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“As a Starfleet Captain, often working on the very fringes of known space, I do have some amount of autonomy, yes,” Glen replied. “Starfleet Captains are regularly tasked with diplomatic missions and are expected to represent Starfleet in a variety of situations. I have the capacity to make my own informed, uncoerced decisions …but I’m afraid that I know nothing about you, or even of the Aenar, merely that they shared the same satellite as Andorians, but that they were in very low numbers there. At least one Aenar has served in Starfleet, though. I think he was Chief Engineer aboard the first USS Enterprise under Captain Pike, but I think he is dead.”

”…but you also do have rights under Federation Laws …the reports of bogeymen and evil spirits coming out from Ardan V have been around for decades, since the Romulans were here, so if you have been here for that long then you will have historic settlement rights, which give you the right to remain here and of self-determination. If you also have proof of the experimentation and genetic mutation carried out on your people, then these are atrocities against persons, and classified as Genocide, which has been unlawful since before the UFP was first conceived. That applies no matter if you are Federation members or not. The planet Earth’s experience of Genocide under Colonel Phillip Green means that it would prosecute such crimes to their full extent, even against another founding member. So, you won’t require my advocacy, just as long as you can actually back up your accusations. Hearsay from your parents will not be enough, but genetic testing could be organised, and there must be records to uncover.”

The Aeneas leader barked with a derisive laugh. “Can you prosecute the Romulans?” He shook his head with a bit of despair. “If you have the Medical expertise, you will find the changes in our genome. We also have some digital evidence. Logs, that the Romulan scientists kept. They are fragmented but you can see what they were trying to do. They were experimenting on us to try to create a sub species they could use. What for I do not know. Our parents used their advanced psychic skills to drive them off. I think their mining operation here was just a front to cover what they were really doing. Or a convenience, I am sure they gained from it.” He shrugged again as he looked toward the doctor.

M’Mera shifted nervously as the Aenar’s attention moved off the Captain to the Doctor, she looked like she would leap between them if an attack was made.

Glen could see that Hunter was burning to ask about something, but he first added, “If you don’t trust me then read our minds. You probably already are. I’ve found that whenever low-grade telepathy is being employed, honesty is the best policy.”

‘’We know all too well what genetic modification can do,’’ Hunter replied, referring to Cross. ‘’Tell us was it a part from your side that there is an interference which we believe is coming from the planet and has effected our Comm system for we are unable to make contact with the rest of our crew?’‘

Some how the doctor believed someone or something else was at play .

The Aenar nodded once. “It is part of our psychic ability to cause disruption in machinery.”

As the captain seemed to have the Aenar talking rather than attacking, Eros relaxed. It wasn’t his place to interrupt while the Glen was playing diplomat.

Sharp also took a few steps backwards ,even if these beings attacked them there was no way the team stood a chance .

“No, I cannot prosecute the Romulans for such crimes,” Glen replied. Glen had believed that the Andorians must have done the genetic experimentations and wondered how the Romulans could have captured and brought the Aenar here …but it didn’t matter. It was a question for another day. “The Romulan Star Empire is withdrawing in upon itself, consumed with some internal matters. It has always been inscrutable but Federation ships hardly meet them at all now. The geopolitical balance is changing. They are no longer as powerful or as threatening as they were even a few years ago, so I don’t think they will be a problem for your people any longer. However, I’m sorry that I won’t be able able to bring you any justice or closure.”

Suddenly M’Mera’s communicator chirped to indicate it was back online with the ship.

It took Cross by surprise so much so that she took a moment before replying =/\= M’Mera finally !=/\= she exclaimed =/\= We hear you loud and clear ..is the landing party safe ? Are there any injuries ? I’ll inform the Captain everything about what happened to the ship but tell him its still in one piece =/\= the CMO was heard chuckling ,she had been worried , having thoughts occupied with unpleasant things and events that have happened or that may happen,it was now that Cross realized the mental state she had been in....... concerned, apprehensive and anxious .

=^=The Captain iss rright herre and I’m ssurre he’ss rrelieved to hearr the sship iss in one piece. Wass the sship in dangerr? I know the communicationss did not worrk as we arre standing herre with the people who caussed it. I don’t think they will interrferre anymorre.=^=

When Captain Glen heard M’Mera mention ‘Ship’ and ‘Danger’ in the same sentence he tried to listen to the answer. The Aenar were clearly assured by what they had heard, but it irked the Captain that their spokesman seemed to believe they had harmed no one. Miners may have been injured by faulty machinery and not received medical attention because of faulty comms. This could equally be true aboard the Merrimack. And the actions of the Aenar were considered and deliberate. Whatever their intentions had been, people had been harmed, thought Glen.

=/\= Hope not!! =/\= Cross exclaimed =/\= Cause everything stopped working from the engines to a simple medical tricorder .The ship went to total darkness for some time but thanks to our engineers they got them working again and the ship was able to move further away from the planet ,had they not done so tell the Captain he would have seen his ship falling from the sky =/\= .

Hunter had heard Cross ,he wondered had it been better in the tunnels facing the Aenars or having been on the ship?.

’’ Miners and crew have been injured ‘’ he told the Aenars ‘’We understand it has caused you distress but I’m wondering could the genetic modification gave you dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances creating hostility, bitterness and resentment ?’’ the doctor asked.

“No one has been hurt by our hands.” The Aenar re iterated then he turned back to the Captain, as if to ignore the Doctor.

Glen wished Hunter would be a little more subtle with his questions. John Glen had thought that himself bit refrained from speaking his mind. Hunter needed to get a filter and keep his own mouth in check. This was a very delicate situation which Glen appeared he might have talked down from an ambush and execution, to the heated discussion level. He didn’t want to escalate it back up again. The Aeners would need to answer for what they had done at some point, but there would be investigations by others much more qualified to perform them. Their job right now was to get out of this alive in order to tell the others.

Another message came from the Bridge =/\= Lt. M’Mera, have you and the Captain been able to disengage the dampening field on the planet? =/\= from one of her newest officers.

“Why can we now get comms from the Bridge, but we can’t reach the other team on the surface?” Captain Glen asked M’Mera, puzzled!

“Commss sseem clearr and fine, I would guesss that ourr ‘hosstss’ have deactivated the field. ” M’Mera said to the Captain before turning back to the Aenar. “Have you rremoved the field that was interrupting thingss on the ssurface?” She asked the Aenar.

“We have stopped causing the interference that was interrupting the machinery.” The Aenar said shortly.

M’Mera returned to the comm to the bridge,=^=The Aenarr’ss ssay they have disscontinued the interrferrence they werre caussing to the machinerry. Thingss should be fine now.=^=

Hunter realized the Captain wanted him to shut up and he did so but with the Aeners and their telepathic abilities he thought ..
* I’m asking perhaps there is a chance that the Federation can help ,unfortunately not you but future generations *.

For the doctor looked at a combination of all that has happened and there could be more then one reason that made them do the things they did. By keep accusing them won’t help after all everyone still seemed to be alive ,they didn’t riddled the party facing them with bullet holes even though they could have easily done so.

Eros decided to speak up on the side of the Aenar.

“Captain Glen, Ardan IV is in Federation space. Technically, these Aenar that have been transplanted here by the Romulans, if that is the case, could claim it as a colony world. They have been here long enough to do that. Also, the Klingons invaded here in 2365. I’m not sure if the mining contract is a result of that invasion or was in place prior to, but I think with the Romulans possible experimentation on there people, that could be a good reason to rescind that contract, giving the Federation exclusive mining rights, as well as protection and support for the Aenar here.”

The Aenar seemed to be listening to Dionysovich with interest.

Sharp listened to the ongoing conversation ,everyone seem to suggest something except him . He lowered his eyes looking at the ground beneath his feet and at that moment felt he must be the stupidest security that ever existed.

Glen was obviously aware that Ardan V was in Federation Space now, but it mustn’t have been when the Aenar were brought here, since the Aenar had already mentioned the Starfleet Pioneer Fleet. As for the mining being a problem, one thing the Captain didn’t understand was why they needed it to be stopped, or maybe they didn’t, so he asked the Aenar leader directly.

“Why do you need the mining here to stop? Does the machinery somehow do something that causes harm to you? Or do the tunnels encroach on your homes or on something sacred to you? I only ask, because if you did win the right to live here, you would require an ongoing source of income. The Federation still requires Dilithium. It is rare and valuable. The mining would seem to be mutually beneficial to both parties under such circumstances. You also require protection from Klingons and Romulans if you are no longer in hiding. The Federation can give that protection, or else allow you to remain hidden, but they will be far more willing to do so if this place has a economic value to them. Starfleet’s ships are prioritised to those planets with the highest economic interests. You will also require investment to expand the mining operation.”

“We live below because we have always lived below, it is where we could hide from the Romulans, Klingons or anyone else who came here. They come to steal our minerals but if things could be as you say then perhaps we could be part of the Federation.”

Sharp finally thought of something to say ‘’Captain about the two person who have been abducted’’ the security reminded him .

“The two miners are fine, if you wish we can take you to see them. They are in our colony, we could show you the proof we have of the Romulans’ actions.”

“We would like to be taken to see them please,” Captain Glen replied. “And your proof of the Romulans’ actions too.”

Captain Glen didn’t want to cause any additional friction at this point, but of course, it wasn’t lost on him that merely because the captors say the hostages are fine, that doesn’t necessarily follow that the hostages agree, and in any case, being in good-health physically, being well fed and treated well, that does not alter the psychological aspects of being held as a hostage. There is a coping mechanism that occurs where hostages begin to sympathise with the captors’ beliefs, but may experience PTSD-like symptoms later.

Glen was also aware that he couldn’t speak on behalf of the miners here. This was an outpost, not a Federation colony. When the had arrived the miners were not very warm to them, even though they had been invited to come here and help them. Glen could promise Federation support with their claim, and even though they may have rights under Federation Laws, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that the miners accepted it. Neither the miners nor the Federation were responsible for the sins of the Romulans. Glen would attempt to get the ball rolling but it might take some time to complete its journey.

Before they could leave this planet, Glen needed to get the miners to accept that the Aenar were here first, and that they took hostages and messed with the comms and machinery, only in self-defence. That was going to be a big ask, because even Glen himself wasn’t sure that the actions were proportionate.

Stella then opened her communicator, checked the settings and forged ahead. =/\=Merrimack away team. This is Lieutenant Gagnon is anyone picking up our transmission? We need a status check on you if you do, please. =/\=

Doctor Hunter answered as the Captain was busy talking with the Aenars =/\= Hunter....Lt Gagnon we hear you loud and clear ,we have encountered other beings that actually live underground they call themselves Aenars and the Captain is having a dialogue , exchanging of information with them =/\= then as an after thought he went on =/\= Don’t say anything to the miners and their boss …em Pilatus ,let the Captain be the one to inform him . Maybe he’s already aware of their existence and said nothing who knows Hunter out =/\=.

The Aenar leader nodded as he lowered his weapon while signalling to his followers to do so as well. He then stepped back as his men did too, to allow the Away Team to join them to walk down the tunnels.

M’Mera didn’t look very happy at the invitation and her eyes narrowed suspiciously as her glance flicked to the Captain to see his response. She wasn’t quite ready to lower her weapon yet, these Aenar beings still out numbered them.

OOC: I was sure I had already answered this, and I had but it got cut out.
IC: Captain Glen didn’t quite know how; unlike the Aenar he had no psionic abilities, but he was picking up strong signals from M’Mera that she didn’t like this course of action. As a COS that was quite understandable, however had they wished, the Aenar could have killed them back at the ambush, or at any time since. They could have kept the Merrimack locked out of Comms, Weapons, Shields and let her power run out. They could have also murdered all the miners at any time, rather than to try to frighten them into leaving the planet. So, Glen felt confident that this was not another trap and that that the Merrimack would soon have a transporter lock on them again. It was their duty to free these hostages; the reason they had been sent here. Ironic really; if the Aenar hadn’t taken hostages and just kept up with the miner’s mysterious machine failures instead, then the Federation would probably never have sent a ship out here. Glen thought that deep down, these Aenar knew that they couldn’t possibly hideout down here forever, and that they actually wanted to tell their story to someone who would actually listen to it.

Glen, CO

Hunter knew he had to go as the doctor in the group he hoped to find the two hostages reasonably well ,at least on the physical side , psychologically was another story. Knowing the medical tricorder was going to work it would definitely make things easier and scan them more in - depth.

Sharp saw the COS hesitation and he didn’t blame her since they where about to be taken deeper through the tunnels , after all they knew next to nothing about these beings and what they were capable of . What’s to stop them from taking the team hostages as well ,it would benefit them more then just the other two .

The security approached M’Mera ‘’ Ma’am why don’t we ask them to bring the hostages here and what could the Romulan’s have done that’s so important for us to see ? ‘’.

M’Mera glanced at Sharp, “Becausse we need to ssee forr ourrsselvess if they have been telling the truth. I can tell you, as a felinoid I do not ssmell a lie. I do ssmell trruth. They believe what they arre ssaying, at leasst.”She did not lower her voice to speak to Sharp, these beings were telepathic, her lowering her voice would hide nothing.

Lt. M’Mera COS

“Our mission is to ask questions and discover the truth,” the Captain added. “Evidence of the conditions in which they have been kept, and in which the Aenar captors themselves live, that is important for us to see, rather than to rely of hearsay, denials or promises. We would not be doing or job if we accept what the Aenar say as it has been presented, without questioning or analysing. You should never believe something such as this without further investigation or scrutiny.”

• Glen, CO