Joy

OOC Nitpick. You likely mean Ambassador Joy Seven or Joy Two. Joy Six's titles are 'Commander' and 'Professor,' not that Six won't share nigh on identical opinions with her sisters...

Subject : Dameon's 'Compromise' Proposal From : Ambassador Joy Seven To : Ambassador Joy Two Priority : Immediate Security : Confidential Encryption : JOY0702 : A52EFG88 Attached is a recent speech to Council by Ambassador Tyan-ji of Dameon. It features a compromise proposal which gives Cardassia formal independence while continuing a Federation presence with Aegis near Cardassia Prime. It proposes a joint command structure, without going into too great specifics on which power names the Aegis commander, and who said individual reports to. Would you have the speech reviewed by Kyth Ghemor and Captain Quark? Both should be in this loop. While on the surface the proposal is not irrational, I intuit many devils in many details. Careful measurement of the size of the impact crater when Captain Quark impacts the ceiling would be appreciated.

In the COL and CPA’s Federation Council sims, we generally used the Federation Constitution printed in the TOS Tech Manual. The TOSTM writers heavily plagiarized from the UN Charter, right up to permanent members in the security council with veto power. Most Fed Council sim hosts made some standard edits to the Constitution, including removing the permanent members and the vetoes. One player overturning weeks of debate with a veto was just not fun. Having some players be much more powerful than others is a Bad Idea™. Also, most of the time there was not that much interest in playing the permanent members. Most players had favorite planets they wanted to run, so the seats of the permanent planets would be empty, anyway. The TOSTM Constitution had an Assembly where each member had one vote. The Assembly handled budget and taxes sorts of issues, and had a broad authority on all areas. In addition, there were several other specialized councils, one for colonial administration, one for scientific research, and one for security and defense related issues. The last is what we generally considered The Federation Council to be. We sort of assumed the Assembly and various other councils were working in parallel on less fun issues. As in the UN, the TOSTM Constitution does not allow the Federation to use force in an offensive manner without authorization from the Council. As in the UN, the TOS Constitution does not allow any element of the Federation government police powers on member planets or the ability to alter member cultures. In the Council sims, where each player represented a planet and did not want the other players messing up their planet, the players came to hold the limitation on the power of the Federation government to be important. This is, I believe, consistent with the old Roddenberry Trek. Berman Trek seems to imply a the Federation Government has outgrown these basic limitations on the power of the central government. After having played for years on a Council where each player cares intensely about the integrity of his home planet’s culture, I am dubious. The planets were generally very firm in maintaining their role as a check on the power of the central government. One of the standard conflicts was between the Roddenberry fans, who at times were called Idealists or Doves, against the Berman fans, sometimes called Pragmatists or Hawks. Usually, the Roddenberry fans had the majority, though during the Dominion War era the Pragmatists generally had the numbers. The Idealists favored strict limitations on the central government, including the Prime Directive and the Guarantees. The Pragmatists tended to see things in terms of military and economic power, and pushed a might makes right perspective. The pragmatists were also fond of covert ops dirty tricks solutions, regardless of what this does to the Federation’s reputation, or how it eroded the checks on the power of the central government. Quite often elements of the administration pushed Section 31 type methods, while the Council attempted to maintain rule of law. Quite often, the problem might be presented from a Pragmatists perspective. Here is a problem. How does the Federation solve it? The Idealists might respond that it is a local problem, that the Federation is forbidden to solve it. They could offer assistance, however, if the locals wish help. What do the locals want to see done? Joy, of course, is programmed with the Prime Directive, Rule of Law and preservation of lives as high priorities. She was always a strong voice on the Roddenberry side, and remains so in STSF. This dual vision of Trek can be a constructive source of conflict and plot, but it can also lead to problems. In the Council sims, if either faction got too strong a working majority, giving the other faction no chance of winning a vote, players in the minority party tended to have poor attendance. If there are no intense debates leading to close votes, the format isn’t very interesting. And, yes, Joy represented Mudd. No, to my knowledge, Mudd never joined the Federation in any canon source. The second issue in the earliest incarnation of the Council Sim was a vote on whether Mudd should be given membership. I would suggest that any political sim similar to the old Council sims could not remain pure Paramount canon. The votes of the players have to become local canon. While on rare occasions we interacted with other sims in the group, there was no attempt to lockstep Council decisions as being binding on other sims. The general opinion was that each host team should be free to do their own thing. (COL and CPA were founded by players who found the old SFOL too rigid and rule driven. Freedom for the Host was their Prime Directive.) The other major problem is one of culture shock for the hosts. Long tradition in all sim groups that have fallen out of the old SFOL tradition is that the hosts have control of the plot. Through issuing action statements and orders, what the host wants to happen is and ought to be what happens. This can lead to a large explosion in a political sim if what the host wants and what a majority of Council wants are distinctly different. The Council sims ran cleanest when the hosts presented a difficult problem with several plausible solutions, and sat back in a moderator’s role. Implement the Rules of Order. Let each voice be heard, but the majority prevail. When the hosts go in with a strong opinion on what the Council ought to do, and tries to force the Council to do something not in the interests of the planets... Well... Culture shock. The intensity of the sim is guaranteed to go up. There is such a thing as being too intense. Anyway... I miss the old format. Not an easy format to host, however.

Subject : The Sorehl Report From : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd Embassy, The Presidio To : Ambassador Gem Rhee, Haven Embassy, The Presidio Security : Eyes Only. Hardcopy only. Hand carry only. Do not reproduce by electronic means. Gem I believe Commissioner Sorehl's recommendation should be followed. In sessions to date he has not fully emphasized the hostility of elements of the Federation towards Cardassia. Deep distrust developed during the Dominion conflict. High ranking members of Starfleet, Starfleet Intelligence and 'Section 31' have acted on this hostility. I have attached classified summaries of the actions of Admirals Forester and Goram. The point Commissioner Sorehl raised that Aegis has been a threat to the peace, will continue to be seen as a threat to the peace, and may well be a continued factual threat to the peace, cannot be discounted. This is not to say that there have not been high ranking personnel past and present who have not meant well. My sister Two's report on the aftermath of Admiral Forester's recent actions showed many Starfleet personnel on Aegis risked lives and careers to do what was best for Cardassia. The Cardassian government is is fully aware of this and has fully acknowledged this. Still, the recent Cardassian maneuvers preceding the 8472 skirmish were only a few steps short of using force to reclaim sovereignty. I believe we should indicate a readiness to take those last few steps without requiring further threats of force. My major problem with the Sorehl report is over emphasis on the military aspect. He dealt with the Station primarily as a military battle station, not as an economic trade asset, a source of foreign aid, or a diplomatic outpost. He did not fully acknowledge the symbolic political importance as the last armed outpost of the post Dominion War occupation. He is not emphasizing other steps that might be appropriate at this time. For example, Two has begun speaking with members of the Cardassian government about the following. 1. The Federation might make a formal end to the occupation and acknowledge full sovereignty. 2. A formal declaration of the Cardassian borders might be made. 3. There might be an agreement that border systems shall be self determining, with a. Right to free trade with both the Federation and Cardassia, as well as among themselves. b. A right to choose, free of coercion, to remain independent, to form unions, or to align with either power. 4. While a full mutual defensive treaty might not be appropriate between the Federation and Cardassia, diplomatic and military channels of communications might best remain open, and information on mutual threats might well be shared. 5. Existing foreign aid packages to Cardassian might not be dropped instantly, but the management of such aid might be shifted. Led the Cardassians determine what the needs are, and let the contributing parties review whether the desired use is sufficiently constructive that the aid should be continued. Two's discussions with Cardassia are of course very preliminary. While their chief executive is apt to support a package such as the above, Two expects no more spontaneous agreement in their councils than Commissioner Sorehl has encountered here. In short, while the physical location of Aegis is important, with the military shift might come a basic change in the relationship between the Federation and Cardassia. At some point we must respect them and treat them fully as equals and partners. This seems to be an appropriate time. If there are those who are not ready for both the symbolic and political cutting of the strings, we might wish to force a shift in the focus of the debate. Who on Council believes continued occupation still necessary or helpful? Who does not acknowledge the presence of a healthy Cardassian government? What standard would they set before they could see the Cardassian government as healthy and stable? If some on Council do not believe the Cardassian military is strong enough to stand on its own, what standard of strength would they be satisfied with? If some on Council fear the Cardassian military might become too strong, what checks and protections would they be satisfied with? This should not simply be a debate on the location of a space station. It should be a debate on the future relationship between the Federation and Cardassia. I would add that if Council's opinion of our relationship with Cardassia cannot be made compatible with Cardassia's opinion of what that relationship ought to be, then we should not be withdrawing Aegis, and thus eliminating our ability to sustain fleets deep in Cardassian space. If any Council members wish to continue a military occupation, we should force them to debate the position that Aegis should not be moved. It might be appropriate to gather an Idealist caucus before Council reconvenes. Joy

Joy 47, June 30, 2008, LoAmi and Muon. USS Pioneer. Rodents of Unusual Size.

Stopped by briefly last night, but found I couldn't bear to watch.

I thought Cait was TAS (The Animated Series)? I went to check this on Memory Alpha, only to find the Cait entry had been relegated to Memory Beta.

Hmm.... The numerous Joys would be TOS. Tay is my own. Tia being Betazed-Deltan with a Vulcan education is mixed, but goes to TOS on the tie breaker...

There is also a question on whether cultures remain aggressively competitive. The Ferrengi are presented as extreme capitalists, out to maximize their own profits at the expense of anyone and everyone else. Many of the militaristic races are also aggressively competitive, seeking victory, conquest or power. This is again a distinction between Roddenberry Trek and Berman Trek. Roddenberry Trek races have near infinite energy, adequate territory and fascinating exploration and research tasks. You have Risa and their vacation spas, Vulcans with their science, and assorted highly sensuous races into social interactions. There would be no poverty, and no need for crime. Detention and rehabilitation facilities are built on South Seas paradise islands and more closely resemble modern resorts than modern prisons. This is an extension of the Golden Age science fiction tradition that science can make things better, that future cultures will be different from current cultures. More 'modern' fiction prefers to postulate that war and conflict will be perpetual. Sentient beings are after all sentient beings, and will inevitably be greedy and aggressive. Otherwise, it is difficult to come up with interesting story lines and compete in the ratings with more violent shows. If there are sufficient resources to answer everyone's needs and most to any reasonable wants, where are the breeding grounds of crime and terror? What is the need for Mind Police? At what point did we stop writing anti-utopia stories like 1984 where authoritarian heavily controlling government was presented as a horrific danger? When did we start celebrating the need for the authoritarian draconic authority that was once feared? But the future is far enough out there that it is possible to hypothesize any number of extremes. I am just more fond of the more optimistic possibilities. We have come far since the days when war of aggression against a neighboring major power was nigh on inevitable in Europe, when Bills of Rights did not exist, when disagreement on religion was a burning offense, and slavery was common. I'd like to think that the problems we have yet to overcome might be overcome, and would prefer to spend at least some of my fantasy time considering what it might take to make the ideals work. I'm not ready to give up on Democracy and Human Rights. I know my characters aren't.

Though intercourse with a Deltan was also presented as being a major threat to the sanity of the Deltan's sexual partner. This might stand as an example of one's right to do something becoming void if doing so causes harm to others. I'm not sure that requiring that oath was the proper expression of the above principle, but Starfleet would have to be concerned.

OK, I’m the Roddenberry idealist. A lot of folks are not going to approach things from the same slant. Still, I’d like to throw out another point of view. In the political games I’ve played, the Prime Directive is not simply a Starfleet standing order, but built into the Federation Constitution. The TOS Tech Manual’s Federation Constitution (an all other Fed Constitution variants I’ve stumbled onto) is bused on the UN Charter. Neither the Assembly or the Security Council have police powers that apply on a member planet. The central government does not have the authority to attempt to alter local cultures. Doing so would be unconstitutional. But as in the real world, the concept of human rights throws a curve ball into that. Members of the UN have signed human rights pacts. The US Bill of Rights implies the federal government should be protecting the rights of US citizens. The Federation of Planets has its Guaranteed rights of sentient beings. If a federal government has an obligation to protect the rights of citizens, must it not also have the police powers necessary to force a cultural shift on areas whose cultures do not fully embrace the applicable Bill of Rights? Thus, in any debate involving a new planet joining the Federation, one of Joy’s strongest themes was making sure the new culture was fully compatible with the Guarantees. If not, she would strenuously object to membership. Membership would give every citizen of the new world the right to appeal to have their rights protected. This would obligate the Federation to step in and force a cultural change. This would be good for neither the Federation or the new member planet. As an Idealist, I like to think that the US rights based on English Common Law and the 10th Amendment are explicit in the Guarantees. Thus, there would be a right to travel and a right to privacy. But I don’t think the Right to Privacy is one size fits all. I believe different cultures might share some concepts of rights, but have different criteria for what ‘privacy’ or ‘self defense’ means. There might be a right to self defense, to respond with force when force is threatened, but I don’t believe every planet will interpret this as a right to carry weapons capable of lethal force. Some planets are just too pacifist for that. I don’t believe that a member of a warrior culture, who might have a right to bear lethal weapons on his home world, and might have a right to travel the Federation as a Federation citizen, would necessarily be able to carry lethal force wherever he wants. Similarly, suppose a species I’ll call ‘the stinkers’ emits chemicals that smell bad to some races and are toxic to others. Would this not effect their right to travel? There is an informal principle, “your right to swing your fist around ends where my nose begins.” The right to do something in no way implies the right to harm another, or a right to infringe upon someone else’s rights. A stinker’s right to travel would well be limited by an obligation to wear isolation equipment. There would be no right to harm others, or to degrade other’s environment. On the other hand, if a member of another species were to visit the home world of the stinkers, the obligations would be on the visitor. Membership in the Federation should not require a world to turn themselves inside out and upside down for the convenience of visiting races. Membership in the Federation should in no way mandate that the home culture should be transformed. That said, it might be accepted that there is a guaranteed right to privacy, but that different cultures interpret this right very differently. Mudd as I play it is a hive mind culture. They share all knowledge very freely. What one android knows, the others either know as well or can access very rapidly. Their notion of privacy is not the same as that of an organic being. Similarly, in a different way, privacy among a telepathic culture is apt to mean something very different than in a non-telepathic culture. Telepathy and empathy pull one towards a hive mind value set no less than Mudd’s wifi network. As with the stinkers, if one visits another culture, one would expect to have to accept the other’s world’s standards. As with the stinkers, membership in the Federation, or the possible presence of alien visitors, should not require a world to have to radically change its laws, cultures, and traditions. A small example. A human male with no telepathic ability but an appreciation of the female form visits Betazed or Delta. There, his habit of ogling ladies and using his imagination becomes public knowledge. His emotions are no longer private, but can be shared by any near him. Among telepaths, there would be protocols and two way exchanges that govern sexual interactions. A human would be utterly incapable of participating in such a two way exchange. His unilateral emotions in no way reacting to the needs or desires of the other might well cause considerable distress. Should the female natives be expected to tolerate this? Is it not up to the visitor to avoid being disruptive? Next, let the same hypothetical human male and the same telepathic female meet on Risa. On Risa, you have a culture of tourists ogling scantily clad females. It is a base part of the economy. Does the right to privacy mean the same thing on Betazed as it does on Risa? Should a female telepath who is not good with her shielding leave her own culture and go abroad? Should she not avoid Risa in particular? I do think Starfleet would have to develop a one size fits all common Federation culture. On Excalibur, I’m playing Tia as a sight empath touch telepath without very good control. She notes that the vast majority of the crew are not telepaths, thus the non-telepathic standards of privacy should apply. If she learns or feels something that she shouldn’t really ought to have learned or felt, she feels an obligation to keep silent about it, to not share what she shouldn’t have, to not do anything that would make the non-telepath uncomfortable. (Well, if what she learned revealed a ‘clear and present danger’ to others, mission or ship, she’d have to reconsider, but that hasn’t come up yet.) Excalibur at times can also be a very emotional place. She has been a times pounded by more emotions than she can easily tolerate. Again, as the odd telepath out, it would be her problem to adapt to the common culture rather than the common culture’s duty to comply with her. She is slowly improving her ability to shield. She may have to admit to weakness. She may have to request permission to leave highly emotional situations in order to unwind and cope. On the other hand, touching is a big deal for touch telepath species. Vulcans tend not to shake hands, but make a greeting gesture, instead. Is it reasonable for a touch telepath to avoid touching? Tia is currently trying to avoid hand to hand combat training on that principle, and might suggest that if such training is considered absolutely necessary, that she take it on a holodeck. If the opponent has no mind, no problem. While the visitor might take the bulk of the burden of adapting to the local culture, should not the local culture make reasonable allowances for the special needs and limitations of aliens? Some flexibility seems appropriate? OK. We’ve balanced the rights of the individual (Guarantees) against the limitations on the power of the federal government to alter local cultures (Prime Directive.) There is also the duty of the government to protect its citizens from violence and crime. Given probable cause, one might perform a search. Given a clear and present danger, one might declare a state of emergency or martial law that over rides the Guarantees. As an Idealist, I’d like to think the Federation would respect the Guarantees and Prime Directive more than our current culture does. I’d like to think that forcing open someone’s mind would be a greater breech of privacy than scanning e-mails or opening letters. Star Trek generally pushes different themes than ’24,’ where there are terrorists with WMDs floating around in more episodes than not, and the need to torture to save lives is a common plot element. But that’s just me. Everyone will want to explore different plot elements, and in that exploration advocate different values. I just find myself avoiding game environments where the themes and values are not consistent enough with my own that I can enjoy the game. A “Star Trek” culture where telepathy is commonly used to shuffle through the minds of unwilling others would just not be my thing. Non-telepathic cultures would still outnumber telepathic ones. I’d tend to think the non-telepathic version of privacy values would be more the norm. What a particular telepathic race does on its home planet would tend not to be the Federation's concern, though if the local standards of privacy are far enough away from the non-telepathic norm as to stress the Guarantees beyond tolerance, allowing membership in the Federation might not be prudent or wise.

Mythic Warrior Not If I remained silent for a time in the last meeting of Council, it was not due to lack of interest or thoughts, but because the problem was rather complex. I still do not have a complete proposal to present. I have broad principles that might be applied. Unfortunately, most of the broad principles are in conflict with one another. I shall address one point at length. This is an obscure and subtle point. It is likely not even the most important point. However, it may be the central point, the theme from which other questions might be addressed. Ambassador Stuart proposed that if we do provide assistance, it should be provided by some organization other than Starfleet. I shall let Tasha make her own arguments for why this should be so. I do not question that she is sincere and well meaning in her arguments. However, I disagree. One of her points was that Starfleet's role is to defend the Federation. It should not be deflected or dispersed away from this mission. Other organizations should take up other roles. Once upon a time, when this unit served on USS Aurora, there was a myth that Starfleet was not a military organization. We were explorers. We were diplomats. We were scientists. We were humanitarians. We were anything and everything we had to be, with one exception. We were not warriors. We were not soldiers. Starfleet was not a military organization. True or not, this fiction, myth or doctrine had a basis in establishing the Starfleet tradition and mind set. When confronted with a problem, the problem was to be solved if at all possible using the tools, methods and approach of diplomats, scientists, explorers and humanitarians. Officers could not and must not think of themselves as soldiers first. If officers think of themselves as soldiers, they will think in terms of military doctrines and solutions. This leads to violence. When this unit went through Starfleet Academy, in every class, in every way, violence was the last resort, the approach to be avoided, the wrong way to solve any problem. Awards and honors would not be given for performing violent actions well. If one had to resort to violence, one had failed, failed, in one's training, doctrine, and the basic mission of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. We have lost this habit, this subtle distinction, this pattern of approaching any given problem from any perspective but violence and force. The Dominion and Borg have done this to us. They have brought us full circle. Once it was proposed, no matter that Starfleet was our sword and our shield, that this knight in shining armor was not a warrior. Now it is proposed that Starfleet is a warrior only. That the role of warrior is so dominant, so strong, so necessary, that our warriors can not be spared to perform any other function. Warriors cannot be diplomats, cannot be explorers, cannot be scientists, cannot be humanitarians. It is too important that they be ready at an instant's notice to smite our foes and lay them low. Violence, rather than being Starfleet's last resort and confession of failure, has become the primary function, the reason Starfleet exists. And we should expect, if we allow this pattern to continue, that our captains, when confronted with any given problem, will be familiar with and ready to use the correct tactics, weapons, formations and strategies to defeat our enemies. In any given situation, they will know automatically, immediately and instinctively how best to use force to achieve victory. And it is not just Starfleet, nor primarily Starfleet. The purpose of the Federation is not to win interstellar wars, but to prevent interstellar wars. We are not the Federation's General Staff or Admiralty, deciding strategy, seeking victory. We are, or ought to be, the Federation Council, seeking peace. Neither the Klingon Empire, the Grigari, nor the Romulans are our enemy. The objective should not be to manipulate the war to our advantage, but to prevent the war, or to reduce the damage. This is the second biological war of genocide in but a few years. I would as soon not see a third. I would like to identify whoever decided biological war of genocide was the correct way to solve their problems. I would prefer to resolve the current situation in a way to discourage future warriors and soldiers from deciding that bio warfare is the obvious and correct strategy, tactic, weapon and tool to resolve interstellar difficulties. The Grigari should have every reason to agree. I believe the Klingon Empire might concur as well. This is a cowardly attack, an attack with hidden face. The group initiating violence did not identify clan and empire, did not take open responsibility for the attack. Whoever did this denied responsibility, and thus denied the possibility of vengeance. By Klingon standards, whoever did this denied also any shred of honor. While the Federation, Klingon and Grigari cultures have real differences, it is possible that all three cultures might and ought to repudiate biological wars of genocide. If so, the Federation might have a role to play. The role would not be the role of a warrior. Our role would be as diplomats, scientists, explorers and humanitarians. Our function would not be to win a war, would not be to turn this use of force to our advantage, but to end this use of force, and to take what steps we might to prevent such from occurring again.

Subject : Upheaval From : Ambassador Joy Two, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Ambassador Joy Seven, Earth CC : Captain Muon Quark Encryption : JOY0207: A32BD539 Precedence : Flash In speaking to Kith Ghemor, and in observing Cardassian fleet movements, it has become clear that the initial intercept of Starfleet elements by the Cardassians was intended as a demonstration of disapproval rather than an intent to use force. I have received a preview of Commissioner Sorehl’s intended report to the Council. The recommendation is to be withdrawing Aegis from the vicinity of Cardassia Prime. It is time, he thought, to give Cardassia full autonomy. He suspects that the presence of the station endangers Cardassia Prime more than protects it. While in principle a Federation station might aid and enhance Cardassian recovery efforts, in practice little of this has been taking place. His position is logical, but was not cleared by local Starfleet. His arguments are reasonably sound, but Starfleet might be getting blind sided on this. I am sending a copy of this note to Captain Quark, and this might be the first she hears of it. Commissioner Sorehl’s logic meshes very well with the Cardassian protests. They are itching to resume sovereignty. They no longer wish us freely traversing their space. They were apparently concerned that our contacts with Species 8472 would draw them into violence. At first look, this seems to be the case. I assured Cardassia that our intent was to open diplomatic contact with 8472, that we wished to avoid violence, however violence ensued. USS Pandora’s Box is apparently retreating towards Aegis, and is being pursued by 8472 forces. I only briefly was able to view the Aegis situation board, but it seems the Cardassians are supporting the Federation, though I doubt they will be pleased. I am holding informal discussions with Cardassian representative Kith Ghemor. We agree very much in principle that the time for Cardassian autonomy is nigh. He suggests that the borders of the new Cardassian Union should properly be tight, that the Federation should handle (or be stuck with) border related issues. We both fear that the recent violence will make a cleanly negotiated autonomy more difficult. The intends to carefully introduce the possibility of autonomy into his political community. I fear you might have to do so in San Francisco. Sorehl’s logic is sound, but he seems to expect that the political community is going to be logical. While Kith Ghemor and I are in agreement on a reasonable path, we are several light years ahead of the rest of both governments. The violence will not make this easier. As for the fleet action... As in the Breen conflict, while the Cardassians have every reason to upset at the Federation, they are once more committing their fleet to support Starfleet. From a moral and political stand point, we would have an obligation to support them. If we have drawn them into a conflict not of their making, there will be a high cost if we do not do our utmost to prevent further injury and damage to Cardassia. On the other hand, the lack of diplomatic contact all around is abominable. No one knows why the 8472 are attacking one particular First Federation outpost. No one knew the intent of the Cardassian intercept of our fleets was until after contact was made. To my knowledge, Starfleet did not coordinate with the Cardassians before moving towards the First Federation. To have large Federation Fleets show up in support of Cardassia seems a moral and political requirement, but escalating the violence without strenuous attempts towards talk first and violence as a last resort would be in error. I would like to be informed of Starfleet’s intent on reinforcement. I urge that Cardassia be kept informed and that their opinions be honored. I am currently giving Kith Ghemor a guided tour of the Aegis shelter area. There seems to be a need for a courier small enough that it could not be construed as a military threat. Is the Mudd free and in the area? Two

Subject : Species 8472 and Cardassian Ship Movements From : Ambassador Joy Two, Sky Harbor Aegis CC : Ambassador Gem Rhee, San Francisco; Admiral DeSalle, USS Lakota ; Captain Quark, USS Pandora’s Box ; Kith Ghemor, Sky Harbor Aegis To : Foreign Ministry, Cardassia Prime Priority : Flash Sirs We have noted violence by Species 8472 against both the First Federation and the United Federation. It seems imperative to determine the reasons for this violence. To this end, elements of Starfleet have been directed to open diplomatic discussions with Species 8472. I have assurances from Starfleet that our policy and intent is to avoid violence. We intend to use words first, and violence only as a last resort. What would be tragic would be ignorance, that force be used by any party without understanding, that no attempt at cooperation be tried, that torpedoes be exchanged before words have been tried. We have noted Cardassian fleet elements positioning themselves as if the intent is to prevent said diplomatic contact. What applies to Species 8472 applies as much here. Tragedy would result from an attitude that torpedoes should be tried first, words tried only later. I quite understand that relations with Species 8472 are going to be controversial. There is little firm agreement in the halls of power on Earth on what the best policy might be, save that this is a conflict to be avoided if at all possible. How could one expect exact agreement between Earth and Cardassia Prime if we cannot agree with ourselves? Still, the way to avoid conflict is not to maneuver fleets into a position of conflict without first discussing concerns and exchanging proposed courses of action. I shall make myself available at the highest priority for any communications on this matter. I am confident Captain Muon on USS Pandora’s Box and Admiral DeSalle of USS Lakota will also make themselves available. I urge you to open communications as soon as possible. Ambassador Joy Two

Joy 46, May 10, 2008. Precip. SSCS Spontaneous Sneeze Combustion Syndrome. Characters seemingly at random start sneezing. On third sneeze, they blow up.

Subject : Attack on Kith Ghemor From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Cardassia Foreign Ministry Kith Ghemor was severely injured by a knife wielding attacker in the public spaces of Sky Harbor Aegis. He is in stable condition, and is expected to fully recover. The attacker committed suicide when capture was imminent, attempting to leave the station. The attacker was Cardassian by race. His final words were ”For the Order!” I cannot say if this was an attempt to rally support for or draw trouble to the Order. To my knowledge, the Kith neither sought out or was given special security protection, though such protection was assigned unsolicited by Starfleet to the Federation and Ferengi diplomats on station. There is currently a guard on our sickbay. Further security concerns must be addressed. I am concerned that the place chosen for the attack, the Kyth had just visited the Aegis control tower, was chosen to disrupt cooperation between our nations. I am concerned that it echoes a prior incident which built up to direct action against both of us. The Federation is eager to identify positively the source and motives for the attack, and is willing to share information. My condolences. Feel free to contact me with questions. Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Requirements Inflation From : Ambassador Joy Two To : LtJg Coleridge Has anyone added new requirements to the diplomatic wing yet today? Lest another day go by without your life being made more complicated... In prior alert situations, the diplomats have been asked to report to shelter areas, which resulted in their being unable to communicate. Would it be possible to select a few shelter areas closest to the diplomatic area, and equip them with basic communications consoles? This capability need not be elaborate, and indeed should not take significant space, but this might relieve tensions somewhat. If this is a problem, please contact me. Thank You Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Diplomatic Security Hand Over From : Ambassador Joy Two To : LtCdr Shepard CC : Captain Muon I understand from Alyce 144 that the she and her sisters have completed the diplomatic security refresher course, and are ready to assume responsibility for my protection. I suspect you will be busy enough to require all available personnel. Thus, I would as soon transfer responsibility as soon as possible. I have informed the Cardassian foreign ministry of the attack on Kith Ghemor, and informed them of the ‘For the Order!’ quote. I anticipate questions and likely investigators from Cardassia. If I am to maintain good relations with Cardassia, I would like to be kept informed of significant developments in the case. I will attempt to keep the bureaucrats out of your investigation, but suspect they will eventually and firmly offer a trained and knowledgeable security person. If you have an opinion on how such an offer should be handled, I am very open to hear it. Thank You Ambassador Joy Two

Subject : Contacting Kith Ghemor From : Ambassador Joy Two To : Doctor McKinny While I have no desire to interfere with rest and recovery, when Kith Ghemor is truly ready to receive visitors, I would appreciate being informed. Thank You Ambassador Joy Two

Not to worry. Attacking Earth is just traditional. Vyger... The Whale Probe... The Borg... If you want to top off the Galactic Villain's Who's Who list, you have to attack Earth. The Romulans have nothing to worry about... :ph34r:

Rachel, in Starfleet, when we say "beam him down," that's not what we mean... :lol:

Joy tapped her badge, and asked for a connection to Sorehl. “Commissioner? I have a representative Delmari here, from Volan III, one of the human worlds near the Cardassian - Federation border. He is looking to speak with representatives of the Federation. This seems closer to your assignment to mine. I’d be pleased if you wished to join us up in my suite. The Panorama? Eight twelve? “Also, do you know the cause of the alert?”

Well, if you are having trouble with time, you can't be Doctor Who's Leela, then... ;) But welcome anyway! Joy

One of my favorite Joy logs, The Measure of a Woman, is set in a time when she was still at academy. Joy was still adjusting to new programming, and was not at all what she has become. Anyway, I used Captain Picard as advocate for Joy's cause in a court scene. Of course, I chickened out. One way to avoid turning people off when you put a canon character on stage is to not mention his name, to take inspiration from the character, but not to try to convince the reader that you know how to write the character. Besides, this one was a Joy story, not a Picard story... It's just that Picard did such a good job for Data in "The Measure of a Man..."

I know I enjoyed the interactions between Joy Two and tr'Aeolix during Two's first stay on Aegis. I also like the depth and weight of Romulan politics when a sim invites visitors in from the Talon - Excalibur - Agincourt group. There is a lot there. But I don't know that "the Romulans are drifting towards civil war and are becoming isolationist" is the best of all possible themes to be played out on Aegis. Instead of adding depth, complexity and character, a period of Romulan isolation seems just to create an empty embassy. This is one place where keeping time vague, or at least not in lock step, could be beneficial. Does the civil war have to be happening right now in the Aegis canon? While a civil war provides lots of fine plot capabilities in some sims, is it the best theme for all sims?