98263.2
Liasvarnu, IV
LOCATION Battle Station Argo
MISSION Diplomatic meeting.
OUTCOME Successful escape.
KEY PERSONNEL
- Commander Traise
- Unknown attendee (Thyzee)
- FL Arman’Usan
- FE Liasvarnu
NARRATIVE
The meeting proper, with myself and First Liberator Arman’Usan representing the Union, unfolded more amicably than expected. We were treated with considerable respect and entertained as true guests by a Terran officer, Commander Traise. He, and an unknown agent or officer whose identity was never disclosed, diligently probed us for information on our principles and nature as we probed them for those of the Empire, with enough decorum, for the most part, but none of it bordered on suspicious or questionable. It appeared, to all intents and purposes, as a harmless, ordinary diplomatic exchange between two powers that do not know whether to trust each other: shallow, vague and never too revealing.
Even so, it did reinforce what our assets had gathered in regards to their society in that it is rather barbaric and unsophisticated, for it relies on a xenophobic, incomplete integration of subjects into limited castes through forceful subjugation. Advancement is not impossible, but markedly unusual or rare and an exception, rather than the rule, as well as reliant on mastering violence and deception. We opted to accommodate their views on the galaxy and concepts such as strength and security, if mostly to appease them and, perhaps, lower their guard rather than appear confrontational and precipitate unnecessary conflict. Eventually, and as the meeting approached its natural conclusion, the notion of a prolonged stay was mentioned, one that would not be out of place in the course of most diplomatic initiatives, and that we gladly accepted to avoid exposing our hand.
I surmise that we must have played the part quite expertly, for the Terrans never suspected that we never intended to return – or that it was not our vessel that was in orbit around Battle Station Argo. Had we not made the necessary preparations, and departed when the opportunity presented itself, we could very well find ourselves in one of their agony booths – or worse – at the moment. Though our intelligence did suggest that they might attempt to sabotage or otherwise exploit the meeting to gain tactical advantages on the Union, it was only when Centurion Aev of the Tal Shiar confirmed our worst fears – with foolproof data he provided on their operations and plans – that specific counter-measures were deemed mandatory. Without such, the numbers we initially thought adequate to act as deterrent might have proved insufficient and led to an all-out clash, as well as a regrettable loss of life on both sides.
Fortunately, the Centurion contacted us with ample time to adapt and ensure our eventual safe return. By the time the Terrans realised that it was a decoy, rather than the Ometra-48, and that our vessels had never approached the immediacy of their station, we were well on our way to Outpost 35. Should they decide to protest our silent departure, we may simply argue that urgent matters required our immediate attention. If they press the issue, however, we will release a copy of the transmission in which they planned to use diplomacy as a mere ruse.
Our convoy remains in high alert, for the time being, but we are fairly certain that we will soon be beyond their reach.
The future is freedom. Freedom is life.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Monitor all transmissions coming to and from Battle Station Argo in regards to both the meeting and our disappearance. While the data Centurion Aev provided was found solid, the reaction of the Terrans should be informative.
- The PADD provided by the Centurion also included mentions of an incident supposedly involving the Union: an attack on Terran ships by an unknown entity or entities that might have resembled our vessels. An attempt to frame us and spark an early conflict with the Terran Empire? It merits investigation.
- The motives and very stance of the Tal Shiar, and the Romulan Star Empire, are unclear. It is evident that a war between the Union and the Terran Empire would benefit a lot of factions in the alpha and beta quadrants, but most would just use us as a convenient instrument to weaken their foes. Their assistance, while welcome, should be noted with care.
RECOGNITION
First Liberator Arman’Usan rose to the occasion as always. Not only did he remain patient before what few signs of bigotry, verbal and non-verbal, we had to endure, his aid in preparing our holographic counter-measures was invaluable. He is to be commended and considered for a command post of his own.
OOC For the Union!
