Location:   Crell, Howard Johnson's Hotel

Extra Notes: Overview of the Crag War and the admission of Crell to the Federation.

Posted By: William Bligh() [Captain, CO, USS Alliance]

Captain Bligh entered the Reception Hall with Ambassador Ralf at his side.  Most of the crew was already there, along with
nearly a hundred Crag dignitaries and Federation Ambassadors.  After checking in with the Crag in charge of the ceremonies,
Bligh approached the podium.  He tapped the mike to get people's attention.

"Gentlebeings.  Welcome.  I am Captain William Bligh of the USS Alliance.  It is an honor to be here with you on such an
important and historic occasion.

"Several months ago the Federation had never heard of the Crag, or Crell, or the Overlords.  Our first contact with the Crag was made by the USS Montgomery, when Crag forces destroyed a Borg colony.  Not long after the Romulans came to us asking for help.  War was not long to follow.

"In the beginning we knew little about your people.  We knew that you were short and furry, and that is all.  We also knew that
you were a strong enemy, one that was truly a match for Starfleet, myself and my ship included.  Many died on both sides before it was over.  That is a stain that we hope to erase here today.

"By a stroke of luck, the Alliance discovered that the Crag were not acting of their own will.  We learned of the Overlords and
your terrible plight from now-Prime Minister Daltuak, when he was captured on board my ship.  The Federation immediately
realized the truth of the situation.  The Crag were not the enemy.  They were a species in subjugation, a species enslaved by
oppressors, a species that knew the horror of what it was doing but was powerless to stop it.

"You could not be blamed for what you did.  And we do not blame you.  Instead I petitioned Commodore Field, who was in charge of the War effort, to allow me to attempt a clandestine attempt to free the Crag from their slavery, bringing an end to the needless slaughter of both sides.  Field approved, and the Alliance confronted the Overlords at the Star of Death.  With the help of many brave Starfleet officers we were able to destroy the Rolchana.

"With their source of power gone, the Overlords fled from your world.  They knew the wrongs they had committed, and they
knew that you would seek to repay the losses you had suffered.  The left, and have not been heard from since.  I doubt that they every will be.

"When your people came back into control of their own destiny, you petitioned the Federation for membership.  This, too, I
supported, seeing the honor with which you fought in battle, and the strength it took to live under Overlord rule without loosing
courage.  My ship hosted a cultural exchange, the end product of which we see here today.  Warriors all, we now stand here on the threshold of a new era.  An era of peace and prosperity for Crell and for the Federation.

"But the news is not all good.  During the exchange we discovered your old enemies, the Seetha.  They wanted to see the Peace Process derailed at any cost.  And they almost succeeded.  But Crag and Starfleet crew, working together, were able to uncover the plot and thwart it.  By working together, we pulled through with no casualties to Starfleet, Crag, or Seetha.

"Today, we have before us the final paperwork to bring Crell into the Federation.  As a full member, Crell will receive all the same benefits and responsibilities as any other member.  Furthermore, the unclaimed territories that were conquered by the Crag during the Overlord expansion will be annexed by the Federation, and plans drawn up to begin to establish Crag colonies on other worlds.  Your culture will spread across a dozen parsecs, and become a beacon to the Galaxy.

"Also as part of the admission the Crag Defense Force will be merged into Starfleet, so that both forces may together be
stronger.  The Fourth Fleet, The Forceful Fleet, the Fleet that was responsible for the liberation of Crell, has been assigned
permanently as the primary force in this region, and the defense of Crell is its primary mission.

"The Crag war machines built by the Overlords will be beaten into ploughshears, so that Crell may rebuild itself and again
prosper.  The Crag warships will be brought into Starfleet, to be staffed by Starfleet and Crag alike.  Already the Crag Furry-class Destroyer has been refitted to create the Freedom-class vessel.  The Yub nub.  May it symbolize the joint future we now have before us.

"But it will be a future fraught with difficulty.  I received word earlier today that Sith has declared its opposition to this act, and the Seetha have readied ships to pirate the region now that the Overlords have left.  Starfleet will not let this happen.  The Seetha Pirates will not be allowed to destroy the future of the Crag race, or of the Federation.

"I must close on a sad note.  Due to the recent war with the Crag and the continuing war with the Dominion, Starfleet's forces
have been stretched thin in many regions.  Now that the War with your people is over, Starfleet is transferring many ships to serve in a new Fifth Fleet on the other side of the Federation, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.  As the Alliance has shown itself to be a ship of peace, a ship that can help bring stability to a region, Starfleet Command has has ordered the Alliance to be part of this new fleet.

"I find it difficult to say good bye.  Although I have spent more time at war with Crell than has her ally, I find that Crell has
become important to me in a way I cannot describe.  I will miss this world.  I will miss not seeing it returned to its days of beauty and glory.  I will miss not seeing the Tower of Wicket Rebuilt.  I will miss not seeing Endor Forest restored.  I will miss its inhabitants, its friendly, decent, honorable people.  I will miss the Crag, and I can only hope that you will honor me by allowing me to say that today is one of the happiest and saddest days of my life.  And I thank you for the ability to speak with you here today.  Ambassador Ralf, may I have the treaty?"

Ralf handed a PADD to Bligh.  Bligh held it in his right hand for all to see.  Slowly, and with great force of purpose, Bligh pressed his left thumb against the PADD's thumb print access.  It chirped as it read his thumb print, and it was done.  The room, now filled only with Federation members, erupted in applause.  A tear came to Bligh's eye as he listened to the crowd.  He may never see them again.  But that was his duty.  For now, all he could do was hope for the best, and finish the task at hand.

"People of Crell.  Welcome to the Federation.  Welcome to the Future."

--Captain Bligh

Damn, I should be a speech writer.