Hope Springs Eternal

Posted on Wed Jun 30th, 2021 @ 11:57am by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Commander William Rogers & Commander Ichiko Gail

Mission: Pathstone to History
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Abigail cradled the mug of chai in her hands, grateful for the warmth it provided, warmth she could feel moving through her arms, into the core of her body. Taking a sip, she drew a deep breath and looked across at Ichiko and Commander Rogers. "So, in a nutshell, it's almost a complete given that the planet in question is Ivaldi III. The sensor data is almost a complete match. Ivaldi III was presumed destroyed during a severe spatial anomaly in 2390. So, our planet that mysteriously appeared here is a Federation planet. One that was destroyed four years ago. Either of you have a good way to spin this to the Dalacari?" There was an unmistakable hint of hope in her voice as she looked at them.

"Hm." Rogers leaned back in his seat slightly. "Do we know what caused it? If we can't prove we didn't do it at least we'll give them the satisfaction of believing they were right."

"We can give them all the information that we have on the planet and the anomaly, and let them come to the conclusion that while it IS a Federation planet, it being here is not our doing." Ichiko suggested. "Much like Rogers suggests, let them know that in some degree, they were right. All parties are innocent of any malicious intent, and we can resume being guests and friends."

"Until the next time something unexplained happens and they throw us all back in jail." Rogers replied dryly.

"It is unfortunate that the judicial system of the Federation does not follow the Federation wherever it may find itself." Ichiko replied in kind.

"True enough." Rogers replied regretfully. He turned his head slightly to face more towards Ichiko. Beginning to have doubts about where her loyalties truly lay in these negotiations he scrutinised her face, looking for a sign to quiet those doubts; not realising that he wouldn't recognise even if he could see it. "Still it reminds me of something an Intel officer once told me. Might've been Lt. Voroshilov. 'Those that assume guilt are usually the most guilty'."

"We have a similar saying, I believe. The calmest waters hide the deepest currents." Ichiko paused for a moment, "I am truly sorry that your initial exposure to the Dalacari was at the tip of an investigation. They are a people accustomed to compliance, comfort, and cooperation." she detailed, before she offered a smirk, "Lt. Voroshilov was a clever officer."

Abigail had been sipping her chai, watching the exchange between the two. "If it were the other way around, if we were in their position, we'd move with caution as well," she said softly. "Now we need to see what we can do about turning this back around." She paused, taking another sip of her drink. "We'll tell them the truth. Hopefully they'll understand the Federation had nothing to do with what has happened."

Ichiko gave a nod, "I think the truth is best. Not just on the principle of the matter but because honestly, I don't think we know enough about what happened to fabricate a lie about it."

"Could we give them the anomaly as a mystery to solve?" Rogers asked. He turned to Ichiko. "You said they like mysteries, right?"

Ichiko almost spit out her tea. A moment to compose herself, and the cause of the spittake became apparent. Laughter. Joyful, gleeful, laughter...

"Oh they'd love that. That's brilliant." she managed, composing herself after a moment. A moment without restraint, and then the restraints were back in place. A moment of freedom, before years of protocol came back.

"I have downloaded all available information we were able to get onto data PaDD's," Abigail said, motioning to the two PaDD's stacked neatly on the edge of her desk. "I think, unless either of you object, the best way to move forward is just to tell them everything we know, that isn't much. I shouldn't, the information is heavily restricted, but it may be a show of faith if we do? It's hopefully enough to clear us from any wrongdoing, and if they want to investigate, well, they're free."

"Seems like our only real play." Rogers noted. "But I have to ask: what if it's not enough?"

"This is, predominantly, a Starfleet matter. I feel like a rope pulled at both ends." Ichiko started after a moment. "I'm bound by oath to Starfleet. I remember every word and tone I spoke that day. I'm also a part of the Three Dawn Accord, the alliance treaty between my people and the Dalacari. I understand the importance of the concept of a State Secret, perhaps more well then most would think." she paused to sip her tea. "Giving the Dalacari information of this nature, while restricted, I feel is harmless. To Starfleet. The anomaly is hardly bi-directional, and if they find that it is, then it makes for an interesting discovery and a security flaw. I'd rather the Dalacari find a secret backdoor into Federation space over the Koldaran." she pointed out.

"If we give the Dalacari everything we have, and tell them it's the totality of what we have, they more likely than not won't feel we're holding anything back. Dalacari take things at face value unless proven otherwise, they're very trusting but insatiably curious. Give them a project and they'll forget to eat meals after a certain point. Convincing them won't be difficult, but try to get a Ts'usugi in the room with you when you make the declaration. If you could get Fleetmaster Goki in the room with you, you couldn't ask for better conditions."

She turned to Abigail, and there was a change in the air, in the mood of the room. Ichiko became quite serious, as she took the few steps over to the desk, and handed over her tea cup in both hands. There was a ceremony to this, a ritual. Formality.

"Shipmaster Laurens, I have compiled the entirety of the information regarding this event into my report. I affirm it is the entirety of the information available and welcome a full scientific review to confirm the findings. On behalf of the Astraea, I apologize for the disruption."

A lingering pause before Ichiko allowed herself to relax. "Be firm, be confident. State that the entirety of the report is available. Invite the prospect of a peer review, but do not offer to make yourself part of the review. Offer an apology. Sincerity is everything, and while Dalacari will welcome the chance for a peer review, a Ts'usugi will recognize you're going through the proper channels, the proper methods."

"They'll know I coached you, but to call you out on it would be rude." she paused and then regarded her tea, "Apologies, that was... that was a bit much."



Something in Ichiko's words struck a chord with Abigail. She paused for a long moment, weighing up possible responses, to both the question her second officer had posed and the words her first officer had spoken. "If it isn't enough then we hold our heads high and move on to plan b," Abigail said quietly. "Exactly what that entails, I'm not entirely sure. It will depend on what Command says when I deliver the news to them."

There was another reflective pause as Abigail stared at the top of her mug, watching the liquid ripple within as her hand trembled slightly. "Commander Gail, can you please request that Fleetmaster Goki and Alia join us here?" she said quietly. "Commander Rogers, assemble the senior staff in the conference lounge in twenty minutes. We may as well get this over and done with." Standing up, she recycled her mug and cast a quick glance at both of them. "There's something else I need to take care of, I'll meet you in the conference lounge soon." she said quietly before walking out of the ready room.