Information is key

Posted on Mon Oct 15th, 2018 @ 4:23am by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Commander Radak & Lieutenant Commander Mariana Vaz & Lieutenant Sika EngD & Lieutenant Kallen Navore & Lieutenant Galatea Polaris & Lieutenant JG Jasad Yuvek & Lieutenant Anthony Edwards Ph. D & Lieutenant Helena Wells

3,107 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Negotiations and Apothecaries
Location: USS Wolff - observation lounge
Timeline: 15th feb 2395

ON:

In the observation lounge Taliserra sat with Lieutenant Edwards going over the last of the information they'd gathered and were about to present to the rest of the senior staff.

"Think you are ready Anthony, hope you don't struggle with public speaking," she said.

"As ready as I can be, at least I know the crew aren't here to judge the information I'm presenting. The advantage of learning so many languages at university level is that I have had many hours of practice in public speaking," Anthony said with a smile.

"I always had trouble," Taliserra admitted. "Got better at it over time though." She didn't wait for a return comment from Anthony before tapping her combadge. =/\=Senior officers to the observation lounge.=/\=

Navore had his jacket on the back of a chair in the Engineering Section; he grabbed it as he went by, slipping it on as he entered the corridor. The short jaunt to the Observation Lounge was time to straighten and be ready for the meeting.

"Good Day Captain," Navore said in his usual tone, he liked his crew and the Captain. "Seems I forgot to be fashionably late."

Lieutenant Commander Radak wasn't too far behind Lieutenant Navore. The Vulcan nodded politely to the room and offered a little bow of respect before taking a seat near the captain. "Greetings. I hope everyone is having a satisfactory day," he commented and set his PADD on the table in front of him. He had been so busy getting caught up since he had come onboard that he really hadn't had any time to really meet any of the other officers.

Lieutenant Jasad Yuvek arrived along with the other senior members of the crew. His entire focus recently had been on plotting an efficient course to the submit. However, his Assistant Helmsman was not making the task any easier.

Galatea slipped inside behind Yuvek. This was going to be a long briefing and she had a to do list a mile long. Pulling out her notebook and pen she sat poised to take notes.

Followed by Lieutenant Sika who looked as stone faced as could be. He was not all too pleased with the recent technology issues that had him running all over the ship making repairs and changing parts.

The doors parted once again and the Chief of Security entered, her left arm holding a large PADD. She walked quickly to her seat and lowered herself into it without any pomp or drama.

"We've received what we're told is the last data package from starfleet and the Yatal, what you're about to hear is ALL the information we have to go on for now," Taliserra explained. "Hopefully when we meet the Yatal Ambassador he should be able to fill in some more gaps. I know it's not the best situation, but we will have to do our best."

Lieutenant Sika nodded in agreement. That is what is expected of us, thought the Bajoran. It wasn't like Starfleet expected any less. but the very best from all crews on every ship in the fleet.

Jo listened to the CO, her strong, yet feminine arms crossed under her chest. There were many variables involved in a mission like this with alot that could possibly go wrong. She focused her mind on ways to avoid catastrophe.

"Go ahead Lieutenant Edwards," Taliserra said indicating he should start the briefing.

"Thank you Commander Tigran," Anthony said before he started his briefing, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome, we are on our way to negotiate the peaceful resolution of a war. It just so happens that we have one of the best linguists that isn’t teaching in Starfleet.”

Galatea smiled as he spoke. Anthony had no issue with confidence.

Radak listened intently, his eyes on Anthony and his fingers tapping at the PADD in front of him.

Anthony moved on. “The Yatal and the Kurai, which Starfleet have not yet met, we shall have to use first contact protocols in meeting them. These two species are close neighbours that have been at war now for an innumerable period of years. It has been on going so long now that most of the current generation do not remember precisely how it began.”

HG did not say anything, just watched and listened to the proceeding from the back of the room. She did not even take a seat, just sort of blending into the decor as much as possible. She figured best that to listen and if someone needed to ask her something then that was when she could say anything.

"What is the political situation with the Yatal and the Kurai? I assume they each have their own form of Government? Will Starfleet's presence be welcomed by both parties, or does out involvement stir up more trouble than anything else?" inquired the Bajoran who was all too familiar with war and conflict.

"Everything we know about the Kurai has come through the Yatal or is assumed. One thing that the Yatal have passed onto us is leadership of the Kurai is by constitutional monarchy. That means their King or Queen is given a set of written rules with which to abide by. The Yatal are ruled by a tribal council. The tribal Council has approached Starfleet so there are no expected problems coming," Edwards said with a smile.

Galatea studied her notes. "Apologies for interrupting, but do we know anything about them medically or are there rumours if they are telepathic?"

Radak looked at Taliserra. He wasn't sure if there was any medical information, he hadn't thought to ask, himself. It was a good question.

Anthony let out a deep explosive breath. "No need to apologise Galatea, I wish I had good news for you," he said and taking another breath to let the second half slip itself in there too. "I have seen everything that has been sent to us through the Yatal and while I would love to tell you positively one way or the other, but most of the information we have on the Kurai is, I am sure, deliberately skewed to make them appear more savage than they likely are. That said, there is nothing to indicate either the Yatal or the Kurai are telepathic."

"Um..." HG interjected. "That is real easy to actually to prevent. I can make up some subdermal implants that prevent response of the brain and neurochemical transductions from external stimuli."

Galatea sighed. "I need to think about this a bit. If they are like Ferengi I won't be able to read them, if not I should be able to. I can rig a tricorder to do a scan upon contact... can we scan them with the big scanners when we meet them?"

"So long as you are not intrusive," Taliserra said. "We do not want to give a bad impression on our first meeting with two new species."

Radak sat back in his chair for a moment. "I do not wish to distract from the conversation going on, but Lieutenant Edwards has made a good point and I would like to recommend that everyone keep it in mind for the remainder of the dealings we have with these people. We are getting our only source of information on one species from the other... and they are in disagreement with each other. It does cause us a little bit of blindness on our end. The Yatal could be telling us the truth or the information could be completely skewed. I did not really have anything to add, but I think it is important enough for some reiteration."

"If I may, just how far advanced are the two groups? Presumably enough to have some sort of interstellar travel?" HG asked.

Anthony smiled turning to the Commander Taliserra, "That's why I invited her." Turning to give the answer "The Yatal have warp capability though thought it is quite low. Too low to be considered interstellar more as we would look at it is there to speed up interplanetary travel. Their information about the Kurai has no information about them having warp capability, which is why they develop their ships to have strong ballistic weapons and armour."

"Well then you guys have a problem," HG replied. "Prime directive forbids Starfleet personnel to interfere with a non-interstellar species. I suppose one could sort of overlook the Yatal as having warp but the Kurai?" She shrugged her shoulders and then added, "Fortunately the directive does not apply to me. You see the directive applies only to Starfleet officers and enlisted, not to civilians. Federation law for Federation civilians allows the right of travel and assembly unless a world has been declared off limits which these worlds have not been so declared."

"The prime directive has already been taken into account," Taliserra said. HG had raised a good point though. "It was decided before we received our orders that because we were asked directly by both parties to intervene, they are exempt from the directive, however we are instructed to make every effort possible to not expose either species to technological, cultural or scientific information they do not already possess."

HG nodded. She somewhat figured that might be the case. Fleet had a way of bending its own rules and regulations when it suited them. "Indeed, then I would say that everyone is covered. Still perhaps if I am assigned dealing at least with the Kurai might be best. Again if something goes sideways the worse is Fleet will toss me off the ship at the next port. The rest of you have major careers to worry about."

Galatea made a few more notes. "Okay, let's stick with the non interference thing and say we minimize technology contact. Will we be utilizing the holodeck as our negotiation room and is it worth it to send a greeting party to meet the Ambassador on the planet thus giving us a few answers before the main event begins? We can send it under the guise of medical clearances to adjust atmosphere or conditions to their preference. Plus it would let me see how dangerous they are... telephonically if they are telepathic." That was the part she kept coming back to.

Radak nodded again in agreement. "I believe that to be a sound idea as well, Doctor. Although, I am not certain about actually going to the surface." He looked at Edwards. "But I believe having you there when the ambassadors arrive on the ship would definitely be logical."

"As a counsellor, I think having Doctor Polaris there when the diplomats arrive would be highly effective. The location of the diplomatic meeting I will leave to Commander Radak and Commander Tigran. However, even though, by invitation to help negotiate the peace treaty, we have been able to set aside the directive, I don't believe it will extend to one of the most technologically advanced room on the ship." Edwards smiled at the doctor before he finished with, "It was a good suggestion though."

"I believe that the Captain and I have decided that when the Yatal Ambassador arrives, there should a small contingency to meet them. They will be allowed two aides as well. Myself, Captain Tigran, Doctor Polaris and Lieutenant Edwards will be greeting them along with a small security detail."

That seemed logical enough to HG. She would have loved to taken a bit of explore, but it did not seem to be in the cards at the moment. Well that left her time to pursue other things.

Galatea made notes as to the welcome party and a few more questions that she might follow up on as the time neared for the negotiations. It wasn't lost on her that she'd suggested a holodeck for a low tech meeting but they could replicate a meeting room that would be standard there... although how they would know that was a problem, since they had never had contact with them. Her mind was failing her. She had a few things on her mind that were making her a bit wonky... mind wise that is. It was true that counselors really did need to talk to someone. Perhaps she would call on an old friend of hers to get some of her thoughts out.

"And myself," Commander Vaz cut in with her typical direct tone, speaking for the first time since she'd come into the room. "Starfleet protocol and good sense requires a security officer to be present as such events. I might be new to the Fleet, but I read the handbook."

Radak nodded. "We would like to keep the number low, so we do not overwhelm our guests. So, please select your best officers for the arrival," he said to Vaz. "I know that you may not be wholly familiar with your subordinates, but I am sure that one of them could help with recommendations."

Taliserra turned to Mariana. "Yourself and another officer will be suitable." She told her. "Each ambassadorial party will be quartered on opposite sides of the ship, with a guard stationed outside and they are to be escorted around the ship. Both to prevent anything happening between the two parties and so they don't try and access our technology."

"I understand." Mariana responded, already modifying her plan in her mind. She would have to take time to get to know the staff before she picked those best suited for the roles.

HG waited and then asked, "Any chance that we might get to talk to the delegations? I mean, it would interesting to get good samples of actual spoken language from native speakers for analysis."

"It is a very good point," Radak agreed. "We should make an effort to sample as much of their culture as possible. If talks go well, we will have a better chance and more time, but if not... then we may not have a second opportunity."

Galatea wrote a few more notes, "May I make a suggestion?"

Taliserra nodded. "Go ahead, Doctor."

She felt a bit uncomfortable speaking but she did so anyway. "I agree that we should make this a small meeting party but may I suggest a few hidden observers?"

Radak turned his gaze to Galatea, one eyebrow raising slightly. "Do you mean recorded observation, Doctor?" he asked curiously.

HG wondered about that as well but did not say anything. Either way to her mind if recorded or observed directly could be considered a breach of protocol possibly. Another thought struck her that she noticed had not been mentioned.

"There is no doubt our visitors will be coming even briefly in contact with other than official designated personnel. Do we know what cultural norms that might offend them? For example, Talarians would be extremely affronted if a female talked to them."

“The Yatal society is structured very similar to medieval Europe, where people of higher social standing would almost ignore people of a lower social standard, and people of the lower social standard would need permission to converse with those of higher social standards. Similar in a way to twentieth century military chain of command, and our own. In this case the Ambassador will have and aide de camp, who will fetch and carry for him. We have no information on the Kurai.” Anthony said. “Aside from that Commander Tigran would be the most likely crew member that the ambassador will see as an equal. Our mix of races and ranking structure may confuse them to start with.”

"So basically bow, curtsy and stay silent and the heck out of the way, got it." HG replied.

"It seems that way, HG," Radak replied. "And what do we know of the others, the Kurai?"

"We have only a little information on the Kurai and as I said earlier it has been filtered through the Yatal, so it likely paints them in a bad light. They are a bipedal, aquatic, lizard species with various shades of blue skin. They stand relatively hunched over forwards and have a small fin on their head. They speak in a high pitched clicking similar to many insectoid species. Our information on their weapons and shielding has already been discussed. This is everything useful that I have been able to glean from the Yatal report that we have received on the Kurai," Anthony said thankful to get that information out before the meeting broke up.

Galatea kept her mouth shut at this point. Something didn't feel right but it seemed that for every suggestion she made there was an opposition. She would consult with the one person on this ship that had participated in more first contacts then anyone she knew. Until then she would keep her peace.

It looked to Taliserra that the discussion was starting to slow down. "Are there any other questions?" she asked the group.

Radak shook his head. "Not for my part... Thank you Lieutenant Edwards."

HG shrugged. She would have liked more information, but it was not to be and so she just nodded.

Taliserra looked around the table at each of her officers. "Then you're all dismissed."

Anthony breathed an audible sigh of relief as he had gotten through his first official scientific briefing as chief. He went to the replicator for a coffee and took it and spun a seat to face out to space behind them and took a drink as he sat down to watch space for a while.

Galatea bolted as soon as the "dismissed" left the captain's mouth. She had a few things she had to do and now would be a great time to test her new gadget. She grinned as she headed towards sickbay.

Mariana grabbed her PADD off the table and lifted herself quickly onto her feet. She moved toward the door without speaking to anyone; she was focused on the task at hand.

Radak rose. "Captain, if you will not be needing me immedately, I would like to do one last check before we rendezvous with our guests." He started toward the door.

HG waited until there was a spot, not the first nor the last and slipped out. She figured her boss would call her if there was anything more, otherwise she was going to bury herself in equations someplace.

OFF:

Commander Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

HG Wells
Civilian
Scientist

Lieutenant Commander Radak
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Commander Mariana Vaz
Chief of Security

Lt(jg) Anthony Edwards (Ph.D)
Chief Science Officer

Lt. Galatea Polaris
Chief Medical Officer and Chief Counselor

Lieutenant (j.g.) Jasad Yuvek
Chief Helmsman

Lt Sika
Chief Operations Officer

Lt Kallen Navore
Chief Engineer

 

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