RP Log: Svetzvani's Options
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| 2022-12-11 15:07 | |
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "T'Shaav, it's Tink. I just read your report."
T'Shaav says, "Indeed?"
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] "Thank you for including me in the recipients," Tink continues. "I had gotten the gist of the meeting from Anewan and Worthington, but nothing quite as comprehensive as your report is. How much longer will you be able to stay with us before returning to Lya?"
"I don't know," she says. "My superiors seem to think that the action is happening here and have left me here to assist and report as long as they deem necessary. Did you have something in mind?"
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "If you have time, why don't you come aboard and we'll talk about it?"
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "Oh, I have a new ship, by the way. It's the Da Vinci."
T'Shaav says, "Indeed. Then I shall come aboard at once."
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Svetzvani says, "I'll see you soon. Tink out."
- Ready Room <USS Da Vinci NCC-60456>
- The Captain's ready room is of decent size for a vessel of the Sabre-class size, but not lavish in its decoration. The room is divided into two discreet sections, one devoted for work, with a desk and a high-backed chair in front of a oval viewport. To this side of the desk are two additional traditional chairs.
- The second section, down two steps, with a sloping ceiling that mirrors the outer hull, is deigned for comfort. A comfortable sofa is against the furthest bulkhead, with two lounge chairs facing it at opposite corners. A low coffee table sits between the three.
- Out the viewport: The yellow hue of the nearby star can be seen.
Svetzvani looks up from her terminal from behind her desk as the door swooshes open. She gives a small smile. "Welcome aboard!" she says and gestures to the chairs across from her. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you," T'Shaav says. She sits. "An interesting time for the diplomatic service," she notes wryly.
"Interesting," Tink agrees with a smirk. "And damned frustrating. The proper course of action would be to engage the Cardassians in a dialog. The Cardassians, however, have no interest or inclination to open such a dialog with us."
"Hence, proper procedure dictates?" T'Shaav asks.
Tink sighs and leans back in her chair, stretching her arms out to the sides. "That we find a way to alter their inclinations. Any ideas on that front?" she asks, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Their, being the Cardassians' inclinations?" T'Shaav says. "I do have an idea, but you will not like it," she says a little wryly.
"Simply permit the Romulans to do what they intend to," she says. "First, we could not easily stop them without provoking armed conflict with another major power, but more pragmatically, their goal is essentially the right one. Even if their methods and ours are based on different principles." Her eyebrow twitches upwards. "You may recall the last Klingon response to a situation like this in Cardassian space, for example."
Svetzvani looks thoughtful. "Maybe," she says. "But there's another issue at play here, and I believe them to be connected. In fact, I'm hoping to play one against the other to achieve our goal." She folds her hands on the desk in front of her. "The other issue I'm speaking of, of course, is the one that involves the starving Cardassian colonies along the border and further within Cardassian space. Those people need help. They've put out a call for anyone to help them, in fact. They need assistance."
"Indeed," T'Shaav says. "How do you think those issues can be played against one another?"
"If we were to open up a full scale relief effort," Tink explains. "Openly sending fleets of ships across the border into Cardassian territory loaded with relief supplies, that would certainly get their attention. They couldn't possibly ignore our intrusion, and would therefore have to speak with us." Here she pauses for a moment before going on. "However, we have a problem in that regard. Can you see what it is?"
"I can see more than one potential obstacle," the Vulcan security officer says. "First, the aid convoys could come under attack by the traditional Cardassian military, the employed mercenaries, and/or the Tzenkethi marauders. Second, once delivered, nothing will necessarily keep someone from raiding those supplies from the planets we gave them to. What else am I missing?"
Tink's brows rise as her smile widens. "Our philosophy of non-interference," she states. "Although the colonies have put out a call for help, it was a general call and not specifically directed at us. This, legally, makes the problem an internal Cardassian one. In fact, as far as we know, the requests for assistance have come from the general populus, not someone in authority. We can't violate borders, especially on that scale, based on a request from an average citizen of the Union."
"Indeed," T'Shaav says dryly. "which is doubtless why Mr. Coil is flitting about the union in an antique Klingon bird of prey trying to feed the populace, and why the Romulan deligation described our government as hamstrung, their word."
Svetzvani nods. "Correct. But, I do see a possible solution, though it would be a difficult one to perform."
"I am understandably curious," T'Shaav says. "That would be?"
"The Cardassian military has taken control of the government," Tink explains. "But The Federation doesn't recognize the military as the right and true governing body of the Cardassian Union. For that, we still recognize the Detapa Council. The Council members, those who survive anyway, are exiled. I'm trusting... hoping... that some of them at least are among the colonies which have been asking for help. If we can find a few and get them to request aid directly from The Federation as a recognized Cardassian government official, that would give us the legal ticket we need to start openly sending fleets across the border."
T'Shaav takes several seconds to consider that. Her face, overtly unreadable as always, nevertheless takes on the slight cast it gets when she's contemplating a chess board. "That would arguably resolve the legal issue, which is only a legal or theorettical one. It would not resolve the military issues I mentioned and could lead to open conflict between the reining Cardassian authority and Starfleet."
Svetzvani nods. "It would also distract the Cardassian military from their plans in the Gamma Quadrant," she points out. "And while an armed conflict with anyone is not a desirable outcome, a conflict with The Dominion is infinitely less desirable than one with Sorod and his disorganized mercenaries. Plus, we would then have an easement from which to base any further requests for action and assistance from the Detapa Council."
"You have left off one point in your analysis," T'Shaav points out. "The Tzenkethi. What they are doing and what they intend are unknowns."
"I've consulted with Admiral Ghandriane about that," Tink says. "While it's certainly possible that the Tzenkethi are welcome allies of the Cardassians, it's more likely that they are acting simply as opportunistic pirates. But even still, facing a Cardassian/Tzenkethi alliance is preferable to having the Dominion pouring through the wormhole in force."
T'Shaav nods. "True. Everyone is in agreement that just about anything is preferable to that. Do we know that any Detapa Counsel members yet live? Assuming we could find any, how many would be necessary to make a quorum? With the understanding that this exercise in locating them would, with all do respect, serve only to justify the Federation's own contemplated actions."
Svetzvani shakes her head. "All we can do is offer our assistance if, and only if, we happen to find them. How many we need depends on their own laws."
T'Shaav glances at her remote. "It seems the Romulan squadron has decloaked and is holding position, and their flagship has left the station."
Svetzvani looks at her terminal and nods with a frown. "If they're about to take action against the Cardassians without further consultation with us, that would seem to defeat the purpose for them coming here in the first place."
T'Shaav says, "Something tells me they will be somewhat more subtle than that."
Svetzvani says, "I should hope so. I've been wrestling with people trying to get this Detapa Council solution underway, and it's finally starting to happen. If the Romulans... Never mind. That's my responsibility, not yours."
"I do not know what the Romulans will do," T'Shaav says. "If I had to guess, I would suspect a targeted action. Like us, they need information before they can plan effectively and they are not apt to send fleets to bombard on principle. Perhaps what you intend and what they intend can run in parallel. Though I admit, I have little hope for a successful outcome vis-a-vis the detapa counsel. I should not be surprised if Sorod liquidated them."
Svetzvani sighs. "It is entirely possible. But let's hope not." She winks.
T'Shaav nods. "If I can assist you, feel free to send me," she says. "My ship is not as advanced as the Phoenix's Hatfield. Then again, I am on detached duty. It has a stealth hull not subject to compromise as the cloaking device is and is still rappid enough."
Svetzvani smiles. "Thank you, T'Shaav. I'll keep that in mind. And, if you happen to hear anything useful, please let me know?"
T'Shaav nods and stands. "Of course. May I offer a piece of advice?" She asks.
Svetzvani says, "Please."
"As you would put it, try not to worry," she says.
"Concern is what often provides motivation," Tink counters. "But I get your point. I'll try not to obsess."
"We would say, worry is not logical. Concern can allow one to prepare," T'Shaav says. "I believe it comes to the same. If you will excuse me, Diomedes will be ready to depart when you know where any counsel members are located."
Svetzvani gestures to the door. "Thanks again, T'Shaav. I'll be in touch."