[MISSION END PT 1] Envoy Keehani Ukinix - Prime Defensive
Wil Ukinix
((Aer Estate, Hova III))
(OOC: have stitched together from several sims, apologies if anything was missed!)
The group, having been beamed to the estate courtesy of the Shelby, shimmered back to solidity in an underground cavern, full of a lush, green and yellow garden.
Rosek-Skyfire: All right, everyone. Keep your eyes open. We don't know quite what we're walking into.
Keehani: Diplomacy may not work in this instance.
Nevark: Has diplomacy made headway previously?
Aitas: We have some sense of the conspiracies at work here. It may encourage cooperation. And if not…well, Chief Barberra is very adept with the transporter.
Keehani ignored the proud little smirk that formed on Annamae’s face that she was trying to hide.
Iko/Ser: Response
Barberra: ::Checking tricorder:: I’m reading sixteen life signs inside, all centralised in one area of the building. Most are heavily armed with ballistic weapons. ::Looking up:: They’re seriously packing.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::grimaces:: So much for a quiet chat.
Aitas: Not part of the rescue crew then. Let me speak to them; they may still think is a situation that can be covered up.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods, measured:: All right, but keep it tight. If they start closing ranks, we pull you back fast. No heroics today.
Nevark: If I may, from the information I have at present I can’t build a full profile of the group. But right now I would be split three ways. They will defend themselves and the idea, they will defend themselves but not the idea so could be talked down, and they will not risk anything happening to the idea and therefore be on the offensive to outsiders.
Aitas: I am the diplomat most familiar with the ongoing situation, and I have Fureri as well.::smiling:: And the other teams would no doubt benefit from knowing more about Hovan interference on Uwe. In the worst case, I can be a rather convenient distraction.
Aitas: You know my history, Consul. I trust you all to handle the rest.
Keehani simply nodded. Aitas’ history both impressed and scared her.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::pauses:: We don’t want bloodshed, but we need to be ready to defend ourselves if needed. ::to Iko:: Thoughts, Commander?
Iko: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods:: Thank you for your thoughts. ::to the others:: What do you think? Could it work.
Barberra: ::shrugs:: I’m down.
Nevark: I see. I would prefer an attempt to speak to them if I may. Something to enable me to provide a deeper profile and allow you to move into an appropriate position?
Ser: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: How is everyone with a phaser?
Nevark: Decent.
Keehani, though, was not. The hairs on the back of her neck seemed like they were standing on end.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods:: All right. Everyone understand the plan?
Barberra: Aye, Commander.
Ser/Iko: Responses
Nevark: Understood and ready when you are.
Keehani stayed back behind the group as they moved in towards the sixteen Hovans, wondering if she should even be there in the first place. She kept close to Bec, then stopped
when they reached the Hovans.
Aitas: I am Second Secretary Aitas, with the Federation Diplomatic Corps. We know Norsel Aer isn’t here. That he’s on Uwe II, poking about at their politics. So I have to ask; were you here to clean up evidence, or to oppose him?
Hovan: Why should we believe you know anything, you hairless child?
Aitas: Because my colleagues and I have advantages in putting such information together, as the El-Aurians did before us. And, because we came here to offer our aid with the situation between your two worlds. Norsel’s interference merely complicates the matter. It doesn’t change our intent. We've rescued your injured and aided your people even when our own were taken prisoners by your government.
Keehani noticed Lael looking to each member of the team and nodding. She was pleased with Aitas’ attempts at diplomacy, but knew that the Second Secretary, given her background that she mentioned earlier, could cover herself if things went wrong.
Whereas, Consul Ukinix only had her diplomacy and very basic, one-day courtesy Starfleet training, which didn’t include much combat.
Hovan: Response
Aitas: Response
Keehani gasped quietly when she heard what sounded like a weapon being charged. oO I should not be here. Oo
Rosek-Skyfire: ::whispers to Nevark subtly:: Any observations or suggestions you have would be appreciated. This doesn’t look to be going well.
Nevark: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::whispers to Keehani:: Thoughts, Consul? I don’t want to break her roll, but we need a plan in case this escalates.
Keehani: ::Whispering:: Have the Shelby ready to beam us out. This is not worth our lives.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::whispers:: Thank you both for your candor.
Lael, fearless, stepped forward, falling in behind Aitas.
Rosek-Skyfire: You’re here because of someone who isn’t even here. They asked you to risk your lives and they won’t even stand with you. What does that tell you?
Hovan: What does an alien like you even care? This is not of your concern!
Rosek-Skyfire: ::to her team:: No one fires unless I give the order the order. ::to the Hovans:: We’re not asking for surrender. We’re here for justice. We need to expose what Norsel Aer has done. For the sake of Hova III. For your people. Please help us.
Hovan: We are not interested. We are here to protect vital information, as ordered by someone... powerful. ::Deliberately looking at Ser:: That is all you need to know.
Two of the other Hovans flanked him, pointing their weapons in the direction of the Starfleet/FDC/Hovan Fleetmarshall and his soldiers team. Keehani, instinctively and slowly, raised her hands.
Keehani: This is not worth whatever you are being compensated with. You should think this through. We are merely here to assist Fleetmarshall Ser, and piece together what happened, and who was involved. If you were given orders, you best chance now is to lower your weapons, and tell the Fleetmarshall what you know.
Ser: Response
One of the Hovans pointed her weapon towards him.
Hovan 2: He is an old, stuck-in-the-ice fossil like many on this planet. Fool! The future of Hova is on Uwe II.
Ser: Response
Iko: Responses
Barberra: You know we’re from an advanced group of civilisations, right? You don’t want to mess with us.
Some of the Hovans looked at their weapons, and then at each other, and laughed.
Aitas/Ser/Rosek-Skyfire/Iko/Nevark: Response
Keehani: And we have another team on Uwe II who are stopping your boss’ plans. It’s over. You do not benefit from continuing.
Ser: Response
The lead Hovan took one little step forward, before lowering his weapon.
Hovan: Okay. Yes. Take us into custody. We regret everything! Won’t you forgive us... ::sneers, laughs, raises weapon::
Keehani could sense they weren’t being genuine.
Barberra: =/\= Now. =/\=
It was then that the group of sixteen suddenly dematerialised into sparkles, before fizzing away into nothingness.
They were gone. Keehani put a hand on her chest and sighed.
Rosek-Skyfire: Response
Barberra: You heard them Commander, they basically asked to be arrested. So they’re now in the Shelby’s brig, sans weapons. ::Shrug, to Ser:: You’re welcome.
Aitas/Ser/Rosek-Skyfire/Iko/Nevark: Response
Keehani puffed out her cheeks and exhaled from relief, before turning to Ser.
Keehani: Fleetmarshall Ser. While this action may be against our Prime Directive, I won’t say I don’t regret the actions of Chief Barberra, because I don’t particularly enjoy having a weapon pointed at me. But those people are in our custody, but this is not our jurisdiction, and they are not our citizens. What happens to them next is up to you.
Ser: Response
Aitas/Rosek-Skyfire/Iko/Nevark: Response
Keehani: We of course offer to continue to assist with the investigation, Fleetmarshall.
Aitas/Ser/Rosek-Skyfire/Iko/Nevark: Response
Keehani placed her hands on her head, and looked around at the garden in the distance. She wondered how it had come to this - and understood more than ever why the Prime Directive was called just that.
If only the Hovans had implemented a similar policy.
End Scene for Keehani...
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Envoy Keehani Ukinix
Consul, Diplomatic Mission to the Delta Quadrant
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
V239511WU0