[End Act 1] Second Secretary Aitas - Poking the (proverbial) bear

[Aitas]

((Meeting room, Hovan People’s Assembly, Hova III))

Aitas: The shadow of the Collective was deepest in this quadrant. We can hold every hope that they have finally been defeated, but every connection here means more warning, more allies, should even some fraction of that shadow return. 

Or be unearthed. 

Keehani: And our Starfleet continue to learn from the encounter with them in our Sol Sector, and beyond.

Ril/Kizat: Response

Keehani: It is unfortunate that our Ambassador Turnbull could not be here today with us - she is working with the Talaxians to finalise their membership with the Federation. But if I may be bold to make a suggestion?
Ril: Response

Keehani: We would be open to inviting a delegation from your assembly--

Ukinix: =/\= Ukinix to... well, Ukinix, I guess. =/\=

Keehani: If you’ll excuse me for one moment, Chancellor.

Ril: Response

Keehani gave a polite nod and then stepped outside the room.

Aitas: As regards the visit, Amity is not far from here. The seat of the Federation is far further away, though if you did wish to send a delegation I’m sure something could be arranged. 

Ril/Kizat: Response

And Keehani promptly returned. 

Keehani: Apologies, Chancellor. Two of your vessels are on their way into Uwezo territory, I’m told unauthorised. Your Fleetmarshall Ser was unaware of their departure from the planet. Starfleet can offer assistance in apprehending them, if you like.

Ril: Response

Keehani: One of our vessels is currently in the Uwe system.

Ril: Response

Aitas sat there quietly, watching the Chancellor’s reaction to this chain of complications. 

Kizat: Response

And then yet another complication entered the room. 

Yun: Excuse me Chancellor, I’m here to detain the one that used an unregistered advanced communications device.

It was very, very easy for Aitas to feel Keehani’s shock at that, though she extended her senses out to see just who else might be gathering nearby. 

She then switched to an El-Aurian trade language, the same one those long ago (or not so long, depending on your perspective) visitors to the Hovan system would have used. 

Aitas: That is not a law you’ve held your guests to before, Chancellor. ::she switched back to Federation Standard.:: Nor were we asked to declare any such devices. 

But then, the Hovans perhaps had limits on how well they could detect such things. 

Kizat: Response

Yun: I am an Enforcement Officer, and you used an advance communications device without registering it with Enforcement or the Department for Communications and Media first.

Keehani: I-- didn’t know, I-- ::looking towards Chancellor for help::

Ril: Response

Yun: ::To Keehani:: Please stand and keep your wrists together.

Keehani cooperated, even as a thin band bound her wrists together. 

Aitas, for her part, kept her expression outwardly calm, even as she let her thoughts drift to the surface where Keehani might pick them up.

Keehani: Ow!

 Aitas: I must formally object, Chancellor. If you wish to ensure we’ll remain involved, there are far simpler ways to do so.

As evidenced by the tone of their previous conversation. And the fact that they’d used the transporter to arrive. If the Hovans had actually believed the Federation a danger then they’d just tried to bait a power that could simply deposit troops on their doorstep or pluck diplomats back out of their custody.

And while there was no shortage of blatant stupidity in the galaxy, Ril hadn’t seemed quite that foolish.

Kizat/Ril: Response

The Enforcement officer promptly led Keehani out of the room. 

Tag

Second Secretary Aitas

Federation Diplomatic Corps

Amity Outpost

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