New Beginnings (Stavros)

There were seven moons orbiting the planet of Dunkara.  Most of them were fairly nondescript, save the third moon.  It was the second largest of the seven moons... and the only one capable of supporting life (although just barely).  What made that moon special was one of the largest ores of duridium discovered in recent years.  Since Dunkara was uninhabited as well, two nearby systems laid claim to the moon.  That's where the trouble began.

The Grazellians had first claimed the moon, and had begun mining operations.  Shortly thereafter, the Thallianians had arrived, claiming that the moon belonged to them.  Mining halted, negotiations began and failed... and nine months later, absolutely nothing had been accomplished.  Realizing that they were getting nowhere fast, the two sides finally agreed to third-party arbitration.  Which was what had brought them to the starbase they sat in today.

The two sides had already arrived in the conference room... and not five minutes later were already screaming at one another.  The first chair was getting ready to be flung when the door opened.

The burly mining workers had expected an arbitrator.  They hadn't expected the gorgeous Betazoid smiling at them.

"Gentlemen... I apologize for my tardiness.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Ria Stavros.  You have both agreed to arbitration, correct?"

The heads of each side nodded.

"Excellent.  Let us proceed."  Entering the room, she sat down at the table facing the two leaders.  She motioned for them to be seated.  It was a little amusing, watching the large men sitting like school children.

Ria produced two PADDs, which she handed to each of the leaders.  "Gentlemen, I have analyzed your dilemma.  I believe this will be a satisfactory compromise."

The two men read the PADD before them.  The leader of the Grazellians spoke first.

"This is preposterous!  Absolute garbage!  You call this a compromise?"

The head of the Thallianian delegation chimed in as well.

"I refuse to accept these terms!  This is insanity!"

Most people would have been offended.  Ria smiled.  "Well... I'm certainly glad to hear you gentlemen can agree on something."

The two men stopped in their tracks.  They hadn't expected that as a reaction.

Ria turned to the head of the Grazellians.  "Grazellian mining technology is generally considered to be among the top in the industry.  Am I correct in that assumption?"

He nodded.  "Certainly."

"Very well.  Then, you would both agree that it makes more sense for the Grazellians to be allowed exclusive mining rights to the third moon of Dunkara."

The two sides both slowly nodded.  The Grazellian head pointed towards the PADD.  "I still don't understand why the Thallianians deserve forty percent of total profit!"

Ria raised her hand in a calming motion.  "I'm getting to that.  The closest duridium processing plant is on Thallianus.  It is also one of the most state-of-the-art processing plants in the quadrant."  Turning to the head of the Thallianians, she asked, "Am I correct?"

"Yes, yes you are."

"But what about the processing plant on Vorcarta?"

"The plant on Vorcarta is an additional five days journey from the moon.  The plant is also woefully outdated.  Utilizing the Thallianian plant would increase your overall yield from the mined ore by nearly thirty-five percent.  In addition, you would have to circumnavigate an exceptionally treacherous asteroid belt along the way.  I have read that this is a popular ambush spot among smugglers."

"We have no such guarantees for security going to Thallianus, either!"

Ria motioned towards the PADD.  "In exchange for processing, the Thallianians would also provide security escorts for the transport vessels."  Glancing to the Thallianian head, she said, "You would be open to providing said escorts, correct?"

"Certainly."

"So... you have exclusive mining rights.  In exchange, you receive security escorts and first-class processing for the ore.  I think that's worth forty percent."

The Grazellian head was wavering.  "Forty percent is an awful lot."

Ria leaned forward.  "Right now... you're making one hundred percent of absolutely nothing.  The last time I checked... one hundred percent of nothing doesn't pay bills.  It doesn't put food on a table, or clothing on ones' back.  I'm offering you a chance to make sixty percent of something.  Your two sides have spent the better part of a year bickering... and a moonful of ore is waiting to be mined and processed.  You've both sat in conference room after conference room... arguing and fighting.  You can let it sit for another nine months... or you can take this deal and get back to doing what it is you would both rather be doing."  She leaned back, motioning to the PADDs.  "The choice is yours, gentlemen."

The head of the starbase had walked into the conference room after the Grazellians and Thallianians had left.

"Well... nothing's destroyed.  How did it go?"

Ria stretched, running a hand through her hair.  "I just accomplished in two hours what they couldn't do in nine months."

Shaking his head, the base commander said, "You'll have to tell me how you do it sometime."

Rising, Ria smiled.  As she walked past, she patted his cheek.  "No... I don't."

The ship sitting in dock at Starbase 141 looked like it had seen its best days years before.  But, like the occupants of the ship... looks were deceiving.  It was a state-of-the-art transport... boasting the latest in everything.  One of the perks of staying on everybody's good side... you were well-taken care of.

Zhafar Stavros sat in his personal office.  It wasn't large... but he was used to working in much smaller quarters.  He sat at his desk, not doing a whole lot.  Mostly staring at the PADD sitting on the desk near his coffee mug.  In the back of his mind, he had always known that this day would have come sooner or later.  He just didn't know if he was ready for it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the voice emanating from the transporter pad.  "Anybody home?"

Rising from his chair, he headed into the main chamber of the ship.  Stepping off the pad was his daughter, Ria.  In truth, she was actually his niece... but when her parents had passed away, he had legally adopted her.  Zhafar had been the only family she had known since she was seven years old... and this ship had been the closest thing she had been able to call a home for almost as long.

Clad in a white, long-sleeved dress with silver trim and a pair of black boots, the lovely brunette walked over, giving Zhafar a hug.  "The negotiations went well.  The Grazellians and Thallianians signed the proposition we drew up for them."

"You mean, the proposition you drew up for them.  This is all you, Ria."

Waving a hand in a dismissive manner, Ria walked over to the replicator.  "Coffee, three sugars."  A steaming mug appeared, and Ria picked it up.  After taking a tentative sip, she shrugged.  "What can I say?  I learned from the best."

"Ah, my dear... I'd say the torch has passed."

"Oh, don't start that again."

"No... I'm serious this time.  I've been putting off retirement for far too long."  Sitting down on a small bench, Zhafar sighed.  "If I could put what I know now in the body I had thirty years ago..."  He chuckled at the thought.  "But... I'm getting old, Ria.  Diplomacy is a young person's game.  And I'm well past young."

Sitting down next to him, Ria looked over.  "And what would you do?"

"Well... an old friend of mine has a settlement on Rajza.  Says the weather is lovely all year long... and the scenery isn't half-bad, either.  Figured I'd try taking it easy for a change."

After a sip of coffee, Ria said, "You'll be climbing walls inside a month."

Zhafar threw his head back, laughing.  "Ah, ever the vote of confidence."

"Oh, please.  You can't sit still for ten minutes.  You'd lose your mind if you retired.  And you know it."

"Maybe... maybe not.  But... I need something else to do with my time."  He got up and walked into his office.  He returned with the PADD.  Holding it out, he said, "This came for you an hour ago."

Taking the PADD, Ria glanced at the contents:

Ria turned her attention back to Zhafar.  "Is this a joke?"

Zhafar shook his head.  "If it's a joke, then it's on me as well.  I know a little about forging documents... but that one looks legitimate to me."

She set the PADD down on the bench.  "I don't know what to say."

Zhafar took her hands in his.  "Ria.  I've been the best teacher and parent I could.  Heavens knows I've been pretty terrible at each one.  I've taught you everything I know.  On your worst day, you're a far better diplomat than I ever was.  It is time for you to take your own path."

A tear formed in the corner of her eye.  "I could never have gotten this far without you."

Reaching up, he gently wiped it away.  "I'm always with you, Ria.  No matter where you go or what you do... I'm there in your heart."