Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Government Tower, Press Room- Breaking News

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Government Tower, Press Room- Breaking News

Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Government Tower, Press Room- Breaking News
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The call had been put out to the press that the Governor would holding a Press Conference. It was not Jeannette’s first foray, but it was her first time making such an announcement. It was why she had sincerely asked for the feedback on the statement and taken their changes without hesitation. This wasn’t about anyone’s ego. They had to set the right tone and convey the information in the most accessible and reasonable way. There were bound to be people upset, but there was only so much they could do to mitigate the concerns. If the Vren’s ritual and gift, and the confirmation of the disaster didn’t convey both the seriousness of the situation and the way the Vren had been changing, there was little they could do to change those people’s minds. Instead they would need to focus on the minds that could be open to peaceful interactions with the Vren.

In the anteroom, Mathis stood dressed in flowing wide legged trousers in a pale blue with a matching open faced jacket over a simple white shirt. She strode towards Hyrushi in grey heels, her blond hair pulled up and back onto her head in a soft twist. She had a PADD in her hand she was confident she wouldn’t need as she had spent a good deal of time memorizing the words she would say. Not only did it help her feel confident but a quiet breakfast with Ren and Jessie had allowed her feel calm. So it was with a rather serene demeanour that she approached the governor with a soft smile. “Ready? Anything else we should discuss beforehand?”

~Ambassador Mathis

Kenzo stood at the window looking out over the park by the Government Tower. Kenzo turned and said “I am, and I believe we have everything ready. Ms. Fen has verified the live feed from Vren space is active and ready, and Ambassador Kek has the ritual recorded and ready. Star Fleet and Colonial scientists have studied ‘the gift’, which is substantial to say the least, and found it safe and ready to use. If some of the people cannot see that the remorse and desire for peace is genuine? Well… at this point it will be their own issue to deal with. We are not going back.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“I couldn’t agree more,” Jeannette said. “After we’ve given all the information, are we taking questions from the press?” She could handle it if they were, but it was good to be thinking about what sorts of questions might arise.

~Ambassador Mathis

“We should.” he said without hesitation. “It will help assuage feelings of us not being transparent.” The door slid open and Dorma Fen said “Governor. Ambassador. They are ready.” and she stepped out. Kenzo took a breath and said “Very well. No time like the present.” He walked to the door and led Mathis to the side stage. “I will introduce you, you make your statement, I make mine. We answer questions jointly. Agreed?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Mathis nodded. “Sounds like a fine plan,” she said, gesturing to the door. “After you, Governor.” Compared to her first days, she was far more centred and the path forward might not be predictable, they at least had clear first steps and that was a big win already.

She followed him into the main room, wearing a relaxed but confident expression.

~Ambassador Mathis

Kenzo stepped to the podium. The room was packed with reporters, citizens, and hovering vid cameras. Kenzo, dressed in a somber gray silk suit with deep blue tie and matching vest over a black shirt, began to speak.

“Greetings to all citizens, residents, and visitors of Oed V. Today marks a historic day for us all. Today, we embark on road none of us could have imagined yesterday. A new challenge stands before us. We are no strangers to challenges, but this one is unlike any we are used to. But I have no doubt that we as a colony, as a community, are up to the challenge. Hardships we face regularly. And now we have the opportunity to help others who face a hardship that cannot be addressed by themselves alone. With me is Ambassador Jeannette Mathis, the Federation Ambassador who will assist us as we take a bold and unflinching step onto the galactic stage. Ambasaador, the floor is yours.” and Hyrushi stepped to the side, his onyx eyes looking out over the crowd.

Hyrushi, Governor

Mathis gave him a gracious bow of her head before she took her place at the podium. She inhaled an easy breath and began, speaking in a tone that was not just reciting words. She meant them. But she was also clear, pausing at necessary places and using light gestures of her hands to emphasize particular words and phrases.

“Citizens of Oed V, as the Governor has explained I am Ambassador Jeanette Mathis. I come to you here to request your assistance on behalf of the Federation to bring light to an urgent situation that has developed and one this colony is uniquely positioned to aide with.

“We have made contact with the Vren. Things on their world have changed in recent years and they are motivated towards peaceful coexistence with us. They also come to us with a plea for help. You see, a major disaster is underway that is affecting their environment. If nothing is done to prevent it, they as a species will die. Already many of their young perish in their nurseries.

“A planet in a nearby system was destroyed and the resulting debris has traveled to their system between the sun and their home world, lowering its energy and dropping the temperature and humidity. The ecology of the planet and Vren physiology rely on higher levels of humidity.

“It is not the first time Oed has stepped in to help outside of its own world. The contributions of this colony are numerous, and in this case the Federation Science Council is taking the first steps to help prevent future suffering. But this situation involves all of you, as you are their nearest neighbour.

“We are all aware of the threat they have presented to this colony in the past, and we are not asking you to forget that. But the Vren that suffer now are not the Vren who attacked this place. They have progressed in their society, and no longer seek conquest. They have acknowledged their actions have caused harm and are regretful. They wish to demonstrate their remorse through an important ritual and giving of gifts that is their tradition, in the hope that you, the people of Oed, will allow them to conduct these diplomatic overtures and the needed negotiations here in the Oed system. Given that Oed is the nearest Federation world and its science community is exceptional, the Federation cannot argue against the logic of holding diplomatic talks here in our own territory.

“I’m going to be upfront and say that I have not been affected by the past events involving the Vren and I do not underestimate the pain they have caused. It would be entirely reasonable to say no to them. But that is not our way. So much of the Federation has been built through moments of courage, moments that test us. There will be those that say Oed isn’t up to the challenge, that it is too much to ask. Perhaps they are right. It is a lot to ask.

“But I stand here today tasked with a mission to forge peace. It is not the first time I have done so, but there are many variables here that are unique to this place and I am taking every opportunity I can to get to know and understand those variables.

“I do believe we can help the Vren, that saying a cautious yes could yield a future for both places that is positive. I can see a future where the pain of the past has fuelled a productive relationship, if not friendship. Ambassador Kek of the Vren is a bright and optimistic individual from his world, a product of a generation that do not believe in the old ways of violence. On the world of Alpha Oradiz IV, a place that the Vren call Tutsikara, things have been changing quickly. They are courageously stepping out of old ways of thinking to try to craft a future that is very different than one they have known before. But that future will die if they can’t figure out how to save their planet. And I am here to ask you to take a chance on that bright future. For you, for them. The history between this colony and the Federation has been at times fraught with misunderstanding of the needs of this place. I am here to listen to both sides and maybe all together we’ll find the right path forward.”

She bowed her head to room. “Thank you,” Jeannette said before stepping to the side to make room for Hyrushi once more.

~Ambassador Mathis

Already questions were being shouted and flashes were going off like phasers in a hint space battle. Hyrushi held up his hands and waited for quiet before he said “Yes yes… I know you have many questions. And the Ambassador and I will answer them momentarily. Please… please let us finish.” After the crowd had quieted down, he said “There are three key takeaways we want everyone to have. First, the Vren have a ritual they have performed. A rite of apology. From our understanding, this was done after a vote of their government, and is meant to be representative of all Vren. Please, watch.” and the vid began to play.

Thousands of the frog-like humanoids were gathered in a single place. Drums beat loudly and the Vren swayed in rhythm with the music. Well practiced dancing composed of intricate movements and symbolism lost on any but perhaps a few learned anthropologists were done in perfect synchronization. It lasted for several minutes. The vid stopped and Hyrushi turned back to the crowd. “Secondly. To those who may have trepidation as to the sincerity of the Vren’s situation. A few days ago, with the cooperation of the Vren, we dispatched a ship to Vren space. The ship is Captained by someone we all know and, more importantly, whom we know to want only the best for Oed… Siandra Hal.” There was a murmur of shock, excitement, and surprise at the mention of the name. “When Lieutenant Governor Dasca and I told Mrs. Hal of the situation, she was eager to help; knowing this was a pivotal moment for all of us.” He pressed an icon in the podiums console and said =/\= Mrs. Hal, are you there?=/\= Her face filled the screen behind the Haverford and she smiled, but there was a sadness to it. =/\= Hello, Governor Hyrushi. We are here and… well… see for yourself. =/\= An image flickered onto the screen, and image of a star. It was brilliant orange-yellow… but with scattered black spots across it. =/\= This is the star the Vren homeworld orbits. The dark spots are large asteroids. And this- =/\= and the screen shifted to show a massive field of planetary debris, =/\= -is the field that will cross the sun’s path in a little over a year. Governor…=/\= and Siandra’s face appeared again, this time with her eyes shiny from holding back tears, =/\=… this is just awful. I have met some of the Vren. They are a beautiful people, sir. And this- =/\= and waved a hand at the vids behind her, =/\=… is a death sentence. And it will be slow and absolutely awful. We must do something. =/\= Hyrushi’s eyes were locked on the debris, and he was silent for a moment. One didnt need to be an empath to see the pain in her eyes. =/\= We will. Please come back to Oed, Madame. We have much to discuss. =/\= Sandra nodded and the comms went blank. Hyrushi stood motionless for a moment and the crowd was completely silent. Nothing had prepared them for the reality check that was the impending doom of the Vren.

Hyrushi cleared his throat softly and looked back at the crowds and cameras. “The Vren caused us harm in the past. They came and raided and killed. No one disputes this. Nor will we forget it, because forgetting transgressions against one of us or all of us not something we do.” He slowly raised his arm and pointed at the now blank screen. “But that is not the past. That is the future. Without Oed, the Vren will perish. Vren who have never had a single unkind thought towards us. Vren who have yet to be born. They will die without our help. We cannot change the past… but this Oed. And here we can change the future.” He took a deep breath and then said “Ambassador, please join me. We will now take your questions.”

Hyruahi, Governor

Lumolzby was a long time resident of Oed. He was a respected business owner, family man with grandchildren, and had been on Oed since before the strike. He was old and respected. He was often chosen to speak as a representative for the residents. He raised his hand and waited to be acknowledged. While he did he gathered his thoughts.

Kenzo spied the elder and nodded at him. “Mister Lumolzby, please.”

“Governor, Ambassador. I am concerned, and I think I can safely say we all are.” His eyes raised to the now blank screen, “But I understand how natural disaster, the threat of eminent death can put things in perspective. All of us that survived the strike know that. So putting aside their past aggression, how can we help them. We are still recovering from our own disaster, we still struggle, and we only recently have taken down the dome. Our planet is still dust and rock. What do they want from us, from Oed, that we can afford to give and still continue forward in our own recovery?”

Lumolzby

Hyrushi nodded and said “Thank you, sir. A very good first question. For now, all that is being asked of Oed is to allow a safe space for diplomatic talks to commence between the Federation and the Vren, permission for the Vren to travel into Oed space and for Federation-registered vessels to travel in Vren space, and the help of our scientific community to develop a solution for the immenent disaster. Nothing more has been discussed at this time. Does that answer your question, sir?”

Hyrushi, Governor