92216 Federation News Service: Civil Unrest Continues on Terix II; Federation to Resume Aid Shipments
From an anonymous source inside the Federation Diplomatic Corps, FNS has learned that for the first time since last week's terrorist attack, the Federation will resume the shipment of humanitarian aid to the independent Romulan colony of Terix II.
For those who may be unaware of the situation, Terix II is an independent Romulan colony in the Xarantine Sector, with approximately 6.3 million inhabitants. Before Hobus, Terix was a thriving member of the Romulan Star Empire. After the disaster, the RSE effectively cut ties to the colony, and it was forced to fend for itself. In the time since, Terix's economy has remained largely geared towards military spending, and civic services have suffered greatly as a result. Rumors of political and military corruption have led to steadily increasing protests and anti-government movements in recent years.
Riding the heels of a recent report listing Terix as having one of the highest poverty levels in the sector, the government of Terix II formally petitioned the Federation Council for assistance earlier this year. After an investigation and deliberation, the decision was made to provide periodic shipments of humanitarian aid to the colony.
Last week, radical members of an anti-corruption movement known as Free Terix took control of a group of Terix Defense Force vessels and attempted to blockade the planet. The Federation Starship Asimov, under the command of Commander Erika Hayasaki, which was in the area delivering one of the first aid shipments, was threatened by the militants. While Starfleet was able to avoid a hostile engagement, it was later learned that Free Terix forces had arranged the elimination of all foreign personnel on Terix soil. The death toll included five Starfleet Officers.
In the week that followed, the Terix Defense Force managed to reclaim four out of its five lost vessels, capturing the terrorists, and breaking the short-lived blockade. In response to a request for continued aid to the Federation, and in light of the evolving political situation, a Starfleet delegation was dispatched to renegotiate the terms of the agreement.
The Federation Starships Oakham and Warspite rendezvoused with TDF vessels in Terix orbit, where the delegation, led by Fleet Captain Neema Perim of the 38th Fleet, met with Ambassador Taev tr'Velal of the Terix Government and Admiral T'maekh Tal'Aura of the TDF.
At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was signed in which the Federation will provide bi-monthly shipments of food, shelters, and medical supplies to Terix transport vessels at prearranged rendezvous points. In turn, the Federation reserves the right to send observation crews to Terix on a monthly basis to ensure that the shipments are necessary and being distributed appropriately.
The FNS reached out to Admiral Tal'Aura to comment on the results of the negotiations, and she had this to say: "The negotiations have proven successful, and will provide Terix with the materials it needs to reclaim its place in the Xarantine Sector."
We contacted Fleet Captain Perim as well, and while she was initially unavailable for comment, she was later willing to make a statement. "Despite what we might see as moral ambiguity surrounding the activities of the Terix government, it is not the practice of Starfleet or the Federation to impose judgment upon the internal affairs of other cultures." She went on to say, "[the federation] will provide basic humanitarian aid for exactly as long as [the terix government] is willing to prove that those provisions are being distributed with beneficial effect to all of its people."
Despite the seemingly successful negotiations in orbit, the situation on the surface continues to deteriorate. Rumors and eye-witness accounts have been surfacing for the past several hours, in the aftermath of a series of riots in the planet's capital city. The Terix Government reportedly took swift action, utilizing military forces to quell the disturbances. FNS sources have currently confirmed that at least 41 civilian protesters were killed by Terix-loyalist forces. Thirty of those were unarmed.
We asked Admiral Tal'Aura about the riots and the loss of life during our interview. "It is regrettable that lethal force had to be ordered," she said calmly, "though where there is fear, there is also order."
Fleet Captain Perim told reporters that the events taking place on Terix "are nothing short of a travesty," while officials from the Federation Diplomatic Corps and Starfleet Command have declined to comment, citing the Prime Directive.
For those who may be unaware of the situation, Terix II is an independent Romulan colony in the Xarantine Sector, with approximately 6.3 million inhabitants. Before Hobus, Terix was a thriving member of the Romulan Star Empire. After the disaster, the RSE effectively cut ties to the colony, and it was forced to fend for itself. In the time since, Terix's economy has remained largely geared towards military spending, and civic services have suffered greatly as a result. Rumors of political and military corruption have led to steadily increasing protests and anti-government movements in recent years.
Riding the heels of a recent report listing Terix as having one of the highest poverty levels in the sector, the government of Terix II formally petitioned the Federation Council for assistance earlier this year. After an investigation and deliberation, the decision was made to provide periodic shipments of humanitarian aid to the colony.
Last week, radical members of an anti-corruption movement known as Free Terix took control of a group of Terix Defense Force vessels and attempted to blockade the planet. The Federation Starship Asimov, under the command of Commander Erika Hayasaki, which was in the area delivering one of the first aid shipments, was threatened by the militants. While Starfleet was able to avoid a hostile engagement, it was later learned that Free Terix forces had arranged the elimination of all foreign personnel on Terix soil. The death toll included five Starfleet Officers.
In the week that followed, the Terix Defense Force managed to reclaim four out of its five lost vessels, capturing the terrorists, and breaking the short-lived blockade. In response to a request for continued aid to the Federation, and in light of the evolving political situation, a Starfleet delegation was dispatched to renegotiate the terms of the agreement.
The Federation Starships Oakham and Warspite rendezvoused with TDF vessels in Terix orbit, where the delegation, led by Fleet Captain Neema Perim of the 38th Fleet, met with Ambassador Taev tr'Velal of the Terix Government and Admiral T'maekh Tal'Aura of the TDF.
At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was signed in which the Federation will provide bi-monthly shipments of food, shelters, and medical supplies to Terix transport vessels at prearranged rendezvous points. In turn, the Federation reserves the right to send observation crews to Terix on a monthly basis to ensure that the shipments are necessary and being distributed appropriately.
The FNS reached out to Admiral Tal'Aura to comment on the results of the negotiations, and she had this to say: "The negotiations have proven successful, and will provide Terix with the materials it needs to reclaim its place in the Xarantine Sector."
We contacted Fleet Captain Perim as well, and while she was initially unavailable for comment, she was later willing to make a statement. "Despite what we might see as moral ambiguity surrounding the activities of the Terix government, it is not the practice of Starfleet or the Federation to impose judgment upon the internal affairs of other cultures." She went on to say, "[the federation] will provide basic humanitarian aid for exactly as long as [the terix government] is willing to prove that those provisions are being distributed with beneficial effect to all of its people."
Despite the seemingly successful negotiations in orbit, the situation on the surface continues to deteriorate. Rumors and eye-witness accounts have been surfacing for the past several hours, in the aftermath of a series of riots in the planet's capital city. The Terix Government reportedly took swift action, utilizing military forces to quell the disturbances. FNS sources have currently confirmed that at least 41 civilian protesters were killed by Terix-loyalist forces. Thirty of those were unarmed.
We asked Admiral Tal'Aura about the riots and the loss of life during our interview. "It is regrettable that lethal force had to be ordered," she said calmly, "though where there is fear, there is also order."
Fleet Captain Perim told reporters that the events taking place on Terix "are nothing short of a travesty," while officials from the Federation Diplomatic Corps and Starfleet Command have declined to comment, citing the Prime Directive.
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