A Bit Of This For That (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 14 Aug 2017 @ 12:58pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Rear Admiral Nathan West & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Ambassador Soral Varro
Edited on on 14 Aug 2017 @ 12:58pm

3,196 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco
Timeline: MD 19, 0944 hrs

[CONTINUED]

West nodded and stood to move to the connecting room that was set aside for flag officers to conference. He entered and waited for Varen, when she entered and the doors had closed he spoke.

"Thoughts?"

Returning from the replicator with two glasses of water, Varen handed him one of the cups then took a seat in the nearby chair. "I don't trust the Vulcan. I think he's trying to negotiate for special Vulcan access to the proposed base, and I don't think he's being entirely forthcoming with us. Did you see how quickly the denials came the second I mentioned their technology?"

He snorted and nodded as he took a sip of the water "Indeed, quite quickly and then redirection. Makes me think the reports we've gotten are missing a few details. Thoughts on the Commander?"

Varen tapped her chin several times with her index finger and pondered the question for a long moment. "She seems passive. Maybe that's her species' nature? But she's a Starfleet medical officer, active-duty, who admitted to proposing and preparing the use of Nehrets. And I understand the situation of the Galileo crew was severe at best, but every medical officer in the Federation has taken the Hippocratic Oath. She broke it and under normal circumstances it should mean the end of her career in Starfleet. And then several years of rehabilitation before we discharge her back to her people."

He nodded and then placed the glass down on the table before moving to a section of the wall. He pressed his hand against the paneling and it opened revealing a small bar. He poured himself a glass of whisky and nodded to his companion in a questioning manner.

"You read my mind," she grinned, her azure eyes glinting at him as she held her hand out for the offered drink. "After this is over and we're steaming intel direct from Akkadia, Starfleet will have us to thank," she grinned.

He laughed as he handed her the drink and poured himself one. "Or us to roast if it goes pear shaped. Suggestions on how to proceed, especially considering they didn't counter my counter just said no."

"They didn't counter-propose so that means the ball's back in our court, right?" She sipped the aged spirit and let the warm burn of the whisky run down her throat and into her belly. It tasted wonderful. "I'm no diplomat but I think we should just state our demands and get rid of the negotiations. Then they can take it or leave it." Varen was particularly fond of hardball and wasn't afraid to use it to get what she wanted.

West nodded taking in the advice and pondered on it. "What do you suggest our demands be? All things considered."

"All things considered?" she repeated with a smug grin spread across her lips. "At the very least, a Class 2 starbase complex. That means 20 or 30 crew with our choice of personnel. And limited flight restrictions...we should be able to operate out of our starbase with minimal interference." Varen briefly glanced up to the ceiling to consider another issue on her mind.

"This commander, Warraquim, is in a lot of trouble. She's got at least one major offense that might end up in penal colony time and I get the impression she and her Vulcan friend want to sweep that all under the rug in exchange for our presence in their solar system. If I'm being honest, we can't just let her walk free in exchange for a small outpost. What sort of example would that set to our other chartered worlds?"

West nodded as he nursed on his drink and contemplated the proposal. "Agreed, but push for a second smaller intelligence base on the outer planet so we can keep tabs on the uncharted territories. As for the disposition of the Commander, I think at the very least a written reprimand be placed in her dossier and possibly assigned to teach a few classes at the Academy on ethics?"

The rear admiral's disciplinary proposal sounded like a righteous consequence for an unrighteous action to Varen. She quickly agreed with a short series of nods while she sipped her whisky and pondered the more tangible elements of establishing a permanent outpost in the Akkadian system. "We'd also need some support craft. Several Type 9s might do for now, but eventually I want to garrison at least two runabouts for long-range scouting operations."

He nodded and looked up at the chronograph above the door and quickly downed the rest of his drink and put the glass down on the table. Then moved to close the bar and nodded to the door.

"Shall we head out and wait for the others to come back? I agree about the runabouts, perhaps go for four runabouts in the initial proposal and 'agree' to two."

Varen followed suit and knocked back the rest of her stiff drink with a surprising ease that displayed her competency in such matters. "Or maybe not mention it at all?" she proposed with a wry grin. "Our support craft deployments shouldn't be their concern, right? If they allow us a starbase complex within their system, then it's our prerogative how we handle the deployment." She stood and followed West to the door.

West nodded "That is a viable option, we would just have to adhere to their required flight paths." He moved back out into the meeting room and took his seat behind the table and waited for the others to return so that the meeting to continue.


Outer Room

Allyndra went with Varro and stopped. She was not sure if the place was bugged or not but it was something she would have to chance.

"Well sir," she sighed. "what is the next move?"

Varro looked around. He motioned for Allyndra to follow him down the hall. They found a quiet room and entered. Varro pulled out a small device that beeped twice and then buzzed. He sighed. "We can speak clearly for 2.5 minutes." Being a Starfleet diplomat he knew how things went and he didn't trust the brass. "What is the most you are willing to give them? We must go in, present our wants without giving them time to present their offer. I...took the liberty of contacting Vulcan and if need be we have a card to play there."

"Oh and what is that exactly?" Allyndra was both curious but cautious as well. She suddenly felt as if she moved one way it was the glue pit and the other the webbing.

"I have spoken about you and your world to the Vulcan diplomatic council. They are interested...May I make a suggestion?" He asked her.

"Of course, please continue, I am making enough problems for myself back home what is another one?" She laughed lightly. "I am going to have to downplay a lot of what I tell the council anyway."

Varro thought for a moment. "Starfleet has always been unpredictable. They are...often opportunists; you have been amongst them and know what they are like. Vulcans tend to be more careful. I would suggest we insist on a strong Vulcan presence even greater then a Starfleet one and maybe even a Vulcan to head things there. My people are interested in learning about your history, studying plants and animals and the ecosystems. They follow the rules and will insist Starfleet does too. We insist on that when we go back to the negotiation." He waited to see what she would say.

"I cannot guarantee that anyone will be much allowed on Akkadia proper. However, there are other places. Alright, let's see where we end up. Shall we?" Allyndra jerked her head and waited for Varro.


Negotiation Chamber

The commodore had followed her admiral back into the negotiation chamber and now reclaimed her seat to his side. In her experience, diplomatic efforts such as this were never as straightforward as they seemed. Her only hope for a late-lunch salvation came from the fact that they'd all managed to recess early. Patiently, she waited for the other party to reappear and continue the discussion.

West sat at the table and poured himself a glass of water from the carafe before them. He took a sip and waited, watching the door where the other people involved in the negotiation had exited.

Allyndra returned just ahead of Varro and made a small curtsy as was proper. The proper angle, the proper dip, it was precise and practiced before taking her seat. She waited on Varro.

She did not wait on the others but said, "Very well I can give that your personnel can come and go as needed. Anything larger than a runabout is not allowed except in dire emergency any closer than the base, all ships coming and going shall not cross or come any closer then the perihelion of Ryn to the Twins. I think a Class 2 might be acceptable." She said everything as just a statement of fact.

Raising her eyebrows with surprise, Varen looked at West and shook her head before turning back to the Akkadian woman. "Commander, I appreciate your willingness to negotiate the terms of your future career in Starfleet directly to us, but it's not your place to demand restrictions on our starship or support craft deployments within the vicinity of our own facilities," she sternly warned. "And who from your home world will corroborate this eventual arrangement?" she then asked. "Surely you can't expect us to think you speak for your entire government?"

Allyndra sat straight up. "Let me update your intelligence then of Akkadian politics. When House Warraquim speaks it holds the most sway of all the houses, and I am House Warraquim." She paused a moment and then softened her tone and stance, "It may seem like dictating to you, and in a way it is, but this is not fully about my career in the fleet. This is about taking a planet that has not had much contact with any others for a very long time, a planet in which the culture has said that technology is an evil thing and changing all that."

Allyndra took a breath. "The sudden presence of great star ships and such will be disconcerting to many. Give us time, give the population of Akkadia time to get more used to such things. Consider this a baby step." She looked to the admiral to hope he might understand.

West nodded in agreement. They had folded to an extent and that allowed for some wiggle room. The restrictions on the movement of ship and personnel were agreeable. A small token concession that he didn't care much about. The ships could come and go as they pleased so long as they didn't cross the Rubicon in a manner of speaking. That was fine with him, his priorities lay outside the system not inside the habitable planets. He grinned to himself at Varro's attack. She was doing well and he approved.

"Starfleet will agree to your terms, provided that your government agrees to them. As for you personally, and now I agrees speaking to the Commander not the mother of a house. Your actions during the Galileo incident were severe and most unbecoming an officer. If not for your governments negotiations in good faith I would personally see to it that you were thrown into a rehabilitation colony before being stripped of rank and dishonorably discharged. I understand that you felt there was mitigating circumstances, the majority of the Admiralty agree with you. That's the only reason this negotiation was allowed to start. However what was done, no matter the reason, has to be punished. While it is not what I would prefer you will receive a written reprimand in your file and a dock in pay for six months." He finished and sat back in his chair happy to have that done.

Allyndra made a bow of the head. "Understood sir," she replied. That was the commander part of her. She sat up again and then said, "The Ambassador has one final request."

Varro studied the group. "I have taken the...liberty of speaking with Vulcan about this situation. They are ready to step in as well. Vulcans are known for following rules and for keeping to plans." Unlike Starfleet personnel, but he didn't add that. "The Vulcan science council has a team ready. We also have a lead scientist ready to take the rains of the mission." Varro pulled a PADD out. "This is Stolem he's a retired Starfleet CSO and acceptable for Vulcan, also a list of Starfleet personal who are Vulcan that can be of use."

Commodore Varen openly scoffed at the idea. Of course a Vulcan would negotiate for their own people's special interests, but she didn't think they'd do it using another Starfleet officer's misfortune as the opportunity. "Yes I'm sure Vulcan would like to have the entire facility to themselves, right? Filled with Vulcan personnel and no Starfleet oversight?" She leaned back in her chair and tugged on the bottom of her uniform jacket. "No. Vulcan may be a founding member of the Federation, but it's still one of many. Any favoritism shown to your people would be rebuked by the Andorians, Tellarites, and countless others. No...should be a facility crewed by the personnel that Starfleet Command sees fit -- not the Vulcan High Command."

West watched the proceedings preferring to keep quite as he waited for the Ambassador to drop whatever ordinance he had up his sleeve. He took mental notes and began to weigh the pros and cons of both sides.

Varro looked at Varen and West and hid a smile. He handed them another PADD. "Vulcan's petition to Starfleet. We have a seat on the founding council and these are all cases where Vulcan's have assisted in first contact and all the rules that we've followed. These are the records of Starfleet personnel and all the situations where they've broken their own rules." He produced another PADD. "Also I'm sure the good doctor knows her people well and she can, according to Starfleet regulation request that the Vulcan Science Academy take lead in this as a governing representative of her people. I would also like to remind you all that the Science Academy degree is accepted as a Starfleet degree as well." He turned to Allyndra hoping she went with it. If she did there was a chance to at least get Vulcan Starfleet personnel on the station to outnumber those of the regular personnel. Plus if she asked for the Vulcan Science Academy, a high trainer of Starfleet science personnel it would more then likely be granted since he had another PADD up his sleeve with the acceptance on behalf of the Science Academy of said request should Allyndra make it. He had called in so many favours it wasn't funny on this one.

Varro knew if they were to disregard all that Vulcan could take this to a court challenge and then there would be delay and perhaps the whole thing could be scrapped. "Ohhh and Vulcan has provided an attorney for the Doctor should she request that too, on the ...um... charges that Starfleet might make against her for her actions." Varro looked at Allyndra. The ball was in her court now.

Allyndra knew that all that he had asked for would not be granted and what she had negotiated was still not quite settled. She also believed that Vulcans would be more circumspect in what they settled on. She took a deep breath, "I can see both points of view here sirs," she said. "Perhaps half the compliment if that would be acceptable?"

West cleared his throat and spoke. "I have no problem with a Vulcan being in command of the base around Lock. A Vulcan of my choosing so long as the Admiralty approves them. After all Lock will be scientific in nature. However the secondary base around the outer planet of the solar system will remain as a small listening station for further exploration into the region. It's purpose will be to support any federation ships that venture out into unexplored space by mapping stellar objects, outside the purview of the Lock instillation." he grinned at Varro "Put your PADDs away Ambassador they are not needed."

Allyndra looked to Varro. She was satisfied enough and the last thing she need was this to degrade. "I am satisfied ambassador. I think this is as far as we can hope for. Besides, I need you for another small task that we have preciously discussed." She would not reveal details of that but let the two others wonder.

Varro inclined his head. "Very well. I will Vulcan know what's transpired and that a satisfactory agreement has been reached. Keep the list of personal Admiral. The rest of the PADDs I will keep for myself. " Varro knew the interest Vulcan had there and he wasn't about to blow a Vulcan in command. He hadn't revealed it to anyone but any Vulcan who would be put on the station knew of what was necessary and what they had to look for and Starfleet or not that plant had to be found they would know that. Lock was the destination where the Vulcans thought it was this would give them a chance to look. If they found the plant that they had hoped, that had been rumored to be there based on Vulcan ancient writings and prophecy then Bendii Syndrome would be a thing of the past.

Varro looked at Allyndra. Gave her a nod, "Doctor I believe we had lunch on the schedule next." He looked at the Admirals. "Since we're in agreement I assume all charges against the doctor are dropped?"

West nodded "With a proviso, once the Akkadian people agree to the terms then the charges shall be removed. Also as a condition of the reduction from charges to a reprimand the Commander will also have to teach a course at the Academy concerning the Morals and Ethics of Command as well as the Morals and Ethics of medical personnel. I look forward to sitting in on your classes, Commander."

"Indeed, I think you will find the section of use of biologics under duress quite illuminating,” Allyndra replied. She was pretty sure that she could get the Council to sign off, even if reluctantly. Overall she was pretty sure she had managed to get off fairly lightly.

West nodded "I will expect nothing less from you Commander." With that he nodded to the exit so Varro would follow and began to leave.

Allyndra nodded and smiled. She would be glad to be out of this outfit. She did do a small curtsy before the admiral left rather than a salute. She was still here more as representative of Akkadia than as a Fleet member.

[OFF]

--

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Medical Officer
Mother Named of House Warraquim

CDRE Varen
Starfleet Intelligence
[PNPC Saalm]

Ambassador Soral Varro
Diplomat
Starfleet

Nathan West
Rear Admiral
Chief of Starfleet Intelligence
Starfleet Headquarters, Earth

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