The shuttle ride was far too short for my liking. This confrontation with the colony was something I have been dreading. During the trip I had resolved to ditch my security escort for the actual meeting. I wanted to show that I wasn't scared of them or their paramilitary and that I felt my position as a Starfleet Captain made me untouchable. It was a gamble to be certain, but I knew my officers, especially Lieutenant Risi, would lay siege to their offices if anything were to happen. As soon as we landed, I took my leave of the crew and stormed up the steps to the same grand hall I had been in scant hours before. None of the Brotherhood moved to stop me and I didn’t care if they had been ordered not to stop me or my scowl was keeping them at bay, though I secretly hoped it was the latter. I found myself in the same antechamber that had fascinated Commander Foro with its botanical majesty, though it was now bereft of the earlier hospitality. Instead of the genteel politeness of the building's administrative staff I was instead met with the stone silence of two members of the Brotherhood in full face helm and unslung phaser rifles.

“I’m sorry Captain, the council is in session, we cannot allow you to disturb the proceedings.” The shorter of the two rasped, their voice distorted by the helmet's speaker. I wondered for a moment if this was the same way the Brotherhood would appear before the Suliban, hiding their faces and voices from those they should protect but instead chose to brutalize. My hand itched to fidget with my phaser, my nervous habit returning.

“And you don’t think it would be important that the top ranking Starfleet officer in the system attend this meeting?” I asked incredulously.

“We are under orders to keep everyone not on the council out of this building for the foreseeable future.” The same trooper replied, the helmet betraying nothing. They did grip his rifle tighter though. This small act betrayed their emotions and told me not to push things any farther while we were technically on the same side. I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration, it was like talking to a durasteel wall.

“Fine.” I exhaled. My eyes wandered from the security troops to my surroundings, looking for any lifeline before settling on a large placard that showed the scale layout of the complex behind the central desk. An idea came to me, and I suddenly regretted not bringing a tricorder with me. I was going to have to do the math by hand, not my strong suite. Sighing, I walked over to examine the scale map. Fortunately for me, the internal layout was simple as most colony prefabs are, with many of the rooms being functionally the same size to allow for modular construction. I turned slowly, looking around the room, roughly estimating the area of the space I was in and comparing it to its dimension on the map. I could also feel the eyes of the Brotherhood troops boring into me, trying to determine what I was doing. I ran the calculations twice in my head, based on the size of this room, this was the best I could do, and time was of the essence. Resolved to try, I took a step backwards into the center of the room. If this worked, I would never hear the end of it from my senior staff. I unhooked my communicator from my belt and thumbed it open. This was dangerous, since I didn't know the exact layout of where I was trying to go, but the space looked large enough to try. I just had to hope my transporter operator was up to the challenge.

“Captain Zh'kaarrin to Resolute. Immediate site to site transport one hundred and twelve meters north by north west, zero degrees elevation. Execute!” I swiftly dropped into a crouch with my hand on the handle of my phaser as I said this. The two guards reacted clumsily to my rapid movements, both swinging their weapons up, but clearly hadn’t realized what I intended to do

“Confirmed Captain.” A voice called from my communicator and my vision filled with the light of the transport beam, the shouts of the guards echoing in my ears.

I rematerialized and felt my stomach lurch. Site to site transports were risky at the best of times, usually reserved for medical emergencies and rarely if ever into a blind location. I was lucky to not have materialized inside of a table or a few meters off of the floor, though none of that was of any comfort to the vertigo surging through me. Calls of alarm snapped my attention back to the room I was now in. I didn't recognize the location from my previous visit though its significance was immediately obvious. The space was dominated by a massive table not unlike our conference room on the Resolute and was currently occupied by what I assumed were members of the planetary administration. A pair of Brotherhood soldiers stood by the door and were clumsily raising their phaser rifles at the commotion. My training kicked in before even I could register that I was moving and critically before theirs. I stood and drew my phaser.

“Drop it.” I commanded, trying to put as much steel in my voice as I could, covering both of them with my phaser. The one to my left brought their rifle to their shoulder and I fired. My weapon was only set on stun, but the setting did its job and dropped them to the deck like a puppet with its strings cut. I flicked my aim to the next one and repeated the command. I could see their facemask turning, clearly looking for instruction from the gathered grandees so I decided to increase my threat.

“Drop it or I stun everyone in this room and drag you up to my ship in restraints.” I had no legal grounding for a threat like that at this moment, but they didn't need to know that. A raised hand from one of the administrators seemed to placate the trooper and they dropped their gun.

“Kick it over, both of them.” I motioned with my gun at the unconscious trooper. With another look of approval from a superior they bent down and unslung their comrades' phaser and kicked both of them to me. With a flip of my thumb, I set the phaser to the maximum stun setting and fired. A phaser set on this level will burn out most unshielded electronics and it didn't disappoint, frying both phasers and rendering them useless. I didn't want to have to be worrying about someone going for one of them while I was having my discussion with the colony. I returned the phaser back to a safer stun setting and lowered it slightly.

“I just want to talk.” I said, taking a moment to observe the room. A half dozen officials stood clustered around the table, Administrator Rator included. I had no way of discerning their ranks or positions from their dress, but I didn't care right now. Taking a few steps to my left put me at the head of the table, and I motioned with my phaser for everyone to stay in front of me. They complied but I could see the wariness in their eyes, so I was going to have to do something about this tension now. Keeping the same authoritative tone, I continued.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“We clearly have a problem here, and nothing will be solved from you keeping the Federation or Starfleet out of these discussions. I have the authority under Admiral Rittenhouse's own orders to take command in case of a crisis if I deem fit and you are sorely testing the limits of my patience right now.” I moved to stand behind the chair at the head of the table, the cluster of officials crowding around the opposite side.

“However, instead of that, why don't we just talk instead?” I pulled the chair out with my free hand and sat down, placing my phaser on the table, still pointed towards them. I could at once see their trepidation at my offer, so I slammed one hand on the table and barked “Now!” They moved to sit around the table, though a few remained standing. I felt my anger continue to grow. This more than anything told me everything I ever needed to know about the administration of New Jerusalem. I could finally make my mind up about them, these people were cowards.

“Captain, we…” A human with a pinched face started speaking, clearly stumbling over their words, their eyes glancing down at my phaser as they spoke. They mumbled something I couldn't hear and trailed off.

“That's the best you have?” I shouted, leaning up out of my chair. “We come here, trying to help you, only to find out you’ve been mistreating the refugees whose only crime was choosing your planet as a safe haven. That you’ve been making plans to surrender citizens of the Federation to the Klingons for your own safety!”

“Associate citizens, who were granted it by executive order.” The same sour looking human replied quietly. I exploded

“The same executive we all vote for! President Th’rhahlat saw the sentitarian catastrophe coming and acted for the good of the quadrant! The Federation put resources and procedures in place, and you used none of them. You just cracked down on them like some form of 20th century human barbarism.” I glared at all of them. Administrator Rator, who had until that moment been cowering amongst their staff stepped forward, a genial smile on their face. I made a face back, that was the empty smile of a coward trying to save their own skin. I continued before they could speak.

“Now you’re brave enough to show your face, Administrator.” I barked. “Don't worry I have choice words for your actions. However, we don't have time for that right now. A Klingon battle cruiser will be here any moment and despite your moral cowardice, I still need your help.”

Administrator Rator spoke. “Captain please, we have to look after our own. The Federation cannot be everywhere and even when you arrive, you come in second rate out of date ships.” I bristled at this, though underpowered and slow, the Resolute was still an outstanding ship with an excellent crew. They continued.

“We had to think about the safety of all fifty thousand souls on our world. You’re right, no one asked for this, but it is Starfleet's failure that suddenly turned us into a border world.”

“I cannot speak for the decisions that lead to our current situation.” That was my attempt at being diplomatic. I had not been involved in the debacle at Caleb IV, nor had I had any input on the response to the Klingons redrawing the border after. Seemingly uninterested in letting me speak, Administrator Rator continued.

“So left to fend for ourselves, some decisions were made that in hindsight were incorrect and show our colony in a less than favorable light. I assure you Captain we are decent people. We have no interest in seeing the Suliban suffer.” They smiled that fake smile again. Clearly this was buoying their confidence, as they stood straighter and looked me square in the eye. This was also having an effect on their staff, who were looking to their leader with renewed confidence. I was losing control.

“Explain the distress call then?” I leaned back in my chair, also feigning confidence. I was going to catch this weasel despite all of their colorful and noncommittal language.

“A simple mistake, made by a panicked junior technician, nothing more.” That damned smile. “We regret that it happened, and I want to assure you that nothing was meant by it.” This was a lie, but I had no way to catch them in it now. I had to play along

“So, you fully intend to protect the Suliban when the Klingons arrive?” I asked, trying to gauge the response.

“We will explain the situation to them, thank them for volunteering to aid us despite us not needing their help and ask them to leave.” They replied smugly. I scoffed.

“You expect that to work? What if they want the Suliban? What if they choose to ignore the border and occupy this planet, what if they raid the colony? A D7 can carry upwards of four hundred Klingon marines, do you think your Brotherhood could stop them if they wanted to?” I was reaching with some of these, but I wanted to scare them into listening. The pinched face human from before spoke up again.

“You speak of a lot of possibilities, Captain without any proof. We have faith that a peaceful solution can be found.” As aggravating as I was finding these people, that was a good point. I also wanted a peaceful solution, but I was not so naive to believe we would find one just based on faith. Before I could respond, Rator began speaking again.

“Captain, we appreciate your efforts to safeguard our people. We know your crews stand to battle stations in orbit and we are grateful for your efforts to protect all of us here on the surface. We simply don't think it will be necessary. With shrewd diplomacy and the grace of God, reason will prevail.” I was speechless at this. Reason? Prevailing with the Klingons? These peoples certainty would doom this colony. I finally found my voice.

“If you think you can reason with the Klingons, then let the consequences of your choices be on your own heads. I refuse to let them victimize any more people.” I said, a note of finality edging into my voice. “If negotiation is your only plan, then I will be present for it as well as the Suliban leaders. This is not optional.” One of the Bolian’s down the table laughed and I almost launched out of my chair, instead choosing to simply stare them down.

“Captain the Suliban have no leaders here, they are represented by this council the same as any other citizen.” Rator added.

“What of Vaanek and Sala, the representatives they elected to speak for them?” I retorted. A look passed quickly over Administrator Rator’s face, before returning to their neutral expression. Clearly, they didn't think I knew about them. Here was my edge.

“Vaanek is a criminal and agitator, not a leader. He is currently in prison for his crimes.” I recognized the speaker as the woman Kiera Stone, who I had met earlier. I cut her off before she could continue.

“Yet another incident that will feature prominently in my report to the Federation. I don't care what the charges are or how any of you feel about it. Vaanek is one of the Suliban’s elected leaders and they will be properly represented in these negotiations. If you must imprison him again after, do so, but him being here is non negotiable. Do you understand?” As I spoke the last part I stood up and pointed directly at Administrator Rator to add emphasis to my words. They held up their hands.

“Very well Captain, we will indulge you. Pastor Stone, have the Brotherhood bring Vaanek here please.” Their voice was laced with resignation. “You clearly want to control what happens here Captain, though rest assured that your overreach of authority will be made known.”

“I look forward to my trial then.” I smirked, leaning back in my chair and putting my feet up on the beautifully polished table. I flipped open my communicator. “Captain to Resolute.”

“Lieutenant Grolik here ma’am.” The voice of my communications officer echoed from the speaker.

“Please have the Suliban Sala brought to the central administration complex. I believe she may be with Commander Glov Gronnahk at the moment. As well, please have Lieutenant Risi and my security escort join me in the complex.” I looked again at Rator and the rest of the colony administrators. “Tell them to stun anyone who tries to stop them. Do you understand me?” I let the threat hang in the air.

“Aye-aye ma’am. Captain Aleya wanted to tell you that the Klingons are entering orbit. She deployed the Aurora and the Resolute between the Klingons and the colony.” It was the best she could do, I knew that.

“Well, it sounds like we don't have much time Lieutenant, please carry out my orders and convey my thanks to Captain Aleya. Captain Zh'kaarrin out.” Well, this was it, the Klingons were here and the fates of both our crews as well as almost fifty thousand colonists would be decided in the next few hours.