"This wasn't very diplomatic, Ambassador," a Starfleet captain remarked casually during the recess. The Andorian ambassador looked at her sternly, his antennae moving around like little radars. "Klingons have no sense of honor!" He replied harshly. "All they do is boast about their strength! If that's how these negotiations are going to look like, then I'm out of here!" It sounded threatening. Unfortunately, the captain clearly didn't seem impressed. "As I said," she shrugged, turning to the table full of food. "Not very diplomatic." Thoran almost jumped. "Well, what did you expect me to do? Share all our latest technology with these narrow-minded, full of themselves, I-am-the-best-warrior-in-the-galaxy idiots?!" "The captain brushed her long hair aside and smiled. "That's what the negotiations are for, Ambassador. At first, demands are made, opinions are presented by both sides. Gradually, by diminishing your own expectations and allowing for some leniency towards your opponent, you reach an agreement. You didn't expect the solution to pop up just like that, did you? "No..." Thoran shook his head. "But I just don't understand how they can be so unreasonable! To claim our multiphasic shielding technology in exchange of... what? A handful of obsolete warships?" The captain picked up a cup of coffee from the table and looked back at Thoran. "I guess it's your turn to name the price now. You know," she sighed. "I'm beginning to wonder if it was a good idea for the Federation to host your meeting. I suppose the Ferengi would have been a better choice..." Thoran shot her a glance that would have frozen a phaser beam mid-air. The captain giggled at her own joke and looked innocently at the Andorian. "A canapé, Sir?" A young ensign chose this unfortunate moment to approach the ambassador. "No!" He snapped and left the Rec Room. * * * Negotiations between different cultures are always difficult. This case was not an exception. The Federation had agreed to host the first Andorian – Klingon meeting in the hope of reaching an agreement that might stop the ongoing hostilities. No one had expected it to be easy. However, if the negotiations succeeded, the resulting treaty would be of huge significance to the balance of power throughout the quadrant. * * * "You pathetic p'tagh! I am not going to set foot in the same room with you again!" The Klingon ambassador reached for his d'k tagh only to realize no weapons had been allowed in the Conference Room. "Sit down, Ambassador!" The Starfleet captain's voice was calm but forceful. "I am not..." the Klingon got up but she nailed him down with an extremely cold look. "If you leave now, the Federation will withdraw immediately. You may ask for a recess again but interrupting the talks right now is not a reasonable move." Thoran looked the captain up and down once again. This time it was with some respect. Any female who was able to handle an outraged Klingon certainly deserved a second chance. He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it and shut them up again. Once he lowered his massive body back onto the chair, Thoran got up to speak. "This is just an initial offer, Ambassador. To achieve mutual agreement, we will both have to make some concessions. Let me now make the first move." He caught the captain's appreciative glance and smiled slightly to himself. "I suppose we can reduce the number of ships we expect you to build for us. What is your answer to that?" "Unacceptable!" The Klingon roared. "We're warriors, not engineers!" He didn't try to leave the room this time. Instead, he only purposefully turned around in his chair so that now Thoran could clearly see his back. "I suggest we take another break," he offered. "You might want some time to think about it, Ambassador." "Are you implying I'm slow in thinking?!" The captain sighed. "No one said that. It is a standard procedure for all such initial meetings. Please, feel free to enjoy all the facilities here. We will reconvene tomorrow." * * * "Now that was a good move, Ambassador," the captain smiled as they were leaving. "You're a quick study!" "And you are an able diplomat," Thoran bowed his head slightly. Somehow, human habits concerning all those social gatherings didn't seem so irrelevant anymore. If that was the way to achieve something with those pink skinned creatures, he intended to learn as much as he could. "Would you care for a dinner with me or you have other plans already?" The captain looked surprised. Then, after a second, she beamed at him. "You are a real quick study," she repeated. "And, I'd be delighted." * * * They didn't talk much during the meal. Thoran was still deep in his own thoughts and the captain simply enjoyed some peace and quiet after a long and busy day. The dessert had arrived by the time she looked up at Thoran. "I thought Andorians never cared much for socializing? May I ask what prompted you to ask me out, Ambassador?" Thoran smiled ever so slightly. Only his antennae, moving frantically, suggested an emotional reaction. "I thought I might learn something useful." "From me?" The woman smiled back. Thoran sighed. "I do not have to like other cultures' habits but it doesn't hurt to know them. If I am to be an ambassador for my people I think I should learn the... languages of other species. Even as inefficient as your parties and conferences. This is the way you're achieving your goals with them, isn't it?" "Not only," the captain took a spoonful of her ice-cream and thought for a while. "We also learn other species' 'languages' if necessary. Especially with the Klingons." "I was considering a duel," Thoran nodded. "It's at least some ground for mutual understanding. On the other hand..." "Yes?" The captain was genuinely interested in the Andorian's insight on the subject. "Our cultures are similar in many respects. I'm afraid these similarities might prove to be more dangerous than useful. Both our races consider honor ultimately important. And we do enjoy a good fight. On the other hand, we're trying to achieve peace here, not start a new fight. Your way of doing things, I mean human way, seems a better option." The captain finished her ice-cream and got up. Thoran did the same. "Ambassador?" She extended her hand. "Congratulations. I think you have just learned your first lesson in diplomacy. I'm now beginning to believe that the treaty between Andor and the Klingon Empire is possible after all."
