Post by miller11b on Jun 16, 2016 17:35:04 GMT
OFFICE OF RADM(L) JUSTIN SPENCE
STARFLEET OPERATIONS
SAN FRANSICO, EARTH
“Would someone mind explaining to me how a relatively simple mediation turned into a planetwide firefight with multiple governments overthrown in a single day?” Admiral Spence glared at the assembled officers. The report from U.S.S. Avalon on the Aurynar situation was the focus of this meeting, and no one had the answers being demanded of them.
Commander Harrison cleared his throat. “Sir, we never did establish firm intelligence assets on the ground. While Aurynar is important insofar as it is a potential member planet, it doesn't provide us with anything critical. There are no dilithium mines, their tech is barely adequate for a spacefareing race, and quite frankly there's no strategic assets to speak of. If it wasn't for the Federation's mandate, this planet would be completely unimportant to us. There wasn't a need.”
Admiral Spence stared at the commander. “Well, I think it's safe to say that Intelligence miscalculated that one, wouldn't you agree?”
The commander wisely kept his mouth shut.
The admiral turned to look at Captain Reynolds. “What's this I'm reading that neither the Captain nor the First Officer were present on this mission?”
Reynolds looked uncomfortable. “Sir, both the CO and XO of Avalon were called in to debrief and consult on the status of the U.S.S. Roger B. Chaffee, a Daedalus-class vessel that has been listed as MIA since the end of the 22nd century. Since FDC decided that this dispute did not merit the use of a Diplomatic team, it was decided that Avalon could proceed with the Second Officer, a Lieutenant Commander Fearos M'ssatt, in command. There was zero indication that this would result in such an unprecedented level of violence.”
“Sir, I respectfully have to disagree,” said Harrison. “If you'll look at the Appendix A on the OPORD for this mission, I did reference rumors of this religious group. Granted the rumors were unconfirmed, but-”
“If they were unconfirmed, Commander, how were we suppose to take them seriously?” growled Captain Reynolds. “Unconfirmed reports of a potential movement are hardly the grounds-”
“Enough, both of you.” Admiral Spence turned and directed his attention to the lone civilian in the room. “Mister Adkins, would you care to explain why your department did not feel a full Diplomatic contingent was required?”
Adkins shrugged. “Well Admiral, as we have already established, the Aurynar mission was not considered important enough for a Diplomatic team. The Diplomatic Corps is already stretched thin, we can't be expected to go and mediate every backwater world's temper tantrums, now can we? The Avalon was more than capable-”
“The Avalon is a fleet flagship, not a firetruck! There is zero reason at all why that vessel was important enough to mediate this dispute, but not important enough for your people to join her! Now look at the situation!”
Reynolds raised his hand. “Sir, there's no indication that the presence of a diplomatic team, or the lack of an appearance by the Federation, would have averted this tragedy. By all accounts, this was going to happen one way or another.”
Spence grunted. “Very well. What is the status of the two Aurynarians, Floa and,” he checked his notes, “Kunar?”
“Both are presently given diplomatic quarters on Starbase 146 until they can be returned to their world. Captain Carshard has extended them every hospitality.” Reynolds checked his notes. “Apparently, both parties have become somewhat less hostile to each other, given the current circumstances. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage?”
“Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we Captain?” The admiral glared at each person in turn. “This tragedy is on all of us. There is no reason for this to have happened at all. I will be traveling to Deep Space Nine in the next week, and I will personally interview the key personnel involved, as well as Avalon's CO. Once we can come up with a course of action to fix this, it will be executed. Understood?” The men in the room all nodded. “Good. Now get out of my office, all of you.”
STARFLEET OPERATIONS
SAN FRANSICO, EARTH
“Would someone mind explaining to me how a relatively simple mediation turned into a planetwide firefight with multiple governments overthrown in a single day?” Admiral Spence glared at the assembled officers. The report from U.S.S. Avalon on the Aurynar situation was the focus of this meeting, and no one had the answers being demanded of them.
Commander Harrison cleared his throat. “Sir, we never did establish firm intelligence assets on the ground. While Aurynar is important insofar as it is a potential member planet, it doesn't provide us with anything critical. There are no dilithium mines, their tech is barely adequate for a spacefareing race, and quite frankly there's no strategic assets to speak of. If it wasn't for the Federation's mandate, this planet would be completely unimportant to us. There wasn't a need.”
Admiral Spence stared at the commander. “Well, I think it's safe to say that Intelligence miscalculated that one, wouldn't you agree?”
The commander wisely kept his mouth shut.
The admiral turned to look at Captain Reynolds. “What's this I'm reading that neither the Captain nor the First Officer were present on this mission?”
Reynolds looked uncomfortable. “Sir, both the CO and XO of Avalon were called in to debrief and consult on the status of the U.S.S. Roger B. Chaffee, a Daedalus-class vessel that has been listed as MIA since the end of the 22nd century. Since FDC decided that this dispute did not merit the use of a Diplomatic team, it was decided that Avalon could proceed with the Second Officer, a Lieutenant Commander Fearos M'ssatt, in command. There was zero indication that this would result in such an unprecedented level of violence.”
“Sir, I respectfully have to disagree,” said Harrison. “If you'll look at the Appendix A on the OPORD for this mission, I did reference rumors of this religious group. Granted the rumors were unconfirmed, but-”
“If they were unconfirmed, Commander, how were we suppose to take them seriously?” growled Captain Reynolds. “Unconfirmed reports of a potential movement are hardly the grounds-”
“Enough, both of you.” Admiral Spence turned and directed his attention to the lone civilian in the room. “Mister Adkins, would you care to explain why your department did not feel a full Diplomatic contingent was required?”
Adkins shrugged. “Well Admiral, as we have already established, the Aurynar mission was not considered important enough for a Diplomatic team. The Diplomatic Corps is already stretched thin, we can't be expected to go and mediate every backwater world's temper tantrums, now can we? The Avalon was more than capable-”
“The Avalon is a fleet flagship, not a firetruck! There is zero reason at all why that vessel was important enough to mediate this dispute, but not important enough for your people to join her! Now look at the situation!”
Reynolds raised his hand. “Sir, there's no indication that the presence of a diplomatic team, or the lack of an appearance by the Federation, would have averted this tragedy. By all accounts, this was going to happen one way or another.”
Spence grunted. “Very well. What is the status of the two Aurynarians, Floa and,” he checked his notes, “Kunar?”
“Both are presently given diplomatic quarters on Starbase 146 until they can be returned to their world. Captain Carshard has extended them every hospitality.” Reynolds checked his notes. “Apparently, both parties have become somewhat less hostile to each other, given the current circumstances. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage?”
“Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we Captain?” The admiral glared at each person in turn. “This tragedy is on all of us. There is no reason for this to have happened at all. I will be traveling to Deep Space Nine in the next week, and I will personally interview the key personnel involved, as well as Avalon's CO. Once we can come up with a course of action to fix this, it will be executed. Understood?” The men in the room all nodded. “Good. Now get out of my office, all of you.”