TO: RADM Ashkeph; | SUBJ: On-going Federation Merchant / Doza Scavenger Reports

BH1Pd8X.pngTO: RADM Ashkeph; FCAPT Perim; CMDR Sivath
CC: CAPT Morton; CMDR Inman; ENS Steele;
FROM: LCDR Zaldo
STARDATE: 92755.1
SUBJECT: Arrangements with Captain Yira of the S.S. Bastet
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Admiral,

On Stardate 92755, Ensign Steele and myself met with the merchant captain Yira of the S.S. Bastet, to negotiate with her. The basis of the meeting was to explain the situation in a way that caused the least amount of harm to Starfleet's reputation, while also explaining our needs.

We came to an agreement. The Bastet and other ships under command of Yira's trusted associates will venture into the Doza and Kelterre sectors with the purpose or creating new trade routes and establishing a relationship with the Scavengers. She is aware that the underlying purpose of this arrangement is to determine any sort of Scavenger government or leadership structure, and has agreed to report her finding to us, and allow Starfleet personnel along should she arrange contact with said leadership. Also she has agreed to use her ship's communications systems, and that of her comrades, to carry the countermeasure code, and follow all protocols as far as purging of the communications buffer. It's been explained to her the stakes of these actions, and she is aware of the virus, but unaware of who created it or how the countermeasure works exactly. She didn't ask, and I didn't offer up any details on that.

Yira is aware of the risks involved with this operation, and requests compensation in the form of materials used for her vessel's functionality. I've granted her this request in the interest of expediency. She is ready to proceed, and now only waits for her payment in full, and the countermeasure to be installed in her ship's system.

I'd like to point out the assistance of Ensign Steele in helping me prepare for these negotiations, his experience with the merchant fleet has been invaluable. I would request he be included on any team that follows up on this specific mission, or the greater Scavenger situation.



Be well, Sir.

//signed//

Lieutenant Commander Mathilda Zaldo
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Myanmar - 38th Fleet Gemini Squadron
8 Likes
AKas0II.png
Stardate 92756

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TO LCDR Zaldo
CC CMDR Sivath; FCAPT Perim

SUBJ Re: Arrangements with Captain Yira of the S.S. Bastet


This seems like a solid start, Commander, so thank you and Ensign Steele for your effort here. I am not just yet willing to authorize deployment on the countermeasure until I give Commander Thue a bit more time to get back to me about potential public relations fallout in using a deliberately infectious countermeasure.

However, I do not want to delay your task while we wait. Please see to it that the Bastet and the Apollo are engaging in regular buffer purging protocols and continue your investigation into the scavenger community structure promptly. We cannot start positive relations with these people too soon; should the countermeasure be approved for use while you are out, it will only take us a short comm package transfer to deliver the relevant patches to you, which you can then pass along to our hopefully newfound friends.

Good luck.


//SIGNED//
RADM Ashkeph
6 Likes
BH1Pd8X.pngTO: Yira
BCC: RADM Ashkeph; FCAPT Perim
FROM: LCDR Zaldo
STARDATE: 92757.9
SUBJECT: Instructions
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Yira,

I see you've loaded your payment this morning. I'm going to need you and your trusted associates to begin your efforts to create the new trade routes, and make contact with the Scavenger vessels. There has been a delay on installing the code we discussed, but once that has been sorted it will be sent directly to your ship, for you to distribute to your associates, and freely with anyone you make contact with. In the meantime, we've created a simple communications protocol that will purge your ship's systems of the rogue code before and after each use of your comms, it's been included in this message. Have your comrades install it as well, please.

I've also included a star chart with locations the Scavengers have been encountered recently, hopefully this will get you off to a good start. It would be wise to avoid mentioning any involvement directly with Starfleet, as our reputation with these people is less than wonderful currently. My ship, the USS Apollo will be in the region periodically, should you encounter any unforeseen threats, but we are going to give your ships a wide berth otherwise. I have little doubt you and your friends can more than handle themselves, but keep in mind I'm only a subspace comm and a warp jump away, should things get too hairy.

I wish you success with your trade mission, and hope that it becomes a profitable region for your operation. I look forward to any reports on what you discover about the Scavenger society.


Be well.

//signed//

Lieutenant Commander Mathilda Zaldo
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Myanmar - 38th Fleet Gemini Squadron


Attachments:

DS13scistellchardozter_A7251
DS13opscommpurge_A0001


5 Likes
[Translation: Active]
//CORE/programs/UT/detect_lang.hex
//run [auto] Fed01
[Working…]
[Translate: Caitian > Federation Standard]


To The Esteemed Lieutenant Commander Zaldo,
Care of The United Federation of Planets,
Deep Space 13,

I did not realize that you were keeping such close tabs on my doings, Lieutenant Commander. Please, though, do not mistake my bemusement for offense, I simply cannot but observe the rare beast that is Starfleet subterfuge and appreciate the 'stripes of the beast', as it were. That aside, I must say I find myself deeply grateful for the opportunity you have afforded to me. Too long I have traipsed the same well worn traderoutes, and while I may find life in a uniform too chafing I do share the spirit of exploration that so drives your Starfleet. The search for new life and new civilizations is all too often left at the wayside in a day and age when our galactic community can seem so very well established.

But I digress. I have reached out to those few I feel worthy of aiding in your endeavor, and shall pass along the information and technologies which I have been so graciously given. I fear we will constitute but a smattering of ramshackle cargo cruisers and light transports, but we will do all that we can whilst within your employ.

I do hope that you will find it in your hearts to forgive me when you find your Starfleet merchant fleet must compete with the likes of me.

Ever yours,
Yira
Sii'Yasha
Dictated but not read

7 Likes
[Translation: Active]
//CORE/programs/UT/detect_lang.hex
//run [auto] Fed01
[Working…]
[Translate: Caitian > Federation Standard]


An Update For Lieutenant Commander Zaldo,
Care of The United Federation of Planets,
Deep Space 13,

Events in the Doza sector have unfolded in a most unexpected manner. Mere hours after entering Doza space we found our first scavenger vessel. Our attempts to hail proved fruitless, but an ersatz pursuit brought us to a trading outpost that served as a sort of trading hub. With communications so scarce I availed myself of the opportunity to beam aboard with impunity, and found myself in the midst of an open air market promenade. Once the weapons were holstered I began my sales pitch, one of the many I had prepared for this encounter.

Noting the ramshackle state of their infrastructure I positioned myself as a merchant of technologies and supplies, laden with spare parts from the finest forges in the cosmos. I displayed schematics for engine assemblies, replicators, and, in what I consider a display of poignant irony, communication systems. In fact, I told them, as a show of good faith to a new market I would distribute copies of my proprietary diagnostic software free of charge. Embedded within that program, of course, is the well intentioned worm which I had been given, and through the diagnostic suite it can be easily loaded into the communications arrays of any vessel that uses it, as per your intent.

I did not deign to say such an act would put an end to the system errors plaguing the region, but I may have, shall we say, insinuated? At any rate I delivered an outbound hail to the station, and perhaps my non-explosion emboldened the traders present? I certainly heard a fair few communiqués before I jumped to warp. Perhaps it would be a bit rash to declare victory so early, but I do fully intend to drink tonight.

Perhaps you will indulge as well?

Bounty and Bright Skies,
Yira
Sii’Yasha
5 Likes
BH1Pd8X.pngTO:RADM Ashkeph; FCAPT Perim
FROM: LCDR Zaldo
STARDATE: 92774.5
SUBJECT: Update on Scavenger/Merchant dealings.
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Admiral,


I'm happy to attach the following message, to serve as an update to the ongoing efforts to distribute the countermeasure and find Scavenger society.


Captain Yira wrote:
An Update For Lieutenant Commander Zaldo,
Care of The United Federation of Planets,
Deep Space 13,

Events in the Doza sector have unfolded in a most unexpected manner. Mere hours after entering Doza space we found our first scavenger vessel. Our attempts to hail proved fruitless, but an ersatz pursuit brought us to a trading outpost that served as a sort of trading hub. With communications so scarce I availed myself of the opportunity to beam aboard with impunity, and found myself in the midst of an open air market promenade. Once the weapons were holstered I began my sales pitch, one of the many I had prepared for this encounter.

Noting the ramshackle state of their infrastructure I positioned myself as a merchant of technologies and supplies, laden with spare parts from the finest forges in the cosmos. I displayed schematics for engine assemblies, replicators, and, in what I consider a display of poignant irony, communication systems. In fact, I told them, as a show of good faith to a new market I would distribute copies of my proprietary diagnostic software free of charge. Embedded within that program, of course, is the well intentioned worm which I had been given, and through the diagnostic suite it can be easily loaded into the communications arrays of any vessel that uses it, as per your intent.

I did not deign to say such an act would put an end to the system errors plaguing the region, but I may have, shall we say, insinuated? At any rate I delivered an outbound hail to the station, and perhaps my non-explosion emboldened the traders present? I certainly heard a fair few communiqués before I jumped to warp. Perhaps it would be a bit rash to declare victory so early, but I do fully intend to drink tonight.

Perhaps you will indulge as well?

Bounty and Bright Skies,
Yira
Sii’Yasha


I've attached telemetry from Captain Yira's visit to the trading post, in case we have cause to go there, though I recommend we hold off on that until Yira can establish stronger relations and perhaps gather more information.



Be well, Admiral.

//signed//

Lieutenant Commander Mathilda Zaldo
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Myanmar - 38th Fleet Gemini Squadron


Attachments:

Bastetdata_0192a
3 Likes
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Stardate 92776.5

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TO LCDR Zaldo
CC FCAPT Perim

SUBJ Re: Update on Scavenger/Merchant dealings.


A good update, Commander, thank you. It is not precisely what I imagined, but as the scavenger community has been otherwise unreceptive to our efforts, this will have to suffice. Though we do not have a lot of data on the scavenger interaction patterns, based on simulations on how quickly the countermeasure is capable of spreading, it is possible, even likely, that this breakthrough will be sufficient to eventually cover all ships traveling in the sector.

We should continue to be vigilant and it certainly would not hurt to continue supporting the Bastet Captain in one more effort to seed the countermeasure at another location, but at this point I am feeling largely reassured by our various results across the board to combat this disaster.

Thank you for your effort and please pass along my gratitude to Captain Yira.


//SIGNED//
RADM Ashkeph
5 Likes
BH1Pd8X.pngTO: Yira
BCC: RADM Ashkeph; FCAPT Perim; ENS Steele
FROM: LCDR Zaldo
STARDATE: 92779.5
SUBJECT: Instructions
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Yira,

I'm extremely pleased with your progress, as our those who are overseeing our cooperation in this effort. Your actions at the trading outpost have saved lives, and that contribution to the mission to eliminate the harmful code has been noted. Please pass along this praise to the other crews that make up your merchant detachment.

I've been ordered to pass along further instructions to you, with the hopes that we can cover any gaps not covered your recent visit to the trading outpost. We'd request that you proceed to another such trading outpost, and attempt to repeat your sales pitch there. Based on the location of the previous outpost and new information we've recovered from communication buoys we've recently launched in the region, we believe we've located additional such outposts. While introducing the code we've given you is a major part of the mission, we'd also like you to focus on efforts to replace the vulnerable tech these Scavengers are using on their vessels with the sort of civilian freighter/transport grade equipment used on most merchant ships in the quadrant. Your tact of introducing it as upgrades of a superior nature will likely work over time. I won't tell you how to do your job though.

My hope is that this mission has given your group a foothold for trade in the region that last long beyond our current cooperation, and that it may lead to a change in mindset toward the Federation and perhaps Starfleet. Regardless, I will be in your debt for helping us with this issue, and I will let it be known that you are a friend to Starfleet, to anyone who asks.


Be well.

//signed//

Lieutenant Commander Mathilda Zaldo
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Myanmar - 38th Fleet Gemini Squadron


Attachments:

DS13scistellchardozter_A7292


2 Likes
[Translation: Active]
//CORE/programs/UT/detect_lang.hex
//run [auto] Fed01
[Working…]
[Translate: Caitian > Federation Standard]


Correspondence For Lieutenant Commander Zaldo,
Care of The United Federation of Planets,
Deep Space 13,

I believe I have a substantial, and rather eye opening, update for you regarding the scavenger situation. In my return to Doza, restocked after a brief rest and repast on Deep Space 13 (during which I was drugged by one of your officers, not that I hold you responsible,) I returned to the trading outpost and bartered myself a star map. I must say I did not expect them to have mapped nearly the whole of the Doza sector, much less the three adjacent sectors which have so recently gained the Federation's attention, but their trade routes appear to traverse that corner of space quite thoroughly.

What most of these trade routes had in common was an intersection at a planet listed as 'New Circini'. Having not known of the Old Circini I found myself doubly intrigued, and endeavoured to make it the next stop for Bastet. Imagine my surprise when, upon entering the system on the star chart, I was hailed in Federation Standard! Curiosity drew me into the system as much as their docking instructions, and soon I found myself standing on the surface of a verdant world, speaking with a Cardassian dock worker alongside an Orion trade ship.

I of course peddled my wares, offering the anti-Halcyon diagnostic software along with what hardware I had thought to bring. A mere hour into sales a group of what I assumed to be local lawmen approached, asking the origin of my wares. More aptly, they inquired as to whether or not the communication systems I offered were Federation made. This was the first mention of the Federation amid Dozan space, and given the presence of those who might more fondly look upon a Federation presence I replied in the affirmative.

I was immediately detained.

Of the holding cells I have occupied I would rate theirs as adequate, but not necessarily stellar. The accommodations well surpass a Cardassian brig but lack that certain utopian flair of a Federation detention unit. But I digress. Shortly after my detention began I received a visitor. I expected perhaps a crewman of mine come to pay their captains bail, but was instead met by an official looking envoy of some manner. They informed me that their Governor, that bring the highest office of the world government, wished to speak with my Federation contacts, whomever they may be. Ask as I might the envoy would give no further details, simply reiterating their interest in contacting the Federation.

As you, my fair Lieutenant Commander, represent said Federation I have thus included their entreaty within my communication by way of the preceding account of events. Being freed shortly after receiving their ultimatum I was left with an impression of urgency, and thus endeavoured to reach you as quickly as possible.

I suspect you may find yourselves a welcome port here Lieutenant Commander, though I cannot say I recommend their penal accommodations.

Warm Days And Calm Seas,
Yira
Sii'Yasha
7 Likes
BH1Pd8X.pngTO: VADM Ashkeph; VADM Perim; CAPT Freeman
CC: CAPT Morton; CMDR Inman; LTJG Steele
FROM: LCDR Zaldo
STARDATE: 92793.6
SUBJECT: New Circini development
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Admirals, Captain,

Based on directives from Admiral Ashkeph that we continue to search for Scavenger society, and spread the countermeasure to the Halcyon worm, as well as trade in tech that could safely replace the Kilur systems that are/were vulnerable to destruction, I sent captain Yira of the Bastet and her comrades to continue their efforts. During her efforts, Yira returned to the previous trade outpost she had visited, and came into possession of a starchart of well worn trade routes not only in the Kelterre and Doza sectors, but beyond. She noted that a locale known as 'New Circini' seemed to be a hub for many of these routes. She ventured there to investigate, spread the countermeasure and to sell her wares. She was contacted by authorities in the system, who transmitted in Federation basic, was questioned about her wares and detained once they were made aware that they were of Federation origin.

She was released shortly there after being given an ultimatum to pass along a message from a liaison of the system government. The Governor of the New Circini system desires prompt contact with Federation representatives for reasons not explained to Yira.

Yira and the crew of the Bastet were unharmed beyond Yira's incarceration, but I feel that contact should be made with this Governor, if only to make sure no other Federation citizens are subject to this sort of treatment. I would recommend a mission to New Circini, with the purpose of investigation and potential diplomacy. I will make myself available for any such mission, whether it be aboard the Apollo, or a ship more suited to diplomatic efforts.

Attached is star chart which includes the location of the New Circini system.


Be well.

//signed//

Lieutenant Commander Mathilda Zaldo
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Myanmar - 38th Fleet Gemini Squadron


Attachments:

DS13scistellchardozter_C8375


3 Likes
[DIGITAL LETTERHEAD PENDING ... TEXT SUBSTITUTION ACTIVE]

TO LCDR Zaldo; RDML Perim
CC CAPT Freeman; CAPT Morton; CMDR Inman; LTJG Steele
FROM VADM Ashkeph
SUBJ Re: New Circini Development


New Circini wants a sitdown? Surprising. Also rude, but that is nothing new.

I see the 38th Fleet databank is not quite up to date with New Circini records, so I will personally make requests of Colonial Command in order to remedy that, while I am continuing to get up to speed on other fleet matters. When we get those updates in, then we will reassess the situation.

In the meantime, assuming the Bastet captain made hails to the New Circini communications centers, it means that she successfully distributed the Halcyon countermeasure to the systems themselves, which will go a long way to inoculating all the traffic that passes through that region. So despite the temporary inconvenience, I cannot be sorry; she has done us all a great service.

Please see to it that the Bastet is fully compensated for her work and I believe we can consider our efforts to contain the Halcyon worm to be effectively complete.


//SIGNED//
VADM Ashkeph
6 Likes