| SUBMITTED: Stardate 95075.4 | FILED BY: CAPT S. A. Bishop | SECURITY: Level 3 - Restricted |
LOCATION: Deep Space K-7, Sherman System
MISSION: Intecept a Junayd vessel heading towards Deep Space K-7
OUTCOME: Junayd vessel successfully intercepted, peaceful dialogue initated with the Junayd. Return of Cadet Rianni Tierno.
KEY PERSONNEL:
RADL D. Konieczko
CAPT S. Bishop (U.S.S. Endeavour)
CAPT J. Everett (U.S.S. Everest)
CAPT T. Kawamori (U.S.S. Shadowfax)
CAPT A. Nimitz (U.S.S. Akagi)
CAPT V. S'Vask (I.G.V. Crucible)
CMDR D. Jekk
CMDR S. Zh'Lindresko
ENS A. Carter
CDT R. Tierno
Junayd Observer Representative
NARRATIVE:
Around Gamma shift on Stardate 95074.1, we recieved an urgent message that a Junayd ship was heading towards Deep Space K-7. A task force of the above ships moved to yellow alert to intercept the ship to ascertain its purpose. I must state for the sake of the report that we were given specific orders to keep attempting to make contact and to maintain a defensive posture, only to engage if the Junayd ship fired first.
Fortunately, the Junayd ship wished only to make diplomatic contact. VADM Amiri agreed to this and the representative was beamed over to K-7.
During the dialogue, we discovered that the representative took the form of Cadet Rianni Tierno, though this was the second iteration of the Observer model that had been here before.
As the full logs are available to those with sufficient clearance, I will give a brief overview of what transpired. VADM Amiri quickly established that the aim for this meeting was to reduce gaps in our knowledge of the Junayd. The Junayd are in conflict with the Azedi, with the former seeing the latter as a "blight" in the sector. It seems that the Azedi approached the Junayd peacefully to join their Confederation, but once part of this Confederation, the Azedi turned on the Junayd; the Azedi saw the Junayd as unnatural.
The conversation then moved onto the Junayd involvement during the peace talks on DS13. It seems that the Junayd viewed the peace talks as a "honey trap" and aimed to assist us against the Azedi. When our ships moved to defend the Azedi ships and began to fire on the Junayd ships, the Junayd ships fired on us as self-defence.
Next, the VADM established that we had a tentative, albeit still upheld, non-aggression pact against the Azedi following the Battle of DS13. The Junayd Representative confirmed that the Creators had no desire for war. However, they stated that the reason for the Azedi maintaining the ceasefire was due to the fact that the Azedi cannot best the Federation if we are assisted by the Junayd.
The VADM then surmised that the Azedi believe us to be in an alliance with the Junayd and that they do not need to know of our true relations with the Junayd which is simply non-aggression.
The Junayd Representative tried to push the VADM into making a formal alliance with the Junayd, but the VADM persisted that our relations remain as they are; the VADM stated that the Junayd do not view the Federation as equals and until that time arrives, non-aggression would be as far as talks would progress.
The Junayd Representative offered a trade in Intelligence for a non-aggression pact with the Junayd, with the agreement that we cut all diplomatic ties to the Azedi.
Once again, the VADM refused to harm relations with one race to curry favour with the other. The VADM ended with a final statement, that if the Junayd could not accept our non-aggression with the Azedi, that the Junayd need not contact us further.
The Junayd Representative was saddened at this, though she admitted it was to be expected. Bidding farewell, she departed, returning the true CDT Tierno to us.
RECOMMENDATION:
There was some discussion between the Captains and the Vice Admiral following the departure of the Junayd. I will not presume my colleagues recommendations, rather, I will allow them to file their own reports. Therefore, what follows is my own perception of the outcome of the talks.
Clearly, we seem to be a central balance of power in this sector. A conflict between the Junayd and the Azedi seems inconclusive from what we can see, and both sides see us as a tool to help tip the balance of power on one side or the other. Currently, it seems that the Azedi have the upper hand in this conflict since they do not wish an alliance with us, merely for us to not interfere with their affairs and remain neutral against them. By virtue of this, the Junayd seem to be on the back foot and require our alliance in order to turn the tide against the Azedi in their conflict. As it stands, the Azedi seem to believe that we are allied with the Junayd and so are happy to maintain this non-aggression pact with us, as they fear that any joint attack we launch with the Junayd would not end well for them.
With this assessment in place, I believe that VADM Amiri's approach to this diplomatic exchange is correct. In maintaining the guise of an alliance with the Junayd, the Azedi are kept at bay. Furthermore, with our true relations with the Junayd being nothing more than that of diplomatic talks, the Junayd are reliant on us, despite not seeing us as equals.
This places us in a very unique position to attempt to bring lasting peace to the region. The matter will have to be handled delicately to not disturb the fragile peace, and all steps must be undertaken to solidify this peace. As long as the Federation does not take sides in this conflict, I believe that peace can be maintained.
I believe that our first steps should be to bring both the Junayd and the Azedi to the table. If this is not possible, I believe we use this peace to assert any Federation claims in the region, to put ourselves in a position of power if leverage is needed to bring any peace.
I would also be remiss as a Captain, tactician, and a historian, if I did not suggest a final step as a contingency method. Whilst I hope matters do not descend to this stage, we must prepare for the balance of power in the region to shift at any stage and hostilities to resume. I, therefore, advise that we redouble our efforts to gain a militaristic upper hand, so that any conflict with the Azedi is swift and conclusive, with little loss of life. Whilst this is a bitter truth to accept, I do wholeheartedly believe that our constant willingness to remain peaceful, blind to the realities of what is happening in reality, can only lead to further death and destruction down the road. This does not mean we abandon our principles, only to accept that at times, the sword is as strong as the pen.
OOC: Let me know if I got anything wrong or missed anyone out etc. Please feel free to add your own recommendations below (if you were there that is... NPC Crewman #83 cannot submit a recommendation and will most likely be investigated as to how they managed to gain Level 3 clearance...)