STF

Away Team One

Posted May 8, 2019, 4:40 a.m. by Gamemaster GM (Gamemaster) (Kenson Koh)

Posted by Lieutenant Riley Dekker (CNS & 2O) in Away Team One

Posted by Gamemaster GM (Gamemaster) in Away Team One

Posted by Lieutenant Sage Brennan (CMO) in Away Team One
Once in the antechamber he pitched his voice low enough that only his team would hear, “The Pallasian delegation is very keen on learning more about our technology, and what I sensed when I described our prime directive left me unsettled. But it was their hands that prompted my actions. Thoughts?”

He wanted to hear from the others who had been in the room before contacting the Genny.

Dekker, CNS

“When did their gloves come off?” Sage asked. “They WERE gloved when we entered the room, weren’t they? Because if they were, then all of them sneaking them off was a tactical decision and that doesn’t bode well for us.” Exactly how much information could the Pallasian’s get from the crew on their own? Even if the officers told them nothing, what could they glean from them simply through touch?

—Sage

Chan nodded “I believe so. they can move fast for none of us to catch that. Or something else is up. However to seems so far things are a little rocky i mean we barely got in there and now we’re out here. It doesn’t look very good.” she said giving her thoughts.

“Also it doesn’t help when egos and arrogance get in the way.” She said looking directly at David “What exactly where you thinking? you don’t just walk up to a new race, that you’ve just met and say oh by the way that energy source that’s keeping you all alive is bad. it makes it look like we’re trying to lord it over them. You have to be far more diplomatic than that. Humans once where very similar, maybe you forgot that in the 29th.” she added.

Lieut Chan (Sub-DH Robotics)

Chan’s criticism wasn’t unwarranted, David’s diplomacy skills were lacking. In fact, Riley was pretty sure that’s why Marius wanted him leading the team that include the Chief Scientist.

“Let’s focus. I agree, the bared hands was the turning point for me. We don’t know enough of the Pallasians to know if it is an overtly hostile act, but it makes me uncomfortable. I think it’s time to contact the Genny.”

Riley looked around to assure himself that they were out of earshot from their hosts and pressed his commbadge.

=/\=Away Team One to the Genesis. Captain, we’ve begun discussions with our hosts. They seem keenly interested in our communications technology. We’ve discussed the restrictions of our Prime Directive and am afraid we’ve had to step out as we may need advice on exactly what we can share.=/\= Riley kept his language neutral, hoping Marius and the others knew him well enough to read between the lines. He stressed the next sentence. =/\=It has us very concerned that we could divulge more information than would be appropriate. The Pallasians have bared their outstretched palms, so to speak, hoping we may be able to assist them.=/\=

It wasn’t a phrase Riley knew to really exist, but it sounded like an idiom and if any Pallasians were listening he hoped they’d read no more deeply into his words.

Dekker, CNS

What the CNS read in the situation were anxiety, confusion and earnestness. If anything, he did not read any duplicity

GM

bump

=^=Did you read that? Theoretically the being gloveless is a sign of trust. It also probably increases their psychic sensitivity so… six of one half dozen of the other. =^= Marius could not help his semi-suspicious nature. =^=Continue negotiations, you’re doing great… but don’t trade away the farm.=^=

Marius

=/\=Acknowledged. Away Team out.=/\=

Riley looked to his team. Sage, David, and Chan were three people he’d known and served with for years, and he had implicit trust in their judgment. The verdict from the ship was reassuring, but the entire away team had felt the same unease at seeing their hosts bared hands amid their questioning.

“We go back in,” he stated matter of factly. “Lt. Michaels, you have insight here you can’t share. I understand that, but the minute you sense we could be in danger, I’m counting on you to let us know.”

David let out a gruff sort of grunt, stubbornly folding his arms across his chest. After looking from Chan to Sage and then back to Riley he gave a nod.

“I’ll watch the room as well. If anything is amiss I’ll let you know, descritly of course” Chan said simply.

Riley led his team back to the table.

Chan flowed Riley in. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t a little bit nervous

“I apologize for our brief departure,” he addressed the Neve first, but looked to all of those present in turn. “I’m afraid our Federation is very particular about our Prime Directive and I needed guidance from our Captain. We are ready to proceed.”

Dekker, CNS

Lieut Chan (Sub-DH Robotics)

The group looked visibly relieved, although the tension in the air was not as before. Dekker could feel fear from the Pallasians present. It was a fear of those who faced a superior.

“Please then,” said Neve, “please state what aid you can provide us.”

GM

“We can provide assistance,” David said. He took a breath. “Perhaps if you tell us directly what it is you want from us we can go from there.”

-David Michaels, CSO

David’s words were more blunt than Riley’s would have been, but he appreciated the man’s ability to cut to the chase.

OOC: Ya’ll talk pritty.

“We had been sending probes out to search for more resources as our planet’s are depleting. We have encountered problems when our own ‘entrepreneurs’ …” Neve said the last word with emphasis. “… had decided to thwart our efforts by becoming pirates. Whilst we had found ways to reduce the occurrence of piracy, we cannot rule out that it would resurface in the future. We had figured out a few solutions to help us with the depleting resources, and the two we had found the most possible for our survival was: one, to go further into space to look for the resources; or two, improve our technology so that we can use renewable energy, so that it would take a longer time to deplete the resources we already have.”

Riley recognized the problem. Middle school history back in Seattle had covered Earth’s own struggle with the effects of early industrialization. Finite resources were consumed at increasingly rapid paces and their dirty remnants had caused devastating alterations to the planets ecosystem and climate. Still, Earth had survived.

Bassa raised his hand and Neve gave a nod. “As we ventured into space, our imaginations ran wild. There were those who painted the horrors of beings from outer space that might cause destruction to our planet. Your arrival has affirmed the existence of other worldly beings. Whilst we are confident that you are peaceful, we cannot avoid the possibility that other beings we encounter might be hostile. We seek help in protecting our planet.”

GM

“That is a noble goal, Neve, and one everyone at this table can understand. You have a number of very accomplished scientists sitting here at this table. If you would like to show us more of your situation, we would be open to assisting where we can.”

Riley was grateful for the make up of his team. As a counselor he was of little use beyond the diplomatic conversation, but Sage, Chan, and David represented a cross section of the best scientific minds the Genesis had to offer.

Dekker, CNS

Neve said to Bass and Sora, “I suppose we would need to show them our strategies for our defences.”

Dekker could sense that Neve was a little worried. He had chosen his words carefully. After all, the leader of a planet could not be too liberal with information regarding their planetary security.

The two ministers loioked at one another and went off to prepare the next presentation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, before Messers Bassa and Sora present what we have, let me explain to you where Pallas finds itself today,” Neve explained. “We were a planet of many different peoples, it was the threat of nuclear annihilation that forced us to look squarely at our state of affairs 300 years ago. Uranium was seen as an asset and a curse. Whilst it provided us with cheap energy, it had the power to destroy devastatingly. A group of one faction who was poorer than its neighbour had resolved to steal a shipment of uranium for their own use. They were discovered and in trying to escape, they caused a nuclear explosion. The island on which they had hoped to steal the shipment was wiped off from the face of the planet. The nearest two towns were also destroyed. As the nuclear contamination threaten the whole of the planet, a large group of scientists were enlisted to see how we could isolate and clean the sea and the surrounding area. A lot of man-hours were spent isolating the contamination and it was only about 100 years ago that the area was considered clean. We had succeeded in creating a process by which the radioactive atoms caused by the explosion was able to be absorbed into a special suffactant-like compound. It was using the same principles that we were able to clear radioactivity in our failed ship propulsion experiments.”

“Even before that uranium became a curse. Yet, it was something that, in the right hands, could benefit all Pallasians. Treaty after treaty were signed and reviewed during the years after the accident. It took ninety years before it was unanimously accepted that only a global non-governmental agency would have the right to handle the material. The technology advanced quickly. Using a rather complicated process of financing, the agency was able to provide energy without cost to public amenities. One of the effects of this move was that Pallasians, from which part of the planet they came from, had equal access to public resources. It took only one generation for most of the Pallasians to realise that it was good to unite under one planet. This became even more expedient when space travel was possible. Today, the global agency collaborates with the planetary government in using the energy obtained from uranium.”

GM

OOC: Guys, I’m so sorry for my absence. So much has been going on and changes being made for the future. Sometimes its all I can do to cover all the ‘have tos’ in one day. If no one (Luke) has an objection, I’ll try once again to keep up. I’ve read the last month’s worth of posting so I’m caught up.)

OOC: Real life always takes precedent. We can chat via e-mail to discuss this.
Luke

IC:
Sage still wasn’t quite convinced that their bare hands were something she could trust, but as a Star Fleet officer it was her duty to apply herself to the current problem. The Federation had several ways to treat contamination from radioactivity, even prophylactic solutions that would keep the problem from ever occurring. But first the team would need an in depth look at what the Pallasian’s current technological levels were regarding uranium. She was surprised when Neve presented the information that the Genesis had delivered their first ‘alien’ experience to them. and wanted to warn the people of Pallas that others they might come across could be violent and murderous, but the Prime Directive was heavy on each of their minds.

—Sage

OOC: From the dialogue with the Pallasians, the Genesis crew members should realise that the Pallasians were aware that the Genesis had technology which was very much more advanced than theirs. They had to assume that the planet stood no chance against the Genesis. As the Genesis had asked for dialogue, the Pallasians were doing their best not to offend the Genesis.

GM

Chan listened as their host spoke. She knew the advantages and many disadvantages of nuclear power it was a dangerous force and even if it was used for good bad was usually not far behind it. She could understand the need for tactical superiority too. However star fleet were not in the business of giving weapons. However maybe they could help with reorganizing there defensive plan and what they do in tactical situation. Sometimes that could help cover for a number of other issues.

Lieut Chan (Sub-DH Robotics)

The social progress Neve described was far more in Riley’s wheelhouse than the specifics of the technical discussion. For the latter he relied on the other members of their party. He sensed Chan’s curiosity and Sage’s wariness, but if he were to describe his own current feeling it would be closer to frustrated compassion. For a society to struggle through catastrophe and come out the other side more united rather that riven was not as simple as Neve’s recitation indicated. When the Federation looked to admit new members, planetary unity and cooperation were key indicators of a society’s readiness.

“I thank you for sharing your history with us. I find it remarkable that your world has found a political solution that seeks to benefit all. In too many worlds’ history, including my own, we’ve seen self-interest and distrust delay or prevent such accord. I am deeply curious to hear more of how it works, but I suspect the scientists among us,” Riley gestured to his team, “are curious to hear more about your needs in their realm of expertise.”

Dekker, CNS

“If it is possible,” Sora said, “we would like to know how to develop a more stable energy source than what we currently have. Unless you have developed very good shielding, a ship your size would have to have an enormous store of radioactive material to move through space further than we currently have knowledge of. I daresay that you have a more stable and lighter fuel. Whilst I understand that you are not allowed to freely distribute the fuel you have, could you help us to move on from uranium to another more reliable fuel?”

Bassa added, “Would you be able to help us with the development of a better way to defend our planet if it is not possible to obtain more advanced weapons?”

GM

“We use matter an anti-mater in are star ships however to make everything work we need dilithium to act a as controller. Matter/ anti matter isn’t to hard to create however the biggest difficulty is finding dilithuim out here. There may be a substitute but again it’s difficult to go into to much detail as it would mean sharing tech. Which as you know is a very strict affair in the federation. However we might be able to have a look at your power systems and find a way to make them ore efficient and find a better to way to deal with waste.” Chan said speaking up for the first time. “As for your defenses If you’re willing I’ll take a look. My people, the Andorians are know for our military. We also have tactical specialists on board our ship.” she added. Chan hoped she hadn’t over stepped her mark she always found it hard where to exactly draw the line when it came to information sharing.

Lieut Chan (Sub-DH Robotics)

Sora’s eyes widened. “You have broken through in stabilising antimatter?” Then his face turned pale, realising just how advanced the Federation was.

GM

Sage looked over at Chan and shook her head. “Before we volunteer any MORE information, I think we need to see exactly what your capabilities are. Our Prime Directive of not interfering with the technological development of other life forms is very clear.” She looked at the people on her team and gave them a nod, silently asking if they agreed.

—Sage

Chan raised an eyebrow to her mind the prime directive didn’t matter as much in the situation. It had been violated the moment communications where exchanged. However she had always understood it to mean primitive life. These people where not primitive in anyway. they where just behind slightly on their tech. However they could travel the stars. So to her they counted as not necessarily conforming to the prime directive. However her thoughts where her own and she knew no one else would share the same thought.

Nothing Chan had shared would allow the Pallasians to leap forward technologically in an unnatural way, but the conversation they were having skirted very close to the line of violating the Prime Directive. Riley wanted to help. It was in his nature, and he trusted the scientists on his team to know what to share and what to hold back. He was thankful for Sage’s intervention.

“I agree with Dr. Brennan, Neve. Perhaps now would be a good time for us to gain a better understanding of your own world’s capabilities.”

Dekker, CNS

“The other group is now being shown our power plants, our scientific centres and our universities. We can offer you access to our database information, but I daresay that your advanced technology has already found out much via our own primitive network. We have power from uranium. We have constructed our society to be generally open but any freedom of rights must be balanced with social responsibility. You may have a look at our historical records to understand how much strife there was in the past and that it was only a few generations ago that we managed to strike the balance needed for our people to enjoy a comfortable life. What do we need to present? Pallas has no idea …”

GM

Chan watched so they can tell us all about their tech but we can’t tell them anything about ours. She thought to herself that didn’t seem very far. However it was something Chan had noticed more frequently with the federation as a whole. It seem to parade it’s self around more often then every before. However for now she just watched and waited.

Lieut Chan (Sub DH Robotics)

Riley looked down the table toward Chan. He couldn’t read her thoughts, but he could sense she felt something was unfair. It wasn’t uncommon for their Chief Engineer whose Andorian sensibilities leaned her in this direction occasionally, but he was curious as to why she didn’t speak up. The questions were scientific and Riley was the least minded in that direction among the away team.

Riley stayed silent as well. The request had been posed by Sage and he would let her clarify.

OOC: Kenson, I feel a bit like this discussion is going in circles. With our CSO on LOA, feel free to prompt us a bit more explicitly in the intended direction if we aren’t finding it ourselves.

Dekker, CNS

OOC: I agree. Basically, the Pallasians are asking if they are able to apply for Federation membership. They want to know what they need to do. CSO, on the other hand, knows what is the outcome but he is not able to do anything or else he might change the course of history (from his perspective). Actually, the ball is in your court. Answer the question and then the sim goes on from there …

GM
OOC: Thanks, Kenson.

Sage leaned forward a little in her chair. “The rules governing membership in the UFP are very specific: 1 - You must have a sufficiently advanced level of scientific technology. The Federation’s baseline is that the prospective member world has achieved some form of faster-than-light space travel capability.
2 - One planet, one government. In other words, a system where individual nations have been unified under a single governing body. And 3 - There can be no form of caste discrimination. It isn’t allowed.”

“As soon as we have verified these aspects of your planet, you can indeed apply for membership.”

—Sage

“You are free to inspect anywhere on the planet to see if we have satisfied the third requirement,” said Neve. “In the area of the second, we have established faster than light travel. What’s left is the first: Do we have a sufficiently advanced level of scientific technology?”

GM

“We can provide a preliminary report to the Federation of the level of technology we observe. We are not equipped to make the determination ourselves. As for your social structure, perhaps a visit to one of your cities would help us gain a broader understanding of your society. If you wouldn’t object, I think our team would be interested in walking among your citizens. Perhaps a public space? A park or a market?”

Dekker, CNS

“That can be arranged. As you are the first from outside Pallas to come, I cannot predict the reaction in a public place,” remarked Neve. “My greatest concern is for your safety as I have already mentioned that there are some who are not welcoming of people who are different. There are those who will be curious, those who would be afraid. I gather that you would probably like the walk through with as little preparation as possible?”

GM


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