As promised, Jeanette called the designated Speaker of the Federation Council soon after her meeting with Hyrushi and Dasca (after walking Jones through the situation). It took a bit of time given the distance and the fact that the Rigelian had been in meetings, but Mathis insisted that her business was urgent. Fortunately for Mathis, she had earned a lot of clout after all these years.

Dashiel stepped into the room with a nod and sat at the desk out of sight. “How do you think this will go?”

Jeanette inhaled deeply, folding her arms on the desk as she gazed at Jones. “Well, the Council tends to get a bit twitchy about members threatening to leave, but I actually hope they won’t see this as a threat and take their cue from the words in the statement itself. It’s an invitation to do better, to meet them halfway. I don’t think it’s unreasonable, especially given the colony is taking a massive risk right now on behalf of the Federation. One I think will benefit everyone, but it’s a risk nonetheless.”

He nodded. “Can I get you anything?” he said, moving out of his seat to the replicator.

“A refresh on my water would be great, thanks Dash,” she said.

He returned with water for her and coffee for him, though he’d much rather have some from Quill. Maybe later.

Thirty Minutes Later

The comm sounded and Mathis entered her credentials, opening the secure diplomatic channel. Artos Rusa gazed back at her and bowed his head to her in respect. ||Ambassador Mathis, I came as soon as I was able. What urgent business do you have for the Council?||

She studied him for a moment before tapping a few keys on her computer. “Honoured Speaker, I am but a messenger for Oed Five today. They have a message that is high priority and I am sending it to you now. I imagine you will forward it to the Security Council first, but they wish it to be read on the record on the Council Floor. Now, the next full meeting isn’t for a couple weeks, but I think we can agree that that an Extraordinary meeting might be warranted? I’ll give you time to read.”

Jeanette watched the normally inscrutable Rigelian shift through a couple emotions and then he blew out a breath. ||Well then… I am bound to read this as directed. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.||

“Hyrushi and Dasca would like to be informed ahead of time when the statement will be read.”

Rusa nodded. ||Of course. Let me get back to you. Madame Ambassador.||

“Speaker,” she said before the call ended.

Mathis and Jones gazed at each other. “Rusa is positively rattled,” Dash said.
“I didn’t expect anything less. They should be rattled. They’ve been called out. Publicly. How they respond will determine how well or poorly the relationship continues.”
“Let’s hope for everyone’s sake they see reason.”
She had nothing more to add to that and just sat back and nodded.

Two Days Later

After receiving a head’s up about the impending meeting, Mathis informed Hyrushi and Dasca accordingly.

The Council of the United Federation of Planets was due to meet soon anyway, but given there was other business they could also discuss, it was decided that they would push the meeting ahead and recalled all Council members immediately.

In a publicly open and broadcast meeting, the august body gathered in their usual chambers and went about some basic business before they turned to the next item on the Agenda: a statement by Oed V.

Speaker Artos Rusa stood at the podium. “On behalf of the Executive and people of the Oed Five Colony, I shall read for the record this important statement:

Representatives Of the Federation, greetings.

Let us begin with an acknowledgement. An acknowledgement of the vast size and complexity of our government. For hundreds of years, the United Federation of Planets has brought together species and communities across the vastness of space that is our galaxy. All United under a common goal: Peace, and the inalienable right of all sentient beings to self-determination. As the years have progressed, we have grown to encompass thousands of worlds… and even more communities.

But with great numbers comes a great responsibility: to ensure that we are not forgetting those members whose voice may not be loud, but who are as important as the rest of this august body. And that is what brings us before you today.

For too long, Oed V has been an afterthought. A minor associate when things are good… a minor annoyance when times are difficult. Yet Oed V is the home of over four million beings, living and working and trying to create something special. We have suffered greatly. From external threats, internal strife, enemies not of our own making, and an apocalyptic natural disaster that destroyed ninety-nine percent of all life on the planet. Yet still we live. We work. We strive to be more. Those of you who know us know that we are proud of what we are building. That we bring a great deal to the Federation with our natural resources, location, and singular determination.

But still we are an afterthought. Only deemed needed when others need something from us. That has gone on for far too long. We have held our tongues. We have been obedient to the law. And we have asked you to listen.

You have not.

Therefore today, Oed V will make its voice heard. No longer are we to be a tool used for others and then ignored until the next need is presented. Beginning today we, the people of Oed V, demand to be treated as a partner in the Federation… and not a simple convenience.

As of today, Oed V will no longer allow any Federation organization to operate with impunity in our space. Any operation or endeavor of any size will be preempted by notification to the appropriate Oed agency. Oed V will agree to the request, or not, as we deem best for the people and the colony as a whole. To be clear: No Federation agency may operate on Oed V without our knowledge. Should any agency do so will be seen as a violation of our inherent right to self-determination. As such, should this come to pass, Oed V will submit to the people an immediate and legally binding Referendum of Independence. Should the majority vote in support Oed V will become, immediately and irrevocably, an independent government, with all the rights and privileges thereof.

We do not take this course lightly. But we can no longer abide by the Federation treating us as a footnote to issues that directly concern us.

We do not set leaving this government as a goal. We wish to prevent that necessity. We have now told you how to adjust your perspectives in order to maintain the status quo. We have nothing more to do but wait… and hope that you can see the mistakes of the past and learn from them.

Yours in Partnership, Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi, Governor and Eela Dasca, Lieutenant Governor.

Let the record stand as the Statement having been read according to the Member’s wishes.”

And of course, there was an ensuing discussion. A vigoruous one. But not a negative one, no. On the contrary, other smaller members, particularly those that were on the outskirts of the Federation expressed their own concerns about the central worlds being a higher priority, and that when push came to shove, their needs were deemed less important than the older and more established member worlds, and how frustrated they were.

While it was hard to know how things would unfold from here, it was clear that the message was received loud and clear.

~Ambassador Mathis