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Sorehl

Arguments of Passion

As a Vulcan, he would never permit himself to embrace an emotion as self-indulgent as frustration. That did not mean Sorehl couldn't identify where it would have otherwise appeared, if it weren't for his self-discipline.

 

Nine months.

 

It had been late last year when he had spoken on Camelot Station to Lieutenant Victria, offering her people the assistance of private Federation citizens in their struggles against the Scorpiad. The Al-Ucard security officer had been receptive, offering her knowledge of surviving contacts in the ruling councils. In the intervening time, Sorehl had exerted himself with ruthless efficiency from his home on Avalon. Systematically, he had plied the discreet channels Victria had offered, reaching out to each of the still-surviving contacts and advising them of resources he could offer.

 

Nine ineffectual months. In what should have been time to give birth to a strengthened resistance through tactical advice, medical aid, and political support, his efforts had instead met repeated rebuffs, polite refusals, and mild surprise. Some of the Al-Ucard had offered thanks, but cautiously implied that help was already being received. One leader had even said, somewhat bemusedly, that his call had been "expected, but ultimately unnecessary". The logic of such a statement escaped him.

 

Sorehl was unaware of any successful inroads that had been made into Scorpiad space by Federation citizens, but it was not impossible. Still, he had gained no details on how to provide additional help. The Al-Ucard had simply praised his interest and suggested he channel his efforts elsewhere.

 

It was true that reports from inside the Scorpiad rebellion had grown less grim, he knew, but it was hard to tell if this was because the situation was improving or because there were fewer survivors to provide accounts.

 

He'd been disinclined to let an absence of knowledge paralyze his efforts. Unyielding, Sorehl had simply changed tactics, seeking to increase Federation awareness of the chaos and instability that could easily spill through the wormhole. He had prompted a number of his own diplomatic contacts - Ambassador shiKatsu Raumuk, Ambassador Joy Seven, Governor K'Vorlag - to encourage a shift in popular opinion that would favor intervention. He'd even presumed on his good relations with the Ferengi government to encourage their involvement, but those pleas remained unanswered. Sadly, his influence as a decorated member of the Order of Damar was hampered by the treaty restrictions that prevented Cardassia from entangling itself in Gamma Quadrant politics. His one clear success: he'd noticed a number of anonymous essays and commentaries openly challenging the Federation Council about ignoring the plight of races under Scorpiad and Dominion oppression. The unattributed nature of these writings, as well as familiar phrasing, suggested they were the work of Starfleet officers attempting to offer private opinions without compromising their apolitical roles.

 

But was it enough?

 

The Scorpiad remained at civil war, even if muted. If the Al-Ucard were unwilling to accept his help against their foes, perhaps it was time to aid those races who sought freedom from their Vorta overlords and Jem-Hadar enforcers? It was clear the Dominion was showing the stress of holding together its empire. Shouldn't the Federation help liberate those who sought it? Or would such assistance merely play into the hands of rebels like the Hundred?

 

His friend and colleague, Commander John Blair, had recently announced he was stepping down as first officer of Camelot Station. The human's career move was unrelated to the political struggles of the Gamma Quadrant, but it personalized the erosion of Sorehl's influence in this remote section of the galaxy. He had never exploited the human's obvious loyalty to their years of service together, nor would he, but it was another example of losing one who'd helped forge the peace of recent years.

 

No longer an active Starfleet officer, Sorehl had been drawn into diplomatic conflicts against his will. There was his recommendation to have Aegis withdrawn from Cardassian space. There'd been the negotiations with the Ferengi. Semil had taunted him for being involved in such matters while letting the Federation fail to uphold its ideals in the Gamma Quadrant. The Vorta had actually tried to shame him for being one of those willing to let others be "denied the liberties they claimed to cherish".

 

Arguments of passion from such a hypocritical source could hold little weight against logic.

 

But Sorehl could not deny their persuasiveness.

 

He had hoped to speak of his concerns with Corizon during the captain's convalescence, but a constant vigil by his yeoman had left no opportunity for a private audience. And now Excalibur was gone again, bearing away the few officers he might have consulted for a fresh perspective.

 

Whatever his actions, he concluded, it seemed they were bound to be his alone.

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