Diplomatic mission to Vein II

Posted on Wednesday July 27th, 2022 @ 8:35pm by Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant Finchley Kerr

Mission: New Worlds
Location: Vein II/USS Oberon
Timeline: Current.

Away Team 1: Temporary CO, Chief Diplomatic Officer, Assistant Chief Operations Officer (+ any NPC's/PNPC's).

They will meet with the Vein II First Minister and the governing officials and try to work out a way to stop the 2 tier system so that they can gain entry into the Federation.

[ON]

Ensign Jo Grant had been assigned to a diplomatic mission to beam down with Temporary Captain Finchley Kerr and the CDO Lieutenant Chase. She had been the acting Chief of Operations for going on 6 months now. Both the Captain and the XO seemed to hold her in high regard especially since she was only an ensign. Her hair had grown blonde and was now down to her shoulders. The radiation poisoning was nearly gone. All the blemishes on her skin had healed and she had been working out daily to get her strength back. The Chief Medical Officer had cleared her for a return to duty three weeks ago and she had been working hard running the Ops division. This mission would be her first Diplomatic mission and she was a little more than excited about it. She looked up Vein II on the ships' computer and learned they had a two-tier system of government and society. The People would have to be united before they could ever hope to be accepted as members of the Federation. Ensign Grant strode into the briefing room for the mission briefing.

-----------------Vein II------------


Chief Minister Ara looked out onto the Great Plaza of Hero’s. The green blaze of the summer had just begun to bloom above the statues of the thirteen previous First Ministers of the planet Vein ll. She studied the empty pedestal that she knew would be for her, *later rather than sooner* she mused as she waited for her First Aide to report on the preparations for the visit.

“First One?….. Minister?”

A voice broke into her thoughts and she turned to see her First Aide Ranuva Ral. “We are ready to receive the delegation from the Federation ship Ma’am ”

Security Minister Valev snorted. “We welcome them with friendship and food and yet we are going to hide so much from them. You know the medical ministry is about to refine the gene therapy that will make these soldiers compliant?.”

Ara looked at him with dislike. “We need to help them, treat them like the citizens they are, give them a vote not antagonize and alter them further. We are no longer at war with the B’ahi so our soldiers should be allowed home, my son should be allowed home. Tor is not the person he has become.” She stopped as she knew Valev was a hard-line militarist and had the ear of the Quoram. Ara was putting everything good she believed in on the line with the Federation.

----------[USS Oberon, Transporter Room 1]-------------

Finchley and his Away Team stood on the transporter pad. As he looked at the transporter Chief, Finchley said "Open up a channel to the surface."

The transporter Chief nodded as the link was secured.

"This is Lieutenant Commander Kerr to First Minister Ara, we're ready to beam down to your co-ordinates" he said.

Ara nodded to her Aide “Lieutenant Commander Kerr if any of your party are carrying weapons when you pass through our transphasic planetary net it will recognize and remove them. Apart from that we welcome the Federation to our Halls.”

"No First Minister, none of my team have any weapons, please be assured" Finchley replied "We shall be with you momentarily, Kerr out" he finished, nodding to the transporter Chief.

The transporter Chief's hand passed over the board and the blue hue enveloped the team and they were gone, appearing a moment later in the Halls. As soon as the transporter hue disappeared, Finchley saw an authorative looking person coming towards them. Assuming it was the First Minister, Finchley bowed at the hip and said "On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, I bring you greeting First Minister Ara, here are our diplomatic credentials."

Ara approached the team and bowed to each. “Welcome to our world, we are the Akaru, let peace be between our peoples. Please Lieutenant Commander Kerr introduce your team?”

She smiled and waited, suddenly noting that Security Minister Valev was talking to an Aide she did not recognize. She frowned, she knew he had his own addenda but his actions were becoming more and more out of synch with the government line. She turned back to the Federation party.

"Thank you for your warm welcome First Minister" Finchley replied "And certainly, may I introduce Lieutenant Chase, the USS Oberon's Chief Diplomatic Officer, Ambassador Trellis from the Federation negotiation delegation, and Assistant Chief of Operations, Ensign Grant. Would you kindly introduce us to your delegation?"

Jo Nodded.

Ara looked genuinely pleased to meet them. “This is my first Aide Ranuva Ral,” she said addressing the young woman by her side and our Security Minister Durat Valev.”

Instead of smiling Minister Valev stepped forward, “I have just been informed of your scans, I would like to know why you found it necessary to scan for our military capability on your arrival! Does the Federation do that every time, or only to troubled places?” He said acerbically.

“MINISTER VALEV” Ara exclaimed, “that is enough.” She turned to Finchley, “I apologize for the Security Minister’s outburst.”

"No, no First Minister, that's a fair question your Security Minister asked," Finchley said to Ara, then turning to Valev he said "The reason we passive scanned them Minister Valev, was because, as we have two different technologies, we wanted to make sure that none of our systems would interfere with, or accidentally set off your weapon platforms. Furthermore, though not a firm directive from Starfleet, some Senior Officers on various vessels have found it worthwhile shall we say."

Valev harrumphed and was about to say more when Ara held up her hand. “No more Minister, I am still the First Minister here.” He went quiet. She continued. Will we be meeting Captain Trensu Lieutenant Commander?”

Jo could sense the real tension between the two ministers and their aids. Could they be enemies? Clearly they were political rivals. Though for now, she kept her mouth shut and kept observing them. She took in as much as she could from her surroundings. One thing was clear even in their own government they were not united. There was a lot of mistrust and deep frustrations going on here. Jo wondered what the other side was like.

"I'm afraid the Captain is indisposed currently First Minister, he's unwell at the moment and being looked after by our Chief Medical Officer and his team" Finchley replied "Our apologies for this, it's the reason that I'm currently heading our team as the Senior Officer. Once he's recovered, he'll be honoured to meet with you. He's obviously keen for the negotiations to carry on, so with that in mind, we're at your service on how you wish to continue putting forward your case for joining the Federation."

“Yes, indeed we have planned a tour of the city for you and then a banquet in your Honor. After that we will sit down with the Quorum and begin our discussions. Please, if you will follow me to the transport?” Minister Ara moved towards the ceiling high doors of the hall as Valev waved a large security contingent of soldiers to follow behind him. The genetically enhanced soldiers followed silently behind the Federation team as they were led out into the quadrangle where the hover transports waited. The sun immediately beat down on them. Ara turned to Finchley, “one of our problems is the change in our climate, the rains are no longer as frequent as they were, many of our crops have failed and there is now famine in our most northerly continents.” She looked towards Valev in distaste as he spoke to the soldiers. “We were at war with a race called the B’ahi for many centuries, this has taken a large toll on our planetary resources and, if we were admitted to the Federation is something we would wish for help with.” Ara indicated they should take their places in the vehicle.

Finchley turned to Ara and said "First Minister, before we begin our tour, may I have a quiet word with you alone for a moment?" he added, gesturing so they could walk off to one side to be alone.

Ara nodded but before she could say anything Minister Valev stood in front of her. “ First Minister I must protest! This is not how things are done.” He took a step nearer to her and Ara’s personal guard stepped in halting his progress. Valev’s face grew scarlet as Ara turned and beckoned the Lieutenant Commander aside.

“I apologize for my Security Minister’s actions, it is unbecoming. As you may be able to tell we do not see eye to eye but he helped win the wars with the Ba’hi.” She waited for him to speak.

Finchley nodded his understanding as he said "I have a proposal that could perhaps find a solution to tha...sorry, the Security Ministers interventions. My Assistant Chief of Operations will require a comprehensive Security evaluation before any actual negotiations begin, this is so that they can report this to myself for agreement or not."

He then gently guided Ara over to Ensign Grant and said "I fully trust Ensign Grant and the Security Minister are able to do this just now, don't you think?"

Aria nodded but raised her eyes skywards. “I understand Lieutenant Commander but as you can see Minister Valev is not in the best of moods. If I am being honest he does not think that Federation membership will bring anything to us. Being a military man he fails to see the growing poverty, even famine, the rioting that is beginning and .…” she stopped as though she realized she was talking too much. “Of course Ensign Grant is welcome to communicate with Minister Valev, I just hope she has a strong will,” she died as an aside.

"Forgive me First Minister, but as leader of your Government, the feelings of your subordinates should make little difference to you, should you tell them to follow a directive you give them. Surely they must carry it out?" Finchley replied, sincerely hoping that Ara would take the hint that things would be better off if Valev was not with them.

Are drew herself up to her full height and looked at him stony faced. “You have NO need to tell me what I should and should not do as leader of my government Lieutenant Commander Finchley. Mister Valev will do as I say but he will not be happy about it.”

"Actually, it's Lieutenant Commander Ke..." Finchley began to say, then let it go, it wasn't worth the hassle.

She motioned to her Aide “Ranuva ask Minister Valev to attend me.” Ral nodded and walked over to Valev who was observing them. Then returned with him.

“Minister Valev the Federation requires that they have full security evaluation before they proceed further. You are to give Ensign Grant your full co-operation meeting with you and your staff. That will take place now.” Her voice had become steel and Valev nodded obviously knowing that nothing he said could now make any difference to the First Minister’s decision.

Finchley motioned for Jo to join them and when she had joined them he said: "Ensign Grant, please go with Minister Valev and check that all Security measures are in place and are suitable for the negotiating teams' safety."

"Yes Sir. Minister Valev, please lead the way," Ensign Grant said politely.

Jo turned to follow Minister Valev.

"Minister, may I say that you have a very beautiful world. It is a great honor for me to be here, Truly we come to serve and I hope that you will recognize that our services honors' you,"
Jo remarked.

Valev turned and looked at her. “That is a very nice speech Ensign Grant but it is lost on me. I am a soldier and, as such do not need pleasantries. Now if you will follow me I will show you the space we have deemed adequate for the negotiations. Do you have much security experience, you look…rather..young?

"I am rather young, Minister but like you, I am also a soldier. I was exposed to toxic doses of radiation about a month ago and am still recovering. It caused a great deal of hair and weight loss. So while I look like an adolescent girl I am actually 25. I am 3 years out of Starfleet Academy. The Oberon is actually my second assignment. I have also been tested in battle, and like you have shed blood for my flag. I do have a bit of experience in security matters though my specialty is in Operations. I am still learning. Life itself is a series of lessons. We learn by doing." Jo said.

Valev nodded, “I am sorry I disrespected you in greeting Ensign. I do not pretend to be a diplomat. If you follow me I will show you where the talks will take place and take you through our internal security systems.” Valev turned and nodded to his Aide who quickly went on ahead.

He watched them go, then turning back to Ara, Finchley said "First Minister Ara, I wasn't attempting to tell you what you CAN and CANNOT do as leader of your Government. I've seen many such situations as that, and forgive me for mentioning this, but he seems no ally of yours and would take any opportunity to talk down any attempt we would try to talk. Perhaps the tour isn't a good idea, I think I'll just order my team back to the Oberon and await Ensign Grants report, that way you won't think of me as an inept interfering busy body trying to tell you what to do."

Ara regarded him. “Walk with me into the garden Lieutenant Commander. I know what you are trying to do and, I do not blame you. We can talk in private as I do have things to tell you which you have to know about this world.” She indicated a path between trees that led into shaded small walled garden which contained a seat. Ara sat as her personal security guard remained at the entrance and waited for him to sit.

Finchley followed Ara into the garden and sat down on the grass, leaning up against one of the seats. He suddenly felt mentally and physically tired. like all the recent events had all caught up with him at the same time.

He gave a deep sigh "I really wasn't trying to do any First Minister, I was being truthful" he said, looking up at Ara.

Ara smiled, “you are tired Lieutenant Commander, I can tell you have a lot to think about. Command is a heavy burden.You know you remind me of my son Tor, he left a long time ago to fight for his planet against the Ba’hi. I have not heard from him for six years now.” She signed, her voice breaking. “My only son.” Ara took a deep breath. “ Our world is troubled, we were at war with a race called the Ba’hi, a technically advanced race from the Oneidez galaxy. This was over 100 of our years ago and since then our men and women have been dying in their hundreds of thousands. Then 20 of our years ago our scientists met up with geneticists from another world who helped the militia genetically enhance our soldiers. 100’s died in the trials but since then we forced the Ba’hi to make peace. Our soldiers were enhanced with wound healing and restorative powers. Incredible strength and for some the ability to take on the appearance of others by blood mix.

The longer the enhancements went on the more our soldiers suffered from violent turbulent thoughts and behavior, many went on to become criminals when the war ended. Now our military led by a cabal headed by Minister Valev are insisting on increasing the genetic enhancements and forcing our soldiers to remain in the military; they are kept on our southern continent and have developed their own society. There have been rumors however that this so called ‘genetic therapy’ can be reversed.” Ara touched Finchley’s sleeve. “We just want our sons and daughters home and to return to the peaceful people we are. In many ways Lieutenant Commander they are slaves.”

Ara stopped talking to listen to the avians in the trees stirred by the cooling breeze. She looked at him. “Now you know our secret I am sure the Oberon will be leaving, but the Federation had to know the truth of our society.” She leant back on the bench suddenly feeling very old.

"You did just say your son was called Tor, didn't you?" Finchley asked Ara

“Yes Lieutenant Commander Finchley, Tor, I have not seen or heard from him since he volunteered for the genetic upgrade program.” She looked at him puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

"We have someone onboard the Oberon called Tor who's under arrest, having attacked one of our officers" Finchley replied "Can I ask you to describe your son?"

“Yes, yes…..of course,” Ara stammered the Minister disappearing leaving the excitement of a mother. “He is tall, well built, blonde hair and has a small scar on his right cheek..but how can he be on board a Federation ship under arrest?”

"His ship was brought onboard our vessel First Minister, though unfortunately, he attacked one of the crew" Finchley replied.

Ara looked shocked, “I must see him,” she gasped.

[OFF]