DS9 - For DS9 Tumblr Zine, Week 3!

[seikilos]

Title: Rally
Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Genre: Gen
Rating & Warnings: G
Words: 705
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Summary: Senator Cretak visits Deep Space Nine to participate in trade negotiations, a situation that's become old hat for Colonel Kira.
Author's Notes: This week's submission for DS9 Tumblr Zine, for the prompt "Fix It"! This prompt was something of a challenge for me, in that while I devoutly love DS9, there are so many places where they just...dropped the ball. Or didn't consider the implications of some of their decisions.

One of the things that frustrated me deeply about Season 7 was that the writers created a terrific character in Senator Cretak, who wasn't your stereotypical Romulan and who had fantastic chemistry with Kira--and then they more or less fridged her in a failed attempt to dirty up Julian in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges." It really grinds my gears.

I ended up not taking advantage of the extra time as I had originally been planning, simply because I knew this would either be 700 words or 7000, and sadly I can't write that fast. I have plans to expand this at a later date, but we'll see how late that later date actually ends up being.

"Remember: you can talk as much as you want but don't promise them anything," Colonel Kira instructed her no-longer-new first officer, Commander Alismo.

"Yes, sir."

"Don't say anything that could be considered a promise only if you looked at it sideways, backwards, or upside-down," Kira went on. "Anyone else in the quadrant would let it go, but we're dealing with Romulans. They won't. Especially not the Senator."

"Understood, sir."

And that was all the time there was for last-minute instructions; the docking bay doors were opening to let through the Romulan delegation, headed by Senator Cretak.

Kira straightened up her already straight posture. "Senator. Welcome to Deep Space Nine."

"Thank you, Colonel." Cretak inclined her head as though they had happened to run into each other in a Bajoran tea shop and weren't, in fact, about to participate in fearsome trade negotiations along with First Minister Shakaar. "It's always a pleasure to visit."

"I'm sure it is," Kira said with nothing more than a smile.

Bajor was less than a year away from receiving full Federation membership, and so a number of powers had been crowding in to negotiate various treaties and agreements before then. A solitary Bajor, it seemed, was perceived as an easier, weaker target than one backed by the entirety of the Federation.

"Why don't I let Commander Alismo see you to your quarters? I'm sure you must be tired after your long trip."

"Thank you, but—if I could ask a favour?"

"Of course," Kira said, because she could certainly ask.

"If you have the time, I'd prefer if you would be the one to escort me. After all, it's been some time since we last saw each other."

"It must have been, what, two months?"

"That sounds about right by the Bajoran calendar, yes."

Kira smiled. Cretak smiled. Kira's expression showed her teeth. Cretak's didn't. She liked to pretend she was far too mild-mannered for such a display, but after facing her down over the Derna Incident, Kira knew better.

She mentally evaluated her schedule. There was nothing coming up that couldn't be postponed. And, if she were honest with herself, she'd rather be the one dealing with Cretak than Alismo. The Commander was an extremely capable officer, but she hadn't seen Cretak's real face. Kira had.

"Then I'd be delighted. We can get caught up along the way," Kira said and, with a nod at the rest of the delegation, set off down the corridor.

Cretak followed. "Good. That will be most pleasant."

Both of them walked more quickly than the others, mostly out of habit. As soon as they were out of earshot, Cretak commented, "I see Commander Alismo is looking more comfortable with her role. I must say, I had my doubts."

Years ago, she would have stiffened and dived right into a defence of her fellow officer and friend. Today, her only response was a mild, "And why's that?"

"Bolians just aren't the people one thinks of when it comes to being first officer of a space station. They generally are more at home in banks, or so I'm told."

"Now, Senator, that's unfair. Bolians aren't all conservative bankers any more than Bajorans are all religious." She smiled again. "Or Romulans are all secretive and treacherous."

Cretak smiled back and bowed her head. "I stand corrected."

When they reached Cretak's quarters, Kira gave her the usual speech about replicators and alerting personnel to her needs. She finished with, "When you've had a chance to rest, contact me. I'd be happy to accompany you on a walk around the promenade." She couldn't resist adding, "We can make a stop at the jumja stand if you'd like."

"No, thank you, Colonel," Cretak said with what just might have been genuine amusement. "I believe I've had enough jumja sticks to last me for quite some time."

"Suit yourself." Kira nodded. "Enjoy your rest."

Cretak nodded back. "I will. Good day, Colonel."

Kira stepped out of the way to let the doors of Cretak's quarters close. She stayed exactly where she was, however, until the member each of Starfleet and Bajoran Security took their places on either side of the door.

It was going to be a long three days.