Lt Ross - Diplomats

[Hannah S]

((Transporter Room – USS Narendra))

There had been some time for rest and Ross had been wise enough to spend it on a lengthy nap. Wyn's call had woken him up - now he stood in front of the tiny mirror inside his cabin and fixed his hair, straightening the black uniform he wore as comfortably as a second skin by now. It was hard to imagine how strange and tense this life had been for him just a couple of years ago - for a moment he stared into his own pair of dark eyes and struggled to recognise himself. Maybe for the first time since his assignment to Ops, he actually entered a mission well-rested and well-fed. Was this what middle management was all about?

A few minutes later he had met S'zurak on the corridors and together they stepped into the transporter room where Wyn had summoned them. 

Foster was already waiting for them - the Andorian straightened up as the door opened.

Foster: Everybody ready?

Ross nodded.

Ross: Let's go.

He was weirdly calm - maybe even confident. There was no prospect of physical confrontation and that was enough to turn this into a strong contender for his favourite mission. Just... research and talk. Walk in the park, right? 

S’zurak: ?

Wyn headed to the transporter platform. A sense of apprehension filled the air. No matter how often they did this, there was always some tension connected to entering a new planet. 

Foster: Alright everyone, look professional and friendly, we got this.

Ross straightened his hair one last time and took a deep breath: 

Ross: ::quietly, to himself:: ...a walk in the park. 

~*~

((Capitol City – High Council Offices))

The trio materialized on the platform outside of the High Council Offices. In the middle of a large city, the industrial buzz of people moving, working, trading – and protesting – was visible all around.

There was an electric buzz to Capitol City, the hum of the mobility rails that sped passengers to their destinations, the thrum of the electricity that powered the skyscrapers, the conversation of millions of people all moving and working around them.

And then off, in the distance, on the horizon, was the Capricalia of yore. The deep green mountains glutted with trees and wildlife. Hiding caves and rivers and lakes. Just a hint you could see, like a distant dream – none of which was reflected in the city. Everything around them was steel and stone and duratride, shining, white and silver. It was attractive architecture, but it was striking in what it lacked.

There was no dirt. No plants. No greenery, no animals. Maybe in other parts of the city there were parks, but this section felt completely cut from anything natural, like a section of a starship was cut from space and plopped into the planet.

Ross immediately felt a sense of homecoming. As much as he enjoyed occasional trips to natural outskirts like Gogi's or Korras' homeplanet, cities like these traced back to his roots: Countless shades of concrete, sparkling lights in the night, busy people with busy heads and lose tongues shouting in the night.

Foster: Well, this is… something.

A short side-glance told Ross that Wyn wasn't as much of a fan of the urban scenery: Subconsciously, he shadowed his steps as they approached the huge building in front of them, trying to ease the Andorian's tension.

He was used to being on his own, but weirdly, being in a huge and busy city evoked a similar feeling in his chest. It made you invisible - if you wanted to.  

Ross: It's busier than I thought. 

S’zurak: ?

They ventured inside the building using the clearly delineated walk, and found the man they were looking for on the lower levels.

Themem Zilo. 

He owned a huge office, mirroring the desk of countless important men with important jobs. When they stepped in, Ross subconsciously scanned the room for technology: But besides some standard displays and wiring, he couldn't find any high tech. It all looked a bit... out-dated for a member of the Federation. 

Zilo: Enter.

Foster: Yes, greetings Secretary Zilo. I am Commander Foster, and this
is Lieutenant Ross and Ensign S’zurak.

Ross gave a respectful nod. 

Ross: Thanks for having us, Sir. 

S’zurak: ?

Zilo inclined his head slightly and Ross couldn't help but notice that he looked tired. 

Zilo: Commander. Lieutenant. Ensign. Welcome to the Capital. I trust
your arrival was... uncomplicated.

Wyn’s antennae dipped.

Foster: I understand you filed several complaints with the Federation
Trade Commission and they did not answer any of them until your most
recent complaint.

Ross clasped his hands behind his back and made a point to take deep breaths: He had always been a listener rather than a talker, and so he decided to just follow the ongoing conversation for now, taking in anything of interest. 

S’zurak: ?

Zilo took a slow breath, folding his hands behind his back as he stepped toward
the viewport. Outside, transports crossed the skyline like quiet ghosts. They reminded Ross of past days. Not too long ago he might have crossed cities like these on a day off from his shabby freighter. 

Zilo: I did not count how many times I filed them, Commander. At some
point, one loses track when every message vanishes into the same void.

He turned back toward them, expression even.

Zilo: My daughter captained a freighter that ran Federation-protected
lanes. The protection did not hold. The pirates came, and the response
never did. Since then, I have made it my business to ensure no other
family endures that silence again.

For a moment, the air felt heavy in the room. Then, Zilo’s tone
steadied once more.

Zilo: So yes, Commander. I filed my complaints. And at last, Starfleet
has decided to listen. The question is... for how long?

Zilo gestured toward the chairs opposite his desk, though he did not sit himself. Ross did not move. Instead he monitored every change in Zilo's expressions, trying to make out if his story was true. If it was... they might be dealing with much more than just interest of commerce. Not only a furious leader - also a grieving father? Those were much more dangerous waters. 

Zilo: I am aware of the complaint you reference, Commander. It is the
only one your Trade Commission acknowledges. The others… vanished.

He paused, letting the weight of that statement settle in the room. His gaze drifted briefly to a holo on his desk, then back to the officers.

Zilo: I will speak plainly. My people’s commerce is suffering, our
shipping lanes unsafe, and my reports to the Federation were
ignored... ::purposeful beat:: or erased. I cannot say which.

Ross: Frankly - We've been wondering the same, Sir. 

They weren't opponents. They made to make this clear: Else they would take responsibility for the death of his daughter, and there was no comeback from that. 

Foster/S’zurak: ?

Zilo: I will not mince words for politeness. If Starfleet expects
Capricalia to remain a member of the Federation, it must act. Words
alone are insufficient.

Ross: I am very sorry to hear of your loss, Secretary. We had no idea. 

He threw Wyn a questioning side glance - or did they? 

Foster/S’zurak: ?

Zilo: The question before us is simple. Will you listen to the
entirety of my reports and address the threats we face… or will
history repeat itself?

Ross: I can assure you, we are here to listen. 

Foster/S’zurak: ?

Zilo’s eyes lingered on them for a moment. His tone softened only slightly, tempered by years of measured diplomacy. Ross wasn't sure yet how much grief and anger he was hiding from them. 

Zilo: I am willing to believe in the Federation again. That belief,
however, must be earned… not assumed.

Ross: Let us know how we can be of help and we will do our best to make up for recent failures.

They were walking on thin ice. And yet he was relieved to find that Zilo was a man willing to talk.

Foster/S’zurak/Zilo: ?

Ross: We have gathered reports on recent attacks around Capricalia. Ensign, would you like to share some of our findings? 

He gestured at S'zurak, encouraging him to speak up. Even though Wyn was their highest ranking officer and FO, they had to give an impression of equals - they were a team, a team willing to include Zilo as a cooperative. 

S'zurak/Foster/Zilo: ? 

Ross: Are you aware of any other cases of pirates interfering with communications? 

S'zurak/Foster/Zilo: ?  

He tilted his head and pondered for a moment.

Ross: Is it possible that your communications might have been a target of attacks as well? 

He knew they had to be careful with implications like these as long as they didn't know where the messages had disappeared. A man like Zilo might take personal offence by the implication of a security breach. 

S'zurak/Foster/Zilo: ?  

--

***

Lieutenant Evan Ross
Intelligence Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240009ER2