Long Distance Calls

[Sorehl 0]

The following is a joint log expanded from the conversation between Commissioner Sorehl and Ambassador Joy Two during the Aegis sim on 07/11/08. Chronologically, it occurs between the third and (yet unposted) fourth log in the Council report series.

 

Commissioner Sorehl leaned forward in one of the private communication vestibules in this portion of the chambers, the cuff of his sleeved robe gliding across the desk. Although the intended break in his appearance was supposed to have been brief, the Council had since gone into closed session with the Joint Chiefs regarding a Gamma Quadrant matter in the Salin system. The final portion of his recommendations had been delayed. Since there was insufficient time for a return to his accommodations, he opted to use the interlude advantageously.

 

The Federation Seal shrank to one corner of the screen and the triangular symbol of Sky Harbor Aegis took the center. It soon also shrank and faded as the image of Ambassador Joy Two of Mudd appeared. "Good evening, Commissioner," the dark-haired android greeted by subspace.

 

The Vulcan nodded. "Good day, Ambassador," he responded. "I'm between sessions with the Council at the moment. I trust you've kept apace of the transpirings?" Although his testimony was little more than a footnote on F-SPAN, he knew there would be an audience at Aegis.

 

"Within the limits of bandwith, yes," the diplomat answered. "I just passed the Dameon proposal on to the Kith and Captain Quark."

 

Unconsciously, an eyebrow rose. "That proposal must have been within Council channels," he considered aloud. "I was unaware of it. I suppose that's not unusual, since I'm merely a guest speaker." Although he had little direct knowledge of the Dameon culture, he was familiar with the martial tilt of their politics. His personal association with the captain of Excalibur had not diminished this impression. He wondered if their ambassador had posed strategic objections.

 

"It is not unusual for alternate proposals to be thrown about," she explained reassuringly. "This one keeps Aegis in place under a joint command. It is too vague on how this would work to be considered firm yet."

 

Sorehl listened to her explanation. "Joint command. Of course." He recalled this morning's session. "The Andorian delegate commented on it; it sounded as if he might be quoting an external reference."

 

"It is not a formal motion yet," Joy reiterated. "The details are not firm enough for it. Seven and her group," she explained, invoking the number of one of her sister units, "haven't decided how they want to push on it yet, either. Still in flux. She seems to think the politics should drive the military deployment, not the other way around." She paused briefly. "We have to decide the political objective first, then decide how Aegis could best meet it."

 

Across the light years, Sorehl found himself agreeing with that logic. He nodded. "I see her point. The difficulty is, politics disagrees on what the Aegis mission is, making it difficult to evaluate its end point." A shifting finish line only extended the race beyond endurance, he mused.

 

"Your report," Joy offered, "has triggered the discussion, however. In my experience, it will take some time to settle things down. I'd expect quite a lot of talk before the new deployment can be settled on."

 

"As it should," Sorehl remarked. "I have given my recommendation. They must decide if it has merit and if the politics allow it."

 

Joy folded her hands, a nuance that might have been meant to convey she was about to offer an opinion. "I think your recommendation has merit, but more people have to buy into it before it will happen. The Daemon alternative, and there might be other alternatives, will have to be fleshed out and compared to yours."

 

He observed her careful suggestion of sharing ideas and building consensus. It reminded him of the same skill demonstrated by his wife. "Agreed," the Vulcan answered. "It will undoubtedly move at the speed of government."

 

"Of course." For her part, the android smiled pleasantly. "You didn't expect the speed of logic, did you?"

 

"Hardly," he responded, hearing her rejoinder. He paused, shifting to the next purpose for his call. "I wondered if you had an opportunity to assess Muon's response. I was unable to confer with her before my departure from Aegis."

 

A thoughtful look passed over her delicate features. "The captain was displeased at not being consulted," Joy admitted. "She has yet to make specific alternate recommendations. I intend to get her, the Kith, and Drankum together as soon as I might."

 

Sorehl glanced at the chronometer in the lower corner of the screen. "Our recess ends soon, but perhaps there is time to contact her myself." Joy's mention of the Ferengi ambassador reminded him of another comment made in the earlier session. Perhaps he should contact his long-time associate, as well, he considered. "Before that, I thought I should ask if you have any comment on the proceedings. Anything I should be certain to remark on?" He knew his closing remarks would be among the more controversial.

 

Onscreen, she shook her head slightly. "I have nothing specific. I generally approve your original recommendation, but the Cardassian's imput must be integerated, and others."

 

As was proper, he thought with a nod. "Of course. I included commentary from our meeting with the Castellan and the Presidium, but I have not presumed to speak on the Cardassian's behalf." He paused. "Although... I will be challenging the notion that Aegis is there to 'keep an eye' on Cardassia in the next session."

 

Joy feigned shock with purposeful overacting. "Speaking of the unspeakable? Expect indirect counter arguments. Best of luck."

 

Sorehl acknowledged her wish. "I must use the pulpit they've granted. Otherwise, there can be no end to the Aegis mission."

 

The diplomat smiled pleasantly. "Very well. Peace and long life."

 

The commissioner raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "Endure long, Ambassador."

 

Joy returned the salute. "Slog with great patience through the politics, Commissioner," she said in parting, smiling with moderate mirth.

 

"I shall attempt to do so. Until then. Sorehl out." He leaned forward and closed the link.

Edited July 18, 2008 by Sorehl

[Sorehl 0]

The following is a joint log expanded from conversation between Commissioner Sorehl and Captain Muon Quark during the Aegis sim on 07/11/08. Chronologically, it also occurs between the third and (yet unposted) fourth log in the Council report series.

 

From Ops, Porter had told Captain Quark of an incoming, personal communication. Alone in her office, the Ferengi captain dropped unceremoniously into the the chair at her desk, reached over, and pressed a button to open the link. A Security Council symbol faded, replaced by an image of Commissioner Sorehl of Vulcan, a former commanding officer of Aegis who was now a civilian with Starfleet reserve rank.

 

“Captain,” he greeted with economy of words.

 

Muon found herself sitting up, but not out of respect. Her eyes narrowed. “I should hang up on you, Sorehl.”

That a Vulcan could sense the emotional reaction across subspace was a measure of its fervor. From within the communications vestibule on Earth, he chose his words carefully. “I regret,” he began, “not having had opportunity to speak with you before my session with the Council.”

 

Onscreen, the Ferengi woman’s expression didn’t soften. “You blind-sided me.”

 

The commissioner let a moment pass. “It was not my intent. You were understandably engaged at the time of my departure.” The encounter with Species 8472 had been threatening to spill back into Cardassian space, which it ultimately had. He pressed on. “I should also note that my recommendation for Aegis was in no way a negative reflection on your command.”

 

Muon sighed audibly. “Fine,” she relented, “but you could have given me a hint about this. Now it looks like I have to plan moving the station.”

 

Sorehl considered her comment. He was only a single voice in the debate. He found it unlikely the Security Council would fully or swiftly endorse his recommendations. Indeed, Joy had told him alternate proposals were already being traded. “A move is by no means certain,” he noted. “I have asserted my recommendation that Aegis conclude its mission, but I am merely a former captain. It is entirely possible they will ignore or revise my proposal. You may have plenty of time to see more of Cardassia Prime.”

 

The Ferengi captain scoffed softly. “Not likely, Sorehl. As the hew-mons say, ‘it's all over but the crying’.”

 

“Perhaps.” The commissioner was far less certain, but opted not to expend energy to dissuade her. “However, I would not pack yet. These things tend to move, as they say, at the speed of government.” He repeated the phrase he had used in his previous conversation with the Mudd ambassador.

 

Onscreen, Muon took a deep breath. “So what can I not do for you, Sorehl?”

 

“I merely wanted to rectify the... blind-siding,” he admitted.

 

She hmphed, shaking her head with an incredulous smile. “Do you have any idea how mad Drankum is going to be, not to mention the rest of the Ferengi?” She leaned on one elbow, awaiting his response.

 

Sorehl merely raising an eyebrow. As a Ferengi herself, Muon had far greater insight into their cultural values than he did. Their stakes were financial, as they always were, but logically should be capable of reimbursement. He wondered, why would emotional elements intrude into an ecomomic matter? “I did not think the financial considerations insurmountable...” he managed. “Do you disagree? I willingly defer to your judgement.”

 

Onscreen, Muon appeared to surpress a laugh. “Then you don't know Ferengi. All financial considerations are insurmountable.”

 

“Surely suitable compensation can be arranged by the Federation?” he offered.

 

Her expression turned hard again. “I don't know, Sorehl. It will be a major obstacle to overcome. Trust me.”

 

The Vulcan leaned away from the display, steepling his hands. “I admit I am not well versed in such impacts,” he recounted.

“Perhaps you've heard me mention before: I am no diplomat.

 

“Well, that's okay,” the captain replied, throwing up her hands, “because we're in greater need of an accountant.” She folded her arms. “Anyways, it helps that I’m Ferengi. I understand our culture, so maybe that will go in our favor.”

 

Sorehl nodded quietly. “Perhaps I should leave it to the accountants and diplomats, then.” He grew quiet, as if hesitating to bring up another point. “Before I am summoned to the next session,” he began, “I should advise you of something else.”

 

Muon looked back, her brow raised. “Another blind-side?” She was only half joking.

 

“I intend to espouse a position in the concluding session that I believe we share,” the Vulcan explained, “that Aegis was not placed at Cardassia Prime as a punishment or as a "boot to the neck" to keep them down.” He waited. “If that is an opinion you share, I would like to reference that fact.”

 

It didn’t take her long to consider. “Agreed. We've been on their back door long enough.”

 

“Very good,” he answered, nodding. A tone sounded inside the vestibule. He glanced down at the screen, confirming its intent. “I see my session is about to resume.” He lifted his hand in the Vulcan salute. “Long life and, of course, prosperity.”

 

Muon nodded with a circular wave of one hand. “Yeah, yeah, peace and lots of latinum to you, too.”

 

Sorehl put his hand down. “I chose the wrong career for that, captain. Sorehl out.”

 

 

Alone in her office, Captain Muon Quark stuck out her tongue at the screen as it went blank.