directly. Without fear."

"I've always expected my own people to speak in such a way. It's something I've come to expect," Kane replied. He observed her body language and responsiveness to him. She was lonely, he concluded. A senior Cardassian out here on the fringes, with a bunch of subordinates that were likely far less competent or educated. And of course, far less likely to openly debate with her.

"In many ways I wish such things were possible out here," Dara sighed. "Sometimes it is far better speaking to someone of more...equal standing. Even if they happen to be an opponent."

"I thought our people were allies?" he responded.

"Ah, but we both know where our people stand, don't we? The war might have ended, but a great many people still harbour those same resentments. We all lost people; friends and colleagues. Those are difficult things to forget." Dara went back to her drink. He didn't need to work hard to read between the lines.

"You lost someone, during the war?" he asked quietly. She nodded once. Silently. "I'm sorry."

"Long ago I would have spat in the face of an apology from anyone in that uniform," she explained. "But time out here has given me a greater perspective. It was the failings of my own people that led to our losses; we trusted in the wrong leaders at a crucial moment." She frowned, hiding it behind her drink.

"And that led you to a distant colony world where nobody would care?" he wondered.

"Some would argue it was better than execution," she said bitterly.

"Perhaps. But then you wouldn't have gotten to hear the apology." He felt a little sorry for her. He had been in similar need of perspective a long time ago. After pulling fellow officers out of the rubble of Starfleet Headquarters. It was traumatic for any cadet, and he could only agree that it was impossible to forget. A moment of silence hung in the air as they both processed long-distant memories.

"As I said, it has been a long time since I was able to speak so openly," Dara admitted, collecting herself once more. Clearing her throat, she rose to her feet. "This is normally the time I would have a meal delivered. Would you...join me?" she asked.

Kane thought about declining the offer. Naturally his people were still suspicious of several elements of this colony and its occupiers, but Gul Dara felt somehow different. She was earnest, and idealistic, and open to new ideas. It wasn't so much empathy he felt, but a shared perspective on history. In the end, that tipped his thinking enough.

"I would be honoured," he smiled.