Solution to a Problem

Posted on Wed 26th Apr, 2017 @ 2:05am by Colonel Horatio Drake & Commander Zachary Hunt & Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Lieutenant Sianna Dal

1,397 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Wrongs Darker Than Death Or Night
Location: Deck 14, Senior Officers Conference Room
Timeline: MD 2, 1800

Paul entered the Senior Officers' conference room and blinked at the bizarre tangle of emotions he encountered--a prickly knot of anger, resentment, and a sense of deep disquiet from Drake, annoyance from Solan Jekkar, observant feelings from Hunt and Eberstark, and oddly congruent emotions of worry from a Bajoran and a Cardassian standing in the room. But over it all lay a blanket of calm that emanated in waves--Paul surmised from the Vulcan woman who was talking to Col. Drake.

It didn't seem to be having the desired effect upon Drake. If anything, it was irritating him even more because he didn't want to be calm and was struggling to rein in his temper. What was going on behind that, Paul wondered? He flicked a concerned glance at Drake as he greeted him.

"I apologize for my tardiness, Colonel; I was with a patient. How can I help here?"

"It's not a problem, Commander." His reply was more abrupt than he had meant it to be. Truth be told, a session with Graves right now sounded like paradise compared to this. "Take a seat." He ignored the question of help and left it to others.

The Vulcan woman observed the newcomer with interest. There was something odd ... no, different, but not terribly odd ... about this man. After a moment, she thought she knew what it was. He could feel the emotions in the room. They collected in him like drops of dew drawn to the morning grass.

Ohh-kay, Paul thought at Drake's uninformative response. He nodded at Drake and seated himself in a nearby chair. He exchanged silent nods with the three civilians and waited to hear what this meeting was about.

"Perhaps we can get down to a discussion of what the three of us," the Cardassian indicated himself, the Bajoran, and the Vulcan, "can do to sort out the dispute, as it has played out on Vanguard."

The Bajoran immediately added, "I suspect that it has played out here. It was people letting off steam, feeling that no one was listening to them. Now that there's been something labeled an incident, I expect everyone will calm down and go back to normal activities. It isn't as if we think we can affect the Federation Council. People simply wanted their opinions heard."

"Agreed," the Vulcan nodded her head. "I think -" The sound of a combadge interrupted her.

"Michaels to Col. Drake," a man's businesslike voice said over the combadge. "Come in, please."

Paul gave Drake a startled look. He knew of no forensics needs on the station. In any case, why was Kellian Michaels requesting to speak with Col. Drake and not with Jekkar? He glanced at the Andorian. Jekkar seemed attentive rather than perturbed that Michaels was skipping over his chain of command. So it was expected? Odd. And Drake's frustration had vanished, to be replaced by...dread? Worry? His emotions rushed over Paul with the force of a racehorse that had finally been released from the gate.

"Drake here" He hit his comm. badge so hard it nearly fell off.

"Sir, the report you requested is completed. I'm ready to meet with you," Michaels said over the comm link.

"Understood, I'll meet you in your office." He rose from his chair, his anger ebbing away. "I'm afraid my presence is required elsewhere for a pressing matter. I believe you're all more than capable of dealing with this situation." He walked round the table toward the door. "Mr. Hunt, keep me apprised," he said as he reached the doors.

His anger towards this situation had been unusual... even for him. Years ago he would have leaned towards punitive measures, but would have considered the best course of action for Starfleet and the bigger picture. But now he just didn't care about this sort of thing... so why was it he was angry? Images and quotes from the autopsy were vividly swirling around in his mind - was it because of that? He pushed the thoughts aside as the doors swept open and he exited.

Hunt couldn't quite believe what he just witnessed, but he wasn't surprised. He glanced at Paul, noticing the confusion ebbed on his face also. He then glanced towards the Vulcan, "Please continue."

The woman had watched the brief exchange and the base commander's exit with interest. What could be so important that it would draw the man away from this negotiation? She would have to find out. Graciously nodding to the senior officer, she said, "I agree with my esteemed colleagues. The situation here has played out. There was resentment on one side, on both sides, really," she reflected.

"Neither the Bajorans nor the Cardassians came out of their war feeling ... satisfied with the outcome. Feelings still run high. Perhaps keeping the trial on Bajor would have helped that situation for Bajorans, but it would have made it more difficult for Cardassians. Rather than appease one side or the other, a true solution is needed to the animosity. That's what my companions and I are working toward." She leaned forward and steepled her fingers together, elbows on the table.

"However, that is not what is going to happen here or today. Nothing will be solved on Vanguard. It was mere happenstance that we were here, on our way to a Federation Council meeting. The ... altercation by your river today was simply two groups of people whose emotions have been twisted and turned to the point that an explosion occurred. Now that it has happened, it is resolved in and of itself. The pressure has been released, the volcano exploded, if you will. You cannot push the lava back into the mountain, nor should you desire t do so."

The Cardassian spoke up. "If you feel punitive measures need to be taken ... you will only exacerbate your difficulties. Put in a curfew, if you must do something ... sabre rattling isn't it called by those from Old Earth? Just for a few days until the ripple effects even out, and then go about your business as usual. My colleagues and I are scheduled to leave on a diplomatic transport shortly."

Smiling, the Bajoran inserted, "Let it be known that you ejected us from the base - that sounds like punishment."

The Cardassian laughed, and even the Vulcan had a twinkle in her eye. "That would do nicely. However, do not misunderstand. We had nothing to do with the situation here. We didn't foment any actions taken by either side. It was, as I stated, a simple explosion of natural sentiments ... and from the news I see, not the only one in Federation Space, either. You're in good company with demonstrations in Paris and San Francisco on Earth, and anywhere there are large populations of Cardassians and Bajorans. In fact, there seem to be many of each species outside the natural sphere of influence. All those are problems for another day.

"I would suggest, gentlemen, and lady," she nodded toward Dal, "that you really have no problem here on Vanguard. Vulcans know there is a time for everything, and the time for this ... storm in a teakettle ... is now past." Peace radiated from the woman, though not in anything definable or visible. It was simply there, surround everyone and putting them at ease, dimming their anxieties.

Sianna Dal for her part kept her silence - frowning, not a disapproving or angry frown, but one indicating deep thought, "It is certainly a relief that the situation has settled down as quickly as it has. Though the damage to the Federation's reputation and perception will take a long time to repair, long after the physical damage is repaired." The diplomat finally released a soft sigh, "But that is a question for the future, not the present."

"Every decision made by a governing body has possible negative outcomes. In an unstable situation such as this, violence was always possible. The solution to Bajoran and Cardassian peaceful co-existence certainly won't be found here, or today. If there's nothing else you need from my colleagues or me, I believe we need to catch our next ride toward earth." The Vulcan looked at the base Executive Officer for clearance.

"I agree, now is not the time to find that solution unfortunately. You are dismissed," Hunt briefly said in reply.

 

RSS Feed

Comments (1)