Henry Wolfe is a diplomat, hired by the federation to travel to distant planets to build bridges and make alliances, a task that is sometimes easier said than done. But he does love his job. He's always been good with people, a skill he'd perfected through years of appeasing his father. A skill he'd perfected after years of keeping his father from laying his hands on his children and his wife. So while his skills weren't a natural gift that doesn't mean he isn't the very best at what he does.

Because he is.

And so he travels of the U.S.S Archeron with a crew of over one hundred. He's relatively good friends with the captain and the Chief Engineer. Which is funny in a way... Henry never thought he'd much like being friends with an engineer. He's a bit of a neat freak you see and most engineers he's met aren't as careful about their appearance as he is.

But Sam is nice and he's funny as hell.

So when he isn't working or leading intergalactic relations meets Henry spends most of his time with Sam or Henry.

Today he just happens to be spending his time with Sam.

"Look, I'm just saying, Martha like you and I don't understand why you aren't at least considering it."

"Martha is recently widowed."

"Recently as in three years?"

Henry rolls her eyes, more amused that annoyed with his friend's insistence that he go and talk to the communication's officer on the Omega shift. She's pretty, yes, and she's really, very nice but... Henry just can't see himself in a relationship with her. And he's not going to lead her on by asking her out on a day over their next shore leave.

Sam wipes the sweat off of his forehead and turns his attention back to whatever it is he's building.

He's on break and even though he should be sleeping after working the alpha shift- and then pulling a shift for a kid working the beta shift who'd gotten some kind of bug- but instead he'd dragged Henry to the commissary so they could grab lunch and talk.

"It's not happening Sam."

"Alright, damn." The dark eyed engineer raises both hands into the air and shakes his head. "Will you at least think about getting some tail when we dock on, fuck what's the name of the planet? Adroilla?"

"Atrolla."

"Yes, thank you, Atrolla."

Henry drops his sandwich onto his plate, eyebrow raised, and turns his full attention to the engineer sitting across from him.

"You're fully aware I have a job to do once we've been cleared to transport down right?" He asks.

"I know you're a diplomat with a tree shoved so far up your ass it must be hard to take a shit sometimes." Sam laughs, ignoring the reprimanding look from the Andorian male sitting near them.

"You're an idiot." Henry points out.

"No, I'm realistic. Difference."

"Keep telling yourself that, mate."

The engineer snorts before turning his attention back to the machinery on the table. It's gotta be some kind of a gun or something. Maybe? Henry isn't sure. Either way he thinks Sam had better be damn careful with whatever the hell he's making. He has a tendency to blow stuff up, Sam does, and he tries to deny it but everyone knows it's true.

Sam Williams is a little more than accident prone.

"Look, just consider it yeah? If the women there have fangs and bite the heads off of their partners after sex then, yeah, don't tap that shit but I mean... What's the harm?"

"What the fuck are you even talking about, Williams?"

"Did you know praying mantis females bite the heads of their mates off? I didn't. Learned that from a Betazoid at the academy. He was studying Botany at the Academy."

"And how is that relevant to praying mantises?"

"I dunno, man. I was so sexed out I could barely keep my eyes open."

Henry grimaces as he takes a sip of his water.

"You're a pig." He says.

Sam smirks. "Never said I wasn't."

The thirty-year-old rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to the food on his plate. It's going to be a long week if they get permission to transport down tomorrow and Henry doesn't think he's going to miss the food replicators on the ship but he's also not sure if he'll be able to handle Atrollian food. So he chows down and listens to Sam go on about this subject or that, offering little comments here or there, and he wonders if the people of Atrolla will be anything like the engineer.

If so, Henry doesn't think he's going to have much of a problem.

~X~

They get clearance to beam down to the capitol city of Atrolla.

Henry makes sure to dress to the very best of his abilities. Brushing his teeth twice, slicking back his hair, trimming his beard, smoothing down his finger nails, and spritzing a small- minuscule so as not to risk offending any sensitive noses he might come across- amount of cologne onto his neck. Then he puts on the suit he'd had pressed just the night before and slips into a pair of leather shoes.

He's very pleased with the image he presents.

Without much though Henry grabs him Comm device and a Padd off of his beside table before making his way out of his assigned room.

He and a small team will be transporting down to Atrolla in less than an hour and he needs to be in the transporter room as soon as possible. He doesn't like being late anyway but being late to a meeting with the Atrollians is unthinkable.

It's unacceptable.

Henry's done some research on the Atrollians. Nothing major, just what whoever Captain Weiber spoke to the day before. But from what Henry's read most Atrollians believe that tardiness is a sign of disrespect, especially in matters of business and politics. Henry can respect that. So he's not going to be late.

When he reaches the transporter room the Captain is waiting for him alongside Doctor Mathias Harper and the communication's officer of the Alpha shift. Henry has only met him once but he's a prick. Good at his job. But a prick none-the-less.

"Are you ready, Mr. Wolfe?" The captain inquires, adjusting the gold shirt of his uniform.

"I was born ready, Xander." He laughs, making his way to the platform where the others are beginning to line up.

"Good. We'll need you at your best today."

Yes, because the captain read the same information Henry did and they both know that while the Atrollians are a peaceful race they aren't exactly docile. They're just as dangerous as any other foreign race the Federation deals with. Sure, they might not be Klingon but they're still dangerous. If today doesn't go well...

Henry smiles.

"Don't worry about me. I'm not the one you need to watch out for." He laughs before flicking his chin in the linguistic standing off to the side.

Xander snorts, "Just watch yourself out there today."

"I could say the same to you, Captain." Henry retorts.

The shorter man rolls his eyes before turning his attention to the man waiting outside the platform.

"Energize." He barks.

And the red shirt nods briskly before pressing his fingers into a button.

Henry's never been a fan of transporter technology. Sure, it makes traveling much easier but Henry's never actually enjoyed the experience. It makes his head hurt. Which is weird because it's not supposed to do that but for some reason it does and Henry hates it.

So when he finally feels solid ground beneath his feet again Henry lets out a relieved breath before promptly sucking it back in when he sees the men and women standing around him.

The first thing he notices about the people of Atrolla is that they're rather colorful. Their hair comes in a variety of exotic colors, from dark reds to soft lilacs and vibrant greens. He notices that the males tend to have darker colors than the women. But even then Henry doesn't think he's ever seen a species more colorful then the humanoid men and women standing around him.

But the thing that catches his eye is the golden sheen to their skin and their eyes.

"Welcome, Captain Weiber," a tall man in richly colored clothes calls as he steps forward, "I am Diru, Senator of this Provence. My brothers and sisters have been awaiting your arrival."

Henry watches, fascinated, as the few remaining strands of red in the man's hair gleams like fire as he walks toward them. It's almost enough to distract from the translator coiled around the man's neck.

To his left Weiber bows his head.

"You have my thanks, Senator Diru. I hope we are able to build a friendship, your people and mine." The captain says.

And Henry wants to beat his head against the nearest wall. Because the Captain's politeness sounds a bit forced and that isn't good for business.

But the Atrollian smiles kindly and turns so that he can gesture to the large building behind him.

"As do I, Captain Weiber. Come, you will be shown to your quarters. You are honored guests after all."

Then the man turns and makes his way toward the building, careful to keep himself just in front of the visiting party. As he moves the Atrollians around them shift and move, some of them bow their heads while others offer polite smiles. None of them move to speak as the elder leads them into a large building. Henry thinks it might be a respect thing.

He's not sure though.

"You will each be assigned a translator and a guide. They will ensure that you reach wherever it is you wish to go without problem. You will be shown to your quarters and in one of your standard hours the senate will gather to discuss matters of the provinces, which will include the matter of your Federation."

"So soon?" Doctor Harper asks, eyes wide.

Henry speaks before the Senator can, "We appreciate your consideration Elder Diru, truly."

The elderly man smiles, painted lips peeling back over slightly pointed teeth. It would be discomforting if his eyes weren't so kind.

"It is no trouble, young Wolfe, we are very eager to learn of your Federation." He ensures.

"As are we," Henry says.

They receive another kind eyed smile from the man as they slip into the main hall of the richly decorated building.

"This is the Senate building. All meetings are held in the North Solar Hall, you're quarters are in the west wing. Unfortunately I was unable to convince the rest of the Senate to allow you accommodations in the South wing with the other Senators but... Well, some are more wary of your visit than I."

"Are you not?" Captain Weiber asks.

And the Senator's bronze eyes gleam as he says, "When you have lived as long as I, youngling, you learn a great many things about people. I do not think you are here to do my people harm therefore I am not suspicious of your presence. It is as simple as that."

Henrys frowns a bit.

The senator in front of him is awfully jovial for a man who is about to do political business with races he has never before heard of. Political business With a Federation that until mere hours ago was nothing but possible fantasy. Henry's met naturally jovial people before, this isn't anything new, but he's a little taken aback by the man. Just a little bit.

As they make their way through the Senate Building Henry makes small talk with Senator Diru. Nothing overly personal. The Senator might not be suspicious of them but it's quite obvious he won't be discussing the weaknesses of his people with a group who are yet to be determined as friend or foe. But he does tell them about exported good and the difference between Terran music and Atrollian music. It's an interesting conversation to say the least.

So when they stop before a series of doors something like disappointment flares in Henry's gut.

"These are your quarters. Please, make yourself comfortable." Senator Diru says, turning to walk away, "Your guides will arrive shortly."

Once the Senator is making his way back down the hall Henry turns to open the door to the room he's been given. It slides open as Henry steps closer, revealing a room filled with plush furniture and colorful mosaics. Henry turns to his companion.

They look just as stunned as he feels.

"Until later gentlemen." He says before stepping into his room.

The door slides shut behind him.

~X~

When the door swings open several minutes later he's sitting on the couch near the window, his PADD in his hands, and a glass of something that tastes a little bit like coffee resting on the low table in front of him.

He looks away from the PADD and the information he'd been going over for this particular meeting to see a boy with blue hair and wide honey colored eyes staring at him.

Henry smilles.

"Hello." He says.

And the boy moves closer.

"Greeting Henry Wolfe, my name is Venbo, I have been assigned as your guide."

"Is it time for the Senator meeting?" Henrys finds himself asking.

"Yes, I've been asked to escort your to the North Solar Hall."

"Well, I'd hate to keep them waiting." Henry smiles as the child nods his head and turns on his heel.

The walk to the North Solar Hall isn't very long. Henry thinks that might be because the kid in front of him is practically sprinting, forcing Henry into a brisk walk to keep up. And when the two of them reach the large, ornate doors of the North Solar Hall there is already a small group waiting.

Xander, Mathias, and the linguist.

Beside them are three children. All with hair colored in varying shades of blue which makes Henry wonder if the little guides assigned to them are siblings. There's only one girl in the group and she sticks close to Mathias, watching as he tells her about his job.

She seems fascinated.

Henry finds himself wondering if she'll end up joinging Starfleet if everything goes to plan today.

Minutes pass and when Mathias asks what's taking so long the little girl beside him explains that this particular Senate meeting had been scheduled for some time. And seeing as these meetings are the only time all of the Senators are in the same room they'd been forced to deal with matters of the provinces before discussing the Federation.

Henry understands that.

So when the doors slide open and the children snap to attention, whispering that it's time, Henry merely smooths down his jacket and follows the children into the room.

"The meeting to discuss the joining of Atrolla to the United Federation of Planets is now in session, step forth Ambassador Wolfe."

Henry isn't nervous. This isn't his first rodeo. But there's always room for mistakes and so Henry takes a steadying breath before following the child out onto the platform in the middle of the room. It'll allow the men and women in the seats around the room to see him without issue.

"Thank you, Senators, for meeting with me on such short notice." Henry says, voice carrying through the room. "The United Federation of Planets is an interstellar federal republic composed of planetary governments that agree to exist semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of Universal liberty, rights, equality, and to share their knowledge and resources in peaceful cooperation, scientific developments, space exploration and defense purposes."

A quick glance around the room shows that the colorful men and women have given him their undivided attention. They're interested, curious even. This is good. It means Henry has a chance of getting them to agree to join the Federation.

"The United Federation of Planets encompasses eight thousand light-years and of the one hundred fifty planets to have willingly joined none has be undermined or diminished. Each planet is considered equal in the Federation's Democracy."

"And in this democracy your Federation has created," A man's voice says, "how are planets to govern their own people? Are their representatives? If so where is the heart of your Federation of Planets?"

Henry turns toward the voice, careful to scan the seats. He doesn't know who spoke but he thinks it might have been the green haired man with the sun colored eyes. He offered a polite smile.

"Senator, I assure you that the Federation does not stop the governing of planets. The only thing we ask is for the planets of the Federation to follow a few simple laws that were created to ensure the safety of those in the Federation." Henry continues with a polite grin.

"And the representatives?"

"That depends on the planet. Normally there is only one or two representatives from each planet that come to earth to sit in for the Federation Council. However, larger planets are known to sometimes have three or four representatives. Each representative is voted on by either the people or, perhaps in this case, on other political leaders."

"Earth? Is that the planet on which the Federation meets?"

"Yes, Earth has many embassies and it is also where Starfleet Academy- an educational institution for those who wish to explore space as well as possibly defend Federation Planets- was build." Henry replies.

And then the question he always dreads.

"You've made mention of defense more than once, Ambassador Wolfe, does your Federation typically require military actions?"

Henry turns, ready to answer the way he always does, but stops when he makes eye contact with the woman who spoke.

She's... Terrifying.

Beautiful with her tanned flesh and vibrantly pink hair, eyes like molten gold framed by a curtain of dark magenta eyelashes. She's wearing a black dress held to her body by a series of metal bands that wrap around her neck before dropping down where they wrap around the space between her collarbones and cleavage as well as around her waist.

What's terrifying about her is the intensity of her face.

It is a face of a woman who would set entire worlds ablaze to protect her own.

"Senator..."

"Sermari Alrix."

"Senator Alrix," Henrys takes a breath. "While the primary purpose of the Federation is not to spread war or violence we do have enemies. Some of which we've yet to meet. To teach the Cadets at Starfleet how to react in the event of an attack is the only way to ensure that we can protect those who need protecting."

"And what do you do with these enemies after you have met them?" The woman demands, voice cold and distant. "Would we be considered enemies if we do not join your Federation?"

"No Senator Alrix, the Federation would respect your decision to remain a separate government. There have been other planets to do the same. The Klingons for example. We are not allies of the Klingon Empire but the Federation has created a treaty of sorts that has cut out a specific section of space that is considered Klingon territory."

"And does your Federation have dealings with these Klingons?"

"No, we do not."

The woman leans back in her seat, eyes burning.

Something in Henry's gut tightens. She will be the one he has to convince. The others seem interested enough and if they have hesitations they're keeping them to themselves. This woman, however, is not.

But as Henry's attention is pulled away from the woman to another senator who has questions about the laws of the Federation Henry finds himself growing more and more nervous.

If the other senators have the same reservations as Sermari Alrix then Henry might have more trouble then he thought. Oh, he's not saying it'll be unlikely for the Atrollians to join the Federation. He just thinks it might take a bit more work is all.

So he tells them about the medical advancements and the scientific discoveries and the planets the Federation has helped. He tells them about Starfleet and his experience with the Academy. He tells them the good and the bad. Because Henry wants this planet to join the Federation but he doesn't think keeping things from these people will benefit him in any way.

"There is much to discuss Ambassador Wolfe," Diru says after a long moment. "Your guides will take you on a tour of the city and when the Senate has reached a decision you will be informed."

Henry wasn't expecting an immediate answer.

"Thank you Senators, truly."

Then he's being guided out of the room and into the hall alongside the small group he'd arrived with.

Behind him the doors slide shut and seal, locking the group out of the North Solar Hall until they're summoned again or the Senators decide what they're going to do.

Henry turns to his guide.

"Venbo?"

"Yes, Ambassador Wolfe?"

"Would you mind showing us a good place to eat? I think my companions might be a bit famished."

The blue haired boy nods very slowly.

"Yes of course, follow us please."

And then the little blue haired children lead them away from the North Solar Hall and out of the Senate building.

~X~

The Atrollians have agreed to join the United Federation of Planets.

Henry thinks the Federation will benefit from having the Atrollians as an ally planet. Not only is the planet rich in natural resources but the planet's technology is fascinating. It doesn't hurt that the planet is more of a tropical paradise than anything else. He thinks that in a few years Atrolla will be getting a lot of tourists from other Federation Planets.

He'd be studying them, their culture and their way of life, on his PADD right now if he hadn't been invited to the Senators Ball- an event that is held after every Senate meeting. It's really more of a dinner than a ball. Henry thinks they only call it a ball because it sounds better than The Senators Dinner. Henry sighs. He'd much rather be in his quarters studying the Atrollian's culture.

"You seem displeased to be here, Ambassador Wolfe."

Startled he looks up, eyes wide, to find Sermari Alrix standing beside him.

She's changed clothes. Instead of the black dress she'd been wearing earlier she's wearing a blue. All plunging neckline and sharp edges. It looks like she's wearing ice. Ice and snow and winter winds.

A stunning contrast to the hair piles atop her head.

"Not at all, Senator Alrix... I was just thinking."

Molten eyes stare at him for a long moment. They gleam and shift and enrapture him. Then she smiles. A distant thing but so very, very kind. Henry thinks that while pleasant it is a stark change to the icy distance she'd shown earlier that day.

"About my people or our technology?"

"Would it be wrong of me to say both?"

The woman lowers herself into the chair across from him. No. She drapes herself across the chair. Like one of the women from the paintings made in the Italian Renaissance. Elegant and elusive.

Beautiful.

"No, I was curious as well," a pause. "You are a fascinating man."

Henry takes a sip of whatever liquor is in his glass. He misses the way Sermari's eyes linger on the rim of the glass and the stem where he'd been holding it.

"You did your research I see."

"Yes. You were top of your class as Starfleet Academy, you majored in Political Sciences, you are highly intelligent... And you are fairly attractive." Sermari says, and she must see something in his face because she continues with a soft, "I studied the public records offered to us by the Federation."

"Oh."

A moment of tense silence.

"I would like to apologize for my earlier hostility. You were undeserving of it and I apologize."

"Something tells me you don't apologize often."

"Because I do not."

Henry nods.

Neither does he. Not unless he has too. Without much thought Henry raises his glass back to his mouth. It's sweet, like apple cider. He empties the glass and when he goes to set it aside Sermari is already motioning for a waiter to bring two more of the sweet tasting drinks.

Henry is surprisingly delighted that the beautiful Senator is choosing to sit and drink with him.

The two of them sit and talk, more and more glasses of the sweet tasting liquor finding their way to their table. And by the end of the night they are both well into their cups- though Sermari appears to be handling it better than Henry will ever hope to- and Henry finds himself asking if Sermari would like to accompany him to his quarters.

He's not expecting her to agree.

He's not expecting anything really.

But Sermari Alrix offers a gentle smile as she moves to stand and place her hand in the crook of his elbow.

And so he takes the alien women to his room. It's stupid, in the back of his drunken mind he knows this, but she is lovely and he has never truly wanted a women like he wants this woman. So he takes her to bed. Because he wants to, because she wants to.

In the moments after the act is done Henry finds himself tracing his fingers down the woman's spine where the skin is more golden hued than tan. He watches as the city lights cast shadows across her face and put streaks of purple and green in the pink of her hair.

He watches even as the dark haze of sleep takes him.

And he dreams.