Emergency Briefing (part 2)

Posted on Tue Apr 11th, 2017 @ 9:38am by Commodore Samantha York & Kalikana (Kali) & Commander Alexandra Vance & Orvack

1,271 words; about a 6 minute read

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]
When everyone had arrived, Sam began. "If you haven't heard already, the meeting with Keelan did not go as planned. There was a bit of an altercation and I beamed Kalikana and Orvack back to the ship for their protection. “

‘NEW]

Sam wasn’t sure how much to say, but knew that she had to give some details. “Keelan heard the evidence against Tate, but he no longer cares about the evidence as Tate is now serving as his Consort. Tate wanted to hold Princess Kalikana on suspicion of treason against Keelan, which is why she is here. Since Keelan has no interest in the truth, the evidence we have will be posted in the town square at dawn Jenefra time for the people to see the information Keelan has kept from them. What we need now is to get Jennifer Tate back and to see that Princess Kalikana is restored to her rightful place as King Mrowen's heir. Suggestions?"

Orvack rose from his seat, placing his claw like hands firmly on the table, as he kept his head down. He took a deep breath and slowly looked up, taking a moment to look around the table at everyone, before finally meeting eyes with York and speaking to her telepathically. "I apologize for my part in the events. I allowed my frustration for what has occurred to my people." He paused and looked down to Kali before looking back to York and continuing. "And what happened with Kali to drive my actions. For this I plead for your forgiveness and offer the assistance my myself, as well as my kin, in order to retrieve your officer and restore Kali to the throne."

Kali put a hand on Orvack's arm in a sign of support.

"Thank you," Sam replied. To the group she said, "Orvack is the ruler of the Qunari. He apologizes for his actions. The systematic murder of his people and the attacks on Kali have affected his behavior. He has offered us his help and that of his people in rescuing Commander Tate and restoring Kali to her throne."

Sam turned to Kali. "We have enough evidence to show that Keelan sold the Qunari pelts and crystals to a Ferengi merchant. We can only assume that he is behind the murders. I think it would go a long way towards solidifying your position if you and Orvack had a formal treaty."

Kali nodded. "I welcome peace between our people. What would such a treaty entail?"

"That depends," Sam said. "On what sort of unification you wish."

Orvack paused, looking over to Kali, before turning to Sam and responding. "My people have been in hiding and on the run for a long time, Captain. Each day is a new day of survival. They welcome each time the sun rises to wake them and cautiously sleep under the light of the mood, lying in wait to see if they will be taken in the night by their enemies. I do not know how they will welcome you, and your people, but I can provide a comforting voice for whatever questions or concerns they have. My only wish now is to end this struggle between us and the Jenefrans so that my people can sleep soundly once again, without fear that they and their children will be taken by the darkness and never to be seen again." He took a hold of Kali's hand and squeezed it tightly. "My father, our former chief, believed that the Jenefran's and Qunari shared a past and blood. That before the time of the separation, we shared a life and broke bread at the time table, like family. His only wish was to see that happen once again in order to bring peace to both our people. Somewhere Jenefran's, and Qunari, forgot that although we lead different lives and follow different paths we both bleed the same blood. It is my home, like my fathers, that we restore that union again."

"Mine as well," Kali said, smiling at Orvack.

Sam looked from Orvack to Kali before responding. "The Federation will support a unified Jenefra. I can tell you that both your people are genetically identical, which supports your believe that you were once united. I will do what I can to help you with this. I think uniting the two of you is a good first step to uniting your people."

"You must await the opinion of the people before proceeding any further," Alexandra Vance said. "As it stands the people of Jenefra support their King whole-heartedly. At this point, it is unclear how the people will take this new evidence. Tomorrow morning, both parties will stand before the court of public opinion. In any court, it is not only fact but narrative which can sway the outcome of a case even if the evidence is clear. We must take what we know and focus on that if we are to overthrow Keelan and win the favour of the people. While we cannot prove that Keelan murdered Mrowen, we can prove that he sent a death squad to kill the princess. We can prove that Orvack saved the rightful heir to the throne from certain death and despite all the Jenefran lives lost in the war, he saved the most important Jenefran of all, a sign of good faith towards unity. We must at all costs paint Keelan as a tyrant and a traitor to the Jenefran people. It is imperative that we do this, to convince the Jenefran people beyond a doubt that Keelan is responsible for the murder of Mworen and framed Jennifer Tate. There is also a risk that by doing this, Commander Tate herself could be incriminated as an accomplice. Our presentation of the facts will be crucial and must be done tactically and with skill and patience."

Before speaking again, she looked to York.

"And on this subject, you Commodore must prepare for a scenario no amount of years in Command could prepare you for. As some may know, Keelan has swiftly manipulated the mind of Commander Tate and I am confident in my assessment that she is currently suffering from the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome. By trade, Commander Tate is an analyst with no field experience beyond this mission, which coupled along with her recent encounter with Gul Morat and other mitigating factors compromised her mental fortitude allowing him to warp her mind. Should Keelan become aware of this, there is a possibility he will use Tate to attempt to discredit the evidence. Keep in mind as we consider this scenario that the Jenefran and Qunari people are unfamiliar with our technology. Should Tate come up with a narrative convincing enough to sway the people, we may be forced to discredit her. It is also that in this scenario, Commander Tate would be considered an accomplice to Keelan should he be found guilty under Jenefran law. There is also the possibility that should she escape Jenefran law, Starfleet itself may find her guilty under violation of the Prime Directive. It's a stretch, but if I have learned anything in my career, a motivated JAG officer is a dangerous opponent. Jennifer will have likely weighed this amongst her thoughts and likely feels returning to the Federation is not in her best interests. We must prepare for the possibility that Commander Tate might not willfully return to us."

(To be continued...)

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Orvack
Ruler of the Qunari

Kalikana
Princess of Jenefra

Commander Alexandra Vance
Intelligence Officer

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