Commander Gogigobo Fairhug - Starting at the Beginning

[griz86]

((Capitol City High Council Chambers – Capricalia))

The coordinates the chief had been given beamed them down into a very sterile, very nondescript, long corridor, with white walls, a shining white floor and a set of big grey doors at the end.

Even the smallest movements echoed in the corridor, such as the squeak of their shoes on the highly polished floor and there was a smell as such one might associate more with some kind of medical facility, rather than council chambers.

They barely had time for the tingling feeling of the transporter to dissipate and take in their surroundings before the grey doors opened and through them strode an impressive, if slightly weathered looking figure.

Zirzal: Commander Fairhug, thank you for coming.

Fairhug: Ahh, High Councillor Zirzal. It's a pleasure to meet you. These are some of my senior crew, Lieutenant Commander Marsh, Ensign Arlo and Ensign Tovan.

Marsh: A pleasure to meet you High Councillor Zirzal. ::She gestured to herself with a thumb:: I’m Lieutenant Commander Marsh. 

Tovan: Response

Zirzal: Welcome to Capricalia Commanders, Ensign. I have set aside a conference room for us to speak in.

Fairhug: Forgive me, High Councillor, but before we begin, we detected an EM spike that threatened to stop us beaming down a few moments ago. As a gesture of good will, we would like to offer Ensign Arlo's expertise as an engineer to help look into what may have caused it.

Zirzal: An EM spike? ::He drew in a long, slow breath:: If it affects your ship I see not reason to not allow your engineer to assist.

Gogi smiled in thanks, before turning to Arlo and nodding to indicate that they were free to go, following the directions Zirzal had given.

The Ensign walked off, shoes squeaking, while Gogi turned back to Zirzal with the same friendly expression still on his face.

Fairhug: Despite your previous experiences, I assure you, High Councillor, we are here to help. If there's absolutely anything else we can do while we are here, please let us know.

Zirzal: I thank you for your concern, Commander. I only hope that it isn’t too little, too late.

Once upon a time, Gogi’s facial expression may have given away his feelings at such a comment, but he had learned from some consummate diplomats over the years (none more so than Commodore Taybrim himself) to temper his reactions.

Still, the significance of the statement was not lost on the Bardeezan.

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. 

He gave a sideways glance to the Capricalian, but the High Councillor was, likewise, not giving anything away.

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.

Gogi nodded along with those sentiments. Bardeez had remained largely untouched by the Dominion war, helped mainly by its location. He could also understand wanting to stay out of conflict, although he was glad the Federation had not stayed out of the conflict between his home world and their system neighbours, the Byzallians.

Fairhug: There is no shame in wanting to protect your own people in times of turmoil. However, the Dominion war is in the past…

He let that last statement hang there. The High Councillor was clearly an intelligent man and undoubtedly would realise what he was getting at.

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.

Gogi was pleasantly surprised at Zirzal’s honesty. Perhaps this wouldn’t be quite as difficult as he had initially imagined.

Marsh: Perception can be reality to many. Do they have other specific reasons as to why they feel ignored High Councilor? 

Zirzal: ?

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. 

Gogi nodded and smiled subtly at Madison. She was adding yet more strings to her bow by accompanying him in this endeavour, as were Tovan and Arlo, of course. It would be a learning curve for them all, undoubtedly. Including him.

Fairhug: I couldn’t have said it better myself, Commander.

Tovan/Zirzal: ?

Marsh: We look forward to working with you on coming to a viable solution while we’re here.

They had ambled slowly down the echoing corridor as they spoke and now they reached a door with frosted glass that Zirzal stopped in front of.

Fairhug: Is this the conference room you spoke of, High Councillor?

Zirzal: Response

Tovan: ?

Marsh: Response

Gogi smiled politely and inclined his head, stepping into the room.

They spread around the table and took their seats and Gogi shifted several times, making himself comfortable.

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.

Of course, Bardeez and Bajor in particular had a lot to thank the Federation for. Hopefully that would count for something.

Zirzal: Response

Marsh/Tovan: Responses

TAG/TBC 

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Commander Gogigobo Fairhug
Commanding Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
E239411GF0