Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim-Confrence Room A-Briefing &Meeting the Ascended
[edit + snip]

Glen wrote another message on one of the PADDs and then passed it across the table to Lieutenant Max Mullins, the CE. It said:

How difficult would it be to delete your surveys of the EP19 mines and your confirmation of Dilithium on the planet in your mission reports to Starfleet? I want to suggest to Stargate that a new General Order is instigated that stipulates secrecy and prevents anyone else ever having contact or coming near this sector. However, if we mention economically viable reserves of Dilithium, that isn’t going to wash with the more conservative wings of the Federation. I also appreciate that holding back some of the truth might be against your personal ethical code. That’s why I’m asking. Don’t feel pressured!

Before the CMO sighed she took out her cell phone =/\= Captain permission to leave bridge and head to the conference room =/\= .

=/\= And a very good morning to you too, Lieutenant. There is some delicate diplomacy going on down here. I’ve sent Faith to you with the details, so that you wouldn’t feel left out, but I can’t allow is your special brand of brash risk-taking and lack of tact to upset this delicate situation here. You will have to trust me on this one and let me do my job. =/\=

=/\= How thoughtful of you Sir to even bother to think of me =/\= Cross replied ,Glen could her her cough to clear her voice =/\= I do sincerely hope that its not a one way diplomacy and your main priority is about those inhabitants and not the Dilithium.....good day Sir =/\= .

Verity listened intently to the ongoing dialogue in the conference room. As she glanced at the PADD from Captain Glen, she wondered what he had in mind. “Captain, if you have a moment may I have a word, please.”

“Certainly,” Glen replied. He indicated the PADD should she wish to have the word with him in private.

Right about now, Glen was out of options, so he could certainly use some more.

Verity hesitated, then said, “Captain, are you sure deleting data is the best option? In any case it be valuable to us in the future.”

Glen still felt uneasy with all this diplomacy, and he knew that many, including Miriam and Faith, would not thank him for making any deal with the ascended beings that did not allow for the full protection for the natives of EP19. He thought that even with the Dilithium deposits covered up, and a new General Order in place, the survival of the natives was still completely at the whim of the ascended beings. Unfortunately, they did not see the bigger picture here as he could. The Federation’s uneasy relations with the Klingon Empire had deteriorated since Khitomer, and the Klingons seemed just as strong as ever. There was also Starfleet intelligence of some new rising threat powers beyond a recently discovered inhabited system on the edges of known space, and while the Orion pirate situation was now under control again, there was intelligence of other pirates who had bought or stolen Warp technology. In addition, the Federation’s long-standing ice cold relations with the Star Empire of Romulus showed some signs of hotting up. Glen still felt personally responsible for the whole Bolay War that was currently ongoing. The borders of the Federation were already dangerous enough. So, to deliberately provoke some new much stronger power; some ascended beings who could destroy ships with a wink of an eye, or a snap of fingers, that would be the actions of a crazy person. It would be the end of his career and of his reputation, and he couldn’t see how those actions could ever lead to a timeline when the USS Merrimack would be that celebrated ship located in the heart of the Black Rock naval museum. Glen felt between caught a rock and a hard place, and often wished that he had never visited the future and there was no such thing as Fate.

Josan spok again breaking the silence, “..You and your crew seem to be contemplative, Captain Glen, on some matter. It may be many ages since I last held a physical body such as this, but unless I miss my assumption you appear unsure on how to proceed with something, or wish to inquire on some matter that we have spoken or not spoken about?” the being asked.

Verity considered her words carefully before responding, mindful of the delicate situation they were in. She met Captain Glen’s eyes briefly before turning her attention back to Josan.

“Yes, Josan,” Verity began, her voice steady. “We appreciate the information you’ve shared with us about the Dilithium deposits and the potential dangers they pose. However, what we’re truly concerned about is the well-being and autonomy of the native inhabitants of EP19. While what you’ve offered would protect the resource, it doesn’t guarantee the safety of the people who call this planet home. We’ve seen the destructive power at your disposal, and we have a responsibility to ensure the safety and freedom of all sentient beings in the galaxy. We need assurances that the ascended beings won’t interfere with the development and self-determination of the EP19 inhabitants. Is there a way we can work together to ensure the safety of the EP19 inhabitants while also safeguarding the Dilithium? Perhaps a mutually agreed-upon set of guidelines or a shared oversight committee to address any potential conflicts?”

OOC: Did Josan offer a Starfleet General Order? I changed that bit.

IC:
Glen added, “The kind of negotiations my XO suggests are well above our paygrade, Josan. Generally, our diplomats would come and discuss the finer details with you, but they aren’t here, and right now we do have you here in person. I’m not sure that a shared oversight committee could ever work when the rich economic value of this planet is known about. So, what I would suggest is that I don’t tell the Federation about the Dilithium deposits and we remove ourselves entirely from this system, making a Starfleet General Order than no ship should come here. We allow the natives of EP19 to develop without outside influence, and for you to observed them, but we would ask in return that you observe and respect our fundamental principles against the the deliberate killing of a large number of intelligent beings from a particular nation or planet?”

• Glen, CO

OOC: Oops I admit I didn’t read that great and I probably had some typos since I wrote it.from my phone.

IC: Verity nodded thoughtfully at Captain Glen’s proposal, appreciating the effort to find a compromise. She turned her attention back to Josan, considering the gravity of the situation.

“Josan, Captain Glen raises a valid point. If we were to keep this information from the Federation and ensure no further Starfleet involvement, it would grant the EP19 inhabitants the freedom to develop on their own terms. However, we would need your assurance that you will abide by our fundamental principles and refrain from causing harm to the native population. This includes not interfering with their development or using your advanced technology to their detriment. Can we trust that the ascended beings will respect these principles?” As another thoughtcame to mind she continued “We understand that your civilization operates on a different plane of existence, but in this shared space, we must find a way to coexist peacefully. If we can establish this understanding, we may be able to avoid a potentially catastrophic conflict that would harm both our worlds. Ultimately, the goal here is to protect both the EP19 inhabitants and the Dilithium resource. If we can reach an agreement that ensures their safety and autonomy while safeguarding this valuable material, it would be a win-win situation for all parties involved. What are your thoughts on Captain Glen’s proposal?”

V. Aphelion, First Officer