Arthur Summerside: BRIORI SUN Article, “The Blinding Light of Friendship”

[Lt. JG Kivik]

The Blinding Light of Friendship: The Federation’s True Colours, Revealed

Arthur Summerside

Amity Outpost, 2399.04.21

The much-vaunted Federation’s latest attempt to woo the citizens of the Delta Quadrant has unexpectedly exposed a great deal about the paramilitary force’s true character and intent. 

Following decades of anticipation since the crew of the Starfleet vessel, Voyager, traversed the Quadrant, it has now become clear that the Federation’s purpose in returning to our space is to ingratiate itself with the locals and redraw boundaries as it sees fit without consideration for the Quadrant’s own unique cultural history or convictions.

Towards this effort, Amity Outpost’s civilian leader, Ambassador Niarivi Vataix – evidently responsible for representing the Federation’s apparently-friendly, yet ultimately hollow, facade - announced an event designed to attract and please all. The Antarian Trans-Stellar Rally – a itself legacy of the Federation’s meddling in Delta Quadrant affairs - serves no longer as a celebration for peace between the Aksani, Chessu, Imhotep, and Antarians, but as a beacon of hope to all societies of the Quadrant who might wither in the darkness of the Federation’s absence. Were this not questionable enough, the Rally’s decades of safe operating records were sullied by sloppy security surrounding the event, resulting in the nearly-fatal injuries of several racing teams - including the Federation’s own. Details regarding the incidents are still scant, however, as at this time, Starfleet has declared that its secretive investigations are ongoing.

Running concurrently with the race were Amity’s Scientific and Cultural Expositions. Touted as being ‘open to all’, the station’s oblivious Diplomatic Corps failed to consider that throughout millennia of history, the societies of the Delta Quadrant may have one or two black sheep amongst them. The despised Vidiian Star Union, widely-regarded with wary disdain for its predation of other species, was invited to the event under the same auspices as every other: to present its scientific and cultural contributions – regardless of the fact that these so-called ‘contributions’ came at the expense of countless innocent lives. Unsurprisingly, this inclusion was met with considerable resistance – not the least of which came from the Kathesis Pact, who stood against the Federation’s attempt to erase history, threatening a military blockade of the Outpost. Despite this, the Federation held a secretive meeting between members of the Pact and Star Union - the results of which remain unknown. 

What is known, however, are the Federation’s apparent intentions. Discussing the situation candidly, Federation Diplomatic Corps Envoy Jansen Orrey advised that while “the things Vidiians did… are questionable” that “there is no species that does not have those types of actions or actors within their history” – a questionably broad assertion that raises concerns about the Federation’s perceptions of atrocities. The seemingly-well-intentioned Ambassador Vataix and First Envoy Keehani Ukinix were quick to agree. The envoy later doubled down, claiming, “we may not put out any fires for a generation or two. People have to forget or at least start to get foggy on the reasons behind hate. If we can do what we can in order to show and maybe even help promote this new version of the Vidiians, all the better then.”

As if to add insult to injury, it has been determined that a number of potentially-dangerous anomalies occurred aboard the station resulting from short-sighted management of the Scientific Exposition’s presentations. While relatively few injuries were reported, it seems that unchecked modifications to the power grid brought the station mere hours away from calamity. One source near to the incident described a blinding flash of light followed by dangerous energy pulses which shot around the station causing significant harm to whatever - or whoever - they touched. Thankfully, the situation was eventually controlled, before a full evacuation was required. Though what could have happened under such negligence, were they not so lucky, should be of grave concern to us all.

Ultimately, the Federation has shown us its true colours at last – and those colours are ugly. Despite their claims of ‘good intentions’, the Federation has a great deal to learn about the Delta Quadrant. Learning which should have been done before they declared themselves our newest neighbours and started trying to make friends of us all. Whether or not their mission will prove ultimately successful or doomed from the start is yet to be determined.  But one thing is certain. The unique history of the Delta Quadrant will not be forgotten or washed clean by their presence, no matter how blinding the light of the Federation’s friendship may be.

End Article

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Arthur Summerside (he/him)

Civilian Journalist,

Amity Outpost

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