Sapphire Seal

Posted on Tue May 26th, 2020 @ 7:57am by Councilor Caxl & Ambassador Ras th'Zaanaq & Councilor Idris Kizak of Betazed
Edited on on Thu May 28th, 2020 @ 12:57am

2,162 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Vanderbilt Building, San Francisco
Timeline: 2430-01-09, 14:00

Ambassador Caxl of Benzar stepped into the nearly empty Federation Council Chamber with a spring in his step that hadn't been there in a very long time. The Federation Council was not in session today, but it had been the perfect opportunity for him to just take a moment for himself and feel the enormity of what he'd set in motion. It felt right, but had it been the right course?

He took a breath from the rebreather as he looked around the massive room. An outgrowth of the original chamber built centuries prior, the Federation Council Chamber had undergone a lot of retrofits as the life of the United Federation of Planets had progressed. Originally it only housed delegates from around a dozen worlds, but now the Chamber had been expanded to fit as many as 300 if needed. Now he was threatening to take it away.

Did they not see the threat of what they were doing? To develop a relationship with the Dominion was pure and simply insanity. They'd killed billions during the Dominion War, enslaved entire worlds, now Gruzy and his nearsighted administration wanted to break bread with them. Worse, it only served to rile up the Klingons and Romulans since they were denied access to the Dominion representatives. Insanity.

He looked at the massive emblem of the Federation adorning the wall above the Speaker's Podium and just stared at the Sapphire Seal. If people like him weren't willing to fight for the Federation then maybe it deserved what was coming.

“Taking one last look, Ambassador.” Ras asked as he approached the Benzar Ambassador from behind. He spoke truthfully rather than sarcastically. The Andorian didn’t want to see any planets secede from the Federation but he knew the threat was very real.

"Wondering more if your President will lead us to that necessity," the Benzite countered the comment.

“Is it something you really want?” The Andorian asked.

"Hello," Idris greeted as he approached from another entrance. "Are you leaving us?" He asked.

Ras cleared his throat before turning to the newcomer. He recognized the face but they had actually met yet. “Ambassador Kizak, a pleasure to finally meet you.” He said with a smile as a way of changing the subject from what was being discussed with the Benzite Ambassador. He didn’t feel it necessary to broadcast what Caxl and his followers where planning.

"You as well Ambassadors," Idris offered his hand to Ras.

"Ambassador th'Zaanaq was just talking with me about my views on the Dominion Alliance that President Gruzy is trying to force upon us," the Benzite said firmly. "Since my world was invaded by the Dominion during the War we're strongly opposed to the alliance that they're promoting." He smiled, "My Andorian friend is trying to change my government's position."

"Ah yes, as you may be aware my world had been invaded by the Dominion as well and we're not happy with the Federation either, however isn't peace something we all want?" Idris asked, he had been on his world during the invasion so he tried to ignore the memory flares as he schooled his expression to be neutral.

The Secretary of Defence shook the Betazoid’s hand before answering. “I’m hardly trying to change your governments mind, I just want you to see the bigger picture. Where will Benzar be in 10 years time? Still a peaceful prosperous place or under the rule of the...Romulan Empire didn’t you say?” The Andorian asked. “I can’t see the Empire seeing Benzar other than a third rate planet instead of an equal partner that the Federation see’s when it looks at Benzar.”

The Benzite considered the words for a moment before responding to them, carefully thinking about what had been said. The Romulans weren't an ideal choice for anyone, far from it, but could they really remain with a group that had abandoned them and their wishes so clearly? He took a breath from his rebreather as he thought of the perfect response, "The Devil you know..."

"I will however make you a deal Ambassador Caxl, if we support each other, I will see to it that both our worlds will be heard louder." Idris didn't want to go into detail while the Andorian Ambassador was nearby for he could probably put an end to any plans they discussed in the open.

The Betazoid turned to the Andorian. "Ambassador th'Zaanaq, can I count on your support as well and I will provide what assistance I can to you?" Idris asked figuring that he might as well start poking at his fellow council members to see where their true motivations stand.

“Myself nor Andoria will not stand against the President on this issue. The war was a long time ago, the Dominion haven’t posed a threat for many years. It’s not like we’re handing over power to them, we just want to make a formal friendship. Taking drastic steps like Ambassador Caxl has suggested is premature and if I’m totally honest, ludicrous.” The Andorian replied in his cool even tone.

"Then forgive me for being ludicrous," the Benzite answered defiantly. "More efforts by the United Federation of Planets and the 'Core Worlds' to enforce their will upon the others." He looked at the Representative of Betazed, "You and your government may not see it, Betazed being one of the chosen few, but the Federation favors some worlds over others. They neglected my world during the war - letting it be saved by the Romulans in their absence. They fought for your world, struggled to save it in fact. Your world has been home to the most recent Federation President, mine has barely scraped by since the War." He looked between the two, "I am tired of the blunders, I am tired of the empty promises. Perhaps this makes me ludicrous, but old wounds run deep."

"What promises has the Federation failed to keep?" Idris asked, curious as to what the administration planned to give the Benzites. "I also should point out that your world is actually closer to the 'Core Worlds' then mine is, though it isn't something we can control our worlds' locations." He frowned, "I would like to remind the councilor that a Federation President's actions should not reflect on the people or government of that President's species. The President's actions are their own responsibility. Good or bad." He straightened to his full height and put his hands behind his back.

“At the end of the day, these are just preliminary talks. It’s not like the president has thrown the Federation Council out the window and is pushing for an alliance with the Dominion. These are preliminary talks, when there is something to talk about the President will come to the council and give us the information we need to make a decision on what happen next. Delivering ultimatums is hardly becoming of an Ambassador who sits on the council.” Ras replied, growing frustrated with his Benzar counterpart. “Perhaps you need to start living in the present rather than the past, Caxl.”

"Without a past, the present can have no future." Idris said sagely, though he nodded. "Though it is dangerous to be stuck in the past for time doesn't wait for no-one. Perhaps the level of relationship with the Dominion can be negotiated with the President, while having a better relationship then war is preferable?" He asked both officials.

The Andorian glanced at Idris, “I’d fully understand if this happened 5 or 10 years ago but 55 years, that’s a long time to hold a petty grudge.” Being a Veteran of the Dominion war himself he found it very insulting that the Federation didn’t consider Benzar an important planet.

The Betazoid turned to the Andorian. "And how long did it take for the Federation citizenry to trust the Romulans after all we have been through at their hand?" Idris asked. "Grudges are irrational like phobias, I'm sure many officers still do not completely put to rest their grudges when it could be about friends and or family. I am far from trusting the Dominion but I can see merit in peacemaking but this is more about the Federation administration being seen as unable to treat every member equally and provide defense to all members."

Idris gestured at the Andorian. "It may not be something you can see because the Andorians are a founding member of the Federation, like the Tellarites, Humanity and Vulcans. They will always be in a historical position of influence. I'm not sure it is something the Council can help with other than encouraging more diversity in the government, though we do that now anyway. Sorry I am rambling."

He turned to the Benzite as he hoped Caxl would answer the broken promises question.

The young Benzite took the bait, "When it comes to broken promises the most glaring is that the Federation ignored our plight during the Dominion War and left us. The Federation promised to protect us if we joined them, yet when our time came an enemy came to our rescue. That was why we supported the efforts to help the Romulans during the loss of their world all those decades ago. They came to help us while others failed." He took a breath from his rebreather, having depleted himself.

"We won't see eye to eye on this," the Councilor relented as he said it. "Just know that if this alliance happens, my delegation will step away. No hard feelings, no empty threats, just a realization of the reality you face." He turned and started toward the door to the rectangular chamber.

Idris watched the Benzite walk away. He wondered about the reality Benzar was about to face should they cede from the Federation. Were they fully prepare to lose all the benefits of membership, the Dominion War notwithstanding, for the future? Sure the Council would probably vote for trading and commerce to continue with the Benzites if they allowed it.

The Betazoid decided to do some research first before he approached this situation again, Idris faced the Andorian again. He lowered his voice. "Any other members have said they will leave the Federation should this Alliance with the Dominion be finalised Ambassador?"

“That’s something I can’t comment on.” Ras replied giving the Betazoid a telling look. Perhaps he was to hard on the Benzite Ambassador, but he didn’t want to see the Federation being to crumble. Plus the loss of communications with the USS Spock still concerned him greatly.

Idris raised one eyebrow. "Can't or won't or you simply do not know?" He asked, "the sooner we know the sooner we can guide those back to the table, it may be too late for the Benzites but it may not be for others." He said and smiled. "I will start meeting with other councilors and gauge their intentions should this alliance be set. If you hear anything it could be the difference between keeping this great Federation unified or disbanded in various degrees."

He turned about to head out as well but looked over his shoulder. "If you could make clear to the President that it would be wise to not make it a full alliance treaty. We can minimise the impact of the treaty so to say the Administration aren't completely disregarding the fact that some members of the Council are being ignored." Idris took a few steps but looked back over his shoulder at Ras again. "Maybe even invite the councilors of the worlds mostly affected by the War to the treaty writing meetings may help them see how important their views of the treaty terms are. I know that may seem like showing favouritism but since they feel abandoned, I seem to think they should get some additional treatment as the other member worlds didn't have to go through an invasion and or enemy occupation."

Idris faced Ras and gave a slight bow and straightened a moment later. "Of course I am only offering advice and suggestions for the President to consider, for imagine if your world were invaded by the enemy and abandoned by your allies and to top it off liberated by a power other then the one you were a member of. How would you feel? Best of luck Secretary of Defense." He said.

“I won’t say as it’s not my place to. My reason for knowing is only because I’m filling the president's shoes while he is off world.” The Andorian replied, having calmed himself down from the exchange with Caxl. “I shall mention everything you have said to the President, whether or not he listens is ultimately down to him.” He added as he placed his arms behind his back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have other matters to attend to.”

"Take care," Idris said and walked out.

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