the 'Gang' is all here

Posted on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 @ 8:10am by Lieutenant Laural Hawke
Edited on on Tue Apr 21st, 2020 @ 10:45pm

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Intel section Conference room
2251 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Tadez had racked up some leave time in his travels as a Diplomat and his recent change from those duties is a might bit of a relief. Though he did have to admit he would miss the finer foods and dancing of those Diplomatic Shin-digs. In his crisp uniform he had request a meeting of his department; after all, he knew T'Par but the encryptionist was a wild card of sorts.

Her time prior to fleet had some interesting reading as well as her time in the Questionable Section 31; said to be more of a Department of Dirty Tricks' by those in the circles Tadez roamed. His clearances from both Diplomatic duty and as Deputy Intel Chief were enough for him toget an idea of his cohorts strengths and such in a First impression kind of way. While Tadez is more diplomatic and less akind to violence; he had used said violence in his Diplomatic Career; or his 'cover' as a Diplomat, and after doing some good work he is now in the Intel gathering business. Same job different section as everyone knows 'Diplomats make great Intel people. Able to go places normal Agents are banned.

But he had two very good resources in the Intel team; T'Par and her research skills and Hawke with her encryption skills and combat background. It was a good matching of Brains and potential Brawn with Tadez and his 'chameleon' skills would make a well rounded trio.

He had 'request this meeting as he is not the chief and really he just wanted to get to know the personnel he would be trusting his life to in the future. He had his adapted Diplomatic PADD for notes; why lose a good resource just in changing departments? With his Rackijino hot and sweetened he just had to wait for company.

T'Par had formally called the meeting, although it had been done at Tadez's request. She had also included her new Assistant Chief, Lieutenant Jayra Strazen. She entered and sat at the head of the table, setting a PADD in front of her. Her expression, as usual, was stoic and calm. It was almost gentle, though there was a certain hardness to the eyes. "Good morning, Lieutenant," she said to Tadez.

Jayra sauntered into the Conference Room, at least that's what appeared to be. It was just the way she moved. Her hair was long, but not unkempt, and covered her Vulcanoid ears. She greeted those present, her voice almost sultry. "Morning, Lieutenants." She said.

Laural was the last one in. She normally didn’t like to be late, but on this occasion she had a few personal things to attend to before hand, “apologies, I was held up” she said, making her way to an empty chair.

"Thank you all for coming," T'Par said. "Majestic is once more embarked upon a potentially sensitive diplomatic mission. My goal and what I believe should be the goal of this department is that we not allow ourselves to be...surprised...again." Those who knew the Vulcan well might even catch a bit of inflection there. She did not like to be surprised. "Peace is a logical goal for these people. The war is a losing proposition for the Tulias Alliance and yet Sozon II cannot obtain total victory except at a prohibitively high cost to their own people. Nonetheless, the method chosen to cement this peace is one based largely in the symbolism and particularly prone to potential emotional complications."

“So what are our orders? I would assume they have asked for our help in ending this conflict” Laural asked.

"In a limited way," T'Par explained. "Our mission is simply to escort the Princess Leyana to her new husband, the Sozon Emperor. We are not, at this time, authorized or ordered to initiate a more proactive intelligence mission. However, it nonetheless falls to us to be prepared for any potential complications."

"Does this Princess Leyana want to marry this Emperor?" Jayra asked.

"Strictly from a Diplomatic point of view I do not see any practical ground for us to make that inquery; the Princess and the Pre-arranged Groom are the only say in this matter and with the Political ramifications I do not believe either side care about choice so much as potential alliances." Tadez interjected. "This is the typical way arranged marriages are done in diplomatic circles for thousands of years across multiple cultures." He noted. "Arranged Marriages are the norm in many cultures from Earth as well as Vulcan and many other cultures."

"To formally make the inquiry, no," T'Par responded, "but if she should refuse or even make a request for asylum then she would have legal rights we would be bound to respect. Nothing I have seen thus far makes me believe that is likely to happen. However, I would like your informal, personal assessment, lieutenant. I trust you to be subtle?"

"I will be returning for this Mission to My Diplomatic Persona and working with Chief Diplomat Le-Blanc in the Diplomatic entourage." Tadez remarked. "That should open a few circles to gain some insights into the Groom with subtle grace and better access to those close to him with something to say." Tadez nod. "If it comes to her requesting anything we must be careful in the Diplomatic angle not to be 'too' involved lest we be fingered as the 'Cause' of said requests."

"I understand, Lieutenant Tadez, my mother's people practice arranged marriages, as do my father's people, to a lesser extent, but I thought the Federation was more enlightened, when it came to selling people into slavery." Jayra said.

"Slavery is not condone by the Federation." Tadez reply casually. "The Marriages I explained were entered into by willing participants." He made a point to emphasize. "The motivation for accepting their side of the Arranged Marriage is open to debate; be it out of tradition or obligation and maybe even some political gain is not the main point. If two parties arrange a marriage and the participants are 'willing' to engage in the marriage..." He explain. "that is not Slavery as there is a form of consent. Slavery; by most understanding, is not a willing process; those enslaved do not choose to be slaves and are ; as a simple definition, forced into slavery." He raised an eyebrow. "Marriages within the Slavery are often complex matters and not relevant to our Current Diplomatic support of a sanctioned union between two planetary governments. We are here to transport and be neutral parties during negotiations. We are not here to judge the reasoning for said union, just support the process."

"I am coordinating with Chief Diplomatic Officer Leblanc-Reed," T'Par said. "I am not asking you to become too involved. I am not asking you to challenge anyone's motives or cultural beliefs. I am, in fact, relying on your subtlety and discretion. By all accounts, the princess is eager for the union. I am simply asking you to assess the chances of her sentiments changing so that we can advise the captain for that eventuality. It is only one of many potential complications for which we must be prepared. Do you believe yourself able to make such an evaluation without violating the Prime Directive or undermining your diplomatic efforts, Mr. Tadez?"

"I have the ability to remain outside the events and objective." Tadez replied. "It is the Diplomat that becomes emotionally attached to one side or person that often causes potential problems." Tadez explained. "Favoritism tends to cause the break-down as the objectivity wanes. I assure you that I do not have that problem and as a member of the delegation and no longer the Chief I need only follow the best progression of events and advise accordingly."

"Please forward your assessment to me," T'Par said. "Another question for us, a somewhat more traditional one, is what other interests, diplomatic, political, or otherwise, foreign delegates might have?"

"I can make some light conversation and get some of that information." Tadez nod. "Of course the usual is to better their positions by ranking; power of favors." Tadez shrugged. "Most delegates want something that betters their goals; once we know the goals and maybe some aspirations we can have a good spectrum of where each Delegate falls in the favor of the Emperor? Being in well with the leader is good Diplomatic positioning."

“We should keep an ear in with the servers and assistants as well. Lower ranked diplomats or advisors are always looking for a way to get ahead” Laural commented, for once being thankful for the existence of coffee

"In particular, we want to be alert for any elements who might not favor the peace," T'Par elaborated. "There are so-called hardliners inhibiting the resolution of many conflicts."

"on both sides I'm sure" Laural added

"That would be unsurprising," T'Par agreed. "In our own history, Klingon and Federation hardliners actually joined together in an attempt to sabotage the peace process. There are some who agree on nothing but their mutual hostility."

"Are you saying this could be that Ferngi rule: Every once in a while declare peace; it confuses the Hell out of your enemies?" Tadez asked with a sly grin. "I think we should go with the notion that they want peace as it suits some agenda of both sides." He continued. "We just have to learn what 'Agendas' are in motion to rally help the process conclude. The Princess is going in good faith and asked our help; we know that side it is the Emperor that is a 'Wild Card' as we know little about him?"

"We will get there, Mr. Tadez," T'Par said, "but we will not be quickly dismissing any possibilities. I appreciate that you are already largely approaching this from a diplomatic perspective. However, in intelligence, our job is not merely to determine the most likely interpretation of the situation but also to anticipate what might go wrong and to be prepared for as many contingencies as is practicable. Like you, I think it is extremely unlikely that either side is wholly fabricating their interest in peace simply to confuse their enemies. However, the Emperor and the Princess are not the only individuals to consider. I do think there is at least some possibility that there might be factions or individuals in one or both societies who are uncomfortable with the peace process. Emotional species do not overcome long periods of regarding one another as enemies easily. It is to be hoped there is no such resistance and I am sure it would be undiplomatic to factor the possibility into our diplomatic stance. However, speaking privately, as intelligence officers, we will be alert to that and to other ways that the situation might, as humans say, go south."

"I am of a mind to hope for the best outcome while preparing as well as you can for the worst." Tadez chuckled. "But in Diplomatic circles if you have it in your mind things will go south it usually comes out in body language. Thus I should remain on positive mind set since I am going in as Diplomatic Staff, being friendly to all allows me to gain more information. Diplomatic people and those who work those angles 'Love' to talk and after a few glasses at a gathering, tongues are more loose. You hear things that they don't always mean to say ; it is just being preswsent when they are said. Ever vigilant always."

"I also hope for the best," T'Par agreed. "We do have grounds for such hope. As you say, all indications are that the Princess is acting in good faith. The Emperor is more of an unknown but he also seems to desire peace, if only to service his own vanity. He has his own motives but they seem so far to lead towards supporting the process."

"Our only real pitfall is in the form of remaining neutral and not sticking our proverbial nose where it does not belong." Tadez explained. "If do not like how things go we should not try to influence the Princess with our moral rules. It is hardest for the Federation Personnel to not violate the directives and give a back door to her like the fact she can claim asylum if things go south before or during the talks." He pointed out. "It is imperative we follow a strict neutrality and not neglect the other gentleman Bridegroom in favor of our Princess that we brought to the talks."

"than perhaps we should put our efforts into ensuring that there is no other outside power attempting to gain influence here" Laural suggested, "the Orion Syndicate for example"

"Security has an investigations Officer; and he happens to be a Ferengi." Tadez suggested. "He might be of use doing ground work? He is said to be a good investigator; he was the one that found the Moonshine racket on the ship recently. Might be good to set him looking for criminal organizations, being security he might have some data we do not?"

"I spoke to him briefly on that matter," T'Par noted. "It certainly could not hurt to confer with him on possible interference, especially from criminal organizations like the Syndicate."

Laural nodded, “I’ll get to work on some com-channel encryptions”

"Thank you," T'Par said. "Does anyone else have any further concerns?"

"I am quite clear on my objectives." Tadez nod.

---

Lieutenant Hawke
Encryption Specialist

Lieutenant (jg) Vannan
Chief Operations Officer