09-09-2025, 04:46 AM
“So Jonas is alive. That’s good.” The President replied. Her reaction was restrained, but crew members with an empathic sense would detect genuine surprise, mixed with relief.
The President narrowed her eyes suspiciously as Velaul broached the topic of the incoming ambassador. “You’ve been forthcoming with me, so I’ll do the same. The Tanndi military is holding Saida Gebrezghi on charges of espionage. Before he was ‘rotated out’, your Ambassador Jonas had taken quite an interest in the Tanndi nation’s military research. We’ve been unable to verify his intentions, hence no arrest had yet been made, but I find it rather suspicious that an unidentified Federation vessel would appear on course for some of our most sensitive research laboratories.”
The President’s eyes swept over each member of the away team. Mala was the first to speak.
“I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. We could speak for hours about the history of my people. Riani has produced some of the greatest scientific minds in the galaxy, particularly in the field of cybernetics. Our achievements transcend the boundaries of science, art, and medicine. Of course, nobody on our planet had ever heard the name ‘Borg’ until thirteen years ago. Imagine our surprise, learning that we share some traits with the scourge of the galaxy.”
She began to pace around the large open room, considering her next words carefully. Morning sunlight began to sweep over the room.
“A vocal minority of our citizens, even within my own government, advocate for closer ties with the Federation. Some believe that we should align ourselves with the Cardassians. Most seem to think that we were better off before we made contact with the rest of the quadrant.
“As for me, I think it’s clear that we won’t survive if we fail to forge alliances, and you’re the first to take an interest in us for something other than our resources," She said, nodding toward Mala. "Even the Cardassians lost interest for years once they decided that our dilithium wasn’t worth the trouble of refining. I admit that I expected you to threaten or strong-arm us into submission. Would you really allow us to try Ambassador Jonas according to our laws? The charges against him are serious, but I can personally guarantee that he will receive a fair trial.”
The President narrowed her eyes suspiciously as Velaul broached the topic of the incoming ambassador. “You’ve been forthcoming with me, so I’ll do the same. The Tanndi military is holding Saida Gebrezghi on charges of espionage. Before he was ‘rotated out’, your Ambassador Jonas had taken quite an interest in the Tanndi nation’s military research. We’ve been unable to verify his intentions, hence no arrest had yet been made, but I find it rather suspicious that an unidentified Federation vessel would appear on course for some of our most sensitive research laboratories.”
The President’s eyes swept over each member of the away team. Mala was the first to speak.
“I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. We could speak for hours about the history of my people. Riani has produced some of the greatest scientific minds in the galaxy, particularly in the field of cybernetics. Our achievements transcend the boundaries of science, art, and medicine. Of course, nobody on our planet had ever heard the name ‘Borg’ until thirteen years ago. Imagine our surprise, learning that we share some traits with the scourge of the galaxy.”
She began to pace around the large open room, considering her next words carefully. Morning sunlight began to sweep over the room.
“A vocal minority of our citizens, even within my own government, advocate for closer ties with the Federation. Some believe that we should align ourselves with the Cardassians. Most seem to think that we were better off before we made contact with the rest of the quadrant.
“As for me, I think it’s clear that we won’t survive if we fail to forge alliances, and you’re the first to take an interest in us for something other than our resources," She said, nodding toward Mala. "Even the Cardassians lost interest for years once they decided that our dilithium wasn’t worth the trouble of refining. I admit that I expected you to threaten or strong-arm us into submission. Would you really allow us to try Ambassador Jonas according to our laws? The charges against him are serious, but I can personally guarantee that he will receive a fair trial.”