The Gorn Incident Reprised

[Joy 0]

Subject : The Gorn Incident Reprised

From : Ambassador Joy Two

To : Ambassador Drankum

Security : Confidential

 

 

Ambassador Drankum

 

If the large practical question is whether radiation should be contained to maximize later potential settlements, or whether the archeological value of the city should be preserved, I would favor containing the radiation over preserving archeological integrity. I am hopeful various scientific personnel can achieve a reasonable compromise which allows both goals within reasonable measure. I feel you have opened cans of worms unnecessarily. Legally and politically, you are being as clumsy as ever. However, I have considerable sympathy if containment of radiation rather than plunder is your true goal.

 

However, your note reminds me of an incident that occurred shortly following my first arrival at Aegis. Admiral Goram had ordered that no ship be allowed to leave Aegis. The crew in the control tower interpreted this order literally, detaining a Gorn diplomatic courier and kidnapping its crew. This incident initiated the hostility between Goram's people and the diplomatic corps. The tension that resulted from this violation of protocol never resolved, growing steadily worse until the station was destroyed.

 

The wording of your executive order echoes Admiral Goram's. I have a mind to send the MMS Mudd to Alistair, to confirm from orbit that no plundering is in fact tacking place, and to provide from orbit a third party observation of the radiation dispersion should a conflict in testimony arise between the Aegis and Alistair personnel. I have no intent to have our people go to the surface unless invited to do so by one party and the other party does not object.

 

But the wording of your order might suggest you may believe you have the authority to search a diplomatic courier, and you have authority to order a Federation courier to not visit a Federation colony.

 

I am going to assume your wording was simply careless, that you do not intend to set aside diplomatic protocol. I shall remind you of your own insistence on diplomatic courier protocol during the 14(7) incident, your assertion that the commander of Aegis did not have the right to detain your courier. As you may know, I advised Captain Muon that you were correct, that she should release your courier, and she did in fact do so. I am assuming you will take the same position now.

 

 

Ambassador Joy Two, The United Federation of Planets