Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Negotiations [Tag Lougthly]

Posted by Commander Oliver Loughty (Executive Officer) in [DipInc] Negotiations [Tag Lougthly]

Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in [DipInc] Negotiations [Tag Lougthly]
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Both Kerax and Lougthly were located either side of the ready room. Kerax sat straight, eyes fixated on the Star Fleet Commander. On the table between them, a pitcher of what appeared to be water and two glasses. It was just the two of them, no guards, no other officers. Because this time, it wasn’t an interrogation, it was a negotiation. One on one between two commanding officers, negotiating for the safety of their crew.

Kerax stood up and approached the pitcher placed halfway between them. She carefully poured water into each glass, precisely equal amounts. Then, with a gesture she offered the choice of either glass to Lougthly,

“Please, Commander. It is a tradition to ensure good negotiations.”

| Commander Kerax |

Oliver had so far had his questions met with silence, “I thought we had completed our negotiations?” He wasn’t aware of anything further to be discussed. They were going to assist them and then part ways. None the less Oliver took the glass on the right, swirled it around, sniffed it and took a tentative sip. It tasted… like water.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Kerax took a sip at the same time, possibly slightly sooner than Oliver had. Then, seemingly satisfied, took it back to her seat. She smiled slightly at his question,

“I have had the chance to consider your proposed solution with my senior staff. There are some small additional details I would like to discuss. And some information that might be necessary to… divulge.”

Her courteous smile twisted into a sort of dissatisfied grimace at that last statement. Almost as if the idea of giving away information was physically painful. But she quickly resumed her polite yet dignified demeanor,

“For example, while no doubt your knowledge of this region is useful, I don’t enjoy the idea of you having command of my ship,” Kerax continued, “Certainly you agree some limitations are appropriate. So, tell me, what specifically do you require to get this ship and my crew safely to Space Station 39?”

| Commander Kerax |

Oliver’s brow furrowed slightly at Kerax’s unexpected request, his thoughts racing as he contemplated her words. “I understand your concerns, Commander Kerax,” he replied diplomatically, carefully choosing his words. “However, I must emphasise the importance of verifying our identities and ensuring mutual trust between us.” Leaning forward slightly, Oliver continued, his tone measured yet firm. “To that end, I will need access to the ship’s communications terminal with both audio and visual capabilities,” he explained. “This will allow me to confirm that I am who I say I am, and likewise, provide you with the reassurance you seek.”

Commander Kerax nodded along attentively, responding only with a simple statement, “Reasonable.”

Pausing for a moment to gauge Kerax’s reaction, Oliver pressed on, his expression earnest. “Furthermore, on approach to Space Station 39, I will require assurances that your ship will have its shields down and weapons offline as a minimum,” he added. “This is not only a gesture of goodwill but also a necessary precaution to avoid any misunderstandings or escalations during our journey.” As he awaited Kerax’s response, Oliver couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air, a reminder of the delicate balance they were attempting to maintain amidst the tension between their respective factions.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“Such access may be granted to you, when we arrive,” Kerax assured. A small smirk appeared on her face, giving the water a light swirl. She took another drink before continuing,

“Is control of our weapons and shield systems necessary, or only the assurance that they will remain deactivated? If only the latter, perhaps it would be sufficient to have one of your crew members observe our tactical station?”

“The latter, I wouldn’t want to over step our boundary but assurances they are down and deactivated would be enough to satisfy both mine and the stations protocols.” He didn’t need to mention that if they didn’t the station would likely open fire.

She locked focus back on Commander Loughty for a few seconds. Something was on her mind. Not just something she needed to ask, but needed to see his reaction to as well,

“Commander, who of your crew would you trust with such a responsibility?”

| Commander Kerax |

“Any of my crew are trusted, I will allow that decision to you.” He returned wanting to give a little trust back, in reality any of his officer were capable of doing the task and he had no real preference.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“What about, say… Lieutenant Nyman?” she suggested, “He must be one of your more trusted officers, given he outranks the others.”

Her words were laced with double-meaning, punctuated by a knowing smile. Nyman had mentioned that they might have suspected him all along. This might have been her way of confirming, possibly even testing Loughty.

| Commanderr Kerax |

“Lieutenant Nyman is a counsellor,” Oliver explained, pausing briefly before redirecting the conversation. “Though he has the same training as the other officer, so I believe he would be suitable if you are content with that selection,” he offered, careful not to reveal too much.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“A counselor?” Kerax asked, slightly pulling back. With furrowed brow and a slight head tilt, she disguised a little laugh as a sharp exhale. It didn’t take long for Kerax to regain composure, though the thought put her in a somewhat lighter mood.

“My apologies, I was under the impression he was a medical professional. Regardless, if you have no objections, I would welcome him to join us on the bridge. From what Sen’ton told me, he is quite an interesting person. I’d like to know for myself.”

“In starfleet Counsellors are medical professionals of humanoid physiology” Oliver replied dryly.

She paused, taking another sip of water, before moving on,

“You don’t think he would cause us any more trouble, do you?”

| Commander Kerax |

“I suspect now that we understand each other a lot more there will be no further issues, we have a common goal here and I think we all want to make sure we come out of it looking good and feeling well” Oliver explained.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

“I am glad we have reached some sort of understanding. Our situation does require me to remain cautious, for our safety. Therefore, when we arrive at the starbase, I require one more thing.”

Olive wondered what more the Commander could possibly want, she had gotten a good deal… a great deal in fact and yet she continued to push his patience.

She set down the glass carefully, and clasped her hands together in a sort of point.

“It would like you to make it apparent, when we arrived, that this was a mutual arrangement. That we had no hostile intentions when bringing you aboard, how well you were treated, and so on. I would hate for our… actions to be perceived as an act of hostility between your people and mine. In exchange, I will omit that, unintentionally or not, you have brought a wanted criminal aboard my vessel.”

Oliver feigned disinterest and uncertainty, “Honestly Commander I know of such Criminal aboard your ship, however despite your initial actions I see no reason to mention anything beyond the necessary to the starbase of all our safety, so yes Commander you have your mutual agreement.” It was evident on his face there was little more o the conversation.

Kerax was once again studying Loughty. Enjoying the idea that she might know so much more than he did. But also looking for any signs, any cracks in the facade that would indicate that he knew exactly what she meant. At this point she was just curious. Quite calmly, she opened a compartment on the side of the table. She slowly, within view of Loughty, pulled out three Starfleet commbadges, one at a time. Each one was delicately laid out facing downward, so their names and service numbers were visible. Micheals’, Monroe’s, and Nyman’s.

He watched her conduct her act, he hoped his thumping heart would not give away his anger away that she still felt the need to continue showing her hand and how much she knew or how much control she had over him and his crew.

“Normally, I would be required to detain them until returning to Romulan space. However, because of our understanding, I am willing to release all of your crew to you. I, meanwhile, will act as though they were never here.”

| Commander Kerax |

Oliver took a breath, “I thank you for your understanding and hospitality, can I assume of course we will be confined to a certain area of the ship, or at least areas off limits? I do like a morning stroll.” He wanted to show here that he still had some iota of defiance in him.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan

Kerax laughed, “Commander, if you desire to take a stroll around our ship, I will provide you with an escort of course. If I simply told you which areas of the ship are restricted, that would only encourage you to investigate them.”

A small light began to flash from a console in the back corner of the room,with an accompanying beeping sound.

Kerax turned for a moment to verify what she was hearing. Then turned back to Commander Loughty with an incredulous look, displeased with the interruption. She stood up, straightened her uniform, and walked over toward the light.

With the push of a button, the beeping was silenced. She retrieved an earpiece connected to the console. It was some sort of secure communication, that Lougthy could only hear half of.

“What is it?” she demanded.

“Source?”

She paused, biting her lip as she absorbed the information.

“Understood. Pilot the ship to position Beta-6. I will be on there shortly. Kerax out.” she replied.

With another button press the communication ended. She set the earpiece down.

In one swift yet rigid motion she turned back to Lougthy. For the first time since their meeting, something had made her nervous. After a meditative exhale, though, the tension in her body dissipated. At least a little. She forced out a smile,

“Perhaps, Commander, you might like to see the bridge now?”

| Commanderr Kerax |

Oliver was taken aback by the sudden turn in the conversation. He couldn’t quite grasp the full extent of what was going on, but he sensed an underlying urgency. “I would be honored,” he replied, masking his curiosity with a polite smile, “It’s not every day you get to see the bridge of a Romulan vessel.” Gesturing for the commander to lead the way, he followed, his mind buzzing with questions and anticipation.

Commander Oliver Loughty
Executive Officer
USS Leviathan