United

Posted on Dec 01, 2016 @ 8:23pm by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane

Mission: Aftermath

"UNITED"

(Continued from "One Step At A Time")

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Location: Earthrise Hotel, Tycho City, Luna
Stardate: [2.16]12.011620
Scene: Kane's hotel room


Michael Turlogh Kane couldn't put it off any longer. He'd got back from his meeting with David Gilvari, grabbed a quick bite from the replicator, and was now standing in front of the communications panel with Thomas Varn's PADD in his hand, waiting for his call to go through. In the letter, Thomas had indicated that he was resigning his commission and decamping for Elandipole, and Kane couldn't blame him given what he had gone through since he had come back. Science was not going to leave Thomas Varn alone, and he would have no peace if he stayed in the Federation, with doctors and thanatologists all looking to examine him down to the cellular level. Elandipole, with its frontier life far from the beaten track, was a good place for someone like Thomas Varn right now.

The call connected, and Sylvia Warren appeared on the screen. She was obviously in her quarters aboard the Jenner, and was off-duty, being dressed in civilian clothes. She looked in confusion at the screen, obviously distracted. "Yes? Who is that?" she squinted at the screen.

"Lieutenant Warren, this is Captain Kane of the Phoenix," Kane started, before correcting himself. "Formerly of the Phoenix, I mean. Do you remember me?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, of course." The last time Kane had spoken to Sylvia Warren was to tell her of the death of the original Thomas Varn. When he (or whatever it was that was wearing his skin) had been resurrected, Sylvia had already left the Phoenix to go aboard the Jenner as a computer specialist. "What can I do for you, Captain?"

Kane glanced down at the PADD. "I've had a message from Thomas. I wondered if he'd been in touch with you. If not, I'd like to pass on what he told me."

Sylvia was nodding. "Yes. To be honest, I"m still processing it. He's resigned from Starfleet?"

"Because of the circumstances of his resurrection, Thomas is going to a frontier world in the Elandipole system where he can be free from Starfleet Medical. Yes, he resigned his commission and is no longer in the fleet."

"Thank you for inform - " Suddenly, there was a strangled noise from behind Sylvia, like an animal squawking. She turned away from the screen, and Kane's jaw dropped. In the background of the room was a child's playpen, and standing up against the railing and attempting to escape its confines was a little girl, around a year old. She had shoulder-length fair hair and was doing her best to clamber over the side of the pen, beaming a gummy smile, ropes of drool all over her face. "No," Sylvia admonished gently, lifting the babe up in her arms before turning back to the screen. "I have to go, Captain. Thank you for the information."

"Of course," Kane managed, before the screen went blank. He stood staring at his own reflection in the comms panel. The original Thomas Varn had never been more dead than at this moment, but a part of him was leaving leaving its mark on the galaxy. For a brief moment, Kane wondered if he should tell the resurrected Thomas of what he had seen, but finally decided against it. It wasn't his business, and the resurrected Thomas' letter to him had had an air of finality to it. Whatever kind of a life that Sylvia Warren, Thomas Varn, and their child had left, it was their own to live, and Kane wished them well.

He activated the comms panel again, tuning the signal to FedCom's broadcast.

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Location: Vulcan
Scene: The Hall of Voices


Aleksey Maximovich Nikitin, replendent in his new suit and tie, carefully kept his eyes fixed on the holocamera as the digital countdown began. He was about to broadcast live across the Federation (and probably beyond, if the intelligence services of the Romulans and Orions, for example, were anything to write home about) for his first big anchor programme.

It was good to be back on Earth, good to be living here again now that Richard Edgerton and his fascist goons had been cast down. Aleksey had been this close to breaking the story before Edgerton had sent an assassin after him, necessitating his quick getaway aboard the starship Phoenix, where he'd languished in exile for two years. Now, though, he was back home, with a new suit and anew job at FedCom, and all was well.
Except it wasn't. This was going to be the Council's first meeting on Vulcan and the controversy from last month's vote on Earth was still ringing through the Federation. By using the support of Richard Edgerton's unwitting supporters on the Council, Sardak had managed to push through a vote expelling Humans from their permanent Council seat, something that was not going down well on Earth. Humans had immediately responded by declaring their intention to run in the election, which raised all sorts of troubling hypotheticals - what if they ran, and lost? Would they accept it, or would Human public opinion again begin to swing towards radical politics? And if they won, the consequences were equally worrisome - Sardak's position as president would hardly be tenable (like it wasn't just barely right now, he thought to himself), and the Council would fracture right down the middle.

Sardak was due to open the meeting tonight. Aleksey couldn't help but be sympathetic to the embattled Vulcan - Sardak's stated aim was to disentangle the Human-dominated Starfleet from the civilian government where Earth also wielded enormous political power. While he could see and understand Sardak's reasoning, the backlash from Earth was threatening to sweep the Assembly along with it. If Humans were unstoppable, did that mean that one shouldn't try to stop them? Should all the other members of the Federation simply acquiesce to Humans dominating Starfleet, to Humans having the capital world and all the power that came along with it? It might have made sense when the Federation was founded, but did it necessarily have to be so three centuries later? He remembered that the other three founding worlds - Tellar, Andor, and Vulcan - had all voted in support of Sardak's proposal.

My God, he thought, is the Federation going to tear itself asunder?

The countdown hit three, two, one. Aleksey put on his cheesiest smile as the light above the holocamera turned from red to green. He was live across the Federation, subspace radio delivering his broadcast at almost a quarter-million times the speed of light.

"Welcome to FedCom's live broadcast of the Federation Council's meeting, live from the Hall of Voices on Vulcan," he said in his professional voice. Many people had two voices - one they used for face-to-face contact, and one they used for radio or telephony communication. Aleksey was no different. "I'm Aleksey Nikitin, and thank you for joining us."

The holocamera's light switched from green to amber, and Aleksey waited. The network was broadcasting its introductory segment - picturesque scenes from around Vulcan, many different people from many different worlds shaking hands and being friendly - but he quashed the visualisation. In its own way, it was a lot like Edgerton's propaganda, with images of a problem-free Federation that belied the political tensions simmering beneath its surface.

Behind him, applause began from the public gallery, ebb and flow like the tide. Aleksey glanced down to see Sardak and the fourteen current Council members appear from an ante-chamber and move to the central dais where their seats were. Unlike Candlestick Auditorium or even the sundered Place de la Concorde in Paris, the Hall of Voice was an underground structure, deliciously cool in the long Vulcan evenings while the planet above baked in the sunshine. The natural acoustics were superb, negating the need for any of the politicians to wear a microphone.

The holocamera light flashed green again, and the hovering device moved to Aleksey's shoulder, looking down into the room. The majority of the attendees in the public gallery were Vulcans, as one might have suspected, but there were a smattering of almost every other species in the Federation, including several Assembly members who had already arrived on the planet in advance of their big vote in a few days' time.

Aleksey began his commentary, making sure to speak slowly, but not *too* slowly, with gravitas, but not *too* stentorian. "The Council members are taking their places now. As you can see, there is one seat empty. The Federation Assembly will vote on elevating one its members to this higher office in just a few short days, but for now it remains empty."

Aleksey checked the display panel mounted on his forearm for any new information. The camera was fixed on the scene below, not on him, and he noted that his director had sent him a text message - DOING WELL KEEP GOING.

"It looks like the President is about to make a statement," said Aleksey sombrely, as Sardak took the podium in the centre of the dais. The Council seats were all arranged in a circle around him, the former Human seat standing out starkly in its emptiness. "My fellow sentients, the President of the United Federation of Planets."

Sardak's satanic features were typically inscrutable, and his hands were hidden inside the voluminous sleeves of his brown kolinahr robe. A great hush fell over the Hall of Voices as, for the first time in the history of the Federation, a Council meeting that was not taking place on Earth began.

"My fellow citizens," began Sardak, "may I welcome you to the Hall of Voices, underneath the ShiKahr, here on the planet Vulcan. This building has a long and august history on this world for its role in diplomacy, public debate, and philosophy, and it is in that spirit that I greet you all tonight."

Aleksey noted that Sardak was not reading a prepared speech. The enigmatic Vulcan seemed to be winging this one. Aleksey wondered what that meant.

"I have been President of this Council and this Federation for a year now," continued Sardak, "having been acclaimed so along by Starfleet in the Elandipole system. After some consultation with the senior officers of the fleet at that time, it was decided that I, being the last surviving member of President Moray's cabinet, was the legitimate head of state. Since that time, I have done my utmost to maintain a semblance of civilian authority over Starfleet while allowing them the freedom to prosecute the Battle of Earth. If it were not for the ultimate sacrifice of many thousands of Starfleet personnel in the past several years, the victory would not have been won, and the Federation would now not be in existence."

Aleksey noted that everyone in the Hall was watching Sardak carefully. Like any politician making a public statement, his words would be picked apart by the media and by his political friends and enemies.

"We are now over a quarter of the way through this century, and already the Federation has witnessed three major wars - the Seventh War of Retribution, the Second Dominion War, and the Neo-Essentialist Crisis. Despite these holocausts, the United Federation of Planets remains the strongest and most influential power in the quadrant. Understandably proud of this pre-eminence, we yet realise that the Federation's leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of galactic peace and the betterment of all our members, in friendship, solidarity, and mutual co-existence."

A round of applause followed that statement, with widespread murmurs of agreement. Aleksey quickly whispered, "The President's opening remarks greeted warmly by the audience."

Sardak continued. "Throughout the history of the United Federation of Planets, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace, to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity across the galaxy. To strive for less would be unworthy of a collective of free peoples. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice, would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad."

Aleksey wondered Sardak was going with his. At first, he had thought that the Vulcan was improvising his speech, but this seemed a little too prepared for that.

"Progress toward these noble goals is persistently threatened by various conflicts, whether these be ideological, political, or intergalactic in scope. Recently, the Federation faced a hostile ideology, ruthless in purpose, and insidious in method."

"The President now referring to the Neo-Essentialists," Aleksey said quietly for the benefit of those watching.

"We cannot assume that, because this most recent crisis has ended, that our way is now clear. Crises there will continue to be. In meeting them, whether foreign or domestic, great or small, there is always a recurring temptation to feel that some spectacular and costly action could become the miraculous solution to all current difficulties. A huge increase in newer elements of our defense, for example. Or perhaps development of unrealistic programs to cure every ill in agriculture. Or a dramatic expansion in basic and applied research - these and many other possibilities, each possibly promising in itself, may be suggested as the only way to the road we wish to travel. But each proposal must be weighed in the light of a broader consideration - the need to maintain balance in and among the Federation's own programmes. A balance between the private and the public economy, a balance between cost and hoped for advantage, a balance between the clearly necessary and the comfortably desirable, a balance between our essential requirements as a united federation and the duties we voluntarily undertake as individuals, and balance between actions of the moment and the collective welfare of the future. Good judgment seeks balance and progress, but the lack of it eventually finds imbalance and frustration."

Aleksey was frantically punching the touch-screen of his display panel, typing out a headline as President Sardak got into the meat of his speech. PRESIDENT CALLS FOR BALANCE GOING FORWARD, he typed out, before tapping the 'send' button, knowing it was immediately popping up on comms screens across the Federation.

Sardak wasn't staying completely still as he spoke. He was slowly turning in circles, making eye contact with each member the Council - Vulcan, Andor, Tellar, Bajor, Betazed, Cait, Benzar, Zakdorn , Bolarus, Trill, Delta, Efros, Denobula, Edos - giving them all a good long look at he continued with his speech.

"A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment, our star fleet. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. We must also seek balance in Starfleet, as anywhere else, keeping it as a strong shield that remains a tool of the body as a whole, not of one single arm."

Aleksey knew what the President was referring to. Humans numerically dominated Starfleet to a degree no other species did.

"In the halls of our civilian government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by this military complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist for as long as there is a need for it to exist, but we must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. It is the task of statesmanship to mould, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system, ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society."

A ripple of applause broke out again. Aleksey thought about amending the ticker headline, then decided against it.

"Down the long lane of the history yet to be written we must strive become a proud federation of mutual trust and respect, a united federation of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as the strongest, knowing that they are equals in this great endeavour. We must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose. This is my hope for the future of this great organisation."

Aleksey listened carefully. Was Sardak making some sort of comment on Humans again? Were they the 'strongest' who needed to acknowledge the equality of others?

"It is a future that I will not see in my current capacity," continued Sardak, drawing murmurs from the audience as they waited to hear what he would say. "In attempting to disentangle Starfleet from the government, in attempting to ensure that the rise of a future dictator from among our ranks is stymied, I have unintentionally threatened the unity of both the Assembly and the Council." He paused a moment. "No one species must dominate the Federation. That is anathema to what our founders had in mind when they banded together three centuries ago. Reform must come before any one single species grows so powerful that it is able to discount the voices of the weak in favour of its own interests."

He paused again, then delivered his bombshell. "That is why I am resigning from the office of President of the United Federation of Planets, and will be stepping away from government to become a private citizen once again. This will take effect in three days' time, to allow for travel time of this news throughout the Federation."

The audience reacted audibly. Several shouts of "No!" were clearly heard. Someone even yelled "We need you to protect us from the Terrans!" as Aleksey's jaw dropped. Whatever he had been expecting, it wasn't this. The Council members seemed bewildered - none of them looked like thy had been expecting this.

Sardak went on. "I do this for two reasons. The first is to not exert undue influence over the upcoming Council election - a new Council, reformed, will elect a new president and vice-president in due course. Secondly, there is no precedent in our democracy for a former Secretary to be hailed as President without confirmation via a popular election. With that in mind, it is time now I step away from this role." Sardak gestured to his colleagues on the Council. "In due course someone, perhaps one of you, will be elected to my place. It is my hope and fervent desire that the next holder of this august office will continue to lead a federation of planets that is, equally and mutually, United."

With that, Sardak of Vulcan stepped down from the podium and walked towards an ante-chamber, with the Council scrambling to get to their offices before the surging media frenzy overwhelmed them. As for Aleksey - well, he started punching at the keys on his forearm display while turning into the camera to yell out his news over the hubbub.

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Location: Starfleet Headquarters, Earth
Scene: Hussein Karimi's office


Marie-Claire Martine, Hussein Karimi, and Xana Bonviva watched in shocked silence as Aleksey Nikitin continued his commentary from the Hall of Voices on Vulcan. The noise behind him was almost drowning the Russian out - he had to shout to make himself heard.

{{Incredible scenes here in the Hall of Voices!}} Aleksey was exclaiming. {{If you've just joined us, then Sardak has shocked the Council by - }}

Marie-Claire switched off the communications panel and turned to face her two partners. "I didn't see that coming."

"Neither did I," admitted Xana, "but it's good for us. We can spin it to suggest that Sardak fell before he was pushed. Our poll numbers will go up."

Hussein Karimi was smiling broadly. "We're going to win, aren't we?" he chuckled. "I'm going to be on the Council!" Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Marie-Claire. "A shame that Captain Kane turned down our request for help. Should we see about getting some of his command staff to endorse me instead?"

"Not a good idea," interjected Xana significantly. "Best to leave them alone. They've all been through enough."

Martine kept her own counsel regarding what Xana's real reasons might be for not touching that. Her marriage to the Phoenix's chief engineer wasn't a secret, and anyway, if she was as good as the early days indicated, then Hussein Karimi was going to end up on the Assembly before long, with or without any endorsements. "We need to go to Vulcan," she said. "The sooner we start pressing the flesh and showing our face, the better it will be. Most of the Assembly is already there."

"I'll arrange it," said Xana, getting to her feet. "Pack a bag, Mister Karimi, and keep it light. Tomorrow we're going to be on Vulcan."

Hussein stood up too. He looked like he was still absorbing the news, but then thought of something. "What about Captain Kane and his crew? If he makes it public that we approached him - "

"I don't think he'd do that," said Xana. "I know the man. He doesn't work like that. Mostly."

Martine's eyes narrowed. She threw a glance at Hussein. "You might be right, though. Safer if they were a long way from here, and the sooner the better."

"What are you going to do?" asked Hussein.

Martine and Xana shared a glance. "What else do you do with heroes?" shrugged Martine. "You thank them, then give them a hell of a send-off as they ride away into the sunset."

Hussein looked confused for a moment, then a slow smile spread across his lips. Together, the trio got down to work.

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+++ FEDCOM BREAKING NEWS
+++ SARDAK RESIGNS AS FEDERATION PRESIDENT
+++ COUNCIL ELECTION IMMINENT
+++ STAY TUNED FOR LATEST HEADLINES

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NRPG: Sardak has resigned as president and will be stepping down in a couple of days. In the meantime, the Assembly members are gathering on Vulcan to prepare for the upcoming election, and someone somewhere is making plans for our characters...


Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
former Commanding Officer
USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act 1, Scene 1.117
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