Renegades: Civil War Chapter Fifty-Five

Finally, Watt had been assigned light duties in the penal colony that was in New Zealand. Repairing a damaged computer-core seemed mundane compared to flying through the galaxy as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Valkyrie. Shortly afterwards, a guard came over to him and took him to one of the visitors’ rooms. Watt was not prepared for receiving any visitors, let alone the one he got. As he entered the room, he was greeted by the imposing figure of the legendary Ambassador Spock. The last time the two had met was at the Presidential Inauguration on Babylon 5, and although Watt was formerly regarded as one of Starfleet's greatest captains, he still felt a little overawed by the presence of the great ambassador.

"It is good to see you again, Captain Watt," Spock started. "At this moment in time, you are probably wondering why I have come here to see you."

"I was going to ask."

"I take it you have heard the news of the forthcoming election?"

"It's all the guards have been talking about."

"I thought you would like to be the first to know that I am going to run as vice-president in this election."

"Vice-President? To Servalan?"

"No. To James Watt, the elder."

Watt seated himself and chuckled. "You'll be laughed right out of the council chamber, Ambassador!"

"But, am I to take it that you will not be one of those laughing?"

"You know my views on Pops. As an R.A.F. pilot, as chairman of Anglo-Force, and as an officer in Starfleet, nothing could kill him. A simple bomb could not have killed him. That Soul Hunter was right! He isn't dead!"

"I agree. That is why I am standing only as vice-president. There are many more, like you, who believe that a man such as him could never have been killed in such a way. Sadly, however, those people have a habit of vanishing in the past few months, and those who haven't have been charged with crimes they could not have, and would not have, committed. If we win this election, I will find out what is going on in the Federation."

"And if you don't win?"

"Then I will try to find out what is going on in the Federation."

"Then if you don't win, Ambassador, please, do something for me!"

"Anything, Captain."

"My wife and son in Cromer. If I stay here in New Zealand any longer, I believe something could happen to them, as it happened to Leo Rumpole and the others. I want you to get them off Earth, as far away as possible, if you can."

"I will. They will be safe on Vulcan."

Watt grasped Spock's hand. "Thank you, Ambassador. I will be forever in your debt."

Then, a knock came at the door. "My time is over here," said Spock. "I must go."

Watt shook Spock's hand. "Goodbye, Ambassador."

Spock raised his hand and gave him the traditional Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Captain Watt."

Seconds later, the door opened, and Spock was led away. For the first time in ages, Watt felt some hope in his life.

Commander Sisko sat in his office, making plans for his trip to the Gamma Quadrant and the negotiations with the Dominion. As he sat, deep in his work, his door buzzer sounded. A few seconds later, Quark entered. The Ferengi looked uneasy. The last time he had been called into Sisko’s office was when Starfleet first took control of the station. At that time, Quark's nephew, Nog, had been caught looting one of the old stores on the Promenade.

"Come in, Quark!" Sisko said, looking up from his work.

"You wanted to see me, Commander?" Quark asked. "What about?"

"It's about this mission to the Gamma Quadrant. You have business contacts with the Dominion, don't you?"

"Not exactly, Commander. The Korama can hardly be called big-wigs in the Dominion. All they seem to do is produce toolaberry wine!"

"Nevertheless, you have had some contact with the Dominion, and it is because of that, I'd like you to join us on this mission."

Quark's jaw dropped. "Me? Why? I have no knowledge of Starfleet regulations, or how a starship works, or anything like that!"

"But you have had some contact with the Dominion. That is what I need you for."

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Goodbye, Commander!"

Quark then turned around and started to walk towards the door. As he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a thud, as if something was being banged onto the floor. He looked around to see Sisko smiling at him and holding the staff of Zek, the Grand Nagus himself.

"The Nagus?" Quark gasped. "What are you doing with that?"

"On my way here, I paid a visit to the Grand Nagus. He agreed with me that a peaceful end to this situation with the Dominion would be profitable to both the Federation and the Ferengi Alliance. It is because of this, and your previous contact with the Korama, that he has designated you his official representative on this mission, and to show that he is a man of his word, he gave his staff to me."

Quark sighed. He knew that to deny the Nagus his wish would mean a loss in prestige, and worse, a loss in profits. "Very well, Commander. I'll go."

Quark then went to leave but stopped when Sisko made a noise as if he were clearing his throat. "Aren't you forgetting something, Quark?" Sisko smiled.

Quark knew what Sisko was talking about. Kneeling down, Quark leaned forward and kissed the top of the Nagus’ staff, as is the Ferengi custom. He then got to his feet and left the office as quickly as possible, in an effort to save himself further embarrassment. This action left Sisko with a broad smile on his face.

Once again, the press gathered, this time at Starfleet Command in San Francisco. The press conference had been called by Ambassador Spock, and while no official reason for the gathering had been given, a cherished few had some idea as to why they had been called there. Moments later, Spock strode out onto the foyer and took his place on the podium that had been specially erected. Clearing his throat, Spock began. "Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming at such short notice. As you know, a few days ago, Servalan announced the date for the forthcoming presidential election and offering herself as the first candidate. I am here today to announce that I will be standing in this election - as vice-president."

As always, Lois Kent, the I.S.N. reporter, was the first to step forward. "Ambassador, if you're running as vice-president, who is your running mate?"

"My running mate will be James Watt the elder." A silent hush, followed by some subdued laughter, followed.

"That's impossible!" said Kent. "We all know that President Watt was killed when Starfleet One was destroyed!"

"There are a growing number of people who believe that James Watt was not killed. We have heard testimony to this fact."

"Testimony from a dead Soul Hunter!"

"Look at it this way, Miss Kent. After President Watt gained his abilities in 1999, many attempts were made on his life. A favourite weapon, a raging Monstron or the onslaught of a planet-sized space station could kill him. What makes you think a starship exploding could? The man was indestructible. I believe that somewhere he is still alive, and if that is the case, Servalan's claim to the Presidency is an illegal one."

The crowd then turned around when they heard Commander Sleer approaching the conference.

"With all due respect for all that you've done for the Federation," he started, "I believe that you have finally lost your marbles! You can't stand with a dead man as your running mate!"

"There is a previous case, Commander," said Spock. "If my Earth history is correct, a man stood claiming to be the running mate of John F. Kennedy in the United States presidential election in 2004. His running mate may have been dead, mine, however, is not! The details of my campaign have been laid out in the press release you have all been given. I will now bid you good day."

As Spock left the podium, several more questions were shouted. He paid no attention to these. No one, however, failed to notice the look of anger on Sleer's face.