Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Government Tower- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Government Tower- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Government Tower- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“We’ve been brainstorming about just that,” Mathis said. “The way I see it there are a couple ways we can go, but much depends on the very general perspective and attitudes of the people of Oed. There will be a loud minority who will protest any interactions with the Vren. It’s almost guaranteed in situations like this. But what is less known and where Dash and I will lean on you two is to know the heart of the quieter majority. Are they at their core compassionate people? Would appealing to their sense of right and wrong and a desire to help allow them to see the Vren as people too, and not just the previous faceless enemy? If so, then being up front and laying out the critical situation the Ven are dealing with, and appealing to their hearts might be the way to go. Whole Vren nurseries are being affected and dying children tend to cut through a lot of the noise. But on the other hand, if you expect suspicion and distrust to reign more supreme, then we might be better off doling out the information in precisely considered stages, ending with the Vren’s explanation for the ceremony, followed by the ceremony.”

Dash nodded. “I think it’s important that no matter how we approach this, the colonists understand that the Vren of before are not the same as the Vren now. There is a significant cultural shift going on, as evidenced by Ambassador Kek themself. The Ambassador represents a new generation of Vren that are not content to let the old ways hold back their society and allow their climatological crisis to continue. They are undoubtedly the best candidate to show Oed that the Vren of before are not the Vren today and that they are reaching out in friendship in a time of true need.”

~Ambassador Mathis & Dashiel Jones

Eela couldn’t help the frown that touched her lips. She was too new here still and while she had settled in, she was the wrong person to ask about the heart of the people of Oed. She shook her head. “I’m the wrong person to ask in this,” she said, turning her gaze upon Kenzo. “I can speak to my interactions with individuals but I’m still very new here. Maybe in a couple months I could answer differently but right now your insights will be more accurate.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Hyrushi was silent for a long time, ebony eyes regarding the ambassador and her aide. “The people of Oed V-” he began suddenly, “- are resilient. They endure. But they do not suffer slights, real or perceived, with any kind of tolerance. Far too often they have been the afterthought… or a last-minute convenience. That is how many will feel in this. And I do not believe that anyone in the room right now will argue that that viewpoint is unjustified here.” He paused and stood up, clasping his hands behind his back and walking to the window to look out over the city.

“They are also very proud of what they have built here. They are dedicated to making this place extraordinary. And they are succeeding. I doubt that they will let anything derail that progress. They are stubbornlike that, and I must say that is one of the things that makes me care so much for this place. Their outright refusal to fail.” He turned and looked at the Ambassador. “You, Madame, will have to appeal to that pride and stubbornness. The part of this colony that wants to succeed even when they are set up not to. This ‘new Vren’ must be presented not as a neighbor needing help; but as an obstacle that someone else set in front of the colony, thinking to see them fail. The Vren are a roadblock. When we fail to assist them, then every negative thing that people closer to the more ‘civilized’ worlds says about us is true. And this isn’t manipulation. This is the reality of Oed. The people rise to any challenge, Ambassador. Yours is simply the newest one.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Dasca took this picture he painted with thoughtful reflection. She could see the threads of the truth Hyrushi offered even if she hadn’t yet witnessed the reality yet. But her mind moved more quickly to her and Kenzo’s conversation that night at his place after they first talked with Mathis and Kek. She thought of her successes in diplomatic ventures and also the failures. The Khari were still firmly in her mind the last couple of days. It was a cautionary tale that she was holding onto tightly because there were so many ways things with the Vren could go badly and this time she couldn’t just jump on a ship and hightail it out of the system. No, she lived and worked here now, was responsible for and to these people, and they would hold her unflinchingly accountable.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Make it a matter of pride in one’s home,” Jones said, leaning back in his seat, his expression deeply pensive. “This… challenge might also allow us room for timetables to not matter. I’m sure there will be those that take umbrage at this going to the Federation Science Council first, but that wont be what people are focusing on if it is as you say, Governor.”

Jeanette nodded slowly, taking in everything with careful consideration. Presenting a challenge that other parties aren’t expecting the colony to be able to rise to can be done. Delicately, of course. And I’m an outsider here, I know, but I believe they can meet this challenge. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here now. Perhaps I’ll tell them just that. But we’re clearly talking about the more silent majority. What do we have to be concerned about as far as the vocal majority goes?”

~Ambassador Mathis & Dashiel Jones

Hyrushi shook his head slightly and looked at Mathis. “You miss my point. Yes, you are the outsider. Whether or not you think they can do is irrelevant. You are the messenger of those who say we will fail. That is how you will be seen… at least at the beginning. As we progress, and you show them that you believe they can succeed… then you will be able to support. But you have to prove you are here to help first.” He moved back to the couch and sat.

“As to the more ‘vocals minority? This is Oed V, Madame Ambassasdor. You can expect the usual: slander on vids, libel on social media, rotten produce sailing in at public appearances, anti-Federation graffiti… oh, and the odd assassination attempt or two.” Hyrushi’s face was normally expressionless, so it was impossible to tell if he was joking unless you were familiar with him. Eela was a bit…

He wasn’t.

Hyrushi, Governor