We're Here To Help

[Michelle Ortiz]

A fleet of ten starships escorted two freighters as they crossed the border into Alliance space. It was an unusual fleet in that the freighters were of a Cardassian origin. Only two of the escorting starships were Cardassian. Their yellow and tan hulls striking a contrast with the white and gray of the aging Federation starships. Not one was newer than a decade and three were over 150 years old, and had been dug out of junkyards and pressed into service.

The president of the New Federation sat on the bridge of the lead ship. Admiral Riker was in the center seat to her left. Ambassador K'meck of the Cardassian Dutopa Council sat to Riker's right. The first joint mission since the fall of the Federation.

Michelle stood and walked to the center of the bridge, "Open a channel to President Price if you please."

[Jonathan Price]

Kassie got the comm and routed it to the War Room under Leo's. "Sir... comm coming in from the New UFP... shall I route it to the War Room or personal comm?"

"War Room monitor." Jon replied and smiled. "Let's see what Ortiz has to say..." he cleared his throat. "Put her through. President Jon Price here, to what do we owe the pleasure of your call President Ortiz?"

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Mr. President, Admiral Talon informed us that you might need some help."

K'meck stood, his Cardassian features soft under the Federation lights, "Jon, I don't know what she and Arisu said to the Counsel, but they're supplying you 100 Jase'dasis Knights and apprentices, and 300 tons of vibranium ore. They usually don't leave Monastery, and definitely not like this."

"Plus we are providing ships, security officers, and various sundries," Ortiz added.

[Jonathan Price]

"That... is exceedingly gracious." Jon said as he blinked and looked at the screen. "We will of course reimburse... thank you. Madame President, there will be a state funeral for Colonel Leo Ryder, the four security officers and the crew of the Sigma station as well as the Marines we lost in one day's time. You are welcome to attend." he glanced at Nick. "I do have one request... would you be free to meet with us in a secure location at your earliest convenience, we have... some things to discuss."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Of course. President Ortiz out."

It wasn't until the end of the day when Michelle set foot inside the Alliance's secure location. She came alone, not knowing their reaction if she arrived under guard.

"President Price. It is so very good to see you again."

[Jonathan Price]

"The same for me to you Madame President." Jon replied with a slight bow. "I must thank you personally for all the aide you have brought us and apologize for our previous meetings. Now is not the time for us to be fighting each other when we have common foes and our separateness is a benefit to us both." he gestured to a chair. "Have a seat President Ortiz... I must say I am quite surprised you came personally. I did plan on visiting your government but... the last time I set foot on another planet outside the Alliance, Dominus pretty much destroyed the bloody place."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Well, in that regard I'm glad you didn't. You should see Bajor this time of year. I can see why Captain Sisko fell in love with it. As far as helping, for once it was unanimous. Though, the Counsel has a very large and powerful Bajoran contingent. Minister Kira said that she wouldn't sit by and allow tyranny to spread onto others like it had upon Bajor. Paraphrasing of course. Regardless here we are."

[Jonathan Price]

"Well I do appreciate it and this is a threat that won't simply go away. And the Ajem are frighteningly effective at getting their jobs done, even if they lose some, they still manage to succeed in death and chaos." Jon said as he shook his head. "It's not simply a government we're fighting, that's almost easy... eventually we come to terms, but this... I am genuinely worried about our entire galaxy."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Well, you have our full support," Michelle said.

[Nick Ryder]

"And given that I've been prepping for dozens of 'nasty' scenarios for years, for any of us to be this... concerned it's something." Nick said as he walked into the conference room and pulled off the leather gloves he had on. "President Ortiz... I do hope those freighters have some of the goods we've discussed in the past. I've got a freighter loaded with enough Synthetic Dilithium from AlphaTek Industries to keep your ships powered for years. As well as replacement parts that we've got no real need for anymore." he sat down and pulled a piece of paper out and checked a few things off his list. "This is how I mourn, I throw myself into something worthwhile."

"I think most of our people think that there are three presidents. Many still consider my wife to be 'their' president and we don't really try to correct them." Jon chuckled.

"Isabella's mine." Nick said with a wink. "President Ortiz... where are the Jase'dasis you brought from Monastery? I need to apprise them of some of the plans we've been working up. We're still in the process of interrogating the one responsible for the bombing. But I do want to have a skilled Jase'dasis warrior embedded into any of our front line crews that are going to encounter Dominus and his forces or this Bellatrix that apparently is my best friend's counterpart." he shook his head. "I hate this alternate reality crap but it beats time travel..."