Directive 010
Posted on Fri Oct 13th, 2023 @ 9:15pm by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance
Edited on on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 12:54am
Mission:
The Return
Location: Outpost 382
Timeline: Current
on:
{Outpost 382 Medical Facility}
"Don't shoot," the transformed Undine pleaded, "I mean you no harm".
Kevin lowered his phaser rifle and gave a hand signal for his team to do the same. After a moment, the armed Undine followed suit. “Attacking a Federation outpost would indicate differently,” he observed.
“Our attack was provoked by your own people,” the Undine replied, “Some factions within the Undine believe that our response to the provocation is justified and proportional.”
“Some factions?” Kevin questioned. The reports from Admiral Janeways about the Undine indicated a hegemonic society.
“After meeting with Captain Janeways and the crew of the Voyager in the Delta Quadrant,“ the Undine explained, “the Undine that had been part of the recreation exercises returned to Fluidic space. Many had wonderous tales of the diversity and beauty of your dimension. But our encounter with the Borg was the first alien species that we had ever met and it was concluded from their behavior that all beings from this realm were dangerously aggressive. Captain Janeways demonstrated that although aggressive, your species was capable of higher intelligence, compassion and empathy. This revelation was at odds with our experiences with the Borg and even the Federation at first.”
“This caused divisions to appear in our society. Many believed that humanoids and other species from this dimension continued to represent an existential threat to our people and urged for a continuation of the war against the species of normal space. Others believed that we should adopt a defensive mindset, remaining in Fluidic space and only defending ourselves. A growing group, led by the entity you know as ‘Boothby’, argued for a radical change in our outlook on alien races, calling for negotiation as well as social and culture engagement. I am a member of Boothby’s faction.”
“Do you believe your attack on the Federation is justified and proportional?” Kevin asked.
“Justified, yes,” the Undine replied, “but I believe that the sudden and unannounced action was rash. We should have opened communications first…and hoped that you would listen.”
Kevin winced at the rejoinder, remembering the attack on the Undine in the warehouse.
The Undine continued, “This attack on your outpost was made by a fringe element without the sanction of the main governing body but since the Federation initiated hostilities, the governors felt they had little choice but to go along with the fanatics. Boothby, however, believes that both sides can come to a negotiated settlement.”
“Where are the inhabitants of the outpost?“ Kevin asked, “Were they killed?”
“I don’t know,” the Undine replied, “From what I have been able to gather from the fanatics’ transmissions, the outpost was mostly abandoned when they arrived.”
“I found humanoids amongst the Undine fanatics that attacked the warehouse. What do you know about that?”
The Undine paused as if in thought, then proceeded, “There are rumors of a secret project to control humanoids telepathically. It was originally explored as a method of countering the Federation but was abandoned after the cease-fire negotiated by Boothby and Janeways.”
“Is that the reason for the telekinetic attack on our executive officer?” Kevin wondered.
“No,” the Undine replied, “After your team killed mr contact team at the warehouse, I tried to telepathically communicate with the Trill in your party. The attempt failed but I can’t say why.”
Kevin rubbed his jaw in thought. He wished that Ambassador Wyrick were here. She would know how to proceed. Finally, he tapped his comm badge, “Lance to Rodale.”
=/\= “Rodale here.”=/\=
“I have a representative of the Undine and its wants to negotiate.”
:off
Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Norris
