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Conference Room- Senior Officer Briefing (The Sands of Tenra)

Posted Feb. 9, 2023, 6:08 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Cassidy Abrams (Chief of Security) (Lindsay B)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vora Zorell (Scientist) in Conference Room- Senior Officer Briefing (The Sands of Tenra)

Posted by Lieutenant Seddk Vock (Chief Medical Officer) in Conference Room- Senior Officer Briefing (The Sands of Tenra)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Stephen Stous (XO) in Conference Room- Senior Officer Briefing (The Sands of Tenra)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Mathys resisted commenting to the Captain that his mother would’ve disagreed. She was a punctual type during his childhood and taught him the value of time. In her book, being five minutes early was on time. Instead, his attention turned to the debriefing for their current task. He had never heard of the planet until now.

“I’ll admit, I’m curious about that too. Especially since I’m not familiar with this planet at all. However, the fact you have to warn us about some things also concerns me.”

-CE, Mathys Ducote

Stephen raised his hand somewhat timidly. “I agree with Commander Ducote - it seems odd not to have heard anything about a planet the Federation permanently stations a vessel with. I’m also curious, is there any activity on the moons? I’d imagine they at least affect our geostationary orbit.”

~ Lt. Cmdr Stous - XO

Vora took in the questions with an understanding nod. “First question first, while I don’t have all the details, as I understand it, there is one project in Kemmori which has a large area of feverland. There are few things that survive there, but using specialized shelters and equipment, they are studying the effects of longer durations spent out there to understand how Tenraith and species from other hotter worlds have evolved to handle such extreme temperatures. There’s another joint science-medical project studying ancient Tenraith medicine from our temperate and tropical regions. It extends into a related science project studying the thousands of bioluminescent flora and fauna species in our subterranean regions that Tenraith for generations have known about and in one case there is a fungi that is known to cure a particular childhood illness that used to kill thousands of children every year but the old clan stories spoke of this cure and it was rediscovered early in the partnership. And don’t think engineering isn’t going to be interested either. My people have been surviving with little surface water for a very long time. We might not be as technologically sophisticated as the Federation, but we are experts in survival,” Vora said with a bit of pride that surprised even herself. “I’ll come back to the question about the moons in a bit but the other question will take some time to explain and discuss.”

Now came the hard part. Zorell took a deep breath and steadied herself, glancing briefly at Johann for reassurance.

“There are… reasons our relationship with the Federation is so far just scientific collaboration so far. It’s uh, not a secret that I myself came from a rather rough upbringing. But I recognize that while it’s common knowledge for many on the ship, others here are new and this is new to you.” Breathe, Vora, she reminded herself.

“Tenra is at a tipping point. It’s reached the milestones of an elected planetary government and wrap drive, but there are many societal challenges the planet have been facing still. Things that have escalated in recent decades. We are, not to put too fine a point on it, dealing with things that places in the Federation haven’t dealt with in hundreds of years. I mentioned Cortallo in the beginning, partly as a joke, but they are the concern I have. They are, as some of you got to have first hand knowledge of, an organized crime syndicate that originated in Kebbran, our capital. You name a crime your mind associates with organized crime, and Cortallo likely engages in it. They’ve corrupted a lot of systems on the planet and their reach is deep and far, at least on the planet. Though, a few years ago they made a play for a partnership with the Orion Syndicate. Fortunately, it did not get very far.”

Vora swallowed. “It would be easy to hear some of the horror stories from Tenra related to Cortallo and ask why the Federation would be involved. But what you need to understand and what I myself have to remind myself of, is that Cortallo is not Tenra, and the Tenraith people are not Cortallo, as much as Cortallo would have you believe to the contrary.” She turned her gaze out the windows for a moment gathering her thoughts. When she returned her maroon eyes to the people gathered around the table, there was a fierceness present that Vora rarely displayed. “I grew up in Kebbran in the neighbourhood that Cortallo controls and originated in. It was impossible to exist there without their influence. My story is not unique. I knew so many that also fell into drugs and alcohol and other incredibly difficult things. Cortallo told me who I could be, what I could do and that at the end of the day I was worth nothing if that was what they decided. But I did the one thing as far as I know to date has never happened… I left Cortallo. With help, I got out before any number of things killed me. Most people who try to escape do die.” She shrugged. “It was our reality.

“But I’m not telling this because I want your sympathy or pity, but because my going back to Tenra right now is my choice. Before today I had been adamant that I would never return, and that I would do anything to keep my son away from Cortallo. But things have changed. I have family I never knew about that I have the opportunity to meet. And for someone whose experience of a planet came from ten square kilometres of a single city, I’ve realized I don’t know my own planet, or my people. I’m about to get to know it for the first time, just like you. The difference is that for me, it’s risky. And I understand that I am inviting a measure of risk into our visit. It would not be fair to ask you to get to know Tenra without being aware of that risk. As I said, Cortallo’s reach is deep. Even if I took every precaution to avoid my presence being public knowledge, I am the only Tenraith living in the Federation and in Starfleet. They will know soon after I set foot on the planet. However, for… reasons, I actually don’t think they will do anything more than let me know that they know I am there.” She gestured for them to go ahead, knowing the myriad of questions that might now arise.

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

Stephen took a few moments to take in what Zorell had just said, hoping someone else would say something. Soon no longer able to withstand the silence, he half-raised his hand. “I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like for you. Is there any chance that history could send Cortallo attention our way? Do we need an increased surface security presence?”

~ Stephen Stous - XO

Vock spoke up after considering the issue. “Logic would indicate that your presence on the planet is an elevated level of risk to both you and those around you… as well as the projects being discussed. I do understand the desire to meet one’s family, however. Would it not be safer for all involved to have you stay on the ship and bring your family to you?”

Vock, CMO

Vora drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, of course, you’re right, that would be easier and less risky and on fronts. But… and I cannot stress this enough, Cortallo had too much of a say in my life for far too long. They dictated what I did, who I could interact with, how I was allowed to express myself.” She shook her head. “No more. I’ve worked too hard for too many years since I left Tenra to figure out who I was, who I wanted and could be. I know I’m asking a lot here, but maybe not because I’m asking you to help me live my own life and not have my first instinct always to be worrying what Cortallo might or might not do. I took refuge in the Federation to reclaim my life for myself, and in the end too, for my son. Don’t ask us to go backwards.”

She gestured to Cassidy. “But Lieutenant Abrams and I have spoken a lot over the years about all of this and I know she has some thoughts on the security end.”

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

Cass nodded and smiled warmly at Vora. She knew how hard it was for her friend to stand up there and talk about any of this, but to do so with such confidence was a testament to Vora’s growth. “I’ve bene giving it some thought and I agree with Vora that if we go too much on the defensive, we’re just fuelling Cotrallo’s belief that they still have a hold over Vora. While there are some… factors that we may or may not need to discuss here, I think at a minimum we can reduce some of the risk by ensuring a buddy system by any crew on the surface. There might be times when that isn’t appropriate, and we can look at those separately, but on the whole I think making sure no one is raoming about on their own would in the very least be pudent.”

“Additionally, given that members of Cortallo rather blatantly abducted Vora before, she and I have discussed another precaution and she’s agreed to have a subdermal transponder. If there’s an issue we can beam her and anyone with her out.” Cass folded her hands on the table. “I don’t want us getting jumpy though. Cortallo has had many years to try and instigate further contact since… previous events involving the Europa and the main actor in that situation is no longer a concern. The evidence suggests that there is a likelihood that they will leave her, and by extension us, alone.”

Abrams, COS


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