====== Martin Guzman's quarters, few hours prior the senior crew meeting ===== Martin looked around the little room that was assigned to him as quarters for any more of his belongings he might have forgotten. Two little bags, full with clothes and other personal stuff were lying near the exit door ... both properly ziped. All counted together, both Martin and the room made the impression that one of them was about to leave ... and it surely wasnt the room. He was told that the Chimera will leave the planet shortly and that he was 'required' to transfer to the Tetris II colony. Obviously, his dear brother Shane Guzman decided that the ship wont need any civilian on board ... inclusive his own brother. He had still some 20 Minutes before his sheduled transport to Tetris and he sat down on the large soft chair ... for the last time. A loud beep distupted the net of thoughts in his mind and started him a bit. He wasnt expecting any visit. He even intended to leave the ship without saying good bye to Oriana. He was still puzzled about his feelings towards this vulcan woman. Clearly, it was more then mutal body attraction or a 'pollen' feeling ... Martin was a bit afraid (but the same happy) that it might be something more ... a real love. Only then Martin realised that it was not the door chime, but the wall console announcing an incomming transmission. That puzzled him even more cause it was the first time someone tried to contact him since he was on board the Chimera. Virtually noone knew he was on board, at least he didnt told that to anyone and he was sure Shane neighter. He stood up from his chair and went over to the computer panel and tapped the 'agree to connection' button. He froze in shock as he saw his father ... Ambassador Guzman on the screen. "Surprised to see me?" Martin's father asked instead of a proper greeting. Martin managed only to nod. The ambassador noded like he would expect such an answer and would be satisfied with it. "Martin" he adressed his son, "I really must say that both me and your mother are very dissapointed about your deeds lately. First you leave the diplomatic corps, then play freelancer for 2 years and then join SF again as non-commisioned crew." Martin's father paused only to take breath before continuing: "even that was not long lasting and you left SF as well ... what a waste of time" Martin managed to recover himself from the shock. Much help there was his father, cause speeches like this were a common thing to expect from the 'great' ambassador. "Hello Father, nice to see you as well" Martin said a bit ironicaly, "save your breath father, you know i wont be listening to a talk like that. Have you bothered to contact me only to tell me that I failed to fullfil your expectations? Shall i close teh connection now or is there anything else on your mind?" His father looked at his with an expression where pride and discipline fought for supremacy. He was not used to be answered like that and not even his son had teh right to talk to him like to a fool. After a moment, his face relaxed a bit ... obviously the discipline won. "No Martin, actually I have an offer for you. I know about a way how you could stay on the Chimera for some time longer and do ...." he chuckled, "whatever you did the last days on board. Would you be interested?" Martin didnt expect an offer like that and immediately went suspicious. He knew his father and his opinion about his 'failed' son. Martin knew that their parents arent too happy about Shane's path in SF as well, but compared to him ... Shane was a son to be proud of. So to expect a 'friendly help' from that man on the other end of the communicatin chanel was like to expect a cardassian soldier to help a wounded Bajor fugitive. Leaving his time to answer Martin finally replied: "I might be. Whats the price?" his tone was now a merchant one. He was sure that he wont like the price. Ambassador Guzman pierced his son with a hard stare: "No price son. The Chimera is in need for diplomatic aid for teh upocomming mission. SSF Command asked the diplomatic corps for help and i thought YOU might be appointed to that position ..." Martin still searched for the bad news among all those positive ones. "Whats for a mission father?" Ambassador Guzman shrugged slightly: "I dont know, SSF is secretive like aways. All i know is that its an depp space assigment involving a certain degree of diplomatic activity." He shifted in his chair: "You could have your old rank of consul back, will you accept that assigment now or you wont?". The tone in the older man seemed to be a bit impatient. If was was true or just an illusion to comfuse the enemy ... Martin couldnt guess. Martin crossed his hands on the chest and asked again: "Why would you do that father, why?" Old man Guzman replied instantly: "Cause its your brother who is in charge of that ship for this mission. His General is on LOA and he's the Acting CO now. I trust he will take some care of you ... and drill you a bit I hope, cause no CO can afford to have a loose cannon like you among the crew" Martin noded with understandnes. His father's words gave sense now ... the offer wasnt a way how to help his son, but just a way how to control him. Martin knew that Shane wont be happy about having him as diplomatic aid on board, but he will accept his orders ... but that wont prevent him from making Martin's time on board to a 'pain in the ass' time. The consideration wasnt long. Martin thought about all the pleasant things on board a ship like the Chimera and about his enw lovr Oriana and replied: "I take it father. Will you tell Shane then?" The Ambassador shook his head: "No, Shane will become his orders from SSF Command. I just pass along your name as the diplomatic aid requested." His facial expression went hard: "Dont do an more shame on the family consul!" Without a reply Martin pushed a button and terminated the transmission. A strange feeling went through his body as he realised that he just became Consul Guzman, Diplomatic aid. ===== Conference longue ===== Martin hastened towards the door. {Damn} he thought {I am late}. And he was. He didnt bothered to study the ship's deck layount in mush detail and now he couldnt fine the way to teh conference longue. Luckily he was not later then 2 or three minutes, but not knowing about Shane's mood ... he quickly went over to the conference room. "You are late Martin" Shane said instead of an greeting. I apologize Commander" Martin replied, adressing his brother with his rank. He knew that his position wasnt too stable there, so he avoided any thing that might have his brother to arrest him again. "I've got a bit lost on the way to the bridge, its the first time I am here". With that words he sat himself down on the chair Shane pointed to and watched the senior staff meeting to go on. He watched the pretty Doctor Summers to start. He knew by own experience about the pollen effect and he was a bit concerned when the Commander said that still some crew were suffering from their effect. {Poor souls} he thought. Listening to the other status repors, Martin wondered how will Shane explain his presence on the ship. An another things that catched his attention was a stange tension between the doctor and the counselor. Martin catched few looks Athena gave to his brother and the looks Rangi gave Shane and Athena. {Geeez ... is my dear brother in some personal troubles? Two woman?} he asked himself with a bit of satisfaction .... ===== End of log ===== Consul Martin Guzman (NPC by Mumacik) Diplomatic Aid USS Chimera