Negotiations
Posted on 27 Dec 2023 @ 10:51pm by Commander Calliope Zahn & Lieutenant Commander Maurice Rubens & Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Mission:
M4 - Falling Out
Location: OC, Diplomatic Conference
Timeline: M4 Days 7-21
2385 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure
DAY 7
Gordon was pacing now. Testimonies and findings had been shared in larger conference, but the struggle to make something of the pieces would be held behind these closed doors between his diplomatic party, and Admiral Harshman's office, with the Korinn themselves. They would basically sequester themselves for as many days as it took to arrive at something they could all agree to. If it were possible.
“If only we could get through to the Pyrryx. To know where it is they are originating from, what it is they desire out of the conquests they undertake. Or even to just get a message through. They clearly operate out of some kind of hierarchy…”
The reports and other first hand accounts of Pyrryx encounters had taken most of two days, the next in reviewing remaining logs and written reports from the survivors and Grazerite government. There had been presentations of the analysis of Pyrryx ship wreckage and the speculations as to the technology they brought to bear. Followed by further testimony of Major Wallace and Captain Parnell... Brigid Harshman had been secretly pleased for the sobering words. It echoed what the Korinn had testified to on the first day, but with the power of Federation officers.
Harshman pinched the bridge of her nose, “Excuse me, Ambassador. What you’re suggesting is impossible. Diplomacy takes two to tango.”
“Like the Romulans,” Honor joined in. She hated to agree with the woman, but Harshman had a point. “They chose silence on a couple of different occasions and weren’t going to talk until they were ready.”
“Besides, judging from the barbaric actions perpetrated by these Pyrryx. ” T’Sheng said, her voice maybe a little less cold than it used to be. “They most certainly see any form of communication as a weakness. Only their views and their priorities matter.”
“True enough,” Gordon had to admit. It was clear time and time again from the testimonies that the Pyrryx answered no hails.
“One option would be to find a Pyrryx willing to, somehow, defect.” T’Sheng added on the spur of the moment. “This would allow us to open a dialogue with them. However, this is something that is unlikely to happen since they appear to be extremely motivated, if not completely indoctrinated. They appear to have a ‘hive’ mind more than an individualistic one.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Harshman said. “Let’s move on.”
DAY 8
“Admiral Harshman,” Uanika interrupted. “This ‘return to the status quo’ is impossible. My planet and with it my people are dying.”
“I don’t think you’re understanding,” Harshman replied. “I don’t expect your people to return to slavery. But perhaps after a period of rebellion, you might find common ground with the Pyrryx. Give them what they want - the resources of your planet - as long as they leave you alone. You’re not using the kelbonite for anything. Let them have it.”
Gordon’s eyes went wide. “That is… quite the compromise to suggest, Admiral. The Kelbonite is clearly used in Pyrryx starship construction, and the Pyrryx use the ships to deploy weapons and soldiers for further subjugation. The Pyrryx don’t seem interested in mining it themselves….. In practical terms, you’re suggesting the Irix all become as the disbanded Z’ala had been, to try and satisfy the mining quotas of the Pyrryx, which, as demonstrated by the written testimonies of Chief Xeri, know no upper limits. And as you’ve both made very clear, the Pyrryx won’t negotiate reasonably. So it’s exploitation to give in to the demands of the Pyrryx… just slavery under another name.”
DAY 12
“Perhaps an early Federation-Bajoran solution? We could partner with the Korinn? A coalition?” Gordon proposed. “The enslaved resistance sought and accepted aid from Major Wallace. Imagine such advisement with far greater information resources behind them, offered to the Free Irix. It would seem they would gain by our deploying tactical aide or advisement to be stationed with Irix leadership. Communication could be established with the Federation. Subspace relays and observatories installed. Early warning systems.”
“An intelligent detection and tracking plan is a good option.” T’Sheng admitted. What she truly wanted, of course, was for the Pyrryx problem to not exist at all. To just disappear, never to return. But now that those beasts had detected worlds that they could attack and ransack as they pleased, why would they stop? “Such a project would have to be budgeted carefully, of course, otherwise it would easily become unmanageable and wasteful.”
Gordon knew he couldn’t answer to that himself. “I will have to consult with some experts in the communications field.”
“I cannot help wondering though, will the Pyrryx return to Korix? They have been defeated once, they may prefer to find a different source of Kelbolite. Efficient predators seldom spend their resources on preys that are proving to be difficult. So this warning system will have to be extremely mobile.”
Nodding in agreement, Gordon made notes for further inquiry into the possible project. “Or shielded from scans, or otherwise difficult to detect or defeat.”
DAY 13
“What about weapons and other technology?” Tor’peo asked during a lull in the conversation. “You may have found your weapons useless against them. For us it would be a significant improvement over what we have.”
Gordon held his chin in his thumb and forefinger, looking over the series of tabs titling each of the testimonies they had heard. The Pyrryx had been brutal in every single one. Brutal in the initial onslaught. But in holding any territory, it seemed the one pre-warp civilization they were aware of was the only ongoing victim of their empire. And some of the testimony had pointed out the flaws in Pyrryx technology. It was unstable and cobbled together.
“If the Pyrryx forces can no longer rely on the Korinn to police their own populace for them, they may be under prepared to do so themselves in the ocean environment, especially.” Gordon continued thinking out loud. “Perhaps defensive technologies the Federation has specifically from our member aquatic worlds will help to shore up the Korinn defenses. They may in fact fare far better than the sky and land attacks such as Fieldmont illustrated.”
“This is a commendable suggestion,” T’Sheng agreed, as she scribbled a couple of words on a PADD. “However, it is also a dangerous concept. We know that the Pyrryx are out there, obtaining technology from whoever they meet and can destroy. If we are not extremely careful, we could end up giving them access to new defensive tools. And then where will we be?” She focused her dark eyes on Stillwell, waiting for his answer.
“It is a risk. However, we do have a discernible amount of wreckage recovery processed and a number of scans and data from encounters. It’s enough to deduce equivalent technologies and determine countermeasures for what is known.”
“You have a point,” T’Sheng conceded. “This defensive strategy brings an additional concern, though. What if one or even several of the species that accept to take an active part in this Early Warning System, actually decide to join the Pyrryx?”
And leave the federation in favor of an empire more brutal than being subjugated by the Klingons at the height of their most bloodthirsty campaigns? Gordon was already shaking his head and inhaling to rebutt—
“You will, no doubt, tell me that it is a far-fetched possibility. That no reasonable species could ever become the ally of those merciless Pyrryx. Yet you are prepared to seek help from the Romulans? If there is one species that cannot be trusted, it is this one. To involve them would open the door to countless difficulties. If we go that road, why, we might as well turn to the Ferengi Commerce Alliance to finance this EWS. They will, no doubt, ‘bite’.”
“An excellent suggestion.” Gordon pounced, taking her dryly intended sarcasm as if it had been fully intended as a suggestion. “Ncube, please find a Ferengi minister authorized to negotiate. In the meantime,” Gordon pressed, “I recommend that we obtain a tactical inventory based on our aquatic member worlds and their defensive strategies, pre and post FTL travel. There’s no need to eliminate this possibility across the board, when some earlier technologies or strategies might be of use to the Korrinn.”
DAY 18
“For the past few days, you have ignored my suggestion, Admiral! I am the Voice of the Korinn. I speak for my people and this treatment is unacceptable! I demand we discuss it!”
“I told you before. The Federation doesn’t supply weapons to anyone, let alone pre-warp civilizations.”
“You would stand by and watch us die then? Is that just? How is that moral? I’ve heard these words bandied about by you, but you speak as a shark who promises friendship.”
“We are no sharks. Even if the Federation agreed to give you weapons, it would not change anything.” T’Sheng pointed out. “You would fight, and you would be eradicated within minutes. The sheer savagery of the Pyrryx would wipe you out. We need a solution with more finesse. A solution where your voice can continue to be heard.”
“If we cannot protect them, and there’s to be no partnership of forces— not for advisement or for defense and communications— what possible hope can the Korinn have to protect themselves?” Even Gordon came to his feet to pace and manage his frustration with the futility of these talks. He tapped the Padd he held as he spoke. It seemed as if Harshman and her aides had truly arrived predisposed to find fault with every possibility. “You would have them pay fealty to the subjugating force, which cannot be appeased. That’s no solution at all. There’s no circumstances you would agree to supply armaments as legally we would have to change their standing with the Federation to do so, but you won’t so much as entertain an alliance of factions. What else do we leave them then?” As he paced back to stand behind his seat, Gordon cast the Padd to one side on the table and leaned into the back of his chair with both hands.
“I don’t suppose you’d want to spearhead a planet wide evacuation, Admiral?” Gordon knew it was a low blow, as Brigit had been instrumental in pulling out of the Romulan evacuation aid after Mars. She’d been against aid even before the Mars tragedy, which had only justified her position on the matter.
She glared at him. “Let’s move on, Ambassador.”
Gordon Stillwell was coming to the end of even his patience. He was uncertain why they had called these sessions at all, but he sighed deeply, keeping further biting comments to himself.
DAY 21
“Perhaps we need to reach outside of our own borders. The Romulans may have additional ideas or resources. Access to cloaking devices, for example. Which would allow us to hide our subspace EWS system from the Pyrryx.” Gordon was spitballing, trying to stick to the practical which would have more chance at appeasing the Admiral, if anything did.
“That could work,” Honor nodded. “It would have to be the Free State, though. We haven’t formally recognized any of the other factions.”
Harshman snorted. “When you say ‘Free State,’ what you mean is the Tal Shiar. They only make moves when it's in their best interest. What could be in their interest in engaging with the Pyrryx?”
“It’s not as if the Pyrryx give their targets an option.” Gordon said, his voice still tempered and patient. Although they had been talking for a fortnight now and they were coming to no clear actionable conclusions, his demeanor was at least one thing he could maintain. “Starfleet has kept early intel inhouse, leaving many unprepared. Take Fieldmont, for example. The Romulans would likely appreciate the forewarning that the Grazerite colonists didn’t have. It would be a matter of contacting the right persons so as to ensure a clear line of communication and prevent being ignored on the one hand, or over reaction on the other. I’m afraid my former contacts are all passed away or long out of contact since the Hobus event.”
“Commander Rubens is an expert on the Free State. He was deputy head of mission on Vvanti for several years,” Honor offered. “He’d know who the players are and who we could approach.
The Admiral’s eyes darted toward T’Sheng, “That’s not an option. We’ve asked Commander Rice to see to other important matters. The universe doesn’t stop flying apart just because we go into a conference.”
“It’s no matter.” Gordon said with a tired smile. “I’m sure we can inform them soon in any event.” Quietly Gordon glanced to N’cube, hoping that she could find out how to reach the Chief Diplomatic officer. It seemed to him that the Admiral was keeping Rubens purposely out of the talks, as his attendance became rarer over the course of the conference. But it was also possible that what Harshman claimed was true and his other duties had to take precedence. N’cube would be able to look into it. “We should prepare a dossier on our findings, anyway, for when we do.” The official exercise itself would take weeks yet at this rate.
Honor caught Gordon’s look and gave him a silent bob of her head. Rice would be easy to find and maybe he’d be open to helping them.
“Ambassador, I’m wary about approaching the Romulans.” Then Harshman shrugged, “Being they are Tal Shiar they probably already know about the Pyrryx. I don’t believe you’ll get anywhere with them, so waste your time if you want.”
They were wasting more than enough time as it was, he thought to himself. Still, considering how scarcely the Admiral would budge on any measures at all, he nodded his appreciation. “Thank you, Admiral,” he said, stretching his arms. “I do believe I need another recess.”
