[Act 2] Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: What’s Going On Here?
Robin Hopper
// Second Officer’s Log, Stardate 240104.02…
What was meant to be a simple three-hour tour of the Nuriootpa solar nebula surrounding Amity Outpost has unexpectedly ballooned into a journey to the contested asteroid belt the colonists of New Talax call ‘home’. Evidently, a species known as the Nedic Breznin claims the entire system as their territory, including all rights to settle and mine the asteroids within it.
The Talaxians, however, have been occupying several of the asteroids and mining them to support their growing settlement, for the past twenty eight years… As might be expected, there have been ongoing tensions between the two cultures – and, from the sounds of it, a prolonged stalemate, rather than a properly-negotiated peace.
Thankfully, I am not sitting down at the political table. Ambassador Vataix has entrusted me to lead a team to New Talax in order to learn more about the situation there and render what humanitarian aid we can…
End Log //
((Ready Room, USS Independence-B – En Route to New Talax))
Vataix: =/\= Once you get there, you'll be speaking with a Talaxian official named Grivox or "Grif." Rexia has told me that he may be a little ornery, but he's an experienced engineer and mining foreman-turned-politician. =/\=
Robin sat at the small glass-topped table in the Ready Room, looking pensively at the table-mounted screen across from her and the small image of the blonde Ambassador projected on it. Her hands were clasped in front of her, fingers interlaced, as she considered the mission ahead.
Hopper: =/\= That sounds like it’ll be fun… Hopefully he’s not too proud to understand we’re just there to help. =/\=
Rivi nodded. Robin had no intention of being pushed around, no matter how “ornery” this Grivox was. Hopefully, he’d have the good sense to realize there would be limitations to what Starfleet and the Federation could offer for the time-being – limitations which were then reiterated by Rivi in no unclear terms.
Vataix: =/\= Provide what assistance you can, but also make sure you investigate the matter fully. As the Talaxians aren't members yet, the Prime Directive still applies. =/\=
Hopper: ::Nodding:: =/\= Understood. No loose interpretations of the law. We’re there to render aid, not shift the balance of power in the region… =/\=
It didn’t take a diplomatic genius to understand that going out of their way to provide the Talaxians with any new advantage in their political dispute with the Nedic Dreznin would undermine the negotiations currently underway back on Amity, and place the Federation clearly on one side of the conflict. That would not only fly in the face of the Prime Directive’s priority of non-interference in the natural progression of other societies – but also serve as additional ammunition for the concerned parties of the Delta Quadrant who saw the Federation as external interlopers only seeking to exert their influence and further their own interests in the region.
Vataix: =/\= I'll let you know if we learn anything else from the Nedic Dreznin -- or the Talaxians for that matter. Still, I'm getting a clear sense that we're only getting part of the story from both parties. =/\=
Hopper: =/\= We’ll keep in touch. I’ll be sure to pass along any new information we uncover as well, in case it can help at the bargaining table in any way… Good luck, by the way. If anyone can bring these two to some sort of resolution, I know it's you and Keehani. =/\=
Vataix: =/\= Thank you, Robin. May the Four bless you. =/\=
As the comline closed and the embedded screen retracted into the table, Robin unclasped her hands, raising one to her forehead, gently massaging it with two fingers.
Hopper: Oooohh boooy… ::Glancing to the replicator:: Computer – caramel macchiato… with an extra shot.
((Shortly thereafter – Mess Hall, USS Independence-B))
Hopper: So, that’s what we know so far. I’ve taken the liberty of providing each of you with a copy of the, admittedly, brief details we have on your PADDs in case you need them as a reference. I’d like to reiterate that we’re here to investigate the Talaxian’s claims of sabotage, to assist them in repairing their broken equipment, and render humanitarian aid as needed. In accordance with the Prime Directive, we need to remain professionally ‘distant’.
The Defiant Class’ Ready Room was decidedly cramped quarters compared to the relatively luxurious conference rooms aboard Amity Outpost. Knowing it would be impossible (or at least, uncomfortable) to squeeze all members of the senior staff who were joining her on this venture into the little office, Robin had called for a meeting of her team in the Mess while the relief crew handled the last leg of the journey to new Talax. Outside, the familiar purple hues of the Nuriootpa nebula had been replaced by the vast darkness of space and the trailing light of stars ‘passing by’ as they traveled at warpspeed.
Assembled before her were Lieutenants Richards, Iko, Wong, Reade, and Vanlith, along with Lt. JGs Blackwood and Ylvor… A solid team. A trustworthy team. Hopefully, they all understood the gravity of the situation, even if all the details weren’t yet clear.
Hopper: Lieutenants Richards and Iko, once we arrive, you’ll lead an away team to investigate the sabotaged mining equipment. We’ll need all your expertise to learn what we can about how the sabotage was carried out and, if possible, how it was carried out… then see if we can get it back in working order. I’m assigning Lieutenants Reade, Vanlith, and Ylvor to join you.
Richards/Iko: Responses
Reade/Vanlith/Ylvor: Responses?
Which, of course, left…
Hopper: Lieutenants Wong and Blackwood, you’re with me. We’ll be meeting with our Talaxian contact, Grivox, to learn more about the current state of New Talax and what logistical and humanitarian impacts the… current situation… has had on them. I can’t imagine it’s been easygoing.
Wong/Blackwood: Responses
Hopper: I know we’re working with a bit of an incomplete picture for now. But hopefully we’re all clear that the situation demands discretion. That means no ‘upgrades’, no pressing the Nedic Dreznin – nothing that could be construed as taking a side. That said, any information we can gather about what the two sides aren’t telling us, could be valuable to the Ambassador and her diplomatic efforts, so keep in touch.
Nobody wanted the responsibility for escalating a territorial dispute or, worse still, dragging the Federation into a conflict weighing on their shoulders. Still, accidents could happen. They would have to remain vigilant.
Any: Response?
Flint: =/\= Eherm. Commander Hopper, sorry to interrupt. We’re about to enter the New Talaxian system. You asked to be notified. =/\=
Robin tapped her combadge.
Hopper: =/\= Thank you, Mr. Flint. Reduce speed to Impulse and bring us within communications range of the colony. We’ll be right up. =/\= ::To the assembled officers:: Well, right on schedule. You’ve got your assignments – gather your equipment and meet in the Transporter Room in 10 minutes.
As the other officers exited the room, Robin flagged Nathan.
Hopper: Lieutenant Richards, a quick word?
Richards: Response
Doing her best to remain the picture of a cool and collected Starfleet Commander, Robin’s face undoubtedly conveyed the conflicted feelings simmering underneath as she furrowed her brow. Resting a hand on his chest, she fiddled momentarily with the hem of his uniform coat’s placket.
Hopper: Please, be extra careful down there, okay?
Richards: Response
Hopper: That’s an order.
((Reception Area – Mining Facility, New Talax))
As the last group of three officers (all that could be accommodated at a time by the Indy’s small transporter room) materialized in the rather cavernous New Talax reception area, Robin stepped forward to greet their host as he approached.
Hopper: Mr. Grivox, Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper, of the United Federation of Planets. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
She wondered just how accurate Rexia’s description of the man was – and whether or not her own concerns about just how easy he would be to work with were well-founded.
Grivox: Response
Hopper: I’m eager to get started as soon as possible… Could you show us to one of the ‘affected’ mining sites and provide us with a bit more detail about what’s been going on – perhaps starting with an overview of what happened here and what you know about these saboteurs?
Grivox: Response
Iko/Ylvor: Response
Robin nodded. That provided a starting point for Bec and Torvi to begin their investigation.
Hopper: Then there are the practicalities… Just what sort of equipment was damaged? Why haven’t you been able to repair it?
Grivox: Response
Richards/Vanlith/Reade: Response
((OOC – Backsimming can happen here for this team and Grivox, as needed. Travis and Ani, please feel free to separate your team at this point and get started on your work!))
As the gold-shirts departed, Robin turned to face Grivox.
Hopper: I’m sure our team will be able to assist… ::Indicating Wong and Blackwood:: Meanwhile, can you fill us in on how these ‘disruptions’ have affected operations here? How many facilities have been damaged – and were any miners hurt?
Grivox: Response
Wong/Blackwood: Response
TBC
