First Meetings, part 5

Posted on Tue Aug 24th, 2010 @ 8:50am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Karma Sinclair & Lieutenant Kaj Mikkola & Lieutenant JG Jerreck O'Connor & Lieutenant JG Jason Hart

1,679 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
Location: New Paris, Turkana IV
Timeline: Current

[New Paris, Turkana IV]

[OLD]

So what questions can I answer or fears can I attempt to allay Commander? I am sure that you have a plethora of them, both of your own volition and at the behest of your commanding officer and diplomatic corps."

[NEW]

Karma stared at the man for a moment then quickly recovered. "What can you tell me about the current situation here?"

Xon looked like he was considering several answers for a moment, then apparently gave up and settled for a frank appraisal.
"To be honest it is still less than ideal Commander Sinclair. The Union is making strides to securing some sort of peace but our non-allignment leaves us vulnerable to attack from the more forceful elements of both the Coalition and the Alliance. Coupled with the general lawlessness that still pervades in some of the more unruly districts, this kind of chaos is one of the biggest obstacles to our objectives and plans.

However the biggest ones are still the original two factions. Neither of them are willing to cede any political standing or territory to us without some sort of reprisal in the near future I fear. We're not overtly aggressive like the Coalition or subversive like the Alliance, so our position is precarious despite outward appearences..."

Xon seemed to study the little slit opening but it was clear that the ramifications of failure preyed upon his mind in a near constant state.
"Frankly Commander we could use any support that the Federation is willing to provide. I have lived most of my life in this place, and I have a vision of what it could become, something greater than our own pinnacle so long ago. To do it however requires more than just my own and others willpower."

Karma watched the man as he talked. He wasn't quite sure if Xon was telling him everything. "What exactly do you want us to do? We don't like to get involved in the political struggles of non-Federation planets."

Xon again considered for a moment, but it was much less time in that case. Clearly he had done his homework and come up with a proverbial laundry list.
"First and foremost commander I would like at least your diplomatic corps if not your commanding officer to moderate the peace talks that will be held in a few days' time. There is no such thing as a neutral party on this world so only members of your ship would be unquestionably qualified to fufill that role.

Also, there are security concerns regarding the conference, so any sort of assistaince you could lend to keeping the conference safe would be more than appreciated. Aside from the factions and the general lawlessness there are criminal and non-government groups that wish the chaos on this planet to continue, something that would be to their benefit at the cost of needless deaths and wanton decay of what we have worked hard to build up."

Karma thought about Lieutenant Nava and smiled to himself. He wondered what the faction leaders would think about having a Ferengi negotiating a peace treaty between the factions. He almost chuckled but controlled himself. "I'm sure something can be arranged," Karma said to Xon. "We have a qualified member of the Diplomatic Corps on board and our Marines are some of the best in the fleet. Is there anything else I should know about the current situation?"

Leroy ducked into the building, and took up his station near Karma. "We're set up, and as far as we know, we're secure for now. I have three scouts out, and several more just watching." Leroy looked at Xon and nodded. "And if we need to move quickly, we'll make sure everyone makes it alive. What do you need from us during the talks?"

Xon looked at Leo with a virtually passive look, but a little flicker in the corner of his eyes betrayed a bit of an emotional response at being suddenly interrupted. However he recovered quickly.
"Excellent work, I assume Captain Danjou didn't give you too much trouble? And we would need an estraz special special security force to secure the immediete area surrounding the negotiation chamber. Also, for formailties sake would it be too much to ask for an honor guard in full ceremonial dress? It would lend credence to this being an official matter and put some of the militaristic minded at ease."

Turning back to Karma he finally betrayed a bit of emotion other than stress, something that could have passed for the vulcan equivelent of hopefulness.
"And yes commander, keep in mind that this is not the Turkana IV of lore and myth, the rough part of the Alpha Quadrant that all travelers should avoid at all costs. The peace we have secured has lead to a new cultural blossoming, and I want you and the rest of the crew to see this progress, to believe in what peace could accomplish here as much as my constituents and myself do."

Karma looked at Leroy, trying to gauge his reaction to the request. He wasn't sure how many of the people scheduled to attend the meeting would want to wear dress uniforms. Not only would they be uncomfortable, but the uniforms would hinder movement if things went bad. He turned back to Xon and said, "I'll pass along your request. Is there anything else?"

Leroy looked pensive as he went over the numbers in his head. "I can give a dozen in dress uniform. That would give two at the door, and ten scattered around..." He frowned a moment then grimaced. "That would take Delta Three and Charlie Three. I can have First from both..." He started walking away muttering to himself before he threw up his hands in disgust. "There's no real way I can do that, and have a good enough protection force for the crew. If you wanted a strike force hiding somewhere in the halls, I could do that, or snipers sitting a street away, doable. But ceremonial guard takes time and training, and it's not something we work on."

Karma looked at Leroy and felt sympathy for the man. "We'll see what we can do about that without compromising security," he said. "The safety of the delegates comes first." He turned back to Xon and said, "If there's nothing else, I'd like to return to the ship and brief the captain."

Xon folded his hands respectfully in front of him and nodded his head towards Leo and Karma.
"Of course, I apologize if my candor has caused any disharmony among you, please merely take the honor guard as a request rather than a requirement if it will be... intrusive. Before you depart is there anything I might be able to do for you before your party arrives?"

Jerry looked at the guy with a half-smirk, then realized where he was and that he was on duty. There were lives at stake here, and not just Starfleet ones. If there was only one thing in the world he held sacred it was the lives of... well, everybody. So he looked back at Karma, quietly, after taking a few more readings and cataloging them on his tricorder.

"I need a full upload of the building being used, along with any tactical data of the forces that may come to call. Including the two forces that are coming to make peace." Looking at Karma, Leo frowned. "I want to keep the two snipers I have down here, keep them as scouts. I also have several Recon members I can have beamed down that can fit into the population with your OK."

Xons face betrayed a little hint of confusion. Clearly this was not his realm of expertise.
"I must apologize, I have very little knowledge of the area other than its general location. Captain Danjou knows more than I, a necessary compartmentalization for security reasons, or at least thats what Danjou claims."

Leo nodded, and sighed. "Of course, let me go find the Captain then." Shaking his head he started out the door. "Oh, Commander, if you ok the scouts, contact Delta Three Echo, and they'll beam down directly to you. Have them meet me here and we'll get to work." With a nod, he signaled the two Marines that had walked in with him to stay. "Saddle up! We're going to go find a Captain!"

Captain Danjou was waiting outside with his men when Lieutenant Mangala emerged from the building. The Captain watched him, a sour expression on his face.

Leroy smiled as he walked up to the Captain and waved his men to fan out. They looked outward, looking for danger that would come towards the two men. "Heard tell you had the information that I need to secure the building we're using Captain. I'm going to need that intel if it isn't too much of a problem." Looking over the man's shoulder, Leo nodded to the fighting force behind him. "And I was going to see if we could work together on trying to keep everyone alive."

"I won't give you the information -- not until I can trust you. But I'm willing to let you and your people work with me and mine to keep the peace," Danjou said.

Karma watched the exchange and shook his head. This was going to be an interesting mission. He looked around for a moment then reached up and tapped his combadge. "Sinclair to Calypso. We're ready to beam aboard."

Doctor Hart followed behind Karma and decided to remain silent. Feeling tired, he was ready to leave the planet to take a hot sonic shower. He figured that the tiredness was to do with a strong humidity in the air that he is not use to.

The transporter engaged and the team disappeared from view.

OFF

Lieutenant Commadner Karma Sinclair
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant JG Jerreck O'Connor
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia
Marine XO
USS Calypso

Xon (NPCd by Kaj)

Captain Danjou (NPCd by Sam)

 

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