"Diplomacy 201"

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

"You have no choice, Colonel." Xar Apalla said.

 

Harper gritted her teeth, forcing herself to speak slowly and calmly. "I want a commlink to the captain, First Elector. If everything is as you say, he can go back into isolation afterwards." It wasn't as if the request were unreasonable; the captain had not even been present at the site of the alleged murder.

 

"I am sorry Colonel, but that will not be possible. Your continued persistence and aggressive manner will not get you anywhere you want. We will not cower before your almighty warship. You must understand that we have not had a murder in over 400 years, and now our greatest fears of dealing with your people have come true." Beneath her cloaks, Xar Apalla remained steadfast in her resolve. She did not fear the woman before her, and Harper's continued aggression only strengthened her perception of the Federation as a hypocritical organization that only concerned itself with the ideals they preached so long as it suited them.

 

Harper's jaw tightened and her fists clenched at her sides. She forced herself to take a deep breath and speak evenly. "You must understand, First Elector, the position I am in. We came here peacefully, at your request, to render aid. Then we receive word that your engineer has attacked our away team... and now you accuse my people of murder. Can you see how I would be disinclined to take you at face value?"

 

"Yet you believe every word your away team says with out a second thought?"

 

One eyebrow arched delicately. "I work and live with these people, First Elector. Can they be mistaken or deceived? Yes. Would they lie to me outright? No."

 

Xar's tone of voice seemed almost gentle, "I wasn't implying they were trying to deceive you Colonel. I suppose a further explanation is warranted... Colonel, my people rejected our strong emotions of violence and hatred. Negativity in general is taboo among my people. We have a very strong conception of... emotions... empathy if you will. Kamala would not have attacked your away team, unless they reacted emotionally."

 

Harper considered this, ruthlessly suppressing the anger that would serve no purpose now. It was true that telepathic races had often reacted oddly to emotional races -- if Xar'Apalla was telling the truth about her race's capabilities. It came down to that, really -- could she accept the word of this woman?

 

"This is why we have gone to such lengths to secure our seclusion, Colonel. To assure that we are not tainted by the emotions of races who have not accepted that path," Xar paused. "I am sure right now you're wondering if you can trust me, Colonel."

 

"First Elector..." She took another deep breath. "I want to hear from my captain that the away team is unharmed. After that..." Struggling with the next words, she felt her fists tighten. "After that, we will submit to your laws."

 

Xar glanced off screen for a moment. "Your concern for your crew is admirable. I assure you they are unharmed, however, your willingness to look beyond your own cultural mores... which are admittedly low... leads me to believe that you will not attempt to interfere with the arbitration of justice. I will have your Captain transferred to a secure location where contact with him will be possible."

 

Relief washed over her in a palpable wave. "Thank you, First Elector," she said, inclining her head slightly. She struggled for diplomatic phases. "First contact is always difficult. Your understanding is a testimonial to the worth of your people."

 

Xar nodded. "I understand how difficult this must be for you, submitting your crew to the judgement of people you barely know. Colonel, I am willing to allow your people to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, so that if they are cleared of charges by the Tribunal of Justice, you may take whatever actions you deem appropriate. Additionally, I will allow any evidence found in that search to be presented in their trial."

 

Xar remained calm and steadfast. Her unemotional responses where the product of years of dedication to the path of peace. The Federation Captain had loosened that resolve slightly, and she could only imagine what being in a room with that entire away team would do to the lesser-trained Kamala.

 

Harper fought between relief and a simmering anger. The only thing keeping her face smooth and her voice even was the recognition that a good part of that anger stemmed from her own guilt. She should never have agreed to let the Away Team go unarmed. "I thank you, again. Our team will transport over as soon as possible..." A sudden thought caught her mid-sentence. "First Elector," she began cautiously, feeling her way through the delicately balanced truce they had reached, "will our investigating team have any... difficulties... with your people?"

 

"Your people will not have any direct contact with our own," she said flatly. "My people are already performing their investigation now and it will soon be complete. Once they are, you will be signaled the coordinates to transport your team to. In the mean time, I will be meeting with the Council of Electors to determine whether we will proceed with the trial of your people or not. I should warn you, if they are convicted of the crime. We believe that we must do all in our power to stop the cycle of violence..." She paused, considering how to word her next lines. "They will undergo a procedure that will erase all of their memories then be placed in our community where they will learn a new path."

 

Like hell. The words bubbled up within her, but she bit them back and only smiled grimly. "I have great faith in my people, First Elector."

 

Xar raised her hand. "Colonel, I know you do not approve of such... punishment. However, you have agreed to submit to our laws."

 

A muscle in her jaw twitched. Her smile became a touch less grim, and she looked at Xar with clear and level eyes. "First Elector, I do not believe the issue will arise."

 

"We shall see, Colonel. If you will excuse me, I must meet with my electors, for they may ultimately decide the fate of your crew." She raised her hand again to her cloaked face, showing the symbol of a simple black triangle on her hand. Then the screen flashed, and the symbol appeared on the viewscreen.

 

Blinking once at the abrupt dismissal, Harper slowly allowed her smile to lose its politeness and turn feral. She turned to Robair. "Commander, get me three of your best unarmed fighters."