Mixed Notes

[Joy 0]

Subject : Technical Questions

From : Ambassador Joy Two

To : Centurion Jorahl

CC : Ambassador Drankum

Commander Brown

 

 

Jorahl

 

I know you are quite busy. It is unreasonable for me to ask for the detailed technical studies that would be required to answer some of the following questions definitively. I am also focusing much of my time on the colony project rather than the shipyard project. I find it unlikely that I shall be meddling much in your side of things. However, a few questions have come to mind, and I'd like an opinion as to whether they seem plausible, or whether politics might rear its ugly head.

 

I understand that the technology mix on the new ships will involve both Federation and Romulan design and technology. For the most part, this ought to remain in the domain of the engineers. The further the politicians stay from design decisions, the better the ship is apt to be. However, I am curious as to whether cloak and singularity drive power technologies are in the proposed mix. If they are, I believe I may exchange notes with Ambassador tr'Aeolix. My sisters and I have had difficulties with the cloak treaty many times in our careers. If it is going to raise its ugly head again, we might as well get started on it. I have no strong opinion on how things should be resolved, but political processes can be slow. If approvals are needed, we might wish to start working it early.

 

I do, confess, however, that a cloak equipped ship usable to probe Breen space would be convenient. Even if the Federation might continue to be denied cloaks, need the Aegis Alliance be so restricted? What combination of ship registry and crew make up would satisfy your government and the treaty?

 

Anyway, that might be my headache and tr'Aeolix's, rather than yours. If you have comment, however, I'd like to hear it.

 

I also had a brief discussion with Doctor McKinny. It seems that she has opinions on the design of sickbays. During this discussion, it occurred to me that I had opinions on the design of diplomatic suites. How thrilled are you at the prospect of a hoard of amateur starship designers swamping engineering with somewhat valid opinions? I shall refrain from speaking unless asked, but you might want to consider a format where advice on various specialty subjects might be reasonably reviewed.

 

As I may become associated with the new colony, a thought occurred to me regarding the Local Orbital Space Defense Grid. The full grid placed around Aegis seems solid against any threat short of a large effort by a major power. The new colony will be entirely undefended save by the Aegis mobile assets which will be in short supply.

 

Would it be plausible to move some small number of defense grid nodes to the colony, sufficient to deter minor raids, without significantly impacting our own defenses?

 

Would it be difficult to build new defense grid nodes at our proposed shipyards? I am no finance master, but it seems to me that purchasing fixed fortifications designed to counter minor raids might be a profitable possibility. The local planets likely need defenses from raider groups more than they need the ability to project power away from their home worlds. I would think that without the expenses involved in faster than light drives, defense nodes would be more cost effective for local needs. Thus, there might be a greater need and larger market for nodes than ships. The smaller size of the units might make ramp up to production easier as well.

 

I would like a quick opinion on technical feasibility if you could. Longer discussions of the military, political and economic ramifications would have to follow, I'm sure. If you know of a technical reason such approaches would be unfeasible, however, I'd like to hear that early so as not to muddy political waters unnecessarily.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

 

Ambassador Joy Two

[Joy 0]

"I have been considering the new lettering over the lobby," said Crystal. "Just plain The United Federation of Planets seem boring. I know you don't want to push Mudd too far forward, Joy, but I think we need something more."

 

Joy raised an eyebrow. "You have something in mind, I assume?"

 

"I thought we ought to list all of our planets. Thus, in smaller text, underneath, Haven, Earth and Mudd."

 

Joy pretended to consider. Bruce jumped in. "Wouldn't it be better to list them in terms of the seniority of the planets in the Federation? Earth, Haven, Mudd?"

 

"Or in terms of the ranking within the staff," suggested Joy. "Mudd, Haven, Earth."

 

"A compromise?" suggested Bruce. "Alphabetical order? Earth, Haven, Mudd?"

 

Crystal made her subjective argument. "It just doesn't have the same ring! It should be Haven, Earth and Mudd. Poetically speaking."

 

"We could settle this amiably," suggested Bruce with a grin. "Fist fight?"

 

"Fashion contest," Crystal suggested, insistently.

 

"Children... children..." Joy rapped on the table for order. "Let's just leave it at The United Federation of Planets... but Haven, Earth and Mudd could be an unofficial motto."

 

"One silly question, Joy," commented Crystal. "Why is it important now, all of a sudden?"

 

"I'm not sure it is," Joy answered. "Those who were inclined to listen listened anyway, no matter the sign on the door."

[Joy 0]

Subject : Altered Flight Plan

From : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis

To : Ambassador Joy Eight, MMS Mudd

CC : Ambassador Joy Seven, Earth

Classification : None

Encryption : Joy0208: B53AC338, Joy0207: A7439CAE

 

 

Sister, mine

 

As you have no doubt deduced, Ambassador Drankum and I are not quite in total accord. I believe we are circling around an acceptable position, but this likely isn't the ideal time for you to show up and 'politely request' docking clearance. I'd like a bit more time for things to simmer down, and the last point raised is that he couldn't say no.

 

You might use the time constructively. There is a Federation member world Kobheeria nearby. I propose you do a one planet baby kissing tour. Information on the local planets is somewhat short. I'd like you to visit embassies, attend cultural events, copy news feeds, get as much information as you can from the local data bases at the Federation embassy, and perhaps wrangle invitations to visit other local worlds. I've no agenda beyond that discussed in earlier notes. Avoid committing anyone to anything, but listen. I'd just like a few doors opened and a better understanding of local affairs.

 

I have also been informed that the colony at TKR 117 has been authorized to begin operations. I'd like you to visit there as well. It is proposed that I may play a role in representing them in some manner. Consider yourself to be my designated representative, but that my position is as yet not confirmed, nor have I been adequately briefed. I do not know if they currently have a party on the surface, but if there is a baby down there, try to kiss it. If no one is there, or you otherwise can't get permission to beam down, could you just do a routine orbital survey? I have absolutely nothing on planet or the culture of the colonists.

 

Keep me informed. If I get good info on TKR 117 before you get there, I might cancel that aspect of your trip.

 

That's about it, excepting an unofficial protest from the House of Rhee. Crystal is not pleased that the delivery of her augmented wardrobe has been delayed. If good relations with Haven are to be maintained, you might not wish to spend too much time at this.

 

 

Ambassador Joy Two

[Joy 0]

Subject : Ferengi Cardassia Relations

From : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis

To : Ambassador shiKatsu Raumk, Federation Embassy, Cardassia Prime

Classification : Secret

Encryption : UFP39D

 

 

Ambassador

 

Aegis is resettling into our new location reasonably well. Thus far, there have been no incedents beyond the stresses involved in changing both commanders and deployment area. We are close to being operational. Trade is still next to nothing, though this may be because no one knows that we are here.

 

I am writing about a concern that I hope might be trivial, but I'd like you to be aware of. In evaluating the military threats to Aegis, I suggested that the only local power that seemed a threat was the Breen. Ambassador Drankum corrected me with mention of a second threat.

 

Cardassia.

 

One thread of the recent 14(7) crisis was a belief by the Ferengi that Cardassia was not yet sufficiently rehabilitated after the Dominion war. There were suggestions by the Ferengi that one of the major functions of Aegis was to monitor and deter military action by Cardassia.

 

The Sorehl report suggested this need was dated, that the time for occupation was over. With the exception of the Ferengi, the other participating Aegis powers agreed. I suggested to Ambassador Drankum and Kith Ghemor a compromise as part of the post 14(7) crisis stand down. Ferengi ships should be allowed to continue servicing the economic projects the Ferengi developed during the reconstruction period. As Ferengi trade ships are also militia warships. This would give them opportunity to monitor military developments in the Cardassia Prime system. This monitoring capability would be the equivalent of the continued presence of Aegis. On the other hand, a few trade ships would not be the overwhelming military threat that Aegis represented.

 

I believe this arrangement is quietly happening. At least, to your knowledge, has there been any attempt to exclude Ferengi ships from Cardassia?

 

But the primary reason for this note is that I'd like to be kept aware of any developing tensions between Cardassia and the Ferengi. Is it just Ambassador Drankum who is still fighting the Dominion War in his mind? Do you see any evidence of deeper tensions? Did the Ferengi invasion fleet create lasting tensions? Did the Federation and Romulan support of Cardassia and departure of Aegis result in continuing good will?

 

By all means please avoid fanning any fires, but I'm mildly concerned. Thus far, other than that one comment in passing, I have seen no evidence that the policies of Aegis are being slanted in any way detrimental to the Cardassians. I would just like to confirm tensions are fading rather than growing.

 

Ambassador Joy Two

[Joy 0]

Subject : Bureaucracy in Action

From : Ambassador Joy Two

To : Commander Brown

 

 

Ugh

 

This would seem to be Starfleet business, rather than embassy business, but has someone asked whether the shipyard would be an 'addition of evolutionary capability' to Aegis? If so, are the notifications, studies and approvals required by Article 14 of the Aegis Treaty being worked?

 

Sorry to annoy, but recent events have left me with an Article 14 obsession. Until Amendment 3 is passed, any violation of Article 14 could destroy the Aegis Alliance.

 

I do not intend to make a habit of contacting you without copying Ambassador Drankum. It's just that he and I have a wee bit of a history on this one. Let me know if I could be of service supporting this. I'm sure Crystal will be just thrilled by the opportunity to expedite bureaucracy.

 

Ugh

 

Ambassador Joy Two

[Jorahl 0]

To - Joy, Ambassador (Federation of Planets)

From - Chief of Engineering (Aegis)

 

 

Be fully at ease that the Romulan Star Empire will not give sensitive equipment to any of your Starfleet. They have made it clear in their policies to refuse advanced technologies to those cultures they deem unready for it. We of the Empire are more than pleased to aid them in this by withholding technologies the Federation is not advanced enough to operate and maintain responsibly by themselves. This most assuredly includes cloaking technologies as covered by the treaties between our governments. There is the possibility of a test bed (NX as your Starfleet would register it) vessel that would have certain items installed beyond what we would supply your Federation with. This would be for experimentation and test flights primarily. If it is operated under a Federation flag issues could be handled in similar fashion as the treaty amendments which allowed the Defiant to operate a Romulan cloak. Hopefully any such new agreements would not be breached as often as the Defiant ones were.

 

While the vessel is slated to be a blending of Romulan and Federation design I am in serious doubt that the crews will be joint as well. Each ship will be delivered to one government for use as they deem proper. How any ship assigned to the Aegis project would be handled is up to those above me in the chain of command.

 

I am unaware of anything in regard to the nature of this new colony. Until I know more I can not offer support of allied funding or equipment. Whatever the nature of the colony however a separate defense grid localized around the planet would be more effective then any extension of the currently deployed system.

 

-Chief of Engineering, Aegis.

Edited March 1, 2009 by Jorahl