Cmdr. Alex Blair and President Longza: Working Together (TAG: Rosek/Fiorr/Cjnur)
Jeremy Shaffer
((Joint Space Center, Kranstin, Hocktin))
::As their conversation with the Za finished and the one named Mindor beamed up to the ship, Alex turned back to the people who were with him.::
Blair: Mister President, we need to coordinate our
efforts to find Captain Rhani.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: My people are partially responsible for this fiasco so we will assist you in any way possible.
::Alex shook his head and immediately dived right in to
the work.::
Blair: Your people deal with this Marshall regularly I take it, so you must
know about him and how he works.
Cjnur: He would want to take them to a secure location. Somewhere in Justio
proper I'd suspect.
::Alex watched as the president nodded in agreement.::
Longza: Yes, Numiz tends to do that. He’ll launch an attack then retreat to the safety of his own province. I have several maps detailing some of his previous holdouts that we can access from inside the Space Center.
Fiorr: ?
Blair: We could also use your help concerning this virus we have found.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: Again, whatever you need we will provide if possible. Do you have more information you can share?
Blair: I don’t know much about it, our doctors have requested a blood sample
from one of your people.
Rosek: ::nods:: Your people seem to be resistant. Something about your white
blood cells fends it off.
::The president nodded again.::
Longza: If a blood sample is what you need, consider it done. But it too would be much easier to accomplish once we are indoors.
Fiorr: ?
Blair: ::nods:: In that case, if you’ll lead the way Mister President.
::Alex had to move quickly as the president began to move. Within just a few moments, they were inside the impressively large space center and the president quickly let them to a large office right off of the main foyer.::
Fiorr: ?
Longza: This space will suffice for the time being. Now
where would you like to begin?
Rosek: ::pauses:: Tell me, Mr. President. Why do you think Marshal Numiz would
do something like this?
::Alex turned to look at the president as the man took a seat behind the desk.::
Longza: ::smiling:: The Marshall is a very insecure, unstable man. He most
likely sought to take the Pathfinder for himself once they were away from
Hocktin and your ship put a wrinkle in that plan.
Cjnur: Because the Marshall is concerned with the defense of Justio above all
else. Above trusting even those from Kranstin, let alone from outside the
planet.
Blair: ::nodding:: It is not a truly unique reaction when one meets off-worlders
for the first time.
Fiorr: ?
Rosek: ::nods:: Not surprising. I'm sad to say at one point in Earth's history,
xenophobia ran rampant and caused a great deal of chaos. Fortunately, we had
some excellent leaders to see us through.
Cjnur: Are you trying to say President Longza is or will be one of those excellent leaders for my own people?
Blair: ::looking directly at the president:: He very well
could be. His reaction and handling of this situation will set a tone for the
course of interaction with off-world visitors for the foreseeable future.
Fiorr: ?
Longza: ::taken aback:: I just hope I can live up to the challenge. Our people could benefit greatly from continued contact with your people. It would just require a little change for all of us.
Rosek: ::smiles and nods:: Yes. I agree. As an old Earth playwright, George
Bernard Shaw, once said, "Progress is impossible without change, and those
who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
Cjnur: I would argue that progress comes with an unimpeded vision. With the
desire and will to see an outcome through to the end, despite any obstacles
that come in the way. Marshall Numiz certainly has that quality.
Rosek: ::tenses:: Given that I am an individual of two worlds, Cjnur, you'll
forgive me if I disagree. Progress at the expense of the people you seek to
make a better life for isn't progress. Xenophobia must be stopped in its tracks
in the interests of growing our understanding of the greater universe. Peace is
good for everyone. War is good for no one.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: It has never been my place question the General or Marshall. I follow orders, as they give them.
Longza: There lies the problem Cjunr. If you had questioned what was happening aboard that ship, our first meeting with the Federation would have happened quite differently.
::Alex nodded.::
Blair: Agreed. Our people firmly believe that if an order is questionably it is our duty to question it. If not, we are just as culpable as those who gave the order.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: What I'm getting at is I've never questioned the Marshall's leadership abilities. But now you tell me he allowed his top aide and General to get captured...
Longza: Yes, now you see that leadership for what it is worth; nothing.
::As the president spoke, Alex caught the sight of Rosek out of the corner of his eye. She did not look well and he needed to check on her. Alex fought the incredible sense of cotton mouth he was feeling to ask.::
Blair: Lieutenant, is there anything we can do to help?
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: Perhaps you'd allow me to go find a medic for your engineer?
Rosek: ::glares at him:: I'm fine. And if you think we trust you not to make a break for it, you're crazy.
Longza: I’m not inclined to allow you to roam this building on your own Cjnur. You have broken my trust once and I am not in a forgiving mood.
Blair: Agreed. You tried to attack us once, I’m not going to let you have that chance again.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: If someone must accompany me, so be it. But I tell you I am trustworthy.
::Alex took a moment to think. They had come down to the
planet with Ensign Richards assigned to the team to help ‘protect’ them. Where
they stood, a security guard wasn’t truly needed.::
Blair: ::looking at Richards:: Ensign Richards has been sent with us as a security guard. He could potentially escort Cjnur in finding a medic.
Longza: If you feel that is a prudent decision I will allow it.
Fiorr: ?
Cjunr: Fine, Ensign Richards was it? Let's go, then...
Rosek: ::growls:: Stop! You don't give the orders around here. ::to Longza:: I'm fine. Don't let his attempts at complacency fool you. He'd escape in an instant given the opportunity.
::Alex immediately turned to Rosek and unintentionally glared at her as she rose her voice.::
Blair: What gives you that impression Lieutenant?
Cjnur/Fiorr: ?
Rosek: ::to Cjnur:: I'm an empath and a limited telepath. You're broadcasting loud and clear.
::Alex looked at Rosek questioningly. This was a development that he was entirely unaware of.::
Blair: I didn’t know your abilities were that strong Lieutenant.
Rosek: ::shakes her head:: Usually only by touch. The virus must be messing with my abilities.
::Alex looked at Rosek for a long moment, temporarily forgetting the personal issues he had with her.::
Blair: ::wiping sweat from his brow:: We need to keep an eye one these ‘developments’ Lieutenant.
Rosek: ?
Blair: ::looking at Richards and Cjnur:: Ensign take him and find a medic. ::Alex looked directly at Cjnur.:: If he even moves like he’s going to get away from you Ensign, don’t hesitate to shoot him.
Longza: That seems a bit harsh Commander Blair, but considering the predicament we are in I can understand. I’ll defer to your judgment.
Cjnur/Rosek/Fiorr: ?
::As the ensign and Cjnur left the room, Alex moved a couple of steps closer to the president and the desk.::
Blair: Mister President, you mentioned your willingness to help us?
::The president nodded and motioned for them to come
closer.::
Longza: Yes, I will cooperate with whatever you need.
Blair: If you’re willing, Lieutenant Rosek would like to take a blood sample for us to send to the USS Za for processing. Then we would love to take a look at those maps you mentioned.
Longza: Absolutely, let’s get started.
Rosek/Fiorr: ?
TAG/TBC
--------------------------------------
Commander Alex Blair
Chief Engineer
USS Za
T238906AB0
and
Longza
President
Nation of Kranstin
as simmed by
Commander Alex Blair
Chief Engineer
USS Za
T238906AB0