Lt. Jr. Grade Qurgh'Loq: The Bolian Hello

[Mike Vago]

((Diplomatic Conference Room 2, Deep Space 14))

Halloway had the excellent idea of giving their guests a tour of the station, in order to break the tension mounting in the room. But the Chey'd weren't having it.

Trinot: No ::pausing, trying to remember:: Qurgh'Loq and Halloway… this one will not move until there is progress made in these discussions. ::turning to Illini:: Starfleet has already meddled in the affairs of the Chey’d and left them in a worse state. This one sees no upside.

Illini: Starfleet can offer these ones a greater understanding of the universe. All knowledge comes with a cost. These ones are here to minimize that cost for the planet, that is all. 

Halloway: This one assures you, these ones only wish to be friends and nothing else.

Loq: You feel you are in a worse state. That is why we are here. To right any wrongs we may have caused, provided your delegation is willing to do the same.

Triont didn’t seem phased by Loq's words. He was starting to wonder whether these Chey'd were determined to be upset no matter what the Federation delegation said. It was hardly a new strategy to sabotage negotiations, in order to use their failure as justification for aggression.

Trinot: ::shaking his head:: You underestimated how much power this one can yield. Yes, the King’s Path, previously the second largest faction on Chey’d, has been cut down and absorbed, 

Cheyd'langa was one planet with outdated technology. Qurgh'Loq was firm in his belief that the Federation had correctly estimated how much power they had.

Illini: Threatening the Federation will not get us our way. Not anymore. 

Halloway: Yes, there is no need for hostility.  

Trinot: You want progress? Figure out how the King’s Path gets restored, and these ones might be able to overlook their aversion to outsiders. If not… this one will leave that to your imaginations.

Halloway: This one is afraid that is beyond our control, we have rules of non-interference in other race's cultures. 

Loq: Your political factions are an internal matter. But I should not have to remind you that the King's Path kidnapped and enslaved several of our crew. If we were able to intervene, it would not be on their behalf.

Illini: There are many who seek that restoration, but the past never comes back as it was. There are -other ways-. ::yawning as though bored :: This one can certainly sit in this ugly little room and ask about Starfleet technology from here. 

Every bit of diplomatic training Qurgh'Loq had stressed being courteous and gracious during discussions. Clearly the Chey'd had not had similar training.

Illini: What kinds of things does Starfleet want? It doesn’t need precious metals. What can these ones give those ones that would even be interesting to those ones? 

Loq: Stability. Material resources are of no great import to us, we value trade for its own sake. [If Illini was going to insult the Butler, Loq wasn't going to tiptoe around him with "this one" and "that one." Sometimes bluntness was the best form of diplomacy.] It strengthens bonds and affinity between planets. After our experience with the Dominion, it is in our material interest to foster a stable, peaceful Gamma Quadrant. We are not trying to extract your resources, we are trying to offer you a place in a trade and informational network that spans half of the galaxy, in the hopes that Chey'dlanga sits within the broader galactic community and not in opposition to it. 

Trinot: Response

Halloway: That's okay, I’m sure you have other resources that you can trade with us as well as stuff we can offer you in exchange.

Illini: Those are certainly things these ones can supply. 

Being bold with the Chey'd seems to have worked. Yinn had told Qurgh'Loq about the Bolians' relationship with the Ferengi, one of the first alien species to make contact. They very quickly realized that the only way to stop the Ferengi from taking every advantage was to negotiate on their own terms, being every bit as underhanded and greedy, and once they did, the Ferengi respected them. The Vulcans had won the Klingon Empire's respect in similar fashion, centuries ago.

Trinot: Response

Halloway: You will also experience other cultures within the federation. There is a whole other side of the galaxy for you to see. 

Illini: What was it Consul Ber’laghier said when the Antari conquered the King’s Palace? 

Trinot: Response

Halloway: Prelate, this one understands that you may be tired after such long travel, but this one asks you to keep things civil.

Loq: And you would be wise to understand that, if you're going to live alongside an entire galaxy of cultures, you have to find a way to live alongside the other cultures on your own planet. The Antaris' great crime was not wanting to be enslaved. It is understandable, to say the least.

Illini/Trinot: Response

Halloway: Thank you, Prelate.

She let out a deep sigh hoping that would be the end of their petty fighting.  

Loq: We do not have to solve every problem on Cheyd'langa today. Nor do we have to solve every issue between our respective governments. We merely have to agree to try and move forward together. For the betterment of your planet, and its place in the wider galaxy.

Illini/Trinot: Respons

Halloway: ::Leaning over to Loq:: What should we do now, sir?

Loq gave Halloway a curt nod, and addressed the room.

Loq: I believe we have made as much progress as we are going to today. Perhaps we should rejoin Lt. Nilsen's group and see what progress they have made.

Illini/Trinot/Halloway: Respons

[End scene for Loq, as I assume we'll continue in a new scene with the other group]

TAG / TBC

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Lt. Jr. Grade Qurgh'Loq, Son of Qurgh'Lun

Diplomatic Corps

USS Octavia E. Butler

O240011Y12