Lt. Commander Madison Marsh - “Points of View”
Madison Marsh
((Capitol City High Council Chambers – Capricalia))
Madison was an optimist when it came to many situations that she had come across her life. Definitely a glass is half full kind of person. In her mind, she believed that taking a shot was better than doing nothing at all.
Marsh: I’m a firm believer that it’s never too late High Councilor.
Tovan: ?
Fairhug: Indeed. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my career in Starfleet, it’s that there is always the capacity for change.
Zirzal: I admit Capricalia to some degree got themselves in this mess. This world has always been a little isolationist. Nationalist if you will. We tried to fade away and remain unnoticed during the Dominion Wars, and at the time it worked well for our people – and I say well with some regret of hindsight. But at the time we kept to ourselves, were overlooked and came through the conflict more or less unscathed.
Marsh: I can understand lying low during the Dominion War, it was an arduous time for all involved.
Fairhug: There is no shame in wanting to protect your own people in times of turmoil. However, the Dominion war is in the past…
Tovan: ?
Zirzal: Of course in the decades afterwards we tried to increase our trade, but it’s been a difficult prospect. Now the population feels like we were ignored by the Federation. Though I don’t think they remember that we had a hand in that.
Marsh: Perception can be reality to many. Do they have other specific reasons as to why they feel ignored High Councilor?
Zirzal: The area is plagued by piracy, something the Federation has always said they stand firmly against. However patrols don’t come this way often, and this has caused increasing economic stress and increasing animosity. Of course it’s been a long time since we had a standing military and part of our joining the Federation was an agreement to not rebuild a planetary military. We have a defense force, but in recent years the pirates are far better armed and it’s becoming a losing situation in all ways.
So of course there was animosity from those who dwelt on the past, thinking the Federation prevented them from forming a military. Which was not quite what their charter and legal agreements said.
But the whole issue became politically muddy. Some felt that if they formed a military they would be called upon in whatever was the next Dominion War – the Frontier Day conflict had only driven those people into the heights of paranoia. And there were some Capricalians who wanted to play weak and force the Federation to take care of them.
It was… complicated.
Tovan: ?
Fairhug: I assure you that we fully intend to address any and all concerns brought to us during these talks, High Councillor.
Marsh: I emphasize with and respect their viewpoints. However, I can assure you that the Federation does want to be actively involved with Capricalia and keeps an open door policy for all citizens.
Fairhug: I couldn’t have said it better myself, Commander.
Tovan: ?
Zirzal: I look forward to hearing the options. Because Capricalia needs options right now.
Marsh: We look forward to working with you on coming to a viable solution while we’re here.
Fairhug: Is this the conference room you spoke of, High Councillor?
Zirzal: It is, come inside.
Tovan: ?
Madison entered the conference room with the group and took a seat at the table next to Fairhug. She looked from person to person at the table. It was time for the talks to begin and she hoped that it would turn out to be a success story.
Marsh: Well let’s get these talks shall we? Where did we want to start?
Fairhug: Well, I think the best place to start would be with your peoples’ concerns, High Councillor. I have every hope that we will be able to put your citizens at ease, given our own personal experiences.
Zirzal: The biggest, most present concern is that the piracy is creating an unintentional trade embargo. We can’t get supplies in and we can’t get goods out without the pirates taking a massive cut. This has led to shortages on Capricalia, inflation, not enough resources. We can feed our people with our technology, but jobs are closing, medicines are scarce, critical components for spacecraft are dwindling.
She had heard stories of pirates causing trouble over the years in reports. This was not a shocker for her to hear, but it was having a major effect on Capricalia as a whole. There had to be some work around to get everything in order.
Marsh: That’s unfortunate news High Councilor. I’m sorry to hear about this conflict. It’s clearly causing a significant impact to your society here.
Tovan/Fairhug: ?
Zirzal: Yes, so we have a population of people who are pent up, trapped on the planet, with too much free time, scared of contracting any new unknown illness and terrified of pirates.
Madison felt intense empathy for the Capricalians. It was a scary time for them with a plethora of conflicts and issues to resolve at once. They clearly needed assistance and the Federation should render aid.
Marsh: A colossal mess of a situation indeed.
Tovan/Fairhug: ?
Zirzal: Some want to militarize and fight back. Some want the Romulan’s to rescue them, some wants the Federation to rescue them. All of these are very revolutionary – romantic even.
She clasped her hands on the desk and shifted her gaze to Zirzal. They had heard of the people’s views but what did their leader think?
Marsh: I hear you on the multiple view points of the people. I’d like to hear your viewpoint on the situation? What are you leaning towards doing currently?
Tovan/Fairhug/Zirzal: ?
Madison listened to Zirzal’s feedback intently.
Marsh: Thank you for being open with us High Councilor. Making progress is key and having an understanding of all angles helps all parties involved.
Tovan/Fairhug/Zirzal: ?
She nodded her head once and turned her head to Commander Fairhug.
Marsh: From my experience, I’m sure the Federation can find an optimal way to resolve the issue.
Tovan/Fairhug/Zirzal: ?
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tags/tbc
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Chief Science Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
ID: O240006MM1
