Shadows of the Horizon [✱33]

Posted on Sun Aug 30th, 2026 @ 12:16pm by Atenophis & Lieutenant Commander Intharia T'Zor & Lieutenant Eldan 3 & Skiron

2,037 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Starfleet Outpost, Dreizhen III
Timeline: 1630 - MD04 (After ✱30, before ✱31)

“What you propose is an insult to Typhoeus, Lord of Shadow and Smoke!” The Vizier Skiron boomed in his deep Goa’uld voice. It was becoming almost a catchphrase for him in his diplomatic dealings when the City of the Horizon was also involved.

“Do not be absurd, Skiron. They propose only we draw limits to our borders. We cannot expect to claim half this planet each when there are only a few thousand of us.” Atenophis, Vizier of the City of the Horizon’s Pharaoh, countered, wanting the discussion to be done.

The three of them had met often in this meagre room in the Federation’s sole outpost on Dreizhen III; only the Viziers could be trusted to accurately relay their master’s wishes to the DS13 representative, Eldan 3.

The Vorta felt like pinching the bridge of his nose or raising his hands in exasperation, or perhaps surrender, but he did neither of those things.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "I am aware of the complexities of your situation. As Terrans would say, we are getting nowhere fast."

"Here is my suggestion: let's have a meal together. A little food, a little drink. Something to keep our minds off of our debate for an hour or so, and we can pick up our conversation then. Can we all at least agree on that?"

"Come, Skiron, surely that much is not an insult to the Lord of Shadows and Smoke. Surely he would not have you refuse hospitality, hmm?" Atenophis teased his counterpart.

"Very well," Skiron said after a moment's silence.

"Thank you, I'm glad we can resolve at least one thing tonight. I took the liberty of reserving some time on our holodeck. And I have done a little research into Terran history. There is an Earthen city called Paris. There were at least three treaties of significance negotiated and signed there. The American Revolution and the first two what they called world wars. I thought it would be a good place to start."

"Any disagreement?"

Skiron looked silently shocked and scandalised by the suggestion. Once Atenophis noticed, he attempted to explain. "In our universe, Paris was Warmaster of the System Lord Hecuba. She was renowned for her savagery, and Paris sought always to impress his mistress with newer and greater atrocities." He told Eldan, before turning to Skiron. "Here, however, it is the capital of the Tau'ri homeworld, itself the capital of the Federation. Named for a tribe who lived in the region, if I'm not mistaken."

Skiron considered it for a moment. "Proceed."

The Vorta's left eye ticed. It was involuntary, and he recovered quickly, trying to keep his face impassive otherwise. "My apologies," he replied as smoothly as he could. "I should have been more aware of your history."

"Fortunately, hopefully fortunately anyway, I was speaking about a different Paris. One I have never been to, but a more neutral location, provided by our holodeck. Paris France. Earth's Paris."

"It is well, Lieutenant. Please, show us the way." Atenophis said with a nod. Skiron stood waiting with folded arms.

"This way, gentlemen, Eldan said as he moved past them and out into the hallway. "We'll take the turbolift to the holodeck and have a nice private dinner. After that, we'll talk."

The Viziers followed closely, remaining mostly quiet as they travelled. They'd been here long enough now that there was very little unfamiliar about the outpost facility itself, though neither had been taken to the holodeck before. As they reached the holodeck, Skiron spoke up. "This technology is deceptively powerful. The Tau'ri have similar inventions; many find themselves addicted to it as they would to narcotics. Do you face similar issues?" He asked.

Eldan carefully considered his response. "I have... been preoccupied with other things," he said as they walked shoulder to shoulder. Not touching, but close. "That is not entirely correct. Let's just say I haven't had much opportunity to experience many. The concept of escape, or sitting up your own world and then occupying it, could become an issue. One that might even prove fatal. Have you experienced something like that?"

Skiron looked amused for the first time, letting out a breathy laugh. "I did not mean to pry into your personal life, Lieutenant; I meant amongst your society. The Goa'uld have no use for such technology, though from my genetic memory I recall an encounter with a strange device, centuries ago. It was a beautiful pulsing, mesmerising light in a temple. Any who laid their naked eyes upon it were transfixed and absorbed completely. One could stare for hours, and upon looking away, believe that no time had passed at all. Many would waste away and perish from starvation just to behold it. Those who were drawn away would end their own lives; such was the power it held over them. I was fortunate that my ancestor was not ensnared." Skiron looked at the gridded room around them. "But I digress. Show me this 'Paris'."

"Ahh, perhaps I overshared. While my people are familiar with the technology, they use it for recreation. They use it for tactical simulation."

Then he cleared his throat.

"Computer," he said. "Run Eldan Paris Epsilon Delta."

The orange grid slowly faded, and they found themselves on a crowded cobblestone street where they could see the Eiffel Tower about two kilometers The city looked as though it was from the early 2000s.

"Charming," Atenophis said, though he was in truth surprised by the simplicity of it, not realising the fact that this was the city as it was several hundred years ago.

"I had heard the Earth was a developed world of technology and progress. This looks late industrial." Skiron said, confused by the sight and much less diplomatic about it than his counterpart.

Eldan steepled his fingers as they walked. If he was offended by the others' words, he was talented enough not to show it. "This is not the Paris of today," he replied. I went back to Paris of the early twenty-first century. 2005 in Terran years It was a simpler time back then."

"It was a simpler time."

"We can focus on a meal, the beauty of the city, each other. Have a real discussion and get to know each other. That's all tonight is going to be. No bringing up issues, arguing over territory, anything other than getting to know each other."

"My counterpart may find that somewhat difficult," Atenophis said with a smirk.

As if to spite him, Skiron seemed to soften his demeanor. "Please, lead on." Typheous' Vizier said, admiring the strange design of the parked automobiles, thinking they resembled some sort of strange oversized beetle.

"I tried to be authentic," Eldan said as he led the two other men toward the base of the Eiffel Tower. "Though"

I am obviously not human, so it may not be perfect.

"The cars are pretty close, though. Humans used to rely on them as their main source of transportation."

"How strange. They move only along the ground." Skiron said, somewhat confused by the mechanism, but seeing them go in the distance.

"But, I digress. We have a choice; we can take the elevator, which, by the way, operated from 1888 until early into the 22nd century, or we can take the stairs. What would you gentlemen like to do?"

"The stairs," Skiron said, and began his climb. Atenophis nodded in agreement.

Then he turned and looked at Atenophis, "What were you saying about your companion?"

"I have noticed a tendency in my counterpart towards cynicism and negativity. Pushing his Lord's agenda beyond the scope of reason and good taste is perhaps his single driving motivation." Atenophis noted quietly as Skiron made an impressive pace up the stairs. "But the Harcesis Lord Typhoeus has a disadvantageous position. A newly minted Regent, trying to hold together his late father's forces, trying to retain a distinct identity from the Lord of the Horizon, the Aten's chosen. I do not envy Typhoeus his position, nor Skiron to be Vizier of such a Lord."

Eldan had incorrectly anticipated that his guests would have preferred the elevator. So, he was taken by surprise. He did his best not to show it. It was a small thing, and he had a good deal of experience in hiding things. But he couldn't be sure.

He hurried to keep pace with the other two. "Cynicism isn't always a bad thing; it can be a survival mechanism. But I hope you can set it aside. At least for the evening."

"Have either of you ever had escargot?"

"We did not have such foods on Karnak," Atenophis said, slightly confused by the translation.

"Ah, gastropods. Yes, a delight." Skiron said from the top of the stairs.

"I'm glad to hear. It is a delicacy from what I've been told. Especially before there were replicators or holodecks. It is our first course, unless either of you has an objection."

"I know, everything is artificial, but do either of you not eat meat?"

Both of them laughed at the question, without really answering it.

Eldan laughed, "Then I guess my instincts were correct." he said. "They usually are.

(LATER)

The pleasant diplomatic atmosphere was suddenly and unceremoniously interrupted by the hum and glow of a transporter. Without warning, Lieutenant Commander Intharia T'Zor, DS13's Chief of Science, appeared within the French restaurant. She carried a padd in her hands, clasped around it behind her back.

Intharia looked at them, her surprise mirroring their own. She wasn't expecting to arrive in the holodeck. "Lieutenant. Gentlemen. I'm sorry to interrupt, but a rather urgent matter has come up. Might we speak privately for a moment, Lieutenant?"

"Yes," Eldan nodded.

"Gentlemen," he said, my apologies, it looks like we are going to have to reschedule."

Pulling the science officer aside, he asked, "What's going on, why the urgency?"

"The survey team has encountered an intensely belligerent and territorial insectoid species - several species working together, it seems - in the South. They've managed to create some kind of plasma storm in the atmosphere that prevents travel, and there's tens of thousands of them bearing down on Shitau. We need all the help we can get if we're going to stop them. The only help in reach at the moment is the forces of Akhenaten and Typheous." T'Zor explained to the diplomat.

"So, we just need to get them to work together long enough to solve this situation. Right? Has the insectoid race been identified, other than what you've told me? Would Akhenaten or Typheous know about them? Would they recognize the threat they pose?"

"Whether they work together or agree to send forces separately shouldn't make a difference. They're not a species anyone is familiar with, though whether the Atenists or their people have discovered them, only they could say. The Tok'ra Polyphron apparently compared them to something called a Reetou before she and her team disappeared; perhaps the reference would be useful in helping them to understand if they don't already." T'Zor said, trying to maintain decorum.

The Vorta nodded, "Whatever data you have would be helpful.." He glanced back at the two seated men. "I think their... bark is worse than their bite and, while it's a good thing we don't have to have them work together, I think I can convince them to send reinforcements."

"At least one of them, and I'll do my best to get them to coordinate their attacks."

"What else do I need to know?"

"Nothing that isn't here," Thari said, passing a padd that contained all the information she had prepared in the hopes of swaying the men. "Except that time is short, and getting shorter."

"I must apologise for eavesdropping friends, but neither myself nor my counterpart can authorise military action ourselves. Our masters alone

"Then perhaps, " Eldan said, "we should follow that human idiom 'divide and conquer.' I will go to Typhoeus and make our case, while you can go find Akhenaten."

"Would that work?"

"I think so, yes. We spoke briefly when he was aboard DS13. And I think someone with better powers of persuasion than mine should speak to Typheous." T'Zor agreed.

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