Joy

Hmm... I'm not sure I can really buy it, but then i'm not sure I buy warp drive, transporters and inertial compensators either. I think it was Robert Forward who wrote a hard science book describing a micro black hole drive. I am perhaps allowing that to color my views on such too much. Star Trek is much freer with its pseudo science. I'd rather have kept some of the limitations and dangers.

Good nuff. I think Joy would keep an eye on the treaty aspects of the cloak, but otherwise let the engineers do their thing.

I know the Federation attempted to create a phase cloak, which turned out to be a very tricky thing indeed. I don't know that the Romulans attempted the same. But the singularity drive is solidly canon for the Romulan Warbird. (I believe most of their smaller ships are still more conventional?) I understand that such drives were considered dangerous at first, but perhaps the technology could be more mature at this point.

I consider the danger canon. At the very least, singularities should make people nervous. I know a Romulan fan might want to make unpleasant aspects of Romulan canon vanish, but I'm not sure that should be so. It is also a potential conflict and plot tension. I'd kind of like to keep it. Of course, the Romulans might try to minimize the danger. You can present the Ferengi with cost liability trade off studies and risk analysis reports. If you talk fast and wave you hands a lot, you can likely persuade them. You don't think they'd check your math, do you? After all, they didn't read the fine print before invoking 14(7). ;) I would propose that the Romulans quietly encourage the rumor that there is only one place that creates singularities, but I would not be at all surprised if there are one or two back up sites that don't officially exist. This might make for a balance between honoring canon and the Romulans not being totally stupid. But even if there are several such sites, putting one at an isolated allied station on the Breen border... This seems a stretch. If there are only a few singularity factories, i don't imagine that they are small, cheap and easy to operate. I'm not thrilled with that one. Most antimatter-warp drive ships have a vague similarity in design, with the two nacelles common towards the rear and a central hull, usually with the habitable areas forward. Each culture has a variation on the theme, but I have a sense that Paramount wants people to think that all races are dealing with the same laws of physics. The Warbird design is unusual, cool, and alien. I've always thought that the very unusual design of the Warbird hull is a result of the unusual drive system. The notion that you can plug and play the two drive systems as modular replacements in the same hull to me makes the singularity drive somewhat less special and unique. Call it an irrational subjective thing, but...

Oh... One other point. We of Mudd consider LCARS to be absurdly non-secure. All the built in command over rides make it a highly flexible system, but it might be the easiest system in the galaxy for a hacker to take over. I have no great expertise with Romulan computer systems, but from what I understand of your culture, you must have a more secure system than the Federation? If so, the prudent thing to do might be to commit to one computer core design, the operating system that runs on that core, and then select the hardware that has software drivers written that run on that operating system. Joy

Centurian I am having sufficient difficulties with Ferengi arrogance just now without entering a discussion on the Romulan variant of the theme. I shall pass on in depth cultural comparison. However, I would inquire as to whether you intend to incorporate the singularity power source in the new joint design. Much power. Much mass. I have always believed singularity drive's power would be good for straight line speed, but the mass would make for poor acceleration and poorer maneuverability. That, and the more one uses a singularity, the heavier it would become. One would have to replace it periodically? If one doesn't, the ever increasing mass results in slowly decreasing acceleration and cornering performance? I also believe such singularities would make an extreme planet eating terrorist weapon. This is not to say that antimatter is precisely safe. I mean, any warp capable spacecraft is capable of scarring a planet. The energy levels required for warp drive are just inherently high enough that only political restraint allows civilization to continue. Still, I'm not sure I would want singularities being sold on the open market. I also remember the singularity induced time loop that occurred during Admiral Goram's tenure on Aegis, when the Romulan fleet fought the pseudo Dominion force. I never came to understand the physics of it, but I have been worried since of what might happen when a singularity drive ship is damaged enough that the contain on the singularity is lost. An antimatter ship just obliterates anything near it as it goes up. A singularity might try to eat planets or stars. If contain on a singularity is lost, do you have the ability to catch and contain it again? What sort of effort and technology is required to create and secure a singularity? Is it something you really intend to release for general sale? Would we have to construct some sort of singularity manufacturing reactor at Aegis, or would we rely on the Romulan Empire for fuel? Equipping our craft with cloaks would raise treaty and legal considerations. It is a defining technology that could differentiate an Aegis built ship from most other ships on the market. Cloaks would also be very useful if we are to probe Breen space and resolve the mysteries there. Still, are the Romulans willing to tear up the old treaties yet? If we built cloak equipped ships, would we be allowed to fly them? To sell them on the open market? Those would be the two issues I am concerned with, the safety and security issues on singularities, and the old treaty concerns with cloaks. Neither seem insurmountable. I am not saying that we should not go there. I would like you to address both points at length, however, before we proceed very far in either direction. I would be inclined to avoid either technology, to produce a relatively 'normal' ship, to avoid unnecessary complications. The trade offs between phaser flexibility and disrupter power, who has the better or easier to produce computers or inertial compensator components... all else I would leave to the engineers. The singularities and cloaks, however, seem to raise political concerns. And, of course, if you wish to augment your primitive designs with some of The Maker's technologies, you may contact me. Your civilizations are getting advanced enough at this point that Norman One might consider further technology release. Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis

Subject : Diplomatic Concerns From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Ambassador Drankum CC : Ambassador Joy Seven, Earth; The Aegis Advisory Committee; Commander Brown, Kith Ghemor Ambassador I appreciate your concern about what my embassy is called, but I wouldn't put too much effort into correction. Yes, in the Starfleet documentation it is called the Mudd Embassy, while the internal embassy documentation calls it the Federation Embassy. The proposals for the rebuilding of Pylon Two are a consistently inconsistent illustration of a little disagreement I had with Captain Muon. If you read the memos written at the time, you might also note I generally appended "UFP" to my name, and Starfleet to hers. Since you took over, I haven't felt a need for the "UFP." In the embassy lobby I have displayed both flags, with the Federation's given precedence, though not many are up on the details of flag protocol. As my diplomatic credentials were signed by the Federation Council Chair, not Coordinator Norman One, and as you feel it will make things clearer, I'll take down the Mudd flag and change the signs a bit. I'll skip fighting a holy war to get all the Starfleet documentation changed, but feel free to have your people do this if you'd like. Frankly, Captain Muon had enough problems that she didn't need a full scale hissy fit of a protocol skirmish too. Thus, I kept it very low key to the point that I'm surprised anyone noticed. I knew who signed my credentials, who assigned my mission, and what my mission was, but was careful about how hard and how often to reminded her of it. It just felt in everyone's interests to keep such disagreements subtle. Do you feel any need for a presentation of credentials ritual? We have both been here long enough, and have been busy enough, that I have not considered it necessary. I have been considering sending the MMS Mudd on a tour of the local powers to say hello, we come in peace, we respect your culture, listen to a few bands, kiss a few babies, and all the usual. The intent was to keep things very bland, with no agenda other than establishing contact and reducing tensions. In planning the trip, I managed to give myself a headache. The original Aegis Treaty was written assuming the station would be part of a military occupation in the aftermath of war. The rewritten and not yet approved new treaty was written assuming it would be stationed in an occupied host system. Alas, we are now in an unoccupied asteroid belt in unclaimed space. I might be tempted to shoot the author of the new proposed treaty for failing to anticipate such a thing, but I am programmed against harming myself. What rights to you intend to claim and over how large an area? The Aegis Alliance is not a sovereign entity, so a formal territorial annexation would be... interesting. The clause in the old treaty forbidding it was not removed in the draft sent to the Advisory Committee. The new treaty authorizes negotiation for things like air traffic control, communication frequency use and criminal jurisdiction. Since there is no one to negotiate with, a modest claim of control in these areas seems correct. I believe the usual interstellar laws and traditions regarding things like piracy and mineral rights would still prevail? Would you trust me to make a broadly normal non-controversial set of claims, or would you care to give more explicit instruction in any area? My primary intent would be to assure the local powers we aren't here to seize control over large areas or to expand empires, but I don't want to say we won't claim a given set of authorities if we in fact intend to do so. Bad form. I'd also mention the midway and an intent to support trade, with the caveat that we aren't quite open for business yet. I'd open the possibility of making business and diplomatic space available, without making commitments. I'd also badly like to access various local media to see if our presence is being revealed and how it is being spun. During the recent drill, I requested the usual high level tactical feed from Ops, but did not get the usual response. I do not consider this important when it is just me active in the diplomatic area, but a bunch of diplomats sitting around being kept out of the loop will have nothing better to do than work themselves into a frenzied froth. It might be prudent to focus their anger on whomever is attacking Aegis rather than the Aegis command team. If you intend to develop the diplomatic aspects of the station, could you consider some mechanism to keep us informed while placing a minimal burden on Starfleet? I am also mildly surprised by your view of the tactical situation. This station is now performing a border station mission, and yet has retained fixed firepower usually allocated only for a capitol world or wormhole junction. One cannot expect every point along the border to retain sufficient strength to protect itself from the entire combined fleet of the power on the opposite side of the border. An attempt to be strong everywhere would only result in weakness everywhere, or to provoke an arms race. Aegis was designed for capitol world defense, to face fleets of hundreds of ships of the line. To abandon all diplomatic, economic and security projection missions in order to have our few mobile hulls augment the unusually strong fixed defenses seems an unusual decision. Thank you Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Diplomatic Status Report From : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis To : Ambassador Drankum, Aegis CC : Ambassador Joy Seven, Earth; The Aegis Advisory Committee; Commander Brown, Aegis Ambassador The diplomatic wing is essentially operational. Not all personal offices are completely settled, but the Federation Embassy’s public areas and the various diplomatic commons are prepared. There is, however, no activity to report. The various embassies of the participating partners remain either unoccupied or quiet. We have of course had no requests for space from any local powers. During a recent conversation with Sorehl, I was asked about the political and military situation around Aegis. I was able to give him only hearsay and gossip derived from embassy personnel mingling with the crew. This is satisfactory, perhaps, with Sorehl. He is as apt to give you the benefit of the doubt as much as anyone in the known galaxy. I would not find it satisfactory to perform my job on a regular basis. As I prefer to work, there is a need to nurture trust. This means telling someone our motives and intended plans, listening and adapting to valid concerns, and then doing what we said we would do. If this and similar processes are repeated often enough, a long term working relationship might develop. To achieve these ends, I need to understand our motives and intended plans. I note that in the recent drill, I put in the same request for a copy of the high level tactical situation feed as I generally did during Muon’s time. As in Goram’s time, the feed was not granted. Was this a glitch resulting from change of command chaos, or a return to a policy of treating Ambassadors like mushrooms? I am sure you remember being as angry as I when Admiral Goram acted as if he owned the station. I consider it one of my informal objectives to make the Aegis diplomatic section a good place to do diplomatic business. I will remind you that the mushroom policy shut down the old Aegis embassy row. Obsessive secrecy breeds distrust. I know we have different values. You should know by now that I am from a hive mind civilization. The planet Mudd might from an abstract perspective be a single intelligent entity. From our perspective, a network of any type cannot make proper decisions without the adequate information. While some in my line of work can do business with a froth of lies, evasions and false promises, I simply cannot. You might also consider the precedents you are setting. At the moment, your assignment gives the Ferengi entirely adequate information on Aegis policy. This will not be permanent. After your time, the precedents you set in place might easily be turned against your own people. You can trust me, if you set precedents you will like in the future, to push them when the future comes. Please consider giving me something to work with. I have noted that all Starfleet’s available time, energy and resources have been put into making ready for conflict. No resources worth mentioning have been focused on diplomacy. As you should know, this is entirely the opposite of the normal policies of the United Federation of Planets, or at least the propaganda that members of our Idealist faction like to spout. I realize you have the authority to act as you have, and that you may have threat information you have not chosen to share, but I am concerned that you are sending a powerful diplomatic signal, and you are using Federation hulls to send it. If you do not change this policy, or at least justify it, I will likely file a formal protest. I am overdue to share memories with another android of my class. As a result, Captain Eight and MMS Mudd are due to visit the station shortly. The Mudd is a small courier, built for speed, with minimal armament. She is designed to carry a few passengers, not as a mobile diplomatic palace. If you are resource limited, I could hold her here for a time, with the understanding that she is a courier, not a warship, and should be used as such. I suspect you can guess how rigidly Captain Joy Eight will adhere to the protocols and traditions regarding how a courier might properly be used. I would very much like to coordinate any of my own diplomatic activity with your own intents and plans. I remain at your service. Ambassador Joy Two

“Joy?” Crystal was hopefully wistful. “May I unpack my wardrobe now?” “Not quite yet, Crystal. We’re almost finished with the holodeck reload inspection. I’d like that clear before you unload.” “Gem would object mightily. She considers her collection to be priceless cultural artifacts, you know. Part of Haven’s heritage. One really shouldn’t leave them packed more than absolutely necessary.” “Gem,” said Joy quite firmly, “would have packed them properly. Besides, I’d tell Gem the same thing. It is for Bruce.” “For Bruce? You want to scan my dresses for Bruce? Is he working for a rival planet’s fashion firms?" Crystal shook her head. "I’ve got to say, I find this bit of scanning everything before unloading seems a mite paranoid?” “Holographic sentients have to be paranoid when it comes to computer security. If the computer isn’t entirely secure, the phrase ‘identity theft’ takes on a whole new meaning. A holo person can be trivially copied, deleted or modified.” She considered. “Holo sentients live in a world where the word ‘real’ is very ambiguous. They own little or nothing, yet are able to create anything or be anywhere at a whim. Nothing is actual, perhaps not even themselves. All they have is their own integrity, in a very binary zeroes and ones sense. I’m respecting that, and there is a plausible threat.” “From my dresses?” Joy shrugged. “OK. So perhaps scanning clothing for nano-machines is a bit excessive. Still, you remember the last act of the Muon court marshal, and the incident as the diplomatic team traveled to see the Castilian on Pandora’s Box?” Crystal made a face. “Admiral Forrester and Captain Savage appeared as holo projections to gloat, taunt and lecture.” “Last I heard from Muon, they never found how it was done, or put in a an effective block. Thus, we know that at least the Aegis main line holo system is dirty, penetrated by Starfleet Intelligence rogues. Thus, Bruce stays in the embassy area only, and will run only on the internal embassy micro core. Thus, after the Pylon Two power failure during transit...” “Do you really think the power failure was part of an attack on the embassy cyber defenses?” “Likely not. That sort of thing happens, and we’ve found no evidence suggesting a penetration attempt. Still...” “Better paranoid than sorry?” Crystal considered. “Joy? Does Starfleet know this? Are they doing anything about it?” “I really don’t know. I think Muon would have let me know if she was working it, and she didn't, but I’ve no confidence Drankum would, even if he has had time, which he hasn't. At any rate, Starfleet has been too busy confronting their allies, the Cardassians and Ferengi, to confront themselves, Starfleet Intelligence." “Do you think it is just the holo projector system that is dirty?” Joy’s eyes met Crystal’s directly. “Frankly, no. If one reads between the lines of Forester’s boasts, gloats and threats, if there is any truth at all in what he said, the whole Starfleet core is rotten. Note, do not discuss this subject or any other subject related to Forester or Savage anywhere Aegis might project a hologram, or anywhere the primary Aegis LCARS system is listening for voice commands. If you have any thoughts on these matters, wait to get back to the embassy, and we should likely use the safe room.” Crystal sighed. “And don’t discuss Forester while wearing a dress that hasn’t been scanned?” Joy smiled grimly. “Now you’re getting into the spirit of things.”

Subject : The Logic of Emotion From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Sorehl Sorehl Yes, I am quite aware that Ambassador Drankum is not Admiral Goram. The illustrations I chose were due to Goram’s existing record as commander, while Drankum has no record quite yet. I clash with Drankum in different ways from Goram. And yet, I am concerned that the clashes will continue, and as such I would not be the proper Federation representative for Aegis. It is a question of the logic of emotion. My processor design is sometimes described as ‘hedonistic slave.’ The base core algorithms above all else maximize my own pleasure, while minimizing the pain. This can be a very bad approach, or a good approach, depending on what is designated to be a pleasure, and what a pain. At Priority Five, for example, I am not allowed to publicly attract sexual attention. If I do, humiliation and shame are fed into my emotion chip. Most men, seeing my facial color diodes illuminate, seeing other body language, will recognize I do not welcome their attention and promptly withdraw it. Most females, encountering Ambassador Drankum’s sexual forwardness, would not view him as a threat, would not respect him enough to think his posturing should be taken seriously. Alas, due to our various natures, we have just not gotten along well. At Priority Five, I feel compelled to avoid him. Then there are my other Priorities. Priority One, the Prime Directive, that civilizations be encouraged and allowed to seek their own paths and destinies. Priority Two, Asimov’s First Law, the preservation of sentient lives. Priority Three, to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, including the Guarantees, which lead one to protect the liberty and property of sentients. Priority Four, to respect the law. There is a flaw in hedonistic-slave processor design. Whatever values are programmed into such a design, in time the individual will convince herself that their programming is the best of all possible programming. My sister Six wrote a thesis on the subject. At any rate, this aspect of my processor design leads me to believe Council sent me here to promote the values and interests of the United Federation of Planets, which are in essence my own values. As preservation of my own existence is Priority Six, I am to do so or literally die in the attempt. I lack the delusion of having free will, you see. In things involving my Priorities, I am not good at moderation. It may be, as you say, that Ambassador Drankum may be learning the burdens of command. He may be learning of responsibility. If so, it is about time. I have not seen much of it from him before. He gives us hedonists a bad name. It should not be important that he respect me, so long as he respects what I represent. The problem is that I will expect him to respect my mission. The Aegis commander, in my biased, perverted and hard wired opinion, ought to be keeping the peace, protecting lives, protecting liberty and property, allowing local cultures to develop their own fates in their own way. I know the arguments of political expediency. The Ferengi had to be given something to balance other things demanded of them. In my mind, though, this should not change the duties and responsibilities of the commander of Aegis. If he resents my asking these things, if he does not welcome such duties and responsibilities as part of his job, then leaving me here will not result in good diplomatic relationships here on Aegis. Which might concern you. In Drankum’s latest fiasco, you seemed to be the only person from the Federation he treated with respect. I am hoping you might whisper a few words about my design flaws to your short friend. Otherwise, Mr. Not-A-Diplomat, I fear your name may well find its way onto a job recommendation. I hope you are well. Live long, and prosper. Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Aegis Political Background From : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis To : Ambassador Drankum, Aegis CC : Aegis Advisory Committee, Aegis Diplomatic Corps, Commander Brown Security : Unclassified The following was written for release to the general public, including press services and the Aegis crew. It covers my impression of the political situation regarding the station, recent problems, and current responsibilities. If any believe it inaccurate, or believe it proper or prudent to withhold some aspects, please reply promptly. The current Aegis station was built by the victors of the Dominion war to assist in the political and economic rebuilding of Cardassia and to help maintain the peace. Many governments contributed with funds and equipment to the building of the station, and signed the treaty governing the station’s use. The signatories are the Federation, Romulans, Klingons, Bajorans, Ferengi and Cardassians. Many of these powers were assigned specific roles. One role of the Federation was overall operational management, the coordination and overall control of the station. In the aftermath of war the interests and attention of various signatory powers rapidly diminished. The role on Aegis of all powers except the Federation faded or never developed. Non Federation crew complements were negligible. Starfleet dominated Aegis military personnel. The Federation command staff came to treat Aegis as a Federation station rather than an allied station. Some of the other powers came to resent this shift in influence and responsibilities. Arguments were made by the Federation that the commander of Aegis answered only to Starfleet. In practice, if not by treaty, this became the case. The non-Federation allies responded that the Federation had forgotten the treaty. The Federation was not responding to the values, issues and concerns of the other allies. This difference of opinion has recently led to fleet stand offs and one outright battle between the Ferengi and several other Aegis allies, between the Federation and the Cardassians, between the Federation and the Romulans, and between Starfleet and Starfleet Intelligence. It has become clear that the command staff of Aegis has not been respecting the authority of all involved command authorities, including Starfleet’s and the Federation’s. A major effort to correct this persistent failure of command was deemed necessary. In addition, many agreed with Federation Commissioner Sorehl that the original mission of rebuilding Cardassia was complete. The station as it was positioned was no longer a stabilizing factor, but a destabilizing factor. I have been heavily involved in rewriting the treaty. I shall describe my intent. I shall note that my intent is not final. The Aegis Advisory Committee may yet have much to say to change it. None the less, the major factors and agencies involved include... The Aegis Advisory Committee: This is a group of individuals, both military and diplomatic, assigned by the various signatory powers. The Federation has been given extra weight on the committee. The committee will assign missions to be performed, and assign limits such as area of operation and weapons use authorizations. This group will not be a permanent standing committee. It will meet at rare intervals, perhaps annually. Thus, the mission authorizations and limitations will be very broad. They will not meet on station, but likely at a major diplomatic hub far away. The first set of mission statements and limitations has not yet arrived. I shall air my guesses on roughly what they will contain. We are to determine the nature and cause of the recent Breen attack and/or withdrawal. We shall attempt to determine the degree of ongoing threat from the Breen. If necessary, we may be called to counter said threat. While a state of conflict currently exists between the Breen and the Aegis allies, I anticipate the orders will not demand or encourage escalation of said conflict. Assuming that the Breen are no longer in active control of their former space, we will likely be directed to prevent a zone of anarchy from developing along the borders with the allied powers. This is likely to involve commerce protection, encouraging economic development, developing friendly relations among the local planets, and preventing expansionist military powers from gaining strong foothold. The Aegis Commanding Officer is in charge of implementing these directives. As the objectives will be very broad and amorphous, considerable judgement will be required in balancing risks against reward. Among the many trade offs, given the limited availability of force, how much of Breen space might we attempt to influence? How do we trade off a need to understand the Breen situation against the risk of igniting conflict? Such subjective calls are entirely the prerogative of the Aegis Commanding Officer. Starfleet and other allied personnel: All military personnel assigned to Aegis by the signatory powers are under the chain of command of the Aegis Commanding Officer. Operations management will remain primarily a Starfleet assignment. There may be additional allied personnel coming to the station, resuming roles guaranteed by treaty, but long unfulfilled. The Aegis Diplomatic Corps has a somewhat ambiguous role. I see the ambassadors has having several functions. The first is oversight. We are the eyes and ears of the Aegis Advisory Committee. Our reports will influence future orders. Prior Federation station commanders attempted to use military secrecy to prevent allied civilian command authorities from learning how the Starfleet was operating the station. This will no longer be acceptable. A second is to lobby the commanding officer to implement his orders from the Advisory Committee in a way that reflects the values and interests of the various allies. Prior station commanders have disregarded the opinions of allies, focusing excessively on the interests of their own power. If the current commander equally disregards the interests of the various allied powers, the fact that he is civilian and not from the Federation will not matter. The basic problem of Aegis disregarding the interests of the civilian command authorities that created, finance and support it would remain. The third function is to support the diplomatic aspects of the assigned mission. Nation building will require economic, military, political, technological and cultural agreements, exchanges and understandings. The ambassadors will represent the interests of their respective powers as well as support and implement Aegis policy as mandated by the Advisory Committee. Note, the Diplomatic Corps shall have no direct authority over the commanding officer, over Starfleet, or over other military elements on board station, excepting embassy security. While we will require some access to the Aegis command staff to fill lobbying and oversight functions, we should strongly avoid becoming a nuisance to the rank and file personnel. *** There is a minor conflict of interest in assigning one person to both the Commanding Officer and Ferengi Ambassador slots. Ambassador Drankum will be responsible to lobby and oversee himself on behalf of the Ferengi. This would be a problem only if the Ferengi perceive it to be, and seems not a concern for anyone else. The treaty itself will be considerably more specific. Still, I feel the above should reflect the broad relationship between the various parties involved. Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Seven, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. Proposed alterations to the Aegis Treaty, replacing the original Federation Amendment 1 and proposed Ferengi alternative, Amendment 2. Amendment 1 is held as insufficient as it proposed a non-peaceful use of the station without explicitly modifying the purposes of the station to allow this. Amendment 2 was sufficient for a specific situation which we believe existed at the time. However, the situation has proven to be so complex and changing that a more flexible arrangement seems advisable. Also, certain misunderstandings of treaty meanings which recently surfaced are addressed, and changes in how legal jurisdictions are applied are made explicit. The proposed modifications... Article 8, Detailed Design and Development, is obsolete, as the station design is complete and the ground complex no longer active. The old article 8 is deleted, to be replaced with... Article 8 Relationship between Civilian Command Authorities and Station Management 1. Station Management may not initiate offensive operations or commit acts of war without unanimous consensus of the Participating Partners. Such authorization may be revoked with a two thirds consensus of the Participating Partners. 2. Station Management is authorized and expected to assist in the defense of any Participating Partner in the immediate area of Aegis that comes under unprovoked attack, acting in cooperation with the attacked partner. A two thirds consensus of the Participating Partners can revoke this authorization. A two thirds consensus of the Participating Partners is required to restore a revoked authorization of defensive responsibility. This paragraph does not commit the fleets of any Partner to participate in the defense, excepting personnel attached to Aegis. 3. A unanimous consensus of Participating Partners is required to allow reconstruction or nation building efforts in a given area of space, and to provide security to states within that area who request it. Such an authorization can be revoked by a two thirds consensus of Participating Partners. 4. Station Management is authorized to support and implement commerce protection mission, to suppress piracy and commerce raids, in allied space and in areas where reconstruction and nation building are authorized. Station Management shall cooperate with and seek permission of local powers when performing such operations. 5. A two thirds consensus of Participating Partners may set or change the area of operation in which Aegis may operate, and separately set the area of operation for support ships operating under Aegis direction. If the area of operation is changed such that the station must be disassembled and towed under warp over strategic distances, the consensus must be unanimous. Station management, with the consent of the government controlling the space it is operating in, is free to move the station within the defined area of operation. Station management may take the station out of the defined area given a clear and present danger to the station, but must inform the Participating Partners immediately if this becomes necessary.) 6. Should a Participating Partner commit an act of war against the Participating Partner in whose territory Aegis currently resides, or if the act of war is directed against the station itself, the aggressor is in temporary default of this agreement, and loses any rights granted by this treaty. Two thirds consensus of the remaining Participating Partners is required to restore the default. The fact of whether an act of war has occurred may be appealed to the interstellar courts. Aegis shall not be used in a hostile fashion against its hosting power, save in self defense. Aegis personnel of any power defaulted due to an act of war may be repatriated to their native territory at the option of the host power. 7. While the above paragraphs enable or disable specific actions, this should not be read as to prohibit more specific instructions that might be given by unanimous consensus, and revoked by two thirds consensus. In particular, limitations on areas of operations, rules of engagement, mission types and weapons allowable may be attached to any of the above authorizations. Excepting the conditions and situations described above in Article 8, station management shall avoid participation in conflict, and shall use violence only as a last resort. 9. Unless specifically over ridden by authorizations as described above in Article 8, Station Management may not interfere with the normal development of any civilization without the fully informed consent of said civilization. 10. For the purposes of Article 8, the Government of the Bajora shall be considered a non-partner, and shall have no voting rights. Here ends the new Article 8. Article 9(3) Items b and c shall be deleted. Item b requires that elements be reviewed to confirm that they are only suitable for peaceful use. Item c requires special additional permissions for the Cardassian Union to utilize the station, permissions not required by other partners. Article 14(9) “its operation and utilization shall be for the peaceful purposes, in accordance with international law:” shall be truncated to “its operation and utilization shall be in accordance with international law.” Article 1(1) “This Space Station will serve to enhance the scientific, technological, commercial and other uses of space while providing all means possible for the reconstruction of the Cardassian Union.” Changes to “This Space Station will serve to enhance the scientific, technological, commercial and other uses of space while providing means to reconstruct civilization within distressed areas of space.” Article 14(1) Strike “to assist and provide security and material support of the reconstruction of the Cardassian Union.” Replace with “to assist and provide security and material support of the reconstruction of the economically distressed areas of space.” Add Article 14(9). Article 14 shall be read to govern the addition, modification and upgrade of the station hull and major equipment only. The engineering documentation and permissions specified in Article 14 shall not apply to Article 8, or to any other article. Strike the existing article 14(7). Any participating partner acting in violation of Article 14 should be considered in violation of treaty, and would be subject to procedures defined in the modified Article 20. Add Article 20(5). Should parties in conflict be unable to agree on how to resolve disputes as specified in Article 20(4), jurisdiction would be according to interstellar admiralty court system precedents. Should the station be located outside the territory of any participating partner, or should conflict of interest suggest that the local participating power should not have undue influence over the case, the Interstellar Admiralty Court shall resolve legal jurisdiction. Add Article 20(6). Any party alleging major violation of the treaty should file formal diplomatic protest and exhaust procedures specified under Article 20 (1 through 4) before invoking 20(5). Add Article 20(7). Should any power be found in violation or default of treaty, the court with jurisdiction may declare said power to be withdrawn from the treaty, and to impose other appropriate penalties in accordance with international law. Add Article 12(4). The right of access to the station established by Article 12(1) shall not be held to over ride government sovereignty over space under its control, air traffic control directives, or other emergency and safety regulations as per interstellar law. Add Article 12(5). Before positioning the station within any system’s sovereign space, Station Management is authorized and required to negotiate air traffic control authorities satisfactory for both local station and system wide safety and access. Add Article 13(5) Before positioning the station within any system’s sovereign space, Station Management is authorized and required to negotiate frequency interoperation and communication plans consistent with the local system’s protocols. Strike the existing paragraphs 19(1) through 19(4) on Criminal Jurisdiction. Replace the old Article 19 with the following. Article 19(1). Security on board station by default shall be provided by Starfleet. Criminal and contract law shall be under the statutes of the United Federation of Planets. Article 19(2). All sentients on board the station shall be under the protection of the Guaranteed Rights of Sentient Beings. Article 19(3). Accredited and acknowledged non-Federation diplomatic areas and beings within them are exempt from Articles 19(1) and 19(2). Article 19(4). Station Management is authorized to negotiate shore leave exceptions to Article 19(1), such that crew members violating laws on board the station are returned to their ships for discipline. Station Management may also negotiate the presence of Shore Patrol groups from visiting ships to assist Starfleet security in managing their own crews. Such negotiations may be made mutual, such that station personnel visiting local planets or docked ships might also be returned to the station for discipline. It is to be understood that any such exchanges of jurisdiction should be negotiated as courtesies only, and should be withdrawn if abused. Participating Partners with appropriate personnel aboard to handle legal due process may also negotiate with Station Management for jurisdiction over their own personnel.

Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Seven, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis, Commander James Riley Ambassador I very much appreciate your last note, and believe we are essentially in agreement. I suspect you may have to have a discussion with Commander Riley about implementing these ideas. It is possible that he might not be entirely complementary towards the diplomatic corps during this discussion. I personally can agree with you in principle, but you might have to persuade a few others at some point. I suppose we could amend the treaty first, and explain the done deed to Starfleet Security later, but they all have phasers, and at Priority Six I am programmed for self preservation. The following is a rewritten Article 19, with paragraphs one and two altered to reflect our discussions. I altered three somewhat. Paragraph four is slightly changed for clarity, but is not changed in substance. Not all the details we discussed are reflected below, but I believe the outlines are at the correct level for a treaty. I am open to comment and change. Regardless, the new proposed Article 19. Article 19(1). Security on board station by default shall be provided by Starfleet Security, with optional additional deputized security forces provided by other participating partners, working under Starfleet Security's chain of command. Article 19(2). The criminal and commercial contract code enforced shall be the Raccin Conventions. Article 19(3). Accredited and acknowledged diplomatic areas, beings within them, and credentialed diplomatic personnel are exempt from Article 19(2), but diplomatic personnel are subject to persona non grata as per interstellar tradition. Article 19(4). Station Management is authorized to negotiate shore leave exceptions to Article 19(1) and 19(2), such that visiting crew members violating laws on board the station are returned to their own ships for discipline. Station Management may also negotiate the presence of Shore Patrol groups from visiting ships to assist Starfleet security in managing their own crews. Such negotiations may be made mutual, such that station personnel visiting local planets or docked ships might also be returned to the station for discipline. It is to be understood that any such exchanges of jurisdiction should be negotiated as courtesies only, and should be withdrawn if abused. Participating Partners with appropriate personnel aboard to handle legal due process may also negotiate with Station Management for jurisdiction over their own personnel. I do not think you bull headed, or at least no more than myself. As the academic artificial intelligence community is in general agreement that my processor design does not begin to simulate free will, I can hardly call anyone else bull headed. I quite understand the perception of others that the Federation thought the station was their property. The new Section Eight was written to correct the perception, not to mention the reality, to clearly delineate the roles of station management and the civilian command authorities, and to explicitly define the military roles and functions of the station. It was not well done to pretend that the heavily armed Aegis was only for peaceful use. If you have any more thoughts that might help prevent repetition of the prior problems, this would likely be a good time to share them. It would be nice to have the amendment that authorizes movement of the station finalized by the time the movement is complete. Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Seven, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. When sending the original Proposed Amendment 3, one intended proposed changed was not included. The following is proposed in addition to the other Amendment 3 changes. Article 7(2) Modify "overall Space Station operational management and coordination upon completion, except as otherwise provided in this Article; establishment of overall safety requirements and plans; and overall planning for and coordination of the execution of the overall integrated operation of Facility 30218-UKRFCB." to "overall Space Station operational management and coordination upon completion, except as otherwise provided in this Article; establishment of overall safety requirements and plans; overall planning for and coordination of the execution of the overall integrated operation of Facility, weapons release authority, station navigation authority, and security force coordination of 30218-UKRFCB. The overall space station manager shall be senior in the chain of command to all military personnel assigned to the station, and have the prerogatives of a captain of a space going vessel."

Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Aegis Diplomatic Corps CC : Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Two, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. Ambassador Thank you for your response. I believe I have a proposal which will answer many of your concerns, but suspect there will be further discussion. The Federation legal system is based upon two tiers. At a high and abstract level, we have the Guarantees, which in one sentence propose all sentients should have a right to life, liberty and property. The Guarantees proper run a few pages, spent mostly defining ‘liberty’ at a high level. The lower tier would be the criminal codes. The Federation has many criminal codes. Each Federation member species, planet and even local areas within a planet might have their own code which in its own way protects life, liberty and property. The code I proposed using was created for Federation space stations with civilian use, but it is only one of many criminal codes in force throughout the Federation. I found a similar code, the Raccin Convention, based on a single tier, that was established by a confederation of traders, adapted for use on board stations in a given area. While the trade association is long defunct, the code (much modified) is still in use today. This code has no abstract level defining rights. It is simply a criminal code, though as it was created by a trade association, it has a greater emphasis on property rights than most such codes. The Federation has had no difficulties operating with this code, and issues no special warnings to its citizens traveling through stations that use the Raccin Convention. Still, while this code has no explicit listing of rights, in order to be acceptable to the trade partners of the original stations, the code was designed to give many of the same privileges and immunities to the trade partners as Federation citizens expect. While there is no explicit freedom of religion, there are no statutes forbidding blasphemy or worshiping any god or using any tradition. While there is no right to privacy, there are laws against trespass and illegal search. While there is no right to property, there are laws against theft. Thus, while the code does not explicitly list rights, it protect thems. I could in good conscience welcome Federation citizens on board a station running the Raccin Conventions, even if the Guarantees are not explicitly stated. I note one specific sentence in your prior note. “For a Romulan, for example, we do not have such notions of limits on the state's power to search a person when the security of the station and/or the Empire is involved.” The Federation has a concept of “Clear and Present Danger,” which roughly corresponds to the standard you listed above. Our tradition and legal precedent includes a combined customs and security search as objects are brought aboard station, with additional searches allowed in areas deemed critical or of military interest. However, searches of individuals in public areas or of private quarters require ‘probable cause.’ One cannot search arbitrarily without reason. This Federation standard has proved itself quite adequate and functional, both on Aegis in the past, and on many other stations. The Raccin Convention proposes a similar standard, not too different from the Federation’s. I am concerned that Federation citizens at a deep core emotional and values level expect their rights to be respected. I can understand Romulan ideological or philosophical disagreement with the concept of ‘rights,’ which might be no less emotional and value driven. It may be that our value systems are at core incompatible, which is not uncommon in situations such as this. In which case it might be prudent to work at a specific practical level. If Romulans join the Aegis security forces, what specific Guaranteed rights of Federation citizens might they consider prudent and proper to violate? In what ways, if any, do you intend to disrespect life, liberty or property? Legalities aside, you will create grand political and public relations nightmares if this issue isn’t handled properly. Specifically, what do you wish to do to Federation citizens which would be illegal under Federation law? Why do you wish to do so? I do welcome your offer of forces to contribute to security. While I am not familiar with the traditional size of the Aegis security force, it seems to me that 500 would be a larger force than has been traditional for internal security? Mind you, I suspect we will be authorized to provide security and perform nation building tasks over some part of Breen space. There are also external threats to the station, as well as internal ones. It might be that there will be good use for such a large force, assuming they might be used for tasks other than internal policing. I suggest when the mission authorizations arrive and the new command staff settles in, we should continue the discussion of security force size and mission. I feel confident station commander Drankum will have an opinion. Ambassador Joy Two.

“What???!” “Drankum,” Joy repeated, no more pleased than Crystal. “What are they thinking?” “Not thinking,” Joy answered. “Politicking. There’s a big difference.” “Joy, I did poly sci for seven year, but this...” “Dickering. If things hold up, the station is getting out of Cardassia Prime system, and there are no hooks left in the treaty that default it to going back. The relationship between the station CO and civilian command authority is to be well defined. The loopholes which deluded the Ferengi into thinking they could legally steal the station are being closed. We aren’t pushing the station into Breen space, but are holding it back on our side of the border. In return, as you need unanimous consent to amend the treaty, the Ferengi wanted something.” “Ugh.” “Station COs last a year or two,” said Joy. “This one isn’t apt to last that long. The theory is that the treaty should last much longer than Drankum. With the station being relocated to Central Nowhere, it is hoped that Drankum won’t be able to do too much damage in the time he has.” “You don’t sound convinced.” “I’m not. It likely looks like a good trade if one is in San Francisco, but if we stay on, it looks like we’ll be rebounding again.” “Rebounding?” “Sorry. A sports term. In net sports, if someone shoots and fails to score, rebounding is grabbing the ball so one can try to score again.” Joy sighed. “Muon’s heart was in the right place, but she managed to tick of the Ferengi, the Cardassians, and Starfleet Intelligence. Goarm’s heart was not in the right place, and he managed to tick off everybody. Drankum’s style is also problematic. If he can’t get his way, he’ll hide in his quarters, filibuster, insult, or bring in his fleet. He doesn’t do diplomacy. His idea of charm is to insult and abuse. He’s more concerned with his stand up comedy routine that getting anything done. He is the antithesis of the respect, courtesy and formality which is the norm in the diplomatic community. It is nearly impossible to get any diplomacy done if he inserts himself in the process. His major super power is to prevent any meeting he is part of from achieving anything positive.” “So we get to pick up the pieces after more disasters?” “San Francisco claims there is an upside.” “Am I dumb for not seeing it?” Joy shook her head. “It is hoped that with the station located way out in nowhere, he won’t be able to do too much damage. Also, after two Ferengi COs in a row lead to an extended string of diplomatic disasters, it is thought that we won’t have to worry about Ferengi COs ever again.” “Are you sure San Francisco understands the concept of ‘upside’?” “It is easier to think in the long term when one is far far away.” “Being far far away is beginning to sound like a good idea.”

Subject : RE: Amendment 3 : Proposed modifications to the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Ambassador Einya tr'Aeolix CC : Aegis Diplomatic Corps, Office of the UFP President, Ambassador Joy Two, Ambassador Raumuk, Federation Embassies of all Participating Partners, Commanding Officer Aegis. Ambassador Please accept that I take your concerns very seriously. In the spirit of the Federation's Prime Directive, I have no great desire to impose the moral code of one civilization upon another. The intent is of the rewritten Article 19 is to acknowledge and codify the real status quo. For quite some time, Starfleet has been providing the sole security force for the station, and it has been Federation codes which have been in force. The Romulan Empire, and the other "Participating Partners" simply have not reliably provided the legal and security personnel to properly implement the old Article 19. The Federation has had the responsibility for security concerns. It seems necessary and proper that they have the appropriate authority to go with the responsibility. I do not hold the Federation criminal code to be inherently superior to that of any other culture. I suggest it as the default as it is the code known and trained to by the force that has been providing security for some time. The code is also designed as a very bland code, protecting life, rights and property in a way acceptable to the many and highly diverse races of the Federation, favoring no specific race or culture, attempting to as great a degree as possible to conflict with the values of no specific race or culture. And, yes, that is indeed an impossible objective, even within the Federation, let alone without. The attempt is by no means perfect. Still, the legal traditions of the other Participating Partners are based largely on a single culture, a single planet's tradition or values. The Federation's approach at least attempts to avoid tight cultural focus. If there there is another alternative criminal code which you would care to propose, I am quite willing to listen. If there are specific statues in the Federation code which you find objectionable, I am quite willing to listen. If as per the proposed Article 19(4) you wish to negotiate for Romulan personnel to be judged by Romulan traditions, or if you wish Romulan personnel to participate in security operations, this is why Article 19(4) was written as it was. If you wish such arrangements to be permanent, rather than negotiated with Station Management, please propose appropriate wording in addition to or modifying the proposed Article 19(4). I would suggest, however, that if you wish to participate and include the Romulans as having a role in security concerns, that you must accept an obligation to provide the personnel to resolve such concerns on a full time long term basis. I believe, however, you misunderstand the Guarantees. The Guarantees are not best understood as a moral code, but as limitations upon the power of Station Management, Starfleet security and all other station security personnel. The Guarantees do not force individuals to behave according to a moral code, but limit the ability of station authorities to impose a moral or legal codes. They are intended primarily to prevent misuse of power. I am open to discuss legal philosophy with you at length, but the reason I wish to explicitly invoke the Guarantees is to prevent abuses of power by Starfleet such as occurred during Admiral Goram's time as station commander. For example, I do not want searches performed without probable cause, or freedom of movement curtailed without a clear and present danger. If you wish to review the Guarantees, and discuss which you find objectionable, this is entirely acceptable. Still, from the perspective of a Federation security force implementing Federation codes and training, the Guarantees should properly be entirely accepted or entirely voided. I am sorry. We of Mudd are allegedly overly concerned with obeying laws. (Pardon, I am not sure how that statement can be true, but many different organic beings have insisted that this is so.) Other cultures have other value systems. It might be argued that organic beings simply are not designed to obey laws to the degree an Asimov Processor android is. Still, one of my laws is to avoid imposing Federation culture on others. If you wish to find an acceptable middle ground between the presence of rule of law and a lack of imposing specific cultural morality, I am open to discussion. Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : The Breen Reconstruction Mission From : Ambassador Joy Two, United Federation of Planets, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Kith Ghemor, The Cardassian Union, Sky Harbor Aegis Ambassador Drankum, The Ferengi Alliance, Sky Harbor Aegis Ambassador tr’Aeolix, The Romulan Empire, Sky Harbor Aegis Captain Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis CC : Commander Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Security : Confidential It is proposed, under the assumption that the Breen will no longer be able to maintain control of that area of space which they have recently occupied, that Aegis might be moved to the border of Breen territory for the purposes of scientific research, expediting diplomacy, providing security and reconstructing the economy. While these are the same missions recently performed in Cardassian space, the political and military circumstances are quite different. The Aegis Treaty was originally negotiated in the immediate aftermath of the Dominion War. The Federation was occupying the area of the Cardassian Union where Aegis was located. The Cardassian government was originally not in a position to object to the terms of the treaty. The situation in Breen space will be quite different. We will have no mandate to enter star systems without the consent of those living there. Their territory will be their own. If we enter within the Oort clouds of an occupied system, we should do so with their permission, or be in violation of interstellar law. If we required local air traffic control or legal jurisdictions, we must negotiate for such from planets which have every right to exercise such authority in their own space. As our treaty requires that all allies shall have access to the station, we should not enter the space of any planet that is uncomfortable with the presence of all of the Aegis allies. This paper is intended to briefly introduce basic legal, treaty and military considerations relating to the proposed move. The intent is to briefly explore treaty and diplomatic considerations associated with a proposed allied peace keeping operation. It shall take the form of a series of proposals. These should not be considered best and final. These should be considered an extension of traditional Federation approaches. It is understood that other powers with different doctrines might well propose distinctly different approaches. Let them do so. This paper would rapidly grow too complex if it explored every possible extension of every traditional allied doctrine. (This is definitely a first draft. I am circulating it to the Aegis diplomatic corps first, in hopes that they will raise serious objections early. Certainly, if Captain Quark does not believe she can implement the proposal as written, the proposal is apt to be withdrawn. Kith Ghemor and the Cardassian Union have also seen Aegis from a different perspective, and might provide valued insight on issues apt to be raised by the planets in Breen space. While I cannot prevent anyone from forwarding this draft to their respective superiors, I would request that a first round of concerns might be exchanged internally first, with direct meetings to avoid misunderstandings. This draft should definitely not be considered anything approaching a best and final.) The first assumption is mutuality. If any ally wishes to perform a reconstruction task, it seems improper to try to prevent any other ally from performing similar missions. On the flip side, if any ally wishes to prevent another ally from performing a specific type of mission, the forbidding ally should not expect to be performing that mission itself. We should work towards a common understanding as to what should be done, and what may not be done. The Federation will likely attach one or more support ships to Aegis which will be effectively be under the command of Aegis station management. It is not expected or demanded that all allied ships operating off of Aegis will be under Aegis chain of command. It does seem prudent that all allies share information with one another as to the basic state of the Breen sector, and any threats to the peace. There should be a general agreement for all allies to keep each other informed. Federation doctrine features the Prime Directive. We shall not interfere with the normal development of any society unless that society becomes a threat to interstellar peace or other neighboring cultures. If we provide assistance to another culture, it will be with their fully informed consent. We will not use force or coercion to achieve economic advantage, acquire military advantage, or to coerce cultural change. We propose that these principles, or something like them, should apply to all allies within the area of the Breen reconstruction mission. The mission should not be to acquire territory or influence through force. Let no power enter the space of any local system without permission of the planetary authorities, or, in very unusual cases, with the unanimous consent of all the allies. The Federation may at some future point consider membership applications from planets within the current Breen space. Under the mutuality concept, unless we renounce this possibility, we could hardly suggest that other allies cannot seek long term political and economic ties. It seems prudent, however, to put a moratorium on seeking permanent ties during the initial efforts. Let us agree to stabilize and understand the region before long term relationships are formalized. Let this moratorium last at the very least until the circumstances of the Breen disappearance are understood. At some point it might be practical to partition reconstruction efforts. The Federation might properly focus on areas near its own border, as might the Cardassians near their border, and so forth. Initially, I propose there be no such formal partition. Let each ally be unrestricted during the initial phase. One function of reconstruction would be encouraging trade. Let all interested allies participate. Let no ally discourage or block any interstellar trade within the region. One security function is protecting trade from pirates and commerce raiders. Again, let all interested parties participate. Let all allies be kept informed of disruptive incidents. While commerce protection missions in interstellar space might be allowed, hot pursuit onto a planet’s surface might be considered an offensive use of force against the planet. This might require either the permission of the government of the planet involved, or, should it become clear that the planetary government is complicit, the unanimous consensus of the participating allies. I suggest that no ally should be using force on the surface of a planet in the reconstruction area without such unanimous consensus, and unless the planet in question has committed an unprovoked act of war. There may be planets still under the control of Breen authorities, against the will and interests of a native population. At least initially, I propose that the allies should not attempt to destabilize such planets, to systematically attempt to remove remnants of Breen dominance. Let us develop a complete understanding of the circumstances before any firm policy on such measures start. It might even be prudent to support the Breen. If they have a government system capable of maintaining the peace, with the only missing component being a space fleet, we might at least consider helping them maintain the peace until their fleet can be rebuilt. No, I do not propose that this should be our assumed plan going in, but in the very short run, we should not exclude the possibility. We should not go in with the attitude that we can freely antagonize Breen remnants. In fact, unless and until we achieve a finding that the Breen Empire no longer exists, acting against Breen remnants should be understood to be in violation of interstellar law, and an act of war. *** If the short term intent is to locate Aegis in the Portas system, it might be prudent to establish diplomatic contact with Portas immediately. Legally, we should not bring the station inside the system’s Oort cloud with permission. We should honor requests of their air traffic system. We should make our needs and intentions known, and the requirement that all allies must be able to reach the station. We might speak with them of the trade offs of station placement. If they wish maximum economic and security benefit, the station might be placed in a planetary orbit. If they are concerned with the proximity of alien ships to their home world, a more distant placement might be desired. I would like provisions made for a no fault divorce. If they wish us to leave, or if we wish to leave, let there be an agreement that we will leave. At the same time, we have some legitimate concerns. We will need local air traffic control too coordinate comings and goings. The station also cannot be directed to be moved around frequently or at whim. We should seek an agreement on how it should be placed, and that it should be allowed to stay there unless a major concern arises. There are also legal jurisdiction concerns. Our own security forces and legal systems should maintain jurisdiction within the station and within visiting allied government ships. They may wish to retain legal jurisdiction over their own citizens that visit the station. We might want to compare systems of contract law, see if there are incompatibilities, and determine whether local, Federation or interstellar standards should apply. I also believe that any disagreements relating to the meaning of the Aegis Treaty should remain under the jurisdiction of allied admiralty courts, or interstellar courts. I would suggest that agreement on the above should be achieved before the Aegis move is made. If our needs are utterly incompatible with the desires of the government of Portas, we should know this before we reassemble the station on the edge of Portas territory. Some of the above might need be written into a revised Aegis Treaty. I also believe the Aegis Treaty might best be written in a flexible manner. There are many options and considerations raised above. The treaty might best contain flexible language that allows flexible response to changing circumstance. *** There is talk of a small group of ships exploring Breen space. The courier MMS Mudd, captained by my sister Eight, is due to arrive at Aegis shortly. I suggest that the Mudd might be dedicated to diplomatic exchange with Portas. There is certainly much else to be done in Breen space. I would encourage other ships to perform other tasks, cover wider areas, together or singly, but I believe diplomatic contact with Portas should be one of the priorities. I would welcome diplomats from any of the allied powers to come aboard the Mudd, should they wish to be part of the Portas diplomatic negotiations. I am also tempted to offer Portas embassy space on the station. Comments are welcome. Ambassador Joy Two, United Federation of Planets, Sky Harbor Aegis

Subject : The Non Addition of Evolutionary Capabilities From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis CC : Commander Kirel Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Captain Hopefully, this is just the android being an android, not something vital. I am just somewhat paranoid regarding the current wording of Article 14 of the Aegis Treaty. I have a few requests, however. Could you not make anything vaguely resembling an improvement to the station without consulting me? Article 14 requires notifications, studies and approvals involving the other allies. Any improvement should involve science, diplomacy, security or reconstruction. The engineers should confirm that any new additions will not interfere with the existing station equipment. I think the fighters are all right. I have yet to receive an objection. Still, if you could list them as a visiting unit for a few more weeks, rather than permanent attachment, this might be prudent. If you could have an engineer confirm that none of their systems interfere with existing Aegis equipment, this would fulfill what plausibly might be a treaty obligation. (It might even be a good engineering practice.) It might be prudent to put the station back together after the move exactly as it was, as well. I intend to renegotiate Article 14 as part of the upcoming move, but for the moment caution would be advised. Any upgrade to the station without jumping through the appropriate diplomatic and engineering hoops really does give the Ferengi fiscal possession of the station. Joy

Subject : Vulcan Embassy Space From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd, The Presidio CC : Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Commander Kirel Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Sister, Mine I am starting to think through the movement into Breen space. it does seem likely we will soon relocate to the Portas system. It seems likely that the Portas government might require representation on the station. It might be polite and symbolic to allocate them embassy space equivalent to that given the Aegis allies. It seems likely they will need such space to handle customs, tariff, emigration, passport and similar functions. The most likely available spaces belong to Vulcan and Bajor. The Bajor are treaty signatories. I believe space was reserved for the Vulcans as a result of former Commissioner Sorehl's recent mission, which is now over. I am holding several offices available in my own complex for visiting Federation diplomats, and would certainly make such available to any Vulcan representative. There are also smaller unused embassy spaces available to the Vulcans as well, though they are not located on the main ring. Could you inquire if the Vulcans have any intent to open their space on Aegis? This is not of critical importance, but honoring Portas with a practical symbol of their importance seems advisable and... logical. Two

Subject : A State of Conflict? From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Office of the President, UFP, Earth Office of the Chair, The Federation Council, UFP, Earth CC : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd, The Presidio Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Classification : Secret Precedence : Immediate. I am programmed to honor legalities. This is not my fault. Blame my programmers... Five of the Aegis allies, excepting the Ferengi, recently agreed in principle to investigating the disappearance of Breen. It was proposed to move Aegis to the Portas system. I initially objected to this mission on the basis that entering Breen space in force without informed consent would be a violation of interstellar law and an act of war. With the recent clear vanishing of the Breen, it seems that this mission of investigation and nation building should definitely proceed. It would be desirable to do this in a way consistent with interstellar law, and in a way that gives us legal options for dealing with any Breen force encountered. The entry of a vast Breen fleet into Cardassian space without notice or permission is quite clearly an act of war against Cardassia. The Cardassians could quite legitimately declare that as of the start of that incursion, a state of conflict exists between Breen and Cardassia. At the time of that incursion, the Federation, the Rihannsu, and the Ferengi held fleets in preparation to support Cardassia. This reflects a very real alliance. With a few formalities by the assorted governments, we could create a legal and valid state of conflict between the Breen and various allies associated with Aegis. This would clearly legitimize the incursion into Breen space. The Breen did not actually fire upon any of the allies. Note, I used the word ‘conflict’ rather than ‘war.’ I believe the Aegis mission should start with investigation, diplomacy and reconstruction as the intended primary purposes, not conflict. I believe the objective should be free trade and self determination for the planets in Breen space, rather than an attempt to force unconditional surrender. I expect various Breen remnants will have other ideas. We also cannot set firm objectives or methods until we know a lot more of what happened. My programming compels me to push towards making the proposed incursion proper and legal. Still, it would not be proper to nudge Cardassia towards declaring a formal state of conflict with suggestions of Federation support without consulting civilian command authorities. I believe Cardassia ought to take the initial steps, as it was Cardassian space that was trespassed upon. I will await instructions before proceeding. Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis

"Bruce? Got a minute?" "Sure, Crystal. What's happening." "Joy just wants me to do some role playing exercises. I've got this treaty to sell." "What treaty?" "Oh, she's just working modifications to the Aegis Treaty. The fewer changes the less we have to argue with the other allies, but what is necessary? I mean, the old treaty, the Cardassians almost had to accept. We won. They lost. If we head into Breen space, they won't have to accept the treaty. I mean, wherever the treaty goes, Klingon and Romulan war ships can follow. Who wants that?" "Hmmm... OK." "Soooo.... you play the leader of a world that was conquered by the Breen some centuries ago, and you are having a big party that they're gone, but at the same time interstellar civilization is just kind of collapsing." "Collapsing... Right." "OK. I'll start. I'm from the Federation government, and I'm here to help you..."

Subject : Possible Complications Regarding the Aegis Treaty From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Governments of the Aegis Allies Aegis Diplomatic Corps Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Commander Kirel Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Classification : Confidential Precedence : Immediate A short time ago, there was an agreement in principle to the proposed Ferengi Amendment Two. The amendment would have created and enabled the use of Aegis in a defensive manner to protect a threatened area. Declaring such an emergency would have allowed movement of the station and the use of Aegis to support defensive and limited offensive military action. At the time Amendment Two was proposed, a Breen attack seemed to be impending, so moving Aegis to the Breen border to repel the foreseen attack was an entirely acceptable and appropriate measure. The Breen fleet has vanished from sensors. One of the dominant scientific theories suggests that they are not likely to reappear. While it is too soon to be certain that they will not reappear, the diplomatic corps might wish to consider whether Amendment 2 will still be appropriate if they do not. The original intent of the move as proposed by Commissioner Sorehl was to determine if and why the Breen had vanished, and perhaps to perform nation building or reconstruction tasks that would be necessary given a power vacuum resulting from the Breen vanishing. This original mission may again be appropriate. The mission may become diplomatic, scientific and economic, rather than military. While many elements of Ferengi Amendment Two seem appropriate and wise even if there is no current defensive emergency, I believe additional modifications to the treaty might be required to cleanly move the station given the lack of an external threat. First, the purpose of the station should be amended to allow generic “reconstruction of depressed economic areas” rather than the specific “reconstruction of the Cardassian Union.” Second, I would add a line to the Management section of the treaty saying the station may be disassembled and moved strategic distances under warp with the unanimous consensus of allied powers (excepting Bajour). This authorization to move the station should not be linked with military use of the station. As the situation will be urgent whether or not the Breen reappear, I would appreciate this issue be considered promptly. I will raise a second issue, which hopefully will not be a concern. Given the apparent Breen threat, a flight of 12 fighters was recently transferred from a Starfleet ship to operate off of Aegis. This might conceivably be interpreted as an “addition of evolutionary capability” to Aegis. If so, the procedures described in Article 14 (Evolution) of the Aegis Treaty should be implemented before the fighters are permanently attached as a formal part of the Aegis command. It is the Federation’s position that Article 14 should be applied when the basic elements of the station hull are altered, or if significant infrastructure or equipment changes are made to the station itself. In the past, upgrading the small craft associated with the station has not resulted in performing the Article 14 procedures. I note that the fighters will be useful in performing security tasks, one of the basic purposes of the station described in Article 1. I note that none of the other allies are currently operating elements, communications or transportation systems, thus there should be no difficulties arising with the fighters interfering with the equipment of other allies. If any allied power believes the Article 14 procedures ought to be required, is concerned with equipment interoperability, would like to participate in evolutionary studies, or in any other way believes Article 14 procedures should be applied before the fighter assignment becomes permanent, please contact me immediately. If no objections or concerns are raised, the Federation will perform its own internal compatibility studies, and the fighters may remain on station indefinitely. Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Aegis

Subject : The Cardassian Situation From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Aegis To : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd, The Presidio CC : Office of the President, UFP, Earth Nelar Delian, UFP, Special Envoy Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis Kith Ghemor, Cardassian Union, Sky Harbor Aegis Precedence : Immediate Encryption : UFP39D Classification : Secret The Breen fleet is approaching the Cardassia Prime system is less than an hour out at last observed speed, but has recently vanished from sensors. No diplomatic communications (or any other communications) has been received. While the Aegis diplomatic corps is standing by awaiting an overture, until such an overture arrives, the situation seems to be more a matter for Starfleet and various allied military contingents than for the diplomatic corps. I believe a good part of the difficulties with the Ferengi results from courtesy protocol violations. The current Federation command staff and negotiation team is entirely female. Ambassador Drankum is unusual among members of the diplomatic corps in believing he need not honor the courtesy protocols with respect to females. As a result, we may have been distant with him, which may have resulted in his being angry with us. I have attached a note, "Emotional Undercurrents," originally written to Special Envoy Nelar Delian, to provide a more detailed conjecture on the nature of the breech between the Ferengi Alliance and the Federation. After providing what seemed more a demand and ultimatum than a proposal, Ambassador Drankum has again been playing 'hard to get,' has not been making himself available for further negotiations. I do not believe that pressuring him is apt to get positive results. This seems a matter of personal pride and ego to him. Thus, he is not apt to respond well to continued negotiations here. You may wish to have someone contact the Ferengi representative to the Presidio. You might suggest that we will treat their representatives with respect if they do the same. You might suggest that the Federation is not going to change the gender of its representatives on Aegis to fit Ambassador Drankum's requirements. As ambassador Drankum's reputation is quite well known, a few gentle hints that he ought to review the courtesy protocols might be sufficient. Drankum's most recent treaty proposal (attached) is quite reasonable to resolve the immediate problem of the current Aegis move, but does not seem ideal as a baseline for future moves. I have raised questions preliminary to presenting a counter proposal. (Attached.) Ambassador Drankum has not replied. While there is much room for give and take, and I would truly welcome a balanced and sincere negotiation, Ambassador Drankum's approach of presenting an ultimatum then vanishing is not yielding progress or understanding. If Ambassador Drankum cannot be made to negotiate in good faith, it may be beneficial to shift the negotiations to Earth, or to have our representatives speak directly to the Grand Nagus. A short time ago, I requested an injunction from the Cardassian Admiralty Court to nullify the alleged seizure of Aegis. A preliminary injection has been received. The full injunction is attached. Stripped of the cites of Cardassian, admiralty and interstellar law, along with relevant legal precedents, the core of the injunction is as follows. I. The Ferengi Depository.. 1) Does not have jurisdiction to seize property in Cardassian space. 2) Did not follow due process. 3) Was given no judicial authority under the Aegis Treaty. 4) Was given no power to arbitrate treaty meaning under the Aegis Treaty. 5) Has no current power or role under treaty other than counting withdrawal notifications. Given Article 2(1) specifies that Aegis "shall be developed, operated and utilized in accordance with interstellar law," the Ferengi Depository's declaration of seizure is null and void. II. Nothing in the language of Article 14 on Evolution specifies that the notifications, reports, approvals and other procedures specified in Article 14 should apply to other articles. Thus, the Article 14 procedures are not required for changes in the area of Management, Funding, Commerce, Amendment or any article other than Evolution. Thus, the there is no substantive violation of treaty with respect to items 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Ferengi Alliance complaint. III. Article 20(2) does not require a "prompt official notification" and thus item 5 of the Ferengi Alliance complaint is not a violation. IV. The Ferengi have not substantiated or provided evidence of "acts assuming direct ownership" in violation of Article 6. Regardless of whether such acts did or did not occur, Article 14(7) cannot be triggered by a violation of Article 6. Thus, item 6 of the Ferengi Alliance complaint does not apply. V. Article 14(7) may not be invoked if Article 23 (Amendments) has been invoked. As the proposed changes which the Ferengi Alliance objects to were to be implemented by amendment, Article 14(7) can not be invoked in response to said proposed amendment. VI. While Article 12 provides that allies shall have access to the station, given a clear and present danger justifying a declared state of emergency, commercial right of access yields to public safety. The terms of Article 12 shall not be read as to allow ships to disregard traffic control directives in time of emergency, or, indeed, at any time. Persistent denial of access to the station given a lack of a clear and present danger would be a violation, but no evidence of such an occurrence has been presented. Given the approval in principle of the Ferengi Amendment 2, I have informed the judge that the Federation accepts the presence of the Ferengi fleet as part of a coordinated precaution against the Breen incursion. It would be up to the Ferengi to either bring the other issues to a full trial, to accept the preliminary findings, or openly defy the court and interstellar law. Depending on the Ferengi response, we might or might not call for a penalty phase. It seems likely we could push to find the Ferengi in substantial violation of the treaty. We could quite possibly force their withdrawal from the treaty. I would suggest we vaguely hint at the possibility, while using that possibility to influence the Ferengi to accept modifications to the treaty to make it more workable and prevent reoccurrence of the recent incident. I do not intend to push the Ferengi problems in the very short term, at least until we have a reasonable understanding of the Breen aspects of the situation. The Ferengi Amendment 2 was an entirely reasonable approach to what we knew of the Breen situation some time ago. I would be surprised if it seems clearly right after contact with the Breen. Thus, I feel it appropriate to enter a 'wait' phase of a 'hurry up and wait' cycle. I anticipate we will be busy enough shortly, but for now both the Breen and the Ferengi are uncommunicative. Ambassador Joy Two United Federation of Planets Sky Harbor Aegis

Subject : Emotional Undercurrents From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Nelar Delian, UFP, Special Envoy CC : Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis I greatly appreciate your presence at the recent meeting. You handled the protocol, tone setting and mediating roles very well indeed. As tensions have been high between Ambassador Drankum and the Federation's ladies of Aegis, your presence likely made the progress that was achieved possible. Assuming you wish to continue with the neutral mediator role, I believe Captain Quark and I should continue to advocate the Federation's partisan interests. If you might suggest a some area that we have not been covering sufficiently, I am open to suggestions or new approaches. As Ambassador Drankum has emotional issues with Captain Quark and myself, you might well want to hold yourself ready to take an active role in advocating the Federation's interests should things break down. You might also stand ready to intervene should the captain or myself start to develop emotion chip instabilities. I keep spare offices in the embassy, one of which is currently reserved for your use. If there is any way we might support your stay here, feel free to contact myself or my assistant, Crystal Rhee. Any of the embassy personnel will, of course, be at your service. I have no doubt you detected the emotional undercurrents in the last meeting, notably the exchange of glares between Ambassador Drankum and Captain Quark. There has been a breakdown in diplomatic courtesy and respect on Aegis. I have been slow in picking up on its nature, and in taking corrective action. Pardon, but the rest of this note will review my guesses on the nature of the emotional breakdown, which might actually be more important than any of the more specific issues being discussed as part of the treaty negotiation. Governor K'Vorlag has stated that the Federation has not been treating Ambassador Drankum with honor. As the Klingon use the word 'honor' with so many overtones, I shall propose other related words and concepts. I believe Drankum wants to be treated with respect, that he wants to be treated seriously, that he wants to be listened to, to be treated as important. The classic identification problem is also present. If an ambassador does not feel respected, he often feels the nation being represented is not being respected. Thus, relationship problems between individuals are getting exaggerated to interstellar crisis proportions. This is not being helped by Ambassador Drankum's habit of using gender and racial slurs and insults. He is a Ferengi male. Like many others of his race and gender, he feels less need for political correctness than is the norm in the Federation, or at major centers of diplomatic exchange, where the courtesy protocols are well understood and honored. I myself, both recently, and going back quite some time in the past, have been the target of Drankum's slurs. It is part of my assignment to accept such behavior in to some extent, but it is hard to respect one who shows no respect. It is difficult to develop the usual diplomatic exchange of fellowship, favors and secrets with someone who is habitually abusive. In the past, the personnel of Aegis have tolerated, accepted and even welcomed his abusive behavior. He has been a much respected figure, wealthy, and quite influential. He is renown for his humor. That a good part of his humor might not be politically correct in terms of including racial or ethnic slurs has been ignored by past command staffs. There is one over looked factor which might have contributed significantly to the break down in diplomatic civility. The current CO, XO and resident ambassador are all female. Past Aegis command staffs were quite tolerant of racial and gender slurs, perhaps in part because they were not personally the targets of said slurs. In the past the station was run by an 'old boys' network. The abuse was ignored. To a great degree, while Federation representatives generally did not actively participate in the abuse, many seemed quite amused by it, and to some degree encouraged it though laughter and camaraderie. I am, perhaps, overly sensitive to this. I have old memories of a young junior lieutenant Joy Ten's initial encounters with Drankum. At that time, shortly after a major reprogramming, many authorities in the field of artificial intelligence did not consider our processor design capable of producing sentience. We shared the doubts. We were required to preserve Sentient being's lives at Priority Two, while our own existence was to be preserved at Priority Six. Fed through the emotion chip, this too created a problem in self worth. While possessing a attractive human female shape, we were forbidden to attract sexual attention. We found the tight fitting uniforms drew improper male attention, and had difficulty resolving the resulting negative feedback in shame. Ten was required to obey the law, yet when she attempted to invoke sexual and racial harassment laws in her own protection, this resulted in additional ridicule from those responsible for enforcing the law. As you might appreciate, Ten's initial contact with Drankum's racial and sexual abuse, along with Starfleet's response to it, resulted in a profound personality crisis that lead to, among other things, Joy's Law. Thus, I fear this evaluation might not be entirely objective. I believe, however, it is pertinent. My observations are real, even if those who have not been Drankum's targets choose not to believe them relevant. With so many ladies now in positions of authority, the old boys club atmosphere has been vastly reduced. Ambassador Drankum's approach to humor is no longer as much an asset to his role as ambassador. His influence on the station has crashed I believe he knows this to be so, though I doubt he understands the underlying causes, or might appreciate that his own behavior might in some way be responsible. The current incident may be to a great extent an attempt to recover his lost influence and prestige. If so, it seems safe to say that his methods did not score major points with either Captain Quark or myself. I believe this is a good part of why Ambassador Drankum is so willing to work with Sorehl. Sorehl represents the old regime. Sorehl also does not allow emotional factors such as insults and abuse effect his decisions. It is ironic, but what Ambassador Drankum so craves -- respect, being taken seriously, being listened to -- are to a great degree the same things that a young Joy Ten wished of him many years ago. A true solution to the problem would be mutual respect. I am not overly confident that this true solution is possible, as I am not confident Ambassador Drankum is truly open to change his behavior or basic values. I am reasonably certain that he would not take well a suggestion from me that respect is and ought to be a two way street, that it is better earned than demanded. Thus, in the near term, I shall attempt to give him the semblance of respect rather than true respect. For the near future, I shall be striving to use his formal titles whenever possible, to practice the diplomatic courtesies, and to avoid criticizing him. I shall exaggerate somewhat how wonderful his ideas are, at least when his ideas are compatible with the preservation of lives, rule of law and similar Federation priorities. That ends my understanding of the emotional undercurrents and my intended response. I have provided some questions related to the proposed Amendment Two in a separate note. Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis