Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – Shifting The Line
Robin Hopper
((Mess Hall, USS Kepler – Contested UAW Territory, near Zumaris))
Robin listened carefully, taking in the Captain’s explanation. At least it sounded as though the UAW wasn’t trying to physically harm the Zumardi or dump them into labour camps – but they were still taking people away from their homes for their own ends. She tried to remain calm and cool while she listened. Nodding along as he answered, Robin took another sip of her tea.
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: There may be more I wasn’t told about…but three.
Robin’s brow was remarkably steady. The inclination to raise it in surprise was balanced by the knowledge that it could have been more. Far more… Still, there was nothing trivial at all about this number that seemed, on its own, so small. Three… Three whole worlds. Three societies. Forever, irrevocably taken from their homes and moved to other planets, their history no longer their own.
Then there was the other thing Ertmo had said – there may be more. More than he wasn’t privy to. The UAW had had thirty odd years since Voyager passed through and unintentionally inspired them to band together, take to the stars, and start reorganizing them in the way they saw fit.
Ashwood: You don't sound too sure :: sighs :: Which means there's likely more. I do wonder what else you don't know about?
There was a tight knot in Robin’s stomach. She pushed her tea away from her, no longer able to drink.
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?
It was a bit of tough talk, but Ertmo seemed reasonable enough to understand the role his people had played, regardless of his feelings about how justified they were – or what the Zumardi’s response had been.
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.
Ashwood: Captain, you now know. Is there anything you can do? You're the captain of the flagship, surely you must have some influence?
One had to hope – though influence could only go so far when it was one’s superiors they were communicating with. The number of times Starfleet Captains, even those famous ones who had commanded their flagships, had crashed against an inhospitable Admiralty was significant.
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.
Robin bit the inside of her cheek. Starfleet’s level of involvement – what they could or couldn’t do, just how culpable they were in this matter, what responsibility they had to each party (and to themselves), and what the regulations allowed for – had been swirling in the back of her mind, gathering facts like dust and debris circling a small black hole… And, like a black hole, she could feel the massive weight of this question pulling her in, tempting her to
It was the kind of conundrum that the Federation Diplomatic Corps, or the Federation Assembly, were better prepared to debate than she was – but contact with the Assembly was a week away at best, and the local FDC Ambassador had her hands tied up with other matters. Besides, the UAW’s Astrofleet was only hours away. In the intervening time, a decision was going to be required and the outcome would likely decide not only Robin Hopper’s career, but also the survival or destruction of at least two civilizations.
oO This sucks… Oo It was an understatement of a thought, but she couldn’t deny it.
Hopper: ::Adding to Ashwood’s statement:: As long as nobody forces our hand through violence against this vessel or our crew... It’s not our goal, or our way, to get involved in other people’s fights – even ones as compelling as this. ::Folding her hands together on the table:: We’ve been trying to contact your fleet to let them know we’re here as neutral observers, and to encourage a peaceful resolution between the Alliance and the Zumardi. ::Sigh:: The response thus far has been silence.
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?
Robin pursed her lips. “Something solid to offer them.” Was Ertmo suggesting that the UAW might respond better to their attempts at communication if they came with some sort of incentive attached? It was a disturbingly capitalist idea, if she was understanding him right. What offer could be more valuable to the UAW right now than a chance at ending hostilities and curing their people?
Then again, maybe Ertmo just meant that. A cure for this pathogen would be something solid, she supposed, but more and more Robin had her doubts about the Captain’s idealistic belief that the UAW would simply turn around and never bother the Zumardi again if they received such aid. Ertmo, maybe. But would the Astrofleet’s brass– no, ‘bronze’ –be willing to forget and forgive?
Hopper: With all due respect, Captain, I’m not sure what we could offer beyond what we already have that would change things. The Alliance leadership, if they are receiving us, knows that we’re here, they know we’re working to find a treatment for this pathogen, and they sent their fleet out anyway. Frankly, it’s hard not to interpret that as a hostile act – though I’d like to believe it isn’t.
Standing from her seat and pacing towards the window, Robin looked out, almost as if she could see the approaching fleet of ships… which, of course, she couldn’t. But their arrival did feel more and more imminent with each moment.
After a brief pause, she turned, arms crossed.
Hopper: Captain Ertmo, it’s imperative that we establish contact and determine what your fleet’s intentions are here. Can you, or can you not, access those systems you mentioned to help us get a dialogue going?
Ertmo seemed to reconsider the situation and, to Robin’s eye, deflate slightly. He seemed, to her, like he was on the edge of throwing in the metaphorical towel. She didn’t envy his position. Caught between what was evidently some moral clarity around what the UAW was doing and loyalty to his people. But she stood firm.
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.
Ertmo: That means a lot, Captain.
It did to Ertmo, at least. And she was sure most of the UAW’s citizens, now faced with the possibility of a devastating disease, would leap at any opportunity to secure a treatment – but she remained skeptical about whether that would persuade the bronze to give up whatever act of vengeance they were currently travelling to exact on Zumaris.
Hopper: Let’s see if it’s enough, coming from you, for the Astrofleet to respond then. We can help you encode a message using older Starfleet encryption protocols, like the ones you used to send your distress signal and broadcast them back using your systems.
Ashwood: Lt. Seleya would need to verify the contents of this message?
Seleya: I can do that, Captain. But Captain Hopper, Captain Ashwood, may I have a quick word. If you don’t mind Captain Ertmo.
Ertmo: Not at all.
Robin raised an eyebrow this time, surprised – but pleasantly surprised – by the Intelligence Officer’s request. She’d asked Seleya to join them to represent the Zumardi perspective, and of course, her acumen as an experienced analyst. At this point, Robin was honestly feeling a bit stymied by the situation and could use a bit of clarity. She hoped Seleya could help to provide that.
The trio of Starfleet officers stepped aside, moving to the other end of the room and forming an inward-facing triangle of red-and-black uniforms.
Ashwood: Response
Hopper: Let’s hear it, Lieutenant.
Seleya: I think Captain Ertmo brought up an interesting point. The Federation has a lot of influence. I think we can leverage that.
Hopper crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
Hopper: We do seem to have some influence, yes, but the Alliance, or at least their leaders, seems to be cherry-picking for their own convenience. What exactly are you proposing?
Ashwood: Response
Seleya: Well for resources, we are bringing the Talaxians into the Federation, they are well known traders through the Delta Quadrant. We could utilize their connections to offer secure trades. Potentially subsidizing, or trading at a loss for it to be favorable for them. But material gain isn’t our goal. We get them to make some concessions such as ending this conflict, maybe try to push for their prime directive to match ours. But the trade is so they open their borders, and what we bring is information about the Federation, perhaps offer officer exchanges. I mean they wanted to copy us, who better to copy from than the authentic original. Maybe at some point they make so many adjustments they stop asking ‘how can we mimic the Federation?’ to ‘why not actually join the Federation?’. Fight the misinformation with undeniable truth. The human saying is, ‘kill them with kindness’, yes?
Robin’s gaze shifted to Ashwood, wondering what the more experienced Captain would think of this. To Robin it sounded optimistic – which didn’t match her own current expectations.
Ashwood: Response
Hopper: To me it feels a bit like rewarding bad behaviour. The UAW has been operating in bad faith with the Zumardi and at least three other worlds – probably more. If we start offering up resources in exchange for them to back off of this conflict it sets a dangerous precedent that they can get what they want from us by causing trouble.
It was a tactic she had seen enough as an older sibling. When they were younger and having some sort of disagreement (which was frequent), her brat sister would throw a tantrum and cause a ruckus to get their parents involved. More often than not, their mama – who was, herself, a retired Federation diplomat – would find some sort of mutually-beneficial outcome by giving Kerilyn something, the younger girl effectively making something out of nothing for herself in the name of keeping the peace.
Robin was not interested in being taken for a ride like that by the UAW who was, as far as she was concerned, essentially the bratty younger sister of the Federation – to stretch a metaphor.
Hopper: I’m not suggesting we stand back and do nothing… Whether we want to be involved or not, the Federation has some level of indirect responsibility for what’s going on here. I want to help them – both of them, if possible – but not in a way that risks being taken advantage of.
Hopper eyed Ashwood, sensing from the Captain’s expression that she wasn’t entirely thrilled with Robin’s take. oO What else is new? Oo What had started as excitement about working so closely with one of her idols had quickly turned into an unanticipated form of torment.
Ashwood: Response?
Hopper: Still, we could be misjudging the UAW. Maybe they’ll be more reasonable than expected. I’ll take your recommendations under advisement, Lieutenant.
Seleya: I still suggest caution, there are many inconsistencies between their version and the Zumardi’s version of events and information being shared. The Captain, if the Captain is truthful, as he mentions there may be much he and the rest of Astrofleet are not being told. I am still in the middle of my investigation about all the claims being made from both sides. But something I wanted to bring up.
Ashwood: Response
Robin nodded.
Hopper: Noted. For now, let’s see whether Ertmo can reach the Astrofleet and get a clearer picture of what their plans are, and whether they can be dissuaded from further escalation… But, at this point, I think we need to start forming contingencies for the likely possibility that they’re on the warpath. We can check in with the other teams soon, see if they’ve made any helpful progress.
She gestured back to the table, encouraging Seleya and Ashwood to go first – her eyes meeting the Captain’s for a moment and sensing little but distrust. It was beginning to wear on her. What had begun as excitement to work so closely with a senior officer, with a Thetan icon, who she idolized was quickly turning into a torment as it became clearer and clearer that Robin Hopper could do no right as far as Nicolette Ashwood was concerned.
For the moment, she kept her frustration under wraps, but Robin had never been good at keeping things locked away. She was an open book by nature, and if things kept going the way they had, before long she was going to burst open again.
Ertmo: Ah, there you are. I was trying to think of the best message to send.
Hopper: Let’s see what you’ve got, Captain.
Ashwood/Seleya: Response
Ertmo: We want the Zumardi returned to their people, ::he wasn’t quite sure when it had become ‘we’, but he wasn’t going to argue with the thought:: and you are going to share your research on the pathogen freely.
As the Captain’s eyes turned green – Robin thought that indicated sincerity, or at least she hoped it did – she nodded cautiously.
Hopper: I think that’d be a good start. Agreeing to return the Zumardi who have already been relocated would be something we could take to the insurgency as a meaningful show of good faith on the UAW’s part.
And, importantly, it meant that the Federation was not the one making any sort of concession. Now the question was whether or not the Alliance or Astrofleet leaders would agree to give up any of their bargaining chips to the people that had created this disease in the first place.
Ashwood/Seleya: Response
Ertmo: I can give you the codes now, but I think the Astrofleet would take it more seriously if the message obviously came from a Starfleet bridge.
Robin nodded.
Hopper: That can definitely be arranged. I’ll ask Lieutenant Satrapi, the Kepler’s Operations Officer, to meet you here and make the necessary modifications to our communications program. When you’re ready, she can escort you to the Bridge where we’ll be waiting.
Ertmo: Response
With that arranged, Robin indicated with a quick nod of her head towards the door that Ashwood and Seleya should follow her. Leading the way through the door and into the hall that would bring them to the turbolift, she explained her call to head to the bridge without Ertmo first.
Hopper: Before we make contact with the Astrofleet, assuming we do make contact, I want a full deck of cards. Or as full as we can get anyways. We haven’t heard much from Aitas, Taelon, or Wong but I’m hoping they’ve all had some success… This is all happening very fast.
Ashwood/Seleya: Response
((A few minutes later – Bridge, USS Kepler))
Furo: Ah, Captain. I was about to inform you that we’ve received a relayed message from Chief Petty Officer Zakrem via the USS Independence. First Secretary Aitas is requesting an update on the status of the Zumardi currently in Alliance custody.
Robin, just entering from the Turbolift, responded with a pleased look that did not mirror the Vulcan HCO’s own stoic expression.
Hopper: Well, speak of the devil.
Furo: I beg your pardon, ma’am?
She resisted the temptation to roll her eyes, instead making her way to the Captain’s chair – standing in front of it, rather than sitting down.
Hopper: Nothing. Never mind. Contact Chief Satrapi and ask her to meet Captain Ertmo in the Mess Hall. We’re preparing to contact the Astrofleet using some of the Alliance’s old infrastructure… In the meantime, hail the First Secretary and Commander Taelon, send them the following priority private message…
Furo: ::A nod:: Ready when you are, Captain.
Hopper: =/\= Hiya Aitas, Taelon, hopefully you’re somewhere secure to listen to this message. We’re going to make another attempt to contact the Astrofleet using some old UAW infrastructure that Captain Ertmo believes may make a difference. He seems prepared to recommend their leadership returns the Zumardi in their custody in exchange for our research on the pathogen – but we can’t be sure they’ll respond well to that. Once we have more information about their intentions, we’ll let you know. Hopefully you’ve been making progress. When you can, contact the Kepler to provide an update. =/\=
She turned to Ashwood and Seleya.
Hopper: Anything to add?
Ashwood/Seleya: Response? ((Optional, and can add =/\= comms =/\= tags or just local bridge conversation.))
Hopper: Alright, Ensign, send it… then get me Sickbay.
Furo: Communication has been transmitted, ma’am, with the requested priority private flag. Sickbay is responding.
The screen changed now, from a view of the planet, to a view of sickbay.
Hopper: =/\= Ikaia, Bec, how’s it going down there? =/\=
Wong/Iko: =/\= Response =/\=
Robin’s face visibly paled at the report… Her First Officer didn’t seem well at all – in fact, she seemed worse than she had been the last time Robin had checked in. But more disturbing yet was the apparent death of one of the Enterprise’s crew members from the Zumardi pathogen. It was tragic, and it also threatened to destabilize everything they were attempting. She could only hope that when Ertmo got word of it, he wouldn’t change his mind, and that this first fatality wouldn’t galvanize the Astrofleet against the possibility of peace.
Hopper: =/\= I’m sure you did everything you could. ::Brow furrowed in a troubled expression:: Ikaia, have you learned anything about this pathogen that might help us find a treatment? Before there are any other casualties? =/\=
Wong: =/\= Response =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Well, keep at it. All other considerations are secondary. Figure out how this pathogen works and find a way to stop it. Contact Commander Taelon and see if he’s learned anything useful too. =/\=
Ashwood/Seleya: Response? ((Optional, and can add =/\= comms =/\= tags or just local bridge conversation.))
Wong: =/\= Response =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Bec, hang in there. I’m going to need you on your feet, especially if the Astrofleet doesn’t respond to our attempts at peacemaking. =/\=
Iko: =/\= Response =/\=
Ashwood/Seleya: Response? ((Optional, and can add =/\= comms =/\= tags or just local bridge conversation.))
As the viewscreen returned to an outside view, Robin sighed, her hands on her hips. Her head dropped forward, as she processed the mess they were dealing with. Finally, she looked up and turned to face Ashwood and Seleya.
Hopper: We likely have just a few minutes before Ertmo comes up here to send his message and I have to tell him one of his crew is dead… The Zumardi seem reluctant to come to the table without assurances I doubt the UAW is going to make, especially now that the pathogen has started killing people. Worse yet, it seems to be mutating. Our hands are a bit tied, but I don’t think the Zumardi or the UAW really understand just how bad things are about to get… I think we need to adopt a more active approach here.
Ashwood/Seleya: Response
TBC
