08-25-2025, 07:07 AM
Luraim’s cybernetic eyes flicked from Brooks to Khasim as each officer entered. They seemed to shrink into the seat offered by the captain.
“Forgive me, Captain, I’m no diplomat. In fact, I’ll most likely be tried for treason unless your Federation sees fit to grant me asylum,” they stammered, They stared down at the table, as if they were looking down the edge of a tall cliff.
“To borrow your term, I violated the prime directive on my own planet. I gave the Tanndi nation an extreme advantage over its neighbors, and as long as the very real threat of a rianite weapon hangs over our heads, my government can’t risk allowing anybody else to build a warp engine. Maybe someday we’ll develop the technology to process dilithium safely on our own, but I fear that day will come too late.”
Just then, the grayish planet floated into view of the Observation Lounge windows. Luraim looked up from the table and seemed to forget themself for a moment. Their expression was a mix of awe and remorse.
“I foolishly thought that my people would forget their petty divisions when we opened a path to the stars, but I failed to see the full picture then. Please, I'm asking you to help me undo the damage I’ve done.”
“Forgive me, Captain, I’m no diplomat. In fact, I’ll most likely be tried for treason unless your Federation sees fit to grant me asylum,” they stammered, They stared down at the table, as if they were looking down the edge of a tall cliff.
“To borrow your term, I violated the prime directive on my own planet. I gave the Tanndi nation an extreme advantage over its neighbors, and as long as the very real threat of a rianite weapon hangs over our heads, my government can’t risk allowing anybody else to build a warp engine. Maybe someday we’ll develop the technology to process dilithium safely on our own, but I fear that day will come too late.”
Just then, the grayish planet floated into view of the Observation Lounge windows. Luraim looked up from the table and seemed to forget themself for a moment. Their expression was a mix of awe and remorse.
“I foolishly thought that my people would forget their petty divisions when we opened a path to the stars, but I failed to see the full picture then. Please, I'm asking you to help me undo the damage I’ve done.”