Playing the Politics Game
Posted on Sun Mar 8th, 2015 @ 7:51pm by Captain Liarra Von & Commander Jordan Gunning & Senva & Kinich Ahau & Can Tzicnal
Edited on on Sun Mar 8th, 2015 @ 7:53pm
Mission:
Vagrants, Vagabonds, and Thieves
Location: Parliament Building - Archa IV
Once again, Liarra found herself in the middle of negotiations, though this one should be much different than the incident on Myaz. In this case, she was heading down to Archa IV to meet with the Archan President, looking for a way to deal with the refugees on the station. At least she was already on fairly decent terms with the Archans, unlike the Myaz. And hopefully she wouldn't find herself getting shot at.
The annular confinement beam of the transported dissipated, and Captain Von and Lieutenant Matsumoto found themselves in the transporter room of the Archan Parliament building.
"Captain, Lieutenant." The Vulcan Diplomatic Corpsman said as his long robes swished in through the well-appointed doors of the transporter room. "We are expected in the President's chamber. Let us speak while we walk."
"Thank you, Senva," Von replied as she started off after the Vulcan. She didn't know him well, really only having met him when she scheduled the trip. But as part of the Federation consulate on Archa IV, she hoped that Senva would be able to tell her something useful before she met with the Archan president.
As they walked, the Vulcan's pace of speech seemed to increase with every step they took. "You have to understand, Captain, that the Archan Government is not predisposed to assist us with our current situation. To them the terms of their Federation membership does not make them beholden to the desires of Starfleet and- if I may be frank-"
He continued without waiting for permission. "-I don't believe that President Ahau has anything but his own reelection on his mind."
"He sounds pretty typical of most politicians, if I may be frank," Von replied. She wasn't really in a mood to deal with bureaucracy today, so if he was going to get rid of her, he was going to have to get his mind off the election. "But he has to remember that the terms of their Federation membership doesn't entitle him to having a starbase in orbit. You would think that he would be willing to compromise. After all, other than an orbit, what has he really provided to the station?"
"From their perspective, Captain." Senva replied, "They allowed the Federation to place a Starbase in orbit and the presence of said Starbase has decimated their only notable economy."
Von nodded along. "Fair enough, but we could argue that without the station, the Archan system could have already been targeted by the Sojourners or Ritorians. Being a protectorate of the Federation didn't do much for Thane. We're not asking for permanent residences for the refugees. We just need a place for them to stay why we complete repairs on their ships. Surely he can see reason in that."
"If I may speak freely, Captain." Senva half-asked before launching in anyway. "Asking a career politician to see reason if it goes against what makes them either look good or get re-elected. I wouldn't put anything past President Ahau."
"This is why I hate politics," Von replied, already annoyed with the whole thing. "Are politics this complicated on Vulcan, Senva?"
"Infinitely more so, Captain." Senva stated matter-of-factly.
"Then I feel sorry for the Vulcan people." Von took a deep breath. "I suppose we should get this over with."
"This is where I leave you, Captain." Senva said coming to a sudden stop at a magnificent carved door. "The President will be expecting you."
"Thank you Senva. Don't run off too far. If you hear shouting, you may have to stop in to rescue the President." Von doubted the Vulcan appreciated her joke, but that didn't stop her.
Liarra instinctively straightened her uniform jacket before opening the ornate door. On the other side was a large, rather well decorated office. Considerably more old fashion than what she would normally find in a Starfleet installation, the office was lined with wooden bookshelves, potted plants, and a couple of couches. Across the room from the door behind a large stained wooden desk sat President Ahau. Behind him was a large picture window looking out over the capital city. On each side of the window was a single flag. One flag represented the planet of Archan IV. The other was the unmistakable blue field representing the United Federation of Planets. The only real modern piece of technology in the room seemed to be the terminal on Ahau's desk.
Von strolled into the office, not letting her confidence slip. She had learned her lesson from the Myaz. If she showed any signs of intimidation, this meeting would go south in a hurry. "President Ahau, I am Captain Liarra Von." She gestured to the officer behind her and to her right. "This is Lieutenant Shinji Matsumoto. I don't believe you and I have had the pleasure of meeting in person."
President Kinich Ahau rose from his chair, buttoning the front of his jacket as he did so. The desk he stood behind was the perfect indicator of his self-importance. It was made of a heavy wood which very much resembled oak and so large that the President of Archa IV had to walk around the outside in order to greet the Captain.
He extended his hand to her in the traditional Federation greeting. "Captain Von, a pleasure. Lieutenant," he hesitated for a second, "Matsumoto. Nice to see you. I trust you know my foreign minister by her reputation? Can Tzicnal."
The Foreign Minister glared at the President from her chair at the far side of the office. The severe woman didn't stand but nodded vaguely at the two Starfleet officers.
Von nodded in the direction of Tzicnal. "Only by reputation," she lied. Liarra tried to stay out of Archan politics as much as she possibly could, and because of that, knew next to nothing about Ahau or Tzincnal, and Senva left the latter out of his briefing. It was no matter, but the captain didn't want to let either of them know that she was coming in to the meeting under prepared.
"Please take a seat." Ahau had turned away and was preparing a brightly coloured drink at a small bar behind his desk. "Would you like a drink?"
"No, thank you, Mr. President," Von answered. "We're on duty."
"So my Chief of Staff informs me that you wish to house Federation refugees on our planet?" Ahau said breezily, placing a drink in front of the officers. "I don't want to waste your time, Captain. I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Von carefully eyed the glass that Ahau sat in front of her. Like a typical politician, he didn't pay any attention to her response. "I understand that you have some concerns, Mr. President, but may I ask what they are." Liarra already thought coming down here was a waste of her time. But what the president may not have known was that she was stubborn and a fighter. She wasn't going to give up that easily. She knew why he didn't want to find a place for the refugees, but she wanted to force him to say it.
"My reservations are that the people of Archa Four do not want their borders opened to refugees. This is a resort planet, Captain, our tourism industry is suffering and no-one in this government believes that the influx of refugees from all around the galaxy is going to help that industry recover."
Liarra nodded, putting up the appearance that she cared what he was saying. "I understand that, Mr. President, but we're also not talking about refugees from all over the galaxy. We're talking about refugees from your backyard, from nearby systems. Starfleet is looking into a more long term solution. We don't intend to let them live on Archa IV forever. But even a temporary stay could end up being better for tourism than you give it credit for. Just think about how you could spin it. The Archans showed compassion for their neighbors, sheltering them in a time of need. Just think about what that good publicity could do to help boost the industry. We're not talking years here. We're talking weeks, a few months at the most. I wouldn't ask it of you at all, but the station simply can't support this many people at once. As soon as Starfleet has identified a suitable uninhabited planet where proper settlements can be established, the refugees will be led away. Besides, some of them are just waiting until their ships can be repaired anyway. Then they can be on their way."
Von sat back and reflected a moment, but added one more statement before Ahau could respond. "Don't forget, Mr. President, that once these people are back on their feet, they might remember the kindness that your people showed them, and would be willing to pay you back in kind."
Ahau's grin was as disingenuous as his words. "Captain Von, you have to understand that the people of Archa Four have already given up a lot to the Federation's presence here. I need not remind you of your predecessor's Marine Training Base which regularly sees live fire exercises on Archan soil, I need also not remind you that our tourism industry is suffering because of your presence in our orbit."
Liarra knew going into this that it would be an uphill battle. She had just hoped that they would have given her at least a little bit to work with. She opened her mouth to say something, but was quickly interrupted.
Can Tzicnal, who had kept her own counsel up until that moment suddenly rose from her chair. "You have to understand," she spoke with firebrand passion, "that many Archans see it that way- whether we would have been better off with or without Starfleet is largely immaterial. You can trust me that our opposition parties are using the influence of the Federation on Archan affairs as a hot button topic for the upcoming General."
There it is, thought Von. We're finally to the root of the problem, the General Election.
The Foreign Minister took a long, considered sip of her brightly coloured drink. "If you think that we are showing hostility to your plans, you need only look across the aisle at the braying horde who want to secede from the Federation entirely. There are those among them who would look to the Ritorians as being able to better serve their interests."
Ahau spread his hand wide. "Captain, Captain. I'm afraid my Foreign Minister is overstating the case somewhat. While it is true that our opposition is using the Federation's recent record as a peacekeeper against us, no-one is suggesting secession."
Von was tired of being talked down to and rose to her feet. "I'm glad no one is suggestion secession, because I don't respond well to threats. Tell me, Mr. President, would your opinion on the matter be any different had it not been an election year? Is it really better to let people suffer to keep yourself from looking bad in the polls?" She put her hands on his desk and leaned forward. "My job here isn't to win elections, or to be the most popular person in the room. I understand that I have to make very unpopular decisions to do my job. But my job is to keep you safe, not to coddle your economy. If you really want to invite the Ritorians back, be my guest. Believe it or not, I've seen the Ritorian occupation of this world first hand, and I don't recall it being all sunshine and roses. It's hard to have a thriving tourism industry when you're all under mind control, don't you think."
"Let's face it, Mr. President, Archa IV is in the middle of nowhere. The next most populace Federation world in this region is Cestus III. If it wasn't for the starbase to create a trade hub, who would come out here? Would it be the Ritorians? How about the Gorn? Surely the Klingons would enjoy trashing your resort towns."
The Starfleet captain straightened back out and started to pace around the room. "You and your opposition could theorize all you want about whether you're better off with the Federation or someone else. But I can guarantee you that the Sojourners would be rampaging through this sector whether I was here or not. And the way I see it, that station is the only thing keeping you safe from invasion, just like the attacks that drove those refugees here to begin with. Do you really think that they would leave you alone because of your sunny beaches and warm hospitality? Maybe you don't like our methods of keeping the peace, but at least the peace is kept. We keep you safe, we keep you relevant. And all I'm asking for is a few square miles to give some people much like yourselves a temporary home. I don't think that's so much to ask."
"You're here to protect us?!" Tzicnal flew forward from her seat, mashing her fist on the side of one of the luxurious couches. "You can't even keep your own people safe! Or what do you call that hole in the side of your station? The Gorn, the Klingons? When was the last time they lost a world to some rag-tag gang of pirates?"
"Tzicnal!" Ahau's voice cracked through the room, bringing all of his Presidential bearing down on the woman. "Step outside!"
Liarra let out a silent sigh of relief as she watched the foreign minister walk out of the room. Had she not been kicked out, Von was about two heartbeats away from punching her, which wouldn't have done much to help her case. No doubt that would have been fun to explain to the Fleet brass. At least the Archans wouldn't have had to worry about her being in command of the station anymore.
"My foreign minister is sceptical." Ahau said quietly as the door clicked shut behind the furious Tzicnal. "She's also part of a growing movement within our party that believes being an active part of the Federation. I apologise for her words; these are not the position of my government and we have no intention of threatening you."
The captain turned back to Ahau as he resumed speaking. "I understand. It's just a tense time for everyone right now. I know you have a lot on your plate right now, as do I. Trust me, I'm not comfortable with the Sojourners breathing down our necks either. She's not wrong about the Gorn or the Klingons, but they wouldn't have hesitated to bring the full might of their fleets down on the rag-tag group of pirates. Starfleet has chosen to attempt a more diplomatic route." The fact that Liarra would have preferred the Klingon solution she kept to herself. "But the fact still remains, we have to do something with the refugees until a more permanent solution can be found."
"In truth I would allow the refugees if it were down to me but the fact of the matter is that I have a House of Representatives to answer to, many of whom lie on a more fundamentalist strand than I do. What are their numbers?"
"We only have a rough number, but there are about twenty to twenty-five thousand total," she replied without needing to think about it. "Some of them are just waiting for ship repairs to be completed, but a lot of them are just stranded until they can get passage on other ships. A lot of them want jobs and a place to live. I would love to give them a place on the station, but there just isn't room." Resources were already strained just to repair the damage from the attack, but Liarra didn't want to bring up the bombing again, not after the way Tzicnal brought it up.
"Let me speak with my cabinet, Captain." Ahau replied thoughtfully. "If I can get them onside, I may be able to convince our Representatives."
Whether it went anywhere or not, at least the conversation was starting to go somewhere. "Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate that. I've asked my people to put together a rough plan of what we thought would be needed." Von turned and took a PADD from Lt. Matsumoto and handed it to Ahau. "I hope that this may help make the decision easier."
"I will look over it with my advisors." The President nodded, taking the PADD. "I make no guarantees but I will look into it."
"That's all I ask, Mr. President. I just want to make sure that the idea is considered, and not outright rejected." Realizing that was probably all the progress she was going to make that day, Liarra decided that it would be best to take her leave. "I appreciate your time, President Ahau. I look forward to hearing from you on your decision." Shaking the president's hand, Von and Matsumoto were soon on their way, the fate of the refugees still up in the air.
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Starbase 332
Senva
Diplomatic Corpsman
Kinich Ahau
Archan President
Can Tzicnal
Foreign Minister
(All NPCs played by Jordan Gunning)
