First Secretary Keehani Ukinix - Negotiations and Investigations
Wil Ukinix
((Presentation Stage, Exposition Hall, Amity Outpost))
Keehani clutched her PADD closer to her chest. Her new career on Amity Outpost had been what Wil had described as a “baptism of fire” (such violent language from humans sometimes made her raise her eyebrows). Dealing with the Stellae incident felt difficult
at the time, but in comparison to the Vidiian incident seemed like a walk at Janaran Falls.
Keehani: Ambassador, ::slight sigh:: as your aide and as an advisor, unfortunately there is no best option. If we refuse to meet the Vidiians on their ship, sure, that will placate the many visitors to the Outpost. But, on the other hand, it sends
a message to the rest of the quadrant that we are fast in taking sides. On the other hand, meeting with the Vidiians in person on their ship may upset many already on the Outpost, especially representatives the Kathesis Pact.
Vataix: Having spoken with Gelehi further, she made clear this isn't just about not allowing the Vidiians at the expo. She wants concrete reparations and repentance that the Vidiians may not be willing to give--not that we're even meant to get involved
between the two sides.
Keehani: Like it or not, we are already acting as unofficial mediators.
Vataix: Hmmph...
Keehani: I am sure someone in Paris would point out that we have already met with the Kathesis Pact, in person, to hear their concerns, and that we should extend the same courtesy to the Vidiians. But I don’t think we should be deceptive about that.
In fact, to get ahead of the potential outrage I suggest that we release a short press statement stating that the Federation are meeting with the Vidiians, to relay concerns raised by the Kathesis Pact and other attendees of the Expo to them. But of course,
Ambassador, the decision is yours.
Orrey: Finally thoughts…we go meet them on the ship, if you want I can get the bells and whistles to follow us as we walk through the station. Either way they deserve the polite gesture of greeting. Especially the one who still feels like showing at
the Expo.
As Rivi nodded, Keehani could sense a feeling of confidence in her own thinking.
Vataix: Yes, let's proceed then.
Orrey: As for mediation, while we may put up fences, 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.
Keehani: ::nodding:: Agreed.
Orrey: So…as our Press liaison I get a lot of interesting requests and exchanges there are some that I think the three of us and Wil should all get together and try to sort through when we have a chance after the expo.
Vataix: Yes, I would like that as well.
The corner of Keehani’s mouth turned up just a little into a wicked smile. That sounded exactly like the kind of activity that Wil would not enjoy at all, which was a bonus. She gave big nods as she pursed her lips to hide her own amusement.
Keehani: ::Trying to supress smirk:: Seconded.
Vataix: What sort of "interesting requests" are you getting?
Orrey: An unusual, at least to me in comparison to what I expected, number of requests for information into joining Starfleet.
Vataix: Really? We don't actually have a Starfleet recruitment station on Amity yet... perhaps it's something Wil should consider--he is the Starfleet attache after all.
Keehani: I’m sure we can assist-
She cut herself off when she heard someone speaking loudly. She turned over her shoulder to see someone standing up on the empty Vidiian expo stand, talking to Iko and Solak. Next to them was Summerside, who seemed stiff and somewhat upset. Near him was
the FNS reporter Ri'zella – author of the “Moral Cowardice” article. Keehani’s eyes narrowed a little in contempt.
A Starfleet uniformed Worene officer made their way over to Ambassador Vataix.
Peinyuong: Ambassador, there is a protest brewing - if you want to get to a conference room, I'd recommend this path. ::Loizuthi
gestures to a path to the conference rooms/docks.::
Vataix: Actually, Ensign, we'll be heading over to the Vidiian vessel.
Orrey: Responses
Peinyuong: I was assigned as your security guard. Normally, I just follow a bit behind ,but with current events..
Vataix: ::nods:: Understandable. We could use your help, I suppose, with the best route to the transporter center.
Peinyuong: Response
Orrey: Response
Keehani: As long as you can ensure the safety of the Ambassador. ::To Rivi:: We should hurry.
Vataix: There is just one more thing.
When Rivi tapped her brooch-looking combadge, Keehani huffed a little. There was a potential danger to the Ambassador’s wellbeing, and here she was addressing “one more thing”. Keehani wished
that sometimes Rivi considered her own importance on the station.
Vataix: =/\= Vataix to Dr. Suribana. =/\=
Suribana: =/\= Response =/\=
Vataix: =/\= Doctor, I know you're still in the hall. If you could, please join us outside. =/\=
Suribana: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani turned around and rolled her eyes. Now they were waiting for Dr Suribana, putting the Ambassador in potentially
*more* danger as time went on. When she heard Rivi address her and Jansen, she turned around, smiling to clear her previous secret facial expression.
Vataix: Jansen, inform your office to prepare some sort of press release regarding our visit to the Vidiian ship. As you said, best to just set the narrative ourselves. ::to Keehani:: See that it gets distributed before Ms. Ri'zella or perhaps Mr. Summerside blindside us.
Orrey: Response
She lowered the PADD that was clutched against her chest.
Keehani: ::Tapping PADD:: Already on it.
Keehani quickly messaged all Diplomatic staff to ensure that all heads of visiting delegations were physically made aware of the press release as soon as it dropped. She also instructed that Summerside and Ri’zella were made aware of the press release at the
same time as everyone else. Her eyes shifted left as another small, wicked smile appeared on her face. She tapped special instructions into her PADD for how Arthur would be notified…
Just as Keehani sent the message, the group was joined by Dr Suribana.
Vataix: We'll be heading over to the Vidiian ship shortly.
Suribana: Response
Vataix: All right, Ensign, lead the way...
Peinyuong: Response
((Conference Room, Vidiian ship Indefatigable))
After they beamed aboard the ship, Keehani looked around. It looked like a patchwork inside, not unlike the older Vidiians who had suffered from the Phage. They were led to a conference room,
where there were surprisingly only two of the Vidiians waiting for them.
Vataix: Greetings. I'm Federation Ambassador Niarivi Vataix, but you may call me Rivi. ::gesturing to the others gathered with her:: This is my deputy chief of mission and counselor for cultural and press affairs, Dr. Jansen Orrey, my aide First Secretary Keehani Ukinix, one of our physicians aboard Amity, Dr. Falina Suribana, and security officer Ensign Peinyuong Loizuthi.
The older male Vidiian looked very different in comparison to the female Vidiian. She was young, looked healthy, and carried an intelligence about her. Keehani assumed that the younger Vidiian was born post Phage.
Hon: Response
Bemeth: Response
Orrey: Response
Keehani: ::Holding out hand:: It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.
Keehani made a deliberate effort to sit next to Hon. As a younger woman herself, she considered that sitting next to the person most alike to herself might help to establish a connection and show support.
Suribana: Response
Peinyuong: Response
Vataix: Thank you for coming and welcome to Amity Outpost. I was dismayed to hear about the attack. Is everyone all right?
Hon: Response
Bemeth: Response
Keehani: Starfleet have reported that repairs should be completed tomorrow. You will also have better shields to defend yourselves in case of another attack.
Hon/Bemeth/Vataix/Orrey/Peinyuong: Response
Keehani: After the expo I’m sure we can escort you as far as practicable to ensure your safety. We’re still investigating the attack to help identify the culprit.
Hon/Bemeth/Vataix/Orrey/Peinyuong: Response
Tags/TBC!
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First Secretary Keehani Ukinix
Amity Outpost
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
V239511WU0