Where Red Meets Purple

Posted on 24 Dec 2017 @ 10:59pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.)

Mission: He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1
Timeline: 27 Dec 2388

ON:

"XO, you have the bridge," Akio said as he entered the office. "Please, have a seat, Lieutenant. May I get you anything to drink?" Akio asked.

"No, thank you" Juan Replied, clasping his hands behind his back. "I appreciate the gesture, but that won't be necessary."

Akio had already searched his terminal for Zamora's orders which were non-existent as he suspected.

"Do you have a copy of your orders?" Akio asked.

"Naturally" came the response. Juan fished out a small data stick and tossed it to the commander. "I never leave home without them" he joked, caught a little off guard by the feeling of tension that had greeted him.

Akio smirked as he studied the orders. They were dated fairly recently which raised a multitude of questions. Yet the pressing one was:

"What are you doing aboard the Hawaii?" Akio asked point-blank.

"I see you get right to the point, so I'll be frank with you Captain, I am here because talk is cheap." Juan began.

"I am sure to some it might seem absurd to appoint a diplomat to a combat vessel, but, parlay can be offered at essentially no risk to you, and offers the chance to resolve incidents bloodlessly," Zamora emphasized that last word as he looked meaningfully across at the Commander. "If our offers should be rejected, well, then you can trade shots without reservation."

"Really, there are all kinds of reasons to bring somebody like me along," he continued. "I am educated in the cultural and political history of this region, and I am prepared to offer guidance as to how we can best gather allies and isolate our enemies. I am versed in the law of war, and prepared to offer guidance as to how we can maintain our moral superiority in this conflict."

"Broadly speaking sir," he concluded, "This ship was dispatched to seek an end to hostilities in this region of space, I simply represent one means of achieving this goal."

Akio nodded his head. As much as he didn't like it, Zamora had a point. Akio also appreciated the fact Zamora seemed to understand he was on a military ship and maintained bearing quite well.

"Well, the next question is how did you convince the Potsdam to go on that little excursion?" Akio asked, his temperature dropping after the initial shock settled.

"With a priority request from the Diplomatic Corps of course." Juan responded evenly. "In addition to providing you with whatever assistance I can provide, I have been dispatched to act as their eyes and ears in the conflict zone."

Akio processed what wasn't said: Zamora had friends in high enough places. Such a notion was exactly what Akio feared. It was bad enough he had a fairly green, understaffed crew including a Chief Tactical & Security Officer who had the taste of command before yet was now a department head. Akio wasn't sure if he needed another voice to second guess his command decisions. One XO was enough on the ship, let alone three.

Explaining himself, Zamora continued, "Even if words should fail us completely, there will come a day when the force of arms will prevail, and the different sides in this conflict will have to sit down at the negotiating table. When that day comes, the flag officers and ambassadors that come to hammer out the peace will need more than just military and operational information. In order to craft a peace that has any hope of lasting, they will need insights into the situation on the ground, into the political narrative, and the dispositions of the local populations, I am here to provide those insights."

"It sounds like you have a level head on your shoulders, Lieutenant," Akio admitted. "I do apologize about my seeming unwelcome attitude. Your arrival was a bit-- sudden. We both have the same goals in mind, though, and I appreciate sage counsel. I am not sure how much you have researched on the Gorn thus far, yet you will agree Starfleet has really mis-stepped on occasion. We are reaping what we have sown a decade ago."

"Thank you Captain, but that's quite alright. And I agree with you, what we are seeing today is the result of sloppy work from those who came before, that is exactly why I think that the work I am doing here is so important. I have studied what I can on the Gorn, but there is precious little to know, as I'm sure you're aware. We are feeling our way around in the dark, and so we will need to tread very carefully if we don't want another crew in this same situation a decade from now."

"I do have to inform you that you are the most senior Lieutenant aboard after the XO. You probably know why and how you have become such a senior Lieutenant and I can appreciate those reasons. I expect you to perform at your level of experience, though. You may be a Diplomat, yet do not forget you are a Starfleet Officer," Akio advised.

"Of course Captain, I am sure you will find me to be a man who takes his duties very seriously."

Akio noted the irony in that statement as it was evident Zamora had taken assignments that did not advance his promotion. Akio made a mental note to read the Lieutenant's file to figure out why. He would not tolerate a lazy officer.

"Good," Akio replied. "Do you have any questions before we return to our tasks at hand? Your offices are on the Quarterdeck, Deck 12," Akio pre-empted the obvious question.

"Only one sir," Juan replied. "when I came aboard it was suggested to me that there might be some immediate need of my services, hence my as you put it, 'sudden' arrival. Is that the case? Otherwise I can get to work setting up my offices."

"Good point," Akio said and started to wonder just how much Zamora knew about the Hawaii and her mission. Akio slid a PADD over.

"We've been ordered to make contact with Bre'el IV to determine the availability of their transport and supply vessels. Yet about 20 hours away from the planet, we received a repeating audio message: 'Bre'el IV to USS Hawaii, we do not want any part of this war. Please keep your distance.'" Akio explained.

"Additionally, the Marines are set to install a covert long range sensor outpost in the mountains of Bre'el IV. I am unsure why we did not ask Bre'el IV for permission, yet this is all probably related. Plus, Marines generally don't ask permission," Akio commented.

"Hmm" Juan intoned as he perused the available information, scant as it was. "Curious, I can think of a few reasons for something like this, but none of them are exactly...good. Given the circumstances though, I can see why it would be desirable to keep the sensors hidden, there's security for one, especially if there is the potential for an anti-Federation movement on the planet. I'll see what I can do captain."

"I think that message indicates more than just a possibility of an anti-Federation movement," Akio contemplated aloud. "I appreciate your help. We will be arriving at Bre'el IV this afternoon. I know that does not give you much time to get settled; however, I would like you to accompany us to speak with the Bre'el Government. As you say, your talents would be useful. If there's nothing further, dismissed, Lieutenant."

Zamora nodded and departed Akio's office. Akio let out a sigh. At least the Chief Diplomatic Officer would not be as much of a pain as Akio initially thought.

His arrival did spark more questions though and reinforced this notion that Akio felt like something was going on behind the scenes although he couldn't place his finger on it. Was it being watched? Was Zamora a spy from Starfleet?

Akio just looked out the window, brooding. Either way, he had to focus on the true enemy, not his crew. Their test would come soon enough.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CDR, SF
Commanding Officer, USS Hawaii

Juan "JJ" Zamora, LT, SF
Chief Diplomatic Officer, USS Hawaii