ADDENDUM 3: A number of our intelligence efforts have borne fruit. Firstly, the analysis of the Klingon crest
came through. The crest belongs to House K'trogar, a minor house in the Klingon Empire. Intelligence reports that they have little sway in the interior of the empire, but have an honourable reputation. In order to overturn the lack of opportunity within the empire, the house has been moving resources to the Doza sector in order to advance their standing in the Empire.
Secondly, Commander Samaras led a successful mission in gathering data from the Xedi frigates.
her team successfully analysed the ships and made a positive confirmation on the type of Klingon weaponry; a design popular around 2409. The data from this corresponds to the intelligence we gained above. Further analysis revealed the ship was carrying heavy explosives which the science team onboard the frigates were experimenting with, as well as attempting to synthesise medications, no doubt to use in the field. Analysis also disturbingly revealed the ship carried evidence of the
cordyceps fungus, which the Xedi rebels are most likely using as a biological weapon.
This was further confirmed by
the second team's analysis of the data core, which outlined that the transporter was carrying unstable ordinance; this is perhaps the reason the transport was in such a hurry to evade the
U.S.S. Endeavour during our engagement. The transport was also indeed meeting with a Parin ship, the
R.P.V. Sword of Revolution, confirming our suspicions that the Xedi rebels are working with Parin forces, though whether they are working with a rebel Parin group or side by side with the Parin government cannot be verified.
RECOMMENDATION: Progress is finally being made, though the results make for grim reading. The situation in this sector has the potential to spiral out of control, and there is no doubt that Starfleet must take a stance to not only protect our interests in the sector, but to continue to preserve the balance of power in a fair and bloodless manner. To solve this issue, we must find the culprit of instability in the region. This culprit has been clever to direct blame on Starfleet, which we must now take steps to rectify. My suspicion in the Xedi government continues to grow, but mere suspicion and speculation is the root cause behind the issue at hand here, and so concrete evidence must be found before we act. However, we must not be naïve in this manner. Whilst the Federation espouses ideals of tolerance, liberty, and optimism, we do not, and must not, allow our ideals to blind us from the reality of the situation. The reality of the situation is this. Starfleet is seen as an overly militaristic force in the Doza Sector, seen as bullies who suppress inferior cultures in order to preserve Starfleet superiority in the region. History has shown us that under the table and large military action now has one of two outcomes; it either works in the short term, or it fails completely. In order to solve this situation, we must learn from history and hold back our military capabilities. If it comes down to full-scale conflict, there is no doubt that Starfleet can triumph, and so we are not in the position where we need to prove our might to other powers. Instead, this is an opportunity to show that Starfleet does not reach for the gun at every moment and that we will exhaust all possible actions before we escalate it further. To this end, I withdraw my previous recommendation of patrol routes between the Xedi-Parin trade corridor. Instead, all Commanding Officers in the 38
th Fleet must be briefed to avoid conflict at every possible moment, with exceptions being on elements that pose a direct threat to Federation assets in the sector. Instead, diplomatic channels must be attempted and failing that, a full withdrawal should be made. As aforementioned, we have no need to prove our superiority in the sector, and withdrawal will only serve to further our efforts in the region.
Secondly, full diplomatic channels should be opened with the Xedi Government and the Xedi rebels. The heart of this issue lies in the conflict between the Xedi rebels and the Government. The Xedi rebels have been given resources and weapons from an external source. The Federation does not have a horse in this race; we are only here through miscommunication and misgivings. We cannot give either side our endorsement, but we can, and we have a moral obligation to, attempt to broker peace between both parties. At present though, we are viewed as allies with the Xedi government, something that we must quickly squash notions of. Thus our first aim is, and should be, to extend an olive branch to the rebels, to show that we are not their enemy and that we can work together with them to come to an amicable solution. To do this, we must sit down with the rebel leadership and find out exactly what they want. Only then can we move forward.
In addition to this, attempts should be made to stop the import of Klingon items and weaponry to the Xedi. This is because the import of Klingon goods can only serve to escalate the tension further, which helps nobody. However, we should not be the ones to force these imports to stop. It should come from the Klingon council themselves. Diplomatic favours should be called in to persuade the Council to act against House K'trogar, with the discussion revolving around unauthorised exports of valuable Klingon technology.
Finally, a suite of minor operations should take place to continue to gather data. The frigates' ability to cloak must be identified, as well as following up on the suppliers for the rebels' medicine and explosive ingredients. Investigations into the scope of the Parin involvement in the Xedi issue should also take place, to make sure that the situation in Isep Xedi does not spread to other regions in the sector. Finally, I am still uncomfortable with the Xedi's involvement regarding the
cordyceps fungus. I think work should be undertaken to find a method to quickly neutralise the spread of the fungus, as well as looking into the origins and potential weaponisation of the fungus. Countermeasures may be needed.