We Privileged Few

Posted on Sun Dec 27th, 2020 @ 5:02am by President Gruzy of New Xindus & Secretary Lawrence Wilkinson of Lyshan

875 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: President's Office
Timeline: 2430-07-24

It wasn't every day you got to meet the president of the United Federation of Planets. Indeed that day would never come for the vast majority of Federation citizens. But to be allowed into his office, to be allowed to converse with him was the biggest privilege Lawrence could conceive of. After all he was now being guided to the door of arguably the most powerful man this side of the Bajoran wormhole. He was a mix of being a bag of nerves and being like an excitable school child on a class outing. The long walk of the corridors had now come to it's conclusion and his guide went into the office to announce Lawrences arrival.

President Gruzy of New Xindus sat at his desk in the Red Room, the President's primary office, situated on the 30th floor of the Palais de la Concord on Earth. He was sitting with distracted attention between the PADD he held in his hand and the scenic view of the Eiffel Tower outside his window. While the contents of the datapad were important the view of Paris was hard to not be drawn into.

Behind him he heard the doors to the ceremonial office of the President slid open. He heard the announcement, but kept his view on the transparasteel window. The Reptilian Xindi set aside the PADD abd turned away from his view to address the newcomers.

"Welcome," he greeted from his seat at the obsidian desk. He motioned to the four padded single chairs for visitors, arranged in a semi-circle, opposite him. "Please join me," he offered.

"Thank you Mr President," the councillor replied taking the offered seat. "Can I just say what an honour it is just to be in this office, let alone in your company, sir."

The Xindi Reptilian smiled, "And I to be in yours." He really wasn't a fan of the pomp and circumstance of his position most of the time and he never felt like he would be. "I've been looking forward to meet you for some time. As you may be aware I am part of the Council in addition to being the Chief Executive of the Federation and will probably have a lot of interaction with you during your tenure."

Lawrence couldn't work out any reason for the president being in so much anticipation for seeing him, but he took it as a compliment none the less. "Thank you sir, I hope to serve the federation well by your side. But if you don't mind me asking, why is it you have been looking forward to this meeting?"

He didn't hold back, "The Federation Judiciary Council is lacking a head at this moment. I am appointing you to the role of Secretary of the Judiciary Council. Essentially, you're our lawyer."

"You're appointing me?" came the stunned reply. As a lawyer it was always a dream to achieve this position. But there was something incredulous about the way in which it was being given. How could the president be so sure he would accept? And for the question to be so sudden? There had to be an immediate need for his service.

"I take it you need me to take care of something, right now?" He asked sounding more like he was the one in authority here.

The President shifted in his seat as he continued, "Frankly, I'm never sure how things are going to go in the Council. While we are all working together, sometimes I know that they are a bit more guarded than we should be. The Dominion alliance is the perfect example of this. We cannot, we should not, risk the future based upon pettiness. Don't you agree?"

"We are politicians sir," the newly appointed Secretary replied. "Pettiness is somewhat of a guarantee. But I agree that our pettiness shouldn't ever be at the expense of the Federations future."

"Glad we see eye to eye," the Xindi Reptilian answered as he picked a violet colored diplomatic datapad up from the table. Glancing at the screen he slid it forward, "I am hereby appointing you as Chairperson of the Federation Judiciary Committee, Secretary Wilkinson. Gaia, execute on my authority."

The holographic artificial intelligence of the United Federation of Planets appeared out of nowhere at the edge of the desk. She smiled at the newly appointed Secretary, "Command and authorization confirmed. Congratulations, Secretary Lawrence Wilkinson of Lyshan. You are hereby acknowledged as the Attorney General for the United Federation of Planets."

The hologram had startled Secretary Wilkinson. Having spent most of his life in the outer colonies of the federation where technology was behind that of the key central planets, he wasn't overly used to them. "Thank you," he said in reply before adding, "I think," under his breathe.

The President nodded, "I said much the same thing when I accepted the role of President Pro Tempore after the Disaster at Vulcanis Lunar Colony. We all have seen how that turned out." A series of tones came from his desk. Gruzy tapped the control and a holographic screen appeared, "It would appear that my next appointment has arrived. If you'll excuse me my assistant will see you out."

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