Dominion - Rihannsu Battle and Political Situation

[Joy 0]

Subject : Apparent Dominion - Rihannsu Battle at Cardassia

From : Joy Eight, MMS Mudd, Cardassia Prime System

To : Ambassador Gem Rhee, San Francisco

CC : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis; Ambassador Joy Seven, San Francisco

Encryption : UFP:88D

Priority : Flash

 

 

A fleet of 100+ ships, of mixed size, apparently of Dominion design, appeared outside Cardassia Prime system, and paused. The Rihannsu fleet of 19 Warbirds it attacked shortly after. Federation forces have thus far not committed. One would normally expect the Rihannsu to be at a disadvantage given the difference in numbers, but neither side has achieved a decisive edge.

 

The Dominion weapon that disables power plants seems not to be playing a role. One might assume improved Rihannsu shielding. It seems inconceivable that a Dominion force could have come through the wormhole, thus these ships, if they are indeed of Dominion construction, are most likely remnants of forces provided to the Breen and Cardassians during the late war. That they are less effective than one might expect might be attributed to poor supply, maintenance, crew training or command skill. This Dominion equipped fleet has likely been too long isolated from the Dominion to be fully effective. Conceivably, the Rihannsu may also have made improvements.

 

The rapidly escalating sequence from a lone assassin, to multiple terrorist bombings, to fleet frontal assault has been very fast. The timing is so tight that coincidence seems unlikely. The difference in methods is notable. Terrorist bombings are a tactic used when one is at a disadvantage in conventional conflict. Frontal assault against a prepared and alert enemy is a method used reluctantly when one has a significant advantage in conventional conflict. That one approach was used immediately before the other indicates someone was trying to be cute. My guess is that the terrorist bombings were intended to provoke a Rihannsu - Federation conflict. The Dominion remnant fleet was intended to arrive late to take on the winner. If so, while from our perspective, the situation was tense and confusing, from the other side this may look like a disaster. While they may possibly have sufficient force to take the Cardassia Prime system for a short time, if Klingon and Federation reinforcements arrive reasonably promptly, it does not seem likely they will be able to hold the system.

 

I suspect the Rihannsu will not be pleased that the Federation is not supporting them. However, we picked up a yet unexplained sensor burst coming from an entirely different direction. Holding the Federation forces in reserve might be prudent given the pattern of escalation. Each threat arriving has been much more potent than the one before. We have escalated from a man with a knife to a major fleet action with only one step in between. The opposition command clearly likes misdirection, and thinks himself clever. I am thus far not impressed by 'clever.' If the Dominion force had come in with surprise, neither the Rihannsu nor Federation fleets would have been here to defend. Either the enemy has badly erred, or they had some reason to believe these forces could be defeated, and the expected reinforcements as well.

 

Given a large force in Dominion designed ships, one would naturally have to suspect Dominion, Breen and/or Cardassian involvement. Given the degree of misdirection thus far observed, I would not be in a hurry to jump to conclusions.

 

Joy Eight

 

****************************************

 

Subject : Aegis Political Situation

From : Joy Eight, MMS Mudd

To : Ambassador Joy Seven, San Francisco

CC : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis

Encryption : JOY8:FA549BC9DF99

 

 

The pattern of interaction between the diplomatic corps and the Aegis command staff is becoming rather obvious. If one attempts to get them to honor the Guarantees, they lecture on the importance of martial law. If one attempts to get them to honor interstellar treaties, they lecture on martial law. If one tries to help them acquire allies when war is imminent, one gets a lecture on martial law. Their interactions thus far with the diplomatic corps have involved issuing of reprimands, issuing of orders, and recently the making of an accusation which seems likely now to prove unfounded. What is lacking is any willingness to listen.

 

In short, they are very impressed with their own authority, but dismissive of honoring their constitutional and treaty obligations. They seem to perceive of diplomacy and politics as one way streets. The notion that authority is tolerated only to enforce mutually advantageous relationships seems much too abstract for their way of perceiving the universe.

 

This is problematic in and of itself. For the occupation of Cardassia, it is particularly problematic. Centuries ago, Cardassia was a reasonably well balanced civilization. They fell into an economic decline. In order to buy their way clear, they initiated a series of conquests. They invested in their military, took over other's planets, and used stolen resources to prop up the failed economic system. Of course, as this did not reform their basically flawed economic system, this was a temporary fix. More invasions proved necessary. Conquest became a habit. The system more or less worked until their expanding borders met the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

 

A return to a balanced culture comparable with the Cardassian First Republic period seems a desirable goal. I do not see that emphasizing martial law as the dominant tool for solving all problems will be helpful in shaping the new Cardassian culture.

 

But I am at a loss as to how to suggest this. Any communications with the Aegis command staff that does not slavishly follow their policies and bow to their authority gets no thoughtful response, only lectures on the importance of martial law and emphatic assertions that the command staff is not obligated to listen to anyone else's perspective.

 

They may be able to make it work so long as Federation military force is required to stabilize the region. If they continue, however, making demands while not fulfilling responsibilities, the situation can only deteriorate.

 

Eight

Edited October 5, 2006 by Joy

[Joy 0]

Subject : Information Flow

From : Joy Eight

To : Captain Nicholas Ayers

CC : Admiral Goran, Ambassador Joy Two, Captain Sorehl

Classification : Confidential

Priority : Routine

 

 

First, while this note is not unimportant, it is not urgent. It it too late to make corrections with regards to the current fleet actions. Feel free to put this aside until the situation is stabilized.

 

Captain, I have been trying to avoid debating legal differences, but of course we disagree. Everywhere else I have traveled in or near Federation space, all embassy personnel carry diplomatic passports, and are subject to the persona non grata tradition rather than local justice. Mind you, I have seen persona non grata abused. It is an arbitrary system, sometimes capricious, far better suited for sending diplomatic 'messages' than for justice. On behalf of Mudd, I am not concerned about this particular Aegis oddity. The problem is the disconnect in how Aegis insists on its own unique protocols that causes confusion and distress among the diplomatic corps. Again, if you intend to implement unusual regulations and laws, it would be courteous at the very least to inform people. If the laws you are abandoning are part of interstellar tradition or treaty, do not be surprised by difficulties.

 

But I am more concerned by your impression that ambassadors are fleeing Aegis at the first sign of trouble. You should know better. I have spoken of my own programming. I mentioned the military experience of the rest of the diplomatic corps. I would not assume the Federation has any monopoly on courage.

 

Imagine yourself on some foreign station, representing the Federation. There is trouble in local space. You host is denying you all access to local sensor information, and seems to be keeping you isolated from any information on the local crisis. From time to time, your host calls you into his presence, and asks or demands that you as representative of the Federation approve his plans. Would you feel comfortable in committing the Federation to any position, given that your host was denying you information on what is going on?

 

When the MMS Mudd left Aegis, most of the rest of the ambassador corps had already left. My purpose was to remain in contact with those outside, while Two remained in contact with Starfleet and those inside. I am also providing information to Two, such that she might be informed enough to represent Mudd in a knowledgeable manner. I expect that the other ambassadors also left for good reason, nothing to do with personal courage, much more to do with Aegis policies.

 

Again, consider creating a diplomatic situation room. Make it possible for the diplomatic corps to maintain situational awareness without leaving the station. Also, if you want diplomats on the station, you might act as if you want diplomats on the station. You could do better in the realm of hospitality.

 

And yes, I know, Aegis is under martial law. The precise strength of military dictatorship as a form of government is that a dictator with sufficient armed force need not concern himself with the perspectives and opinions of others. I do not truly expect you to appreciate alien values and goals. You have made this clear. I am just required to go through the motions.