SIM:Failure

((Starfleet Orbital Platform - Orbitting Planet Izar))

Bratunk: The scout has just reported a Federation ship is nearing our system. ::looking at the rest of the message:: And according to their scans, it is a warship.

Could it be the Apollo? Regardless of which ship that was, the presence of a starship at that planet just solidified his position as a negotiator. He had better play his role as such.

Bomal: A warship? You mean they actually sent someone to help? ::He was sceptical, but if their little show had worked, the better.::

Bratunk: Find out what they intend to do, what kind of support our people can expect? I want to know NOW!

Pierce saw the terrorist holding the detonator gesture to the camera, the one through which Pierce was observing the whole affair. As soon as he did that, the other hostage taker snatched the rifle out of the Colonel's hands.

Tark: It appears that way. So let's lower these weapons and readjust our focus on the reason we are here.

Bratunk: Find out what they intend to do, what kind of support our people can expect? I want to know NOW!

Tark: We are getting the assistance we need. Stand down, or you will put the entire mission at risk.

Bratunk: =/\= You are finished Colonel. =/\=

Pierce: =/\= No, Mr. Bratunk, you are not in command now and I am not talking to you. I will communicate with Colonel Tark and only Colonel Tark! =/\=

Bratunk: =/\= You will talk to whoever I dictate. Have you forgotten who is really in charge here? =/\=

Pierce suddenly lost his cool and slammed his fists down on the table, causing the resounding crash to echo through the comm system.

Pierce: =/\= Now you listen here, son, I am the highest in the chain of command that you will get. What are you? A group of terrorists from some inconsequential rock in the galaxy and what do you have? A handful of civilians in a hotel on an equally inconsequential rock at another point in the galaxy. The Federation spans over 8 000 light years and her compassion has limits. If you don't tell your goon to hand the Colonel's rifle back this INSTANT, then these negotiations are terminated.=/\=

oO I am a moron! They're dead, I just killed my crew!Oo

Not a moment too soon, Bratunk responded, with slightly less authority in his voice. Perhaps heavy-handed negotiating was the way to deal with his type after all.

Bratunk: ::speaking softly:: =/\= I suppose this is where I am supposed to just hand over control of the explosives and put all of my trust in you? =/\=

Pierce: =/\= If you detonate those explosives, then you will kill not only all of the hostages in this room but yourselves as well. If you detonate those explosives then you will not die a martyr, for the people back on your world will never see Federation aid. On the other hand, if your return control back to Colonel Tark, then you just might see the aid that your planet so desperately needs. =/\=

Pierce paused for dramatic effect, letting his demands sink in.

Pierce: =/\= Do the right thing, not only for the yourselves and your hostages but for the millions of people back on your planet. =/\=

Bratunk: ::Smiling:: =/\= My dear Admiral. You said it yourself, these people are inconsequential. And since my government thinks our people are just as inconsequential...there is nothing left to intimidate me. Since you think you are in charge, you can explain to the families of your citizens, just how inconsequential they were and that their death could have been avoided IF YOU WERE NOT AN IDIOT! =/\=

Pierce stared wide-eyed at the screen in front of him, his mouth gaping in horror as he saw Bratunk smile the sadistic, sardonic smile of a mad-man.

oO Oh no...$%&#...steaming bundles of piss...I AM AN IDIOT!Oo

Then Qad's voice sounded on the speaker.

Qad: =/\= Vincent, the conversation isn't going anywhere fast. Lieutenant Faranster is on the line. You made me a deal. =/\=

Pierce: =/\= What is it? =/\=

Qad: =/\= I want the opportunity to talk to someone, who could at least hear me out. That's all I am asking. An open mind, and a conversation. ::She paused.:: Oh, and a message sent along to my people, you can hear it before it's sent.=/\=

The thoughts of self-loathing overwhelmed him and time seemed to pass agonizingly slowly. He did not know how long he spent staring in horror at the screen before him, it felt like an hour, though it couldn't have been more than a second. Then, his saving grace, the Captain stood up.

Jaxx: =/\= Captain Bratunk...My name is Andrus Jaxx and I am the commanding officer of that 'warship' in your system, ::rolling his eyes awkwardly:: ofcourse, we do not call it that. =/\=

A slight feeling of relief washed over him, as the burden of negotiation was lifted off of his shoulders.

Jaxx: =/\= There are a lot of things we can never account for. You had no idea that extremists would take over your government and kill your wife and child. I never suspected that when I ordered dinner tonight it would never be delivered. ::as a growl escaped his stomach:: And Starfleet never thought you would have detonated an explosive. Yet it happened. =/\=

Bratunk: =/\= GET TO THE POINT! =/\=

Bratunk was losing control, both mentally and physically, Vincent prayed to whichever deities were listening that Jaxx's negotiating worked.

Faranster: =/\= Sounds fair. =/\=

Qad: =/\= I'll open the doors, you keep your word. As I told Mr Pierce, I am putting my life on the line here. =/\=

Jaxx: =/\= The point is, things happen that we never see coming. You never saw our ability to disable your phaser. =/\=

Bratunk immediately tried to fire his weapon but to no avail. Vincent smiled in disbelief; it seemed that that was the one thing he did right. Then Bratunk brought his PADD to bear.

oO This is it. This is where they die.Oo

Jaxx: =/\= And you never thought for a moment how strong Commander Tal Tel-ar gets when he is pissed... =/\=

As Vincent watched the screen in front of him, he saw Tal come to life.

Faranster: =/\= How will we know you have the doors opened? =/\=

Qad: =/\= I'll be opening them as I enter the dining room, you should have a clear view from there, if not, Pierce can tell you when I enter the room, he still has view from the cameras. I have to go now. =/\=

Qad entered into the room and addressed Ghain.

Pierce: =/\= Ok, Lieutenant, she's in. =/\=

And Pierce was done. He collapsed on the floor, right then and there, panting deeply. It suddenly felt hotter on the station and he partially unzipped his collar. All of the tension and adrenaline was gone and he could finally let the stress of the moment overwhelm him. He was young and unprepared for the negotiations that he had just stupidly undertaken.

A single solitary tear dripped down his cheek.