Captain Lettie Ashwood - Civilisations Are Built With Intent
Ava Munro
((Mess Hall, USS Kepler – Contested UAW Territory, near Zumaris))
They had taken to a seated area, around a table. The entire situation was unsettling her and a growing unease had started to niggle at her consciousness for several reasons.
The first was the nature of the UAW’s relocation of the Zumardi. Something that the Zumardi didn't seem that keen on. The second, was more to do with her ship being under the command of Lt. Commander Hopper during such a complex situation. Lettie didn't have the confidence that the woman had the necessary skills for such a nuanced situation.
Ertmo: If people are only still sick back home, then they’ll probably talk. If the Zumardi have already killed millions…
Seleya: Then we at least have a chance to prevent those deaths. The Zumardi do not want this conflict either.
Hopper: Right. ::Eying Ertmo with curiosity:: Our views on our responsibility as a technologically-advanced civilization differ from your own… Our own Prime Directive prohibits interference with less-advanced species, whereas I understand yours takes a more– ::seeking a non-inflammatory word:: –custodial stance. You weren’t seeking conflict either.
The Prime Directive not only applied to less advanced civilizations, a common misinterpretation. It had much more far reaching consequences. In a way the very creation of the UAW was a result of an accidental violation of the Prime Directive, which would ordinarily require them to intervene. Yet, Lettie suspected that the UAW had merely been influenced or inspired. Mere database entries a civilisation does not make.
Intent and will was what had forged the UAW and the subsequent acts, harmful or otherwise, and she wasn't willing to have the Federation or Starfleet involved in some Delta Quadrant war because some of the locals got a little excited about Voyager flying through their space.
Ertmo: I’m starting to understand that this isn’t how you usually do things. But no, we weren’t there looking for conflict.
Ashwood: It seems to me that you have a knack for finding it :: raised eyebrows :: In the name of peace and goodwill I'm sure.
Seleya: I think a cease fire to work on the cure for the pathogen would be beneficial. Have any of the Zumardi been removed from their homes by the UAW already?
Ertmo: A few, yes. We were told there were specific medical needs, and some who had applied for refuge…I am less certain what the Zumardi would say, now.
Ashwood: I think they've made their feelings very clear, if we believe they infected your ship with the pathogen.
Hopper: I’m not sure the Zumardi see it the same way – negotiating any sort of agreement while they still feel under imminent threat from your people, whether that’s military threat or the threat of forced relocation, is going to be fraught. ::Hands out, in an invitational gesture:: If there was a chance of easing their concerns about their citizens’ wellbeing, it might go a long way towards building a bridge.
Seleya: May I ask, and I apologize if you are repeating yourself Captain Ertmo as I was not here for your earlier conversation. But where was the UAW planning to relocate the Zumardi? And what were the UAW’s plans after the three planets had been relocated?
This city Ertmo had mentioned earlier. Lettie wondered if all three planets were expected to live on one city.
Hopper: Yes, your records mention some sort of ‘technological quarantine zone’ procedure – but we’re unclear on the details.
Ertmo: One of the other planets in their system, from what I heard. We were told it’d be the least destructive option, as it was only Zumaris that had the dilithium, and thus the risks to them. Quite a bit of time had been put into considering what sort of accommodations they’d most enjoy. We don’t usually build organic cities.
Lettie had to admit the more the captain said the more she disliked the words that came out. She hadn't met the Zumardi people but she wondered if they were as vulnerable as Ertmo made out. Something told her that they weren't, but she wasn't sure if Ertmo thought that. It was obvious to her that he was certain that they had done the right thing, as some act of benevolence.
The question was what are they to do here? To her knowledge the Zumardi haven't requested their help, and have potentially attacked the UAW. She sighed and looked towards Hopper.
Hopper: There’s another Earth phrase, Captain, that comes to mind. “There’s no place like home.” Has the UAW ever encountered a species that seemed happy to relocate – or have you always encountered some level of resistance?
Ertmo: At least one of them seemed grateful, afterward. But they were being quarantined away from the remnants of a Borg cube. That is the first case of a relocation I know of.
oO at least one Oo
Ashwood: And the others?
Seleya: Response
Hopper: The UAW is still young, for an interstellar organization. You may not have made too many friends yet, but at least you haven’t made too many enemies either. There’s still time to turn this around… Just how many other planets, species, have you quarantined in this manner?
Ertmo counted off the number on his fingers, stopping at one hand.
Ertmo: There may be more I wasn’t told about…but three.
Ashwood: You don't sound too sure :: sighs :: Which means there's likely more. I do wonder what else you don't know about?
Seleya: Response
Hopper: I hope, Captain, that whether or not you agree with your government’s previous decision to attempt annexation of this sector and to relocate the people here, or with the insurgency’s response, you’d agree that the Zumardi were here first… and that the UAW’s actions ultimately provoked this conflict?
Ertmo: We were more compelled by the promise of resources than our own responsibilities. It seems the Zumardi were not as unaware as I was led to believe. ::his eyes flickered in color:: So yes.
Lettie leaned forward.
Ashwood: Captain, you now know. Is there anything you can do? You're the captain of the flagship, surely you must have some influence?
Seleya: Response
Ertmo: What did you send to the Astrofleet? I can try to speak to them again, there are some old backup systems closer to the Zumardi that might still work.
Ashwood: That's a start. I think you'll understand when I tell you that this ship cannot interfere directly in your conflict.
Hopper/Seleya: Response
Ertmo: Don’t know what the Admirals are thinking, but the Federation would count for a lot with most of the Astrofleet. Especially if you had something solid to offer them.
Ashwood: Offer them?
Lettie wasn't sure what the Federation could offer them or why they would be compelled too?
Hopper/Seleya: Response
Ertmo: I doubt they’ve changed the codes for the old system. If anyone wants to yell at me about it afterward, then I can hope they’ll be alive to do it.
Ashwood: Our teams are still working on the pathogen. Our research and information will be freely provided. There is no trade. We don't leverage lives, that's not how the Federation works.
Hopper/Seleya/Ertmo: Response
Ashwood: Lt. Seleya would need to verify the contents of this message?
Hopper/Seleya/Ertmo: Response
Tag/TBC
Captain Nicolette Ashwood