Gareb is spending a little too much time trying to make sense of such an advanced piece of machinery, blinded by the scope of the forces at work while Kestra sticks to the problem at hand.
Working together, you muddle through how to get the powerful machines back to functioning enough to keep the planet from shaking itself apart. Jok'kem manages to manipulate the atmospheric controls enough to de-ionize the atmosphere. Almost immediately, your communicators chirp.
"Away team, this is the Captain, do you read? The ionization of the atmosphere has cleared. We have transporter locks on all of you, and on the scientists in the Capital. Please advise."
4 Momentum 12 Threat
Kestra depresses her combadge on her uniform and says, "Captain, we have successfully stabilized the planet's orbit and it should not destruct. Would it be possible for you to Beam the civilians back to our ship and us back to the capital?"
She takes her hand off of the combadge and says, "I think we should say goodbye to the Lormeans and also get the Actium and fly it back to the ship. What do you think?"
"There are mitigating factors with regard to the Prime Directive. Lt. Kestra's plan is one I support. I believe we can convince the locals to release the scientists to return on our ship. They're aware of interstellar craft now but I do not believe have seen any signs of transporter technology. I do not believe there is any immediate danger to our people so holding off on revealing such technology would be prudent."
"I think it's fair to say we've minimised our impact on the locals."
Lt. Commander Kestra depresses her comm badge, "Amend that request, Captain, could you beam us to a location near the capitol city where there are not any Lormeans present, so as we can say goodbye, not reveal transporter technology and then we can destroy the remnants of the Tesla with the Actium."
These sound like logical courses of action. says the XO.
"We will find a suitable location. Stand by for transport."
A moment later, you materialize near the Central Headquarters.
Kestra makes her way to the leader's office and says, "Sir, we have fixed your problem. If there is not anything else, my crew and people would like to take our leave. We wish you luck."
Chief Minister Toorel welcomes you into his office. Amber windows soar behind him. He stands behind a large desk. Despite his alien features, it is easy enough to read the sadness in his features. "You have fixed our problem? How is that possible. Our planet is falling apart. I regret to inform you that our security forces have taken control of your vessel. Dr. Forrest tells me that you have the ability to return to your vessel in orbit without using your vessel. If you will choose to peacefully return to your ship, we will have no further problems. We will be able to study your vessels and make our way off of the planet before we can be destroyed. I hope we will not have any difficulties."
The door behind you opens and you see that Captain Theema and her security detail stands behind you, weapons drawn.
Back in the cave, Daniel says, "I wish we could stay longer, find out who built this. I hope Starfleet can send someone after the war."
…
A few minutes later, at the Chief Minister's office, he looks startled at the response. "But it's true. Your planet is safe now. Check your seismic monitoring, you'll see."
Kestra now is extremely unhappy about the current development, communicates with her Ex, Dr. Forrest, telepathically "Andy, I suggest you speak to this minister and get him to change his mind because they cannot have the Actium."
Kestra folds her arms over her chest using her thumb to depress her combadge mumbles "46A" so that the Captain can hear what is going on and says, "So, let's clarify what your intentions are, Minister Toorel, political leader of the Lormeans. You are willing to undermine our friendship by stealing our shuttle THE ACTIUM and threatening us. Do you consider it wise? We have fixed your planet as promised and you decided to stab us in the back. I suggest you reconsider."
"You'll find the matter has been set on the path towards being rectified. As we discussed previously examining our technology could be detrimental to the development of your people, underlined by the point of how your people could undermine the development of the other sentient species in your system."
"You made a request of us to help you, you've acted in good faith within our own protocols. You also indicated a projected timescale... do you think you can reverse engineer our technology and place it into mass production within such a timescale? I emplore you to take a moment to take stock of the situation... some people put their stock in logic and some in emotion... many fall somewhere in between. I must assume as a politician you need to be able to do both. Do not react reflexively when there is no reason to."
Dr. Forrest replies, "Kestra, perhaps this is the best solution. Leave them the runabout. If they are smart enough to figure out the warp technology, then they will be able to evacuate their planet. If not, then it will be the end for them when whatever changes you have made break down. I understand, you have Starfleet protocols to adhere to. But surely Starfleet doesn't want you going to war with these people. Beam up, move on. The pollution has already happened. Let them pursue their destiny."
The Minister replies, "Please understand that we are a peaceful species. We have had no large scale conflict for hundreds of years. We do not want to cause you any harm. My understanding is that you can return to your vessel without consequence. Our scientists will do their best to join you. That is what is required, yes? In order to join your community, we need the ability to travel between the stars. We need to leave this planet, our study of your vessels will allow this. Please just go. Return to your vessel. Let us be friends."
Telepathically, "You are just trying to justify this nonsense. Their planet is ok Now. And we will send scientists here later to do a more permanent fix. What about the species on the other planet in this system? They have a right to their own destiny as well."
Her thumb on combadge still transmitting to the Captain, "You have proven yourselves to be untrustworthy and you have threatened my team twice already and now you are committing larceny against us because you think that will make us friends. You do not need to leave your planet. It is safe. I suggest you allow us to go back to our shuttle and return to our ship. To TORPEDO our relationship in its infancy by stealing THE ACTIUM AND then telling us to BEAM us back to our ship and ALL is ok and we are friends. If you do not allow us to return to the FEDERATION, PERSONNELly, you think you can steal from us without consequence, you are either naive or delusional. I think you may need to ponder on IF LORMEANS want the Federation as an enemy because insisting on stealing our craft, will indeed do so. Maybe you DON'T care or hopefully we can AGREE. Would you like to take some time to think on that, TEN MINUTES, perhaps?"
Addressing the lemur people
It is illogical for you to have us under guard and to point weapons at us. We have done nothing but help to stabilize and thus save your planet. We have done what we said we would attempt to do. It is imperative and logical, that in such regards you set us free and return our equipment to us. Anything else would be larceny and kidnapping
MacLeod speaks up as well, after Jok'kem, just to add, "And, if you do want to join our community, you need to prove you're able to work in a community. Steeling technology is not a way to gain entry. In fact, it's a way to make sure that you never will. Just speaking for myself, I think that would be a shame."
The minister ponders your words for a few moments before, "Perhaps what you say is most correct. Friends do not take another friends fruit, as they say. Please return to your Actium if you wish. However, your Tesla must remain behind. By our laws, any wrecked vessel belongs to those who find it. And as our security forces were first on the scene, we claim salvage rights to the Tesla and its technology. Dr. Forrest informs us that the thing that allows you to travel between the stars, the warp drive, was ejected and destroyed before the crash. We thank you most heartily for your assistance."
Andrew replies: "It's ok Now, but we don't know how long your fix will hold."
Telepathically, "Andy, I feel as though you want to provoke an escalation and get us all killed. You should bite your tongue and we will be sending in scientists to make the fix more permanent."
Kestra responds to the minister, "Not to be a stickler to detail but the Tesla crew were there first but since my ex who does not seem to know when it is time to talk and when to listen has gifted it to you, I do not think we should harp on it much longer. But I am sure my ex also understands that he is on the hook for the ship and his employer will not be so happy about him giving that ship to you."
As the Minister went on about the details Dr Forrest had been divulging Gareb did his best not to look at the man in horror. He was not a Starfleet Officer but he was a scientist from a Federation world. No he was likely more attached to the Lormean's. Dr Forrest was not necessarily sacrificing his career but this would have a huge impact, he couldn't imagine a reputable Federation Scientific organisation that would give him significant access to a ship again in any kind of position of authority.
"Dr Forrest a word from one scientist to another." Gareb will indicate he wishes to speak a little aside to the Doctor. "I'm sure you feel invested in this world in a way that I can't be but you're current actions are concerning. As one scientist to another please consider your actions fully. You are not a member of the same organisation as myself but your decisions are deeply disturbing. My reports will reflect this. I do not doubt you're intentions are benevolent but the harm to this world you could help instigate shows a shocking lack of foresight."
"If you ask around about me later you'll find I'm not a stranger to bending or breaking the rules. I've paid the price for those action and will keeping doing so. I did so on principle but I can not conscience your behaviour. The matter is stabilised but you want to advocate handing over technology potentially centuries in advance of these peoples current understand without even hearing out your peers? You've been almost pushing an agenda one way or another since before we even arrived."
MacLeod looks over to Dr. Forrest with almost a confused expression. After a moment, his eyes widen as if something just occurred to him, something very bad.
While Gareb takes Dr. Forrest aside, he steps over a bit closer to the Chief Minister and asks in a soft voice, trying to ensure it doesn't carry over to the scientist, "Excuse me, Minister. When your doctors examined Dr. Forrest, after the crash, did they happen to take any blood samples?"
Indeed, it would be more logical for Dr. Forrest to listen and keep quiet. It is not necessary for him to intrude upon this conversation.
"Dr Forrest a word from one scientist to another." Gareb will indicate he wishes to speak a little aside to the Doctor. "I'm sure you feel invested in this world in a way that I can't be but you're current actions are concerning. As one scientist to another please consider your actions fully. You are not a member of the same organisation as myself but your decisions are deeply disturbing. My reports will reflect this. I do not doubt you're intentions are benevolent but the harm to this world you could help instigate shows a shocking lack of foresight."
"You should speak with Dr. Faz (the Trill Chemist and Xenobiologist). The harm has already been done to these people. But not here. It isn't our place to tell them."
Telepathically, "Andy, I feel as though you want to provoke an escalation and get us all killed. You should bite your tongue and we will be sending in scientists to make the fix more permanent."
Kestra responds to the minister, "Not to be a stickler to detail but the Tesla crew were there first but since my ex who does not seem to know when it is time to talk and when to listen has gifted it to you, I do not think we should harp on it much longer. But I am sure my ex also understands that he is on the hook for the ship and his employer will not be so happy about him giving that ship to you."
"Kestra, I'm not a mad man. You haven't been with these Lormeans as long as I have. Despite what they say, they aren't going to hurt you. They have personal weapons, but no large scale military weapons. They have almost no violence in their society. Their records indicate that they've had one murder in the last hundred years. They just don't want to go extinct."
The Lormean Minister does not back down, "We do not recognize the rights of those who crash the vessel and need assistance as claimants to the salvage."
"Yes, Doctor, we have blood samples of all of those who survived the crash."
Kestra says telepathically, "No, you are a fool because you are shortsighted and try to undermine us, In addition, you know they won't go extinct because we have fixed their problem in the short term and we will send scientists here to make a permanent solution. You want to give these people our technology and what happens if they move to the other planet in this system and will use that technology on those species which are warlike and they get wiped out or enslaved? Their records indicate? You do not think they can manipulate their own documentation. They have shown poor judgement when dealing with us twice and I also imagine with your crew before that. So, have you been Stockholmed? We will take our ship and go."
Kestra turns to the minister, "Well, in spite of all of the misunderstanding, we wish you luck."
She then turns on heel and says, "Let's get to the Actium."
"Yet you've mentioned nothing til now just kept undermining us. I'll talk to Dr. Faz and try to keep an open mind but I'm anticipating something of substance now."
Moving back towards the others "With the immediate threat over I'd like to speak with some of the other scientists before heading to the Actium. We can split up."
Kestra asking for clarification says, "The Tesla's or the Lormeans? We can interview the scientists of the Tesla aboard the Actium."
"From the Tesla, those who'd be willing to come to the Actium."
"Minister we'd like to speak with some of the other scientists here aboard our shuttle, I assume that will not be a problem?"
Yes, we should be able to ask them ourselves which way they would like to get home. he states in support of Gareb's comment.
|
T'Karra listens to the discussion at hand but the entire time she considers the temporary fix to the machinery and how fragile or lasting it may be.
T'Karra looks at both sides and then simply sits takes some wood and builds a cleared area and a pile of papers and wood and then something to light it on fire with.
pardon me. Would any of you care to assist me in lighting this fire of office supplies in this enclosed area? No? It seems this technology if we start a fire in the wrong place and time then logically becomes dangerous to us. To everyone at hand. The oxygen in the enclosed room is used. Could someone who was not aware of such a use survive it? Perhaps after smoke inhalation and damage to their lungs they would retreat. Would they know to use water or fire retardants to surpreas the fire. Most likely not. I ask you to consider this logical example and to cease your considerations as you are proverbially playing with a level of fire which you have no insight in.
Kestra shrugs and says, "Let's get the scientists and get to the Actium."
Dr. Forrest gathers his team and accompanies you back to the Actium. You find a security team of Lormeans waiting outside. They don't make any effort to stop you as you open the hatch and enter. With the away team and the scientists inside the runabout, things are cramped, ramping up the tension even more.
Once the doors close within the Actium, she says, "Ok, let's do a quick check to make sure nothing has been taken."
A quick check reveals that nothing has been moved or tampered with. It may be that the Lormean minister's claims were slightly overblown and they were unable to gain access to the ship.
Kestra turns the ship on and prepares for takeoff. She then confers with the rest of the away team and says, "Shall we destroy the Tesla?"
Gareb looks around for the Trill. "Suffice to say even without it's warp drive the basic components could lead the Lormean's down relatively advanced areas of research, without the technical knowledge of they may cause some significant disasters... Dr. Forrest said that Dr Faz had pertinent information... though sat on this point until recently."
We would need to make sure that the Tesla would be taken down as much as possible as larger pieces which remained might still allow their engineers to replicate out technology.
Kestra says, "Would you like the Bastion to bombard from orbit? I do think the weapons onboard the Actium would suffice to make any technology left aboard the Tesla inert."
Something just pops in her head and then she depresses her combadge to speak to the Captain, "Bastion, it is Lt. Commander Kestra of the Away Team, could you scan the planet one more time for any Federation species to make sure we do not have any stragglers?"
"A photon torpedo or two would probably be enough ordinance to fully destroy the Tesla," Benjamin replies, doing some quick mental calculations. "It would leave behind the tritanium of the hull, but in its current state and without shielding? We should have the firepower to remove any seriously contaminatory technology."
He looks around, back to the Lormean city. "The damage has already been done, however. We might be able to fast track a First Contact damage control team out here if we include this machine in our report back to Starfleet. This is tech that outstrips the Dominion - if we can even understand a fraction of it, maybe we can turn the tide of this war."
She says, "Sounds good to me."