Lt. Haukea-Willow: Beyond
Aly Drolet
OOC: Minimal tags in this particular sim due to the increase in narration. The image is of a Hawaiian proverb that I thought fit the scene. Risian’s are like the Star Trek equivalent of space Hawaiians - sort of.
((Small Conference Room - MTF Maximum Thrusters))
Sylvax: From a counseling standpoint…how would you approach a group that may already be predisposed not to trust you?
If given the question for herself, Haukea knew that, in one sense, it depended on the exchange of power. A teacher, seen as an authority figure, would gain trust from an unruly student far different than a Starfleet officer temporarily stripped of their organizational backing.
It provided curiosity for what Ivalyan would offer.
Ivalyan: Sir, we need to ensure that they don't see whatever we do as help. We need something from them, not the other way around. Feign some ineptitude, make them feel superior. I would recommend some careful deception, as well. We should, um, "hide" our leader from them, feigning deference. Let them feel they've discovered the "true" leader, let them feel smug. I think for these people, we earn trust by being weak and defenceless and scared. Alternatively, we convince them whatever we have works better than what they have. We'll do them a favor and take it off their hands, again, feigning our ineptitude and weakness. Ethical? No. But I think it effective. ::Blushing:: Um, sir. Sirs. Sir and sir.
Perhaps a bias was present in Haukea’s current pondering? Certainly the Risian officer had her own view, established far before Ivalyan entered the picture, yet, reminding herself of her own traditional sense of belief, their perspective was commendable. It had, for one, its own awareness of logic, reasoning and knowledge. Nevertheless, the notion of deception, feigning deference and the unethical nature of acting against the foundational nature of their organization, triggered an emotion the Risian had difficulty placing, coloring her vernacular with a harried, unintentional tone.
Willow: Your perspective is commendable ::Taking a moment to evaluate her pips:: Ensign. However, I would like to make a counterclaim that it is unnecessary to deceive them in such a manner. Ineptitude and weakness do not gain trust, only the notion that those traits will continue. Yes, we should ensure we convince them what we have is ultimately better, but that’s only after a thorough examination of what they first have to offer.
Sylvax: There’s a difference between lowering someone’s defenses… and misleading them about who we are. ::His tone remained calm, but firm.: If we present ourselves as weak, and they later realize we weren’t, that doesn’t just damage trust... it reinforces every reason they might already have to distrust outsiders. Especially for a people who’ve survived this long by relying on their own judgment.
Ivalyan: ::quietly:: Umm...yes sir. I was thinking solely of this as a one off. N-n-not of the lasting reprec-c-c-cussions.
Haukea-Willow, who often commended herself on an approach that preached non-violence and perspective sharing, wavered. In an act to compromise, or find a half-way happy, Ryden Sylvax, along with herself, were on an equal footing - yet, Ivalyan - brimming with fresh eyes, was thrown 12 lashings like a dog, question after question, scrutinizing their opinion on a topic they hardly knew. And by facial expressions alone, a usually unpracticed skill, one Haukea, as a Risian, struggled to read, was a tortoise in pacing. As such, the security chief attempted to clarify her meaning, reaching for additional voices within the conversation.
Willow: I don’t mean to undermine. Hardly my intention. I simply would like to evaluate the situation as a whole. What value do you see in convincing The Temurians of our ineptitude and weakness? Psychologically speaking?
Sylvax: It creates a false sense of control. If they believe we’re less capable, less aware, or dependent on them, they’re more likely to relax their guard. They may share more. Reveal more. Because in their minds, there’s no risk in doing so. But it also changes the foundation of the interaction. ::A beat.:: We stop being guests… and become something closer to opportunists.
Opportunists, definition: a person who exploits circumstances for self-serving advantage, often prioritizing immediate gain over principles, ethics, or the interests of others.
Through analysis of the standard definition, opportunists, Willow, Sylvax, Ivalyan, the whole of the Starfleet organization, was in plan terms attempting to exploit the circumstances of a species cultural, spiritual and governmental systems in order to gain a self-serving advantage of removal of the weapons from the Temurians presences.
A deceiving, dishonorable situation that required a delicate, sensitive, approach - one which similarly should be given to all officers.
Sylvax: And if they realize that—if they feel manipulated—it won’t just close the door on this conversation. It may close it permanently.
Ivalyan: ....yes s-s-s-sir.
Sylvax: That said… there’s something in what you’re suggesting. ::He glanced briefly between them, thoughtful.:: Not the deception. But the idea that how we’re perceived will shape everything that follows.
Ivalyan: Sir? They are opportunists themselves. I st-st-stand by the thought that if we are-are seen as stronger, it c-c-could go bad for us. They could cut and run.
Sylvax: ::His fingers tapped lightly once against the PADD, more out of habit than thought:: If they see us as equals, we earn a conversation. If they see us as a threat, we earn resistance. ::A small pause.:: And if they see us as something to take advantage of… Then we’d better be very sure we’re prepared for that outcome too.
Upon having taken a step backwards, to practice her own preached ethics of active listening, Haukea-Willow, learned a great deal towards both Ryden’s and Ivalyan’s perspectives, hinting at her own initial rash determination.
Ivalyan: I understand sir. I d-d-do. But...what is the mission? What is the end g-g-goal here? Are we looking to make friends? Or are we looking to get the c-c-c-cores to safer hands?
With an increase in her rational state, it was a commendable question to ask, one Haukea likely would have thought, if in a differing position.
Sylvax: ::Ryden exhaled quietly, lowering the PADD to his side:: The mission is to stop those cores from causing harm. ::A small pause, his tone steady but not rigid.:: How we do that matters just as much as whether we succeed.
Willow: I believe, after taking a moment to listen, knowing how I value all perspectives, it seems inherently disrespectful to lead through deception. That would be the one area of tactic that we would want to wholly avoid. Nevertheless, I agree with Sylvax, we must prepare ourselves for the potential consequences of an unfavorable outcome. Ivalyan?
Haukea directed the conversation back towards the Ensign, indicating the value of her own standpoint.
Ivalyan: I feel strongly here sir. If we d-d-d-don't get the cores...that's the worst outc-c-c-come. The Temurians are opportunists and scavengers, and I think we m-m-m-must let them see us the same way for the safest route. Alternatively... just b-b-buy them. They understand c-c-commerce. This d-d-doesn't have to be more than that...
Ryden certainly had a way with understanding emotions far better than Haukea ever could. She found her own tumultuous emotions cumbersome, making the subtle shifts in tone difficult to decipher.
Sylvax: You’re right about one thing. ::He shifted slightly, leaning a fraction more into the conversation:: If we leave without the cores, we haven’t solved the problem. ::A beat:: But if we take them in a way that reinforces exactly why they don’t trust outsiders…we may create a bigger one.
Willow: It does no good to outright buy the cores, no lesson is learned. However, a gain in trust, as I assume we have established, must be had.
Ivalyan: ::looking at each officer before gluing her eyes to the floor:: Sir...you wouldn't ask a c-c-c-counselor fresh from the academy. What p-p-plan exists already? I want...I want to help. Sir.
Sylvax: I would. ::A slight tilt of his head, not challenging…reassuring:: Because you’re looking at this without assumptions the rest of us have already started to build. ::He allowed a faint, encouraging warmth into his tone:: That’s not a weakness. That’s useful.
Haukea usually herself attached situations with a neutral perspective. Forming no initial biases, perspectives or judgements. Yet, the more experience she gained, naturally, the harder that neutral mindset became to maintain as previous experience was an easy safety net to rely on.
Willow: I’m an open book, I always attempt to keep a neutral perspective about myself. Yet, you have fresh eyes, that is a value that should be relied on for some time. Experience can cloud one’s judgement after a time, though I try not to let it.
A smile graced Haukea-Willow’s lips, attempting to break the initial tension that had crept between them.
Sylvax: ::His grip on the PADD loosened slightly:: So help us. Not by having the perfect answer. ::His gaze held steady on her.:: But by asking the questions the rest of us might overlook.
Ivalyan: Response
In situations such as these it always appeared to circle back towards the fact that Haukea had participated in the Academy surf team, an extension of her experiences on Risa, allowing her to easily shift her weight, bend her knees and ride the metaphorical waves that came with the ship descending into an atmospheric lending on the asteroid.
The asteroid itself as a standard, icy rock, barren, dark - flawless setting for a horror holonovel.
An incoming call cut through the silent tension.
Ross: =/\= Ross to Sylvax. Are you ready to get out there? =/\=
Ryden was the first to answer, assuming point, to which Haukea allowed, he was after all equal in leadership capability as they all were.
Sylvax: =/\= Just about. We’ve identified the settlement and a landing position with minimal exposure. =/\=
A short pause.
Ross: =/\= Any chance we can get our hands on one of their traders soon? We need more samples to make progress. =/\=
With a shifting gaze Ryden answered.
Sylvax: =/\= That’s the plan. I've been in contact with a Temurian trader named Kiro. He is expecting our arrival. Sylvax out=/\=
Slowly lowering his PADD Ryden’s gaze drifted back toward the settlement.
Sylvax: Let's suit up, civilian clothes, then we will meet at the settlement. We are expected to meet with one of their leaders. ::he scanned his PADD:: Her name is Leda.
Willow: Please correct me if I am wrong Sylvax, you mentioned to Ross a Temurian trader named Kiro, however we are to meet with a leader named Leda. Would it not be wise to meet with your trading contact first?
For the Risian having a clear set of parameters was paramount to a successful mission.
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Willow: That is more than reasonable. Say no more.
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Gazing at the miss match of their attire, Haukea developed another inquiry.
Willow: Now, I must ask, based on our meeting this leader in civilian attire, would it be suitable for us to change? Be more cohesive in our appearance? As much as possible anyway, in order to attempt for us to sell the idea we are from some non-Starfleet organization?
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Lt. Haukea-Willow
Chief of Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
Ad Astra Per Aspera/To The Stars With Difficulty - Una Chin-Riley
