99239.7
CAPT Tungsten, D.
LOCATION Shinarechi System, Itrin Sector
MISSION ADDENDUM
OUTCOME Points for consideration by Starfleet Command, and Diplomatic Corps.
NARRATIVE In addition to Captain Meadows’ excellent report, this officer would like to list some concerns about the discovery of the active salvage of Terran technology. To be blunt, this feels close to a Prime Directive situation, but this officer does not believe it actually is one. However, feelings of unease were present upon seeing the Shinari salvage a Lexington Class.
In truth, considering that the Shinari defeated the Terran incursion into their system, even at great cost, this officer believes that puts them well outside of the scope of the Prime Directive, as they are hardly a pre-warp civilization it would seek to protect. While nearly identical, the ships they are salvaging are not our ships, and it is in their own space.
This officer does not believe we have the legal nor moral right to attempt to deny them this technology, as much as it does not sit quite right. The latter reaction is also a cause for some fear in the Shinari, and this officer believes it is not worth proving their concerns correct anyway. These people do not seem to be overly belligerent. There are parts of their society that may be trending more that direction, but it is somewhat understandable after an invasion by the Terran Empire, and may be best tempered by friendly relations with these people. This officer does wish to see them as friends, if not allies in the future.
But the gut feeling does merit being reported, and guidance from higher levels of the chain of command sought. Captain Meadows did already report the key facts, but these other considerations do deserve to be put to writing, in this officer’s opinion.
There is also the matter of the “SRC” having tenuous legitimacy, being comprised of several military officers, and the one surviving civilian member of their government. This officer believes they are acting in good faith and making the best of a very bad situation, rather than effecting a coup. However, finding a way to encourage them to hold elections or whatever their constitutional equivalent is without insulting them would be a very good idea in principle. It is unclear whether that would be advantageous for the good of the Shinari, or our ties to them, but there is at least a case for saying that should be done without consideration to such things.
RECOMMENDATION Pending agreement from Starfleet Command, this officer believes that leaving the Shinari to their salvage is likely the best course here, and not only reassuring them of that, but continuing diplomatic and humanitarian contacts is advised. The issue of recognizing their “SRC” and territory may require further information.
RECOGNITION Captain Meadows taking the lead in negotiations has earned this officer’s thanks, and the quality of her efforts is worthy of special recognition.