Lt. Robin Hopper: Tighten The Knot
Robin Hopper
((OOC Reminder - Don’t include tags/dialogue from the ribbons/promotions ceremony. Also, start a new sim after this one for breaking up into assigned groups…))
((After the Ribbons & Promotions Ceremony – Chief of Mission’s Office, Amity Outpost))
Six years old. That was how old Robin had been when Voyager returned home, at last, to the Alpha Quadrant – five years after officially being declared lost in 2373. And, while she had been glued to the news (like most other kids her age) after the ship had regained contact with Starfleet, following every step of their journey home, the fanfare of their return had been somewhat overshadowed by another arrival… her sister, born only about a week earlier. Robin had first heard the news from a passing orderly – and it had always bothered her that they had been visiting the hospital, waiting for the recommended observation period to end – rather than getting to share the excitement with her classmates…
Of course, that was old news now, and her irritation had faded. Her fascination with the far-flung Delta Quadrant and its myriad mysteries – the strange new worlds and new civilizations discovered there during Voyager’s travels, and all the other people, places, and phenomena waiting to be met – had never faded. It was this interest that had made a posting aboard the Wall Street, a remote deep space science vessel, seem so enticing to Ensign Robin Hopper… and later, to Lieutenant Hopper as she accepted a re-assignment to Amity Outpost.
It was this enthusiasm which she now tried to channel as they discussed a Federation response to the growing Hirogen presence in the region – as she was pretty certain that the alternative to excitement would be anxiety. As the conversation had begun, though, she’d found it impossible to remain sitting, and so she now stood behind the back of her chair, leaning against the back while she listened.
Vataix: As you all know, several weeks ago, the USS Bronwyn detected a gathering of 18 Hirogen tribes within the sector. They have not previously made any sort of contact with us, and as such, I instructed Wil and John to send an invitation out to them.
Robin nodded, crossing her arms and resting a curled finger against her lips in a pensive gesture.
Vataix: Thirteen of the tribes have responded and will be arriving shortly. Starfleet has kindly sent a task force to augment our defenses. Led by the Kitty Hawk, there will be six Starfleet vessels in total.
A holographic display activated in the center of the gathered officers, demonstrating the six Starfleet vessels currently making port at Amity. Robin’s eye was drawn to the familiar shape of the USS Jemison – an Intrepid refit by the looks of it. She wondered if the visiting Hirogen would find that as intriguing as she did.
Vataix: While the Hirogen are here, I'd like for us to treat them as our guests and showcase our technologies and goodwill. It is important to remember that this species is a nomadic one. We are not meeting with one nation but thirteen, each with their own agenda, past experiences with the Federation, and self-interests.
Reade: Understood; we should definitely be careful as well.
Wong: Are… are you sure this is wise?
Robin gave Ikaia a surprised glance. During their years together at the Academy, she’d always known him to be a safety-conscious cadet – but for him to so openly question a Command decision, in front of so many others – told her that he was more than simply ‘nervous’.
Ukinix: ::Addressing everyone:: Remember as Starfleet officers we’re here to support the Federation Diplomatic Corp. Also, keep in mind that their peoples are spatially divergent. As a species they’ve stretched themselves thin over thousands of years, so don’t be surprised if they have their own sub-cultures.
As Chief Science Officer – and Ikaia’s friend – Robin felt compelled to chime in. She placed her hands on her hips and spoke.
Hopper: A lot also may have happened since Voyager’s encounter with the species. ::A glance to Wil:: Their society has undergone a broad paradigm shift within the last few decades. ::Shrugging:: It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect to meet with a radically-changed people.
She ended by giving Ikaia a reassuring look. Perhaps it wasn’t likely, but the possibility eased her mind as well.
Any: Response
Vataix: We will take all necessary security precautions, but we must not forget that the original cease-fire negotiated between then-Captain Janeway of the USS Voyager and the Hirogen tribes has kept open hostilities between our two peoples from breaking out for the last quarter century. My singular goal now is to turn that cease-fire into a lasting peace through a formal treaty with the Hirogen tribes. Simply put, we cannot hope to continue Amity's mission without getting as many of the Hirogen tribes to agree to a codified non-aggression pact. We may even be able to negotiate trade and scientific exchange with them to benefit both sides, but to do so, we need to show them there is value in peace.
Hopper: We’ve certainly made our fair share of scientific and technological leaps within the past twenty-five years… ::Resting her hands on her chair again:: Maybe they have too.
Any: Response
Vataix: Wil, Vaje, John, and Keehani, we'll be meeting with the Hirogen Alphas directly to hold an initial conference with them. We'll learn about what they want, and they'll learn what we want and what we're all willing to give to make that happen.
Ukinix: ::nodding:: Aye, Ambassador.
Keehani: ::Warm smile:: I have ensured a conference room is available on Level 13, Madam Ambassador.
Carter::nodding:: We will show them the utmost courtesy, Ambassador...
Kizat: I think we could still find some common ground however narrow it may be.
Robin reserved commenting, though she was sure the empaths in the room – Rivi, Keehani, and perhaps Wil – may have sensed her apprehension. That was certainly not a meeting she could imagine participating in, let alone hosting.
Vataix: While the command and diplomatic staffs are busy discussing terms with the Hirogen Alphas themselves, it will be up to you all to show through your actions and your words that we mean what we say and that we can offer much to the Hirogen tribes.
Reade: Understood Ma’am.
Wong: So in other words, we have to pretty much put on a show.
Ukinix: ::Slight clearing of throat, To Wong:: The same as we did when we held the science expo, Lieutenant.
Carter: Hopefully with no hiccups...
Any: Response
After a brief curious look at Carter, Robin turned to Rivi.
Hopper: If you want a miniature ‘science expo’ for the Hirogen, Rivi, I’m sure we can arrange something. With the Science & Research Center’s facility upgrades complete, I think we can whip up a pretty good show… ::Slightly-nervous smile:: Figuring out what piques their interest might be the hard part.
Vataix: Robin, I want you to give a technological presentation to any of the Hirogen who are interested. Share with them the possibilities of what we can offer them if they are willing to participate in scientific and cultural exchanges with us. As a nomadic species, for instance, upgraded communication technology may be of great interest to them.
Hopper: ::Nodding:: Right. We’ll figure something out. Maybe a few things…
Something told her that, were she to write a chapter on this experience in her memoirs some day, the overwhelming theme of it would be the value of contingency.
Vataix: Your team will consist of Ensign S'Raga, Ensign Veers, Lieutenant JG Iko, and Nadeshiko.
Robin glanced at each in turn as their name was spoken, offering a nod. It was a good group. Already the ‘wheels’ in Robin’s head had begun turning, considering their competencies – she was definitely going to have to have a word with Veers as soon as possible, learn more about the officer and person that she was. An unknown variable in this type of situation could be either a huge asset, or a glaring liability.
S'Raga: ::Nodding:: Aye, ma'am.
Veers: Response
Nadeshiko: Response
Iko: Sounds good.
For the first time since the end of the Ribbons Ceremony, Robin felt a genuine smile creep onto her face. This actually felt possible. Challenging, certainly. Risky, definitely. Doable? oO Yeah… Maybe. Oo Finally, she felt like she could take her seat again.
Hopper: ::Feeling better:: Alright, then… I’ll get started on preliminaries – the rest of you, feel free to let your minds wander. ::Sitting:: I’ll be interested to hear your ideas later.
Vataix: Scotty, the Hirogen have used holographic technology to meet their needs for hunting. Give them a preview of what advances we have made in the field of holographics since their last encounter with Voyager. Ikaia, do the same with medicine and biomedical technologies.
Reade: Sure thing, I can whip up a quick demo for them, and show them the changes since Janeway’s time.
Wong: I certainly have my EMH ready to go at the very least. I’m pretty sure I and my team can come up with something.
oO Holokaia? Oo Robin’s interest was drawn back into the conversation, and out of thoughts of subspace relay infrastructure, at Wong’s mention of an EMH project. He’d started working on that thing back at the academy. oO Still tinkering with it, hmm, Ikaia? Oo
Vataix: Lieutenant Richards and Petty Officer Gray, you both will be assigned to this team.
Richards: Response
Gray: Response
Rivi then turned towards Iovianus. The stoic Manga Roman looked back at her. Robin wondered if he truly felt as calm as he looked or if that was just a part of his intriguing facade.
Vataix: Cassian, you'll be assigned to this team as well, but I'd like you to try to learn from the Hirogen and understand where they as a society are now in relation to "the Hunt." Also, discretely try to assess their weapons technology development in the last two decades.
Iovaniaus: I will give you an accurate assessment. It will be interesting almost like a second contact situation.
Vataix: All right, are there any questions?
((OOC: Can backsim any questions that might arise))
Reade: Are we willing to give them access to Starfleet engineering schematics if they ask? Or are we just at “show-only” basis at the moment?
Wil up the front shook his head, indicating a "no".
Vataix: Response
Wong: I think we may need to be cautious regardless of what we’re doing.
Ukinix: ::Addressing everyone:: Yes we do need to be cautious. But also hospitable. We are not inviting them to join the Federation, we’re reaching out to them for the purposes of potentially establishing a treaty. We’re professional Starfleet crew members, we’ve all trained for situations like this.
Iovianus: A reserved contact for negotiation purposes….with the fleet to back us up if we need it.
Richards/Grey: Response
Vataix: Then let's get to it. The first Hirogen ships are expected to arrive in the next couple of hours. After your presentations, there will be a formal dinner reception held in Peace Park in the Community Services Building. ::She looked at Wil and her department heads.:: Attendance is mandatory for department heads.
Robin was once again pulled out of her thoughts. oO Did Rivi say “Dinner”? With the Hirogen? Oo Her eyes widened a little. oO What do they even eat? They’re a predatory species… Will they be offended if I don’t eat meat? Oo She decided that she’d need to do a little research before attending. But “mandatory” meant “mandatory”
Ukinix: ::Nod:: understood.
Carter::nodding:: As you wish, Ambassador...
Reade: ::nodding:: Ok.
Iovianus: Without missing a beat.
Wong: Oh! Dinner! Well that sounds delightful, doesn’t it? I’ll be there with bells on.
Hopper: ::A glance to Ikaia:: Ditto.
She sighed.
Vataix: All others are invited to attend if they wish.
S'Raga: Aye, ma'am, I'll be there
Iko: Same.
Any: Response
Vataix: Remember, let's make as best an impression upon them as we can. Thank you, everyone!
Robin stood, a knot having tied itself in her stomach while she sat. oO Should’ve stayed standing… Oo she thought, too late. She nodded briefly to the members of her team, then headed for the door. They’d all need a little time to process, and to think, before convening – but they were short on time. Whatever they were going to do, they’d need to think of it quickly.
TBC
((OOC – To my group members, look for a follow-up scene later today to get the ball rolling on Science’s “presentation” for the Hirogen))
