Chapter 2: Deeper Negotiations
The second part of an ongoing story of love/hate between Betazoid Federation Captain Pyre Jaxel and Romulan Commander Yanus.
The story so far... The Romulans have kidnapped a Federation Admiral and Jaxel has agents extracting her, which will all be fine, if he can find away to keep the Romulans distracted.
***
Pyre had waited until the Romulans launched there shuttle before he launched his. He had wanted to make sure the teams had gotten away ok.
But now, underway, he sat silently, letting the one security officer that could be spared, pilot the shuttle down to the co-ordinates the Romulans had given.
The Romulan shuttle was already settled on the shuttle pads next to the small, partially subterranean structure of obvious Romulan design.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." He muttered under his breath.
"We're down Captain...". The security officer informed him.
Pyre nodded. "Bring the prisoner, and don't let me out of your sight. My code is in the computer."
"Aye sir." He nodded in compliance and moved to the back of the ship to get the
Romulan captor.
Pyre stepped out as the door slid open.
"Captain Jaxel." Yanus greeted warmly as she stepped forward, all smiles.
"Commander." He greeted back. "I believe you lost this." Pyre indicated behind him to the security officer and the still doped Nniol He smiled faintly as he saw the look of disdain on Yanus's face.
Yanus indicated to her two guards. "Take him! Put him in the cage."
"Sounds harsh.". Pyre commented. Yanus turned back to him with a smile. "Sometimes punishments are required." She moved to his side and wrapped her arm in his. "Now Captain, may I interest you in some hospitality?".
Pyre raised an eyebrow. Lengthening these talks would give the away teams a better chance with the CO and what looked like half the security team on the moon. However, he didn't have a burning desire to willingly eat or drink the poisons she would likely offer.
Pyre didn't let her walk him forward to the building as she intended. "Commander, you have a few more officers than I do, I have to admit I feel a little threatened.".
Yanus laughed. "Pyre please... May I call you Pyre? You don't think you are worth endangering the treaty for do you?" Her smile was soft and disarming.
Pyre grinned. "Well, you know how to crush a guy's ego." He allowed her to start
walking them to the building.
"Sir?". The security officer called behind him.
"Wait in the shuttle lt. I won't be long." Pyre looked at Yanus as he said the words and she raised an eyebrow with a curious smile.
The officer nodded and headed back to the ship, he would lock sensors, life sign
monitors and the transporter onto Jaxel's transponder signal and hope for the best.
***
Yanus left the guards at the door as she ushered him through the small complex's
reception area and into some sort of state room. Yanus smiled lightly as she removed her jacket. "The moon can be quite cool."
Pyre took in the room. Oppulent wasn't the word - the walls were rich reds and browns, the table was laden with full fruit bowls. The room curved out, where a
window might be was instead a wall of water - a tank full of tropical fish. In that part was a luxurious sofa area, drapped in expensive fabrics.
Yanus smiled at Pyre's expression and made her way to the sofa area. "It is true, we do like our creature comforts."
"I see that..." Pyre said, following her lead and taking a seat beside her on one of the sofas. "So... What is it you wanted to discuss." Pyre asked softly. "You have your friend back..."
"Hardly a friend Captain." She picked up a bottle open on the table and went to pour two glasses. "An unfortunate acquaintance that I have to clean up after... I just wished to make sure that you didn't harbour any ill will over the matter - after all, what he did... I cannot apologise enough." She smiled and handed him a glass.
He took it then looked at her and set it back down, she laughed and took a sip of her own. "Will you not trust me even a little?" Seeing his look she continued. "No of course not, not after Nniol's behaviour.". She set her glass down and gave him a serious look. "You must know that his kidnap of Commodore Carter was not sanctioned by our government - in fact he would have been better off left to rot in your brig... This will harm any chances we ever had of extraditing agent Carter."
Pyre smiled sweetly. "Can't say I'm too sad about that.".
"Oh I see..." Yanus raised an eyebrow and gave a wicked smile. "I have read Nniol's report though... Carter is an... Interesting woman. And by no means friendless. It was obvious from the information Nniol extracted from her that someone would come for her. When she slept she was given to crying out, a Hawk? It was presumed he was a friend and colleague. And your name of course - you were all at the academy I presume."
"I can give you my name, rank and serial number if you like." Pyre grinned.
Yanus smiled back. "Do not worry Captain, take any questions as rhetorical." She knew he had no intention of adding to the information she already had.
Pyre smiled. "So then..." He was trying to think of things to discuss, the longer he kept her off the ship the better chance his away teams had.
Yanus smiled. "Anxious to get back to your ship Captain?" She misinterpreted his expression. "Are you that hostile towards my people sir?" Her tone was light. She ran a now un-shoed foot up his lower leg.
Pyre raised an eyebrow. He never had understood Romulans.
Yanus laughed. "Please Captain, at least let me try and rebuild interstellar relations.". She moved closer and played a hand lightly across the back of his
